Context:
Capital of China, one can easily spend few days here and exploring the remnants of China's imperial past, from the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven to the Great Wall and fast-disappearing Hutongs (Beijing alleyways). On this trip we visit the best selection of Beijing's most impressive and must to see sites for first time visitors, at the same time, we can explore deeper by our people to people activities here.

•Visit to Chinese Medicine Hospital: We have a unique opportunity to visit a traditional Chinese medicine hospital where we learn how a Chinese physician handles diagnosis through reading signs of pulse and tongue color, performing acupuncture, and prescribing Chinese herbal medicine. This is an intimate opportunity to compare Western and Eastern medical philosophy.

•Hike along the Great Wall: Though the underlying architecture dates from the Ming Dynasty, the original plan for the Great Wall and some of its construction date back to the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC). Today we embark on an outing to the Great Wall at Mutianyu which is arguably one of the most impressive un-restored sections of the Great Wall.

•Study Taichi with a Master: Our Master gives us an exhibition of Taichi, where the healing art blends into the swift movements of martial arts. Afterwards, our own personal Chinese Taichi class starts with a demonstration of the basic steps of Taichi, and then our master teaches us how to execute a few of these graceful, flowing exercises together with him, helping us discover one of China’s most highly praised arts.

•798 Contemporary Arts Studios"798" is located at a site of state-owned factories including Factory 798, which originally produced electronics. Beginning in 2002, artists and cultural organizations began to divide, rent out, and re-make the factory spaces, gradually developing them into galleries, art centers, artists' studios, design companies, restaurants, and bars. It became a "Soho-esque" area of international character, replete with "loft living," attracting attention from all around.

Comfort Level:
Moderate cultural tour
Our generally short, 3-5 day journeys will walk about 4 to 6 hour each day. Some trips may include day excursions to sights outside the city. Hiking difficulty will be minimal and won’t require any technical preparation. Because these trips tour through China's most developed cities, accommodations will be in full service, westernized hotels. These trips are great for quick business tours, light vacation, and families with younger children.