Beijing & the Great Wall Extension

Witness the intersection of China’s storied past and dynamic present on an exploration of Chinese culture and history in Beijing. Walk atop the 2,000-year-old Great Wall as it undulates over the hilly landscape outside the city, and marvel at the vast expanse of stone that protected Chinese dynasties for centuries. Explore Beijing’s imperial legacy on a guided tour of the Forbidden City, a sprawling complex of ancient buildings, and stroll across Tiananmen Square, where demonstrators made history. Visit the Temple of Heaven, an architectural masterpiece where emperors held elaborate prayer ceremonies, and stroll through the Summer Palace, a 17th-century imperial retreat and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where locals still gather amid lakes, gardens and pavilions. For a classic Chinese culinary experience, feast on Peking duck at a lively local restaurant.