The Great Wall Marathon Tour (7 Days), China

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Beijing, China

  Arrival at China

  On 12th May, 2015, your Great Wall Marathon Tour into China begins in its capital city, Beijing, one of the fastest and most important cities in the world, a financial capital and a haven of culture. Travel from the airport to the hotel is not included in the package. When you arrive at your hotel, make sure you check the notice board to get details concerning your tour guide, including phone numbers and other details.

  Get in touch with your tour guide to finalize tomorrow’s plans. Great Wall of China Marathon tour, which include information on the marathon, route inspection and more, will be given to you. You can spend the rest of the day doing what you want, whether it is getting some shut-eye after your trip or exploring Beijing.

  Today, there will be no meals that are included as part of the package.

• Day 2 - Tour of Beijing

  Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven Chinese Cuisines, Silk Exhibition Visit

  The 13th of May has tons of treats in store for you! You will explore Beijing. Also, visit the Tiananmen Square, the fourth largest city square in the world, which bear enormous historical and cultural significance. This is where many of Asia’s defining moments and protests took place. You will also see the Monument to the People’s Heroes and Mao Zedong Mausoleum. After this, set off to the Forbidden City, which was the Chinese imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

  You can then treat yourself to a lunch that boasts of a Chinese specialty, a Beijing roast duck. 

  After lunch, explore the Temple of Heaven in Chongwen district, southern Beijing, which originally saw the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties hold the remarkably beautiful Heaven Worshipping ceremony. It was also one of the last and famous sacrificial alters in the country.

  You will finish the day with a visit to a silk exhibition hall, where you can buy silk souvenirs, articles of clothing and more.

  Today’s meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

• Day 3 - Huangyaguan , Marathon Route Inspection, Optional Acrobatics Show

  Route Inspection, Optional Acrobatics Show

  Today, the 14th of May, you will get up bright and early to go to the Great Wall for the marathon’s route inspection. If it is too early for breakfast, a breakfast box will be provided. You will be given more information about the marathon. Runners who are participating will have to walk the 3.5 km of the Huangyaguan part of the wall, where the marathon will take place.  Non runners can also participate in fun marathons and the host of other options available.  Lunch, consisting of sandwiches, will be distributed at the venue. 

  Return to Beijing at 5 pm in the evening and later enjoy dinner consisting of local Beijing cuisines. You can spend the rest of the evening exploring the city. Another option would be to take the Acrobatics Show, an optional tour that will take you to see acrobats perform mind-bending tricks and feats. For this, you will have the purchase tour additionally. It costs 29 USD per person.

  Today’s meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Day 4 - Cloisonné factory and Ming Tombs Visit

  Cloisonné factory, Ming tombs 

  Today, on the 15th of May, you will visit a cloisonné factory. Cloisonné is an ancient technique used to decorate metal objects, later retrofitted with enamel. You can discover more about Chinese cloisonné in this factory and the manner in which it is made and crafted.

  After eating lunch, unravel the Ming tombs, a collection of imperial mausoleums built by the Chinese Ming emperors. The tombs are located in a valley that lies south of the Tianshou mountain, 50 km from Beijing.  Out of the sixteen Ming emperors, thirteen were buried here. 

  Today’s meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Day 5 - Race Day, Beijing

  Marathon Race, Great Wall of China

  May 16th dawns bright and early, signalling the much-awaited marathon race day!  You will need to make an early start. Breakfast boxes will be given to you at 3.30 am. You will then leave for the Great Wall Marathon race, which starts at 730am.

  Considered one of the most challenging marathons in the world, the Great Wall Marathon takes place in the historic and phenomenal Great Wall of China. Apart from the breathtaking surroundings, the route of the marathon rambles into valleys, villages and to interesting places, even as the crowd cheers and participates in the festivities. 

  The marathon, one of the most exciting events in China, takes place in the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall of China. At the venue, sandwiches will be provided for everyone who is in attendance.

  After finishing with the marathon, you can avail of a 20-minute massage. To return to Beijing, you can take one of the many buses back to the city, which will be plying between 12 and 4.30 pm.

  Today’s meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

• Day 6 - Beijing Excursion option, Marathon Party

  Day of Leisure, Marathon Party

  On the 17th of May, you can sit back and relax after the marathon.  The day is open to do what you wish, whether it is shopping in the Silk Valley and the markets or discover Beijing. You can purchase an optional excursion of Beijing, called the City of People excursion, which will take you to the Summer Palace outside to Beijing, to the famous city zoo with the giant panda and more. The optional excursion is priced at 56 USD.

  In the evening, unwind and celebrate at the marathon party venue. 

  Today’s meals include breakfast and dinner, and lunch is included if the optional excursion is purchased.

• Day 7 - Departure from Beijing

  The Great Wall Marathon Tour Ends Here

  May 18th will see you leaving the beautiful city of Beijing. You can try and find some time before the departure of your flight to squeeze in a bit of shopping and sight-seeing. 

  Today, only breakfast will be served.