6 Days Beijing Tianjin Chengde Visa-Free Tour
Make the Most of Your Visa-Free Transit
Make the Most of Your Visa-Free Transit
Beijing's 144-hour visa-free policy provides a fantastic opportunity for travelers from 54 designated countries to explore three distinct cities in China - Tianjin, Beijing, and Chengde (a charming city of Hebei) - without the need for a visa. This 6-day tour is designed to give you a comprehensive experience of these vibrant locales, each with its own unique character.
Begin your journey in Tianjin, a dynamic metropolis known for its impressive blend of modernity and history, thanks to its two international ports facilitating visa-free entry. From there, move on to Beijing, China's old & present capital and cultural heart, where centuries of history and tradition are woven into the fabric of the city. Finally, explore Chengde, a serene city renowned for its expansive Mountain Resort and its historical significance as the Qing Dynasty's summer retreat. This itinerary ensures you fully appreciate the distinct atmospheres and cultural richness of each destination within the scope of your visa-free stay.
Day 1 Tianjin Arrival
Tianjin Binhai International Airport or Tianjin Cruise Port Pick-up
According to your schedule, our local guide will meet you at the airport or Tianjin Cruise Port and take you to the downtown area of Tianjin City. Our guide will help you check in your hotel. The rest of the day is free on your own to explore this beautiful city.
Tianjin City Vivew
Day 2 Tianjin City Tour & High Speed Train to Beijing (B, L)
Five Great Avenues - Jingyuan Garden - Shi Family Mansion - Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street
After breakfast, pick you up at your hotel. Today your trip starts from the North Jiefang Road Financial Street, the “Wall Street in the East”. Later, move on to the Five Great Avenues (Wudadao Area) where you can see over 200 beautiful examples of Italian, German, French, Spanish and British architecture with different style mixed in with old Chinese villas that showcase the modern history of China.
Then you’ll visit Jingyuan Garden, a Spanish-styled brick structure that built in 1921 with the original name of Qianyuan Manor. It is the former residence of the Last Emperor of Qing Dynasty - Puyi. Later, continue to visit Shi Family Mansion, which is a large and well-kept civil residence made up of 12 ancient-style quadrangle courtyards on both sides of a 60-meter-long road and a few additional elegant pavilions, pools and gardens. The architectural style and all the decorations fully represent the folk culture and custom of the late Qing Dynasty (1840-1912) and show the rise and fall of the 200-year-long history of the Shi Family in Yangliuqing, one of the richest families in old Tianjin. Now it serves as the folk custom museum in Yangliuqing which has a large collection of folk arts like Yangliuqing New Year paintings, brick sculpture, etc.
Finally, explore Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street, where you can enjoy the special architectural styles, take folk crafts, and taste the delicious local snacks.
After the tour, transfer to Tianjin Railway Station to take a bullet train to Beijing (about 30 minutes). The local guide will meet you at Beijing South Railway Station and escort you to the hotel.
Day 3 Beijing (B, L)
Tiananmen Square - Forbidden City - Jingshan Park - Summer Palace
After breakfast, you will start a journey through Beijing's storied past with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public plaza. This iconic site is where Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China from the imposing Tiananmen Gate.
Step through Tiananmen Gate and into the heart of imperial China - Forbidden City. This vast palace complex of nearly 10,000 rooms, once home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties, stands as a marvel of architectural brilliance and historical grandeur. Admire the intricate details, from the dazzling yellow-glazed tile roofs to the refined white marble bases. As you explore the myriad rooms and courtyards, envision the lives of emperors, empresses, and their courtiers.
After leaving the Forbidden City, take a short walk to Jingshan Park, where you can ascend to its summit for a panoramic view. From here, marvel at the sweeping vistas of the Forbidden City to the south and the serene landscapes of Beihai Park, Shichahai Lake, and the iconic Drum Tower to the north. For unforgettable photos, make your way to one of the palace's corner towers, a favorite spot among photography enthusiasts.
Following lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to experience the enchanting Summer Palace. Once the exclusive summer retreat of the imperial family, this site is renowned as China's largest and most well-preserved royal garden. Discover a stunning array of ancient pavilions, grand mansions, serene temples, and elegant bridges. The Long Corridor, stretching along the peaceful shores of Kunming Lake, is adorned with thousands of vibrant paintings that tell captivating stories of history and mythology.
Lastly, be escorted back to your hotel.
Optional Night Activities:
1) Watch a wonderful acrobatic performance at the Chaoyang Theater;
2) Or enjoy the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater.
Day 4 Beijing - Chengde (B, L)
Putuo Zongcheng Temple - Chengde Mountain Resort
After breakfast, you will drive to Chengde which is about 225km (3 hours' drive) from Beijing. Your Chengde trip begin from Putuo Zongcheng Temple which is component of World Cultural Heritage with Chengde Mountain Resort. The temple was built to celebrate Qianlong Emperor’s 60th birthday and his mother Empress Dowager Chongqing’s 80 birthday. Modeled after the Potala Palace in Tibet, this Tibetan Buddhist temple cluster is also known as “Little Potala Palace”. You will path through the red-walled Tablet Pavilion, Five Pagoda Gate and Glazed Archway, then hike further to the flat-roofed white oblong towers spreading on the hillside and finally get to the majestic Great Red Palace, the main body and most eye-catching building of Putuo Zongcheng Temple. Go upstairs to visit Wanfaguiyi Hall and enjoy unique Chinese and Tibetan style architectures, and catch a panoramic view of the “Little Potala Palace” and Mountain Resort and Qingchui Peak (Hammer Rock) nearby from Cihangpudu Pavilion.
Next, you will be taken to visit Chengde Mountain Resort, a famous royal summer resort of Qing Dynasty that has been evaluated as one of China’s Four Famous Gardens, one of Three Greatest Ancient Architectures and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It is a huge complex built by Kangxi and Qianlong Emperors between 1703 to 1792 for summer retreat and temporary stay during autumn hunting, consisting of scenic areas of palaces, administrative and ceremonial buildings, gardens and different natural landscapes. Many emperors even spent nearly half a year staying here, processing government affairs and enjoying summer holidays. You will take your time to visit Chengde Mountain Resort Museum (former Zheng Palace), Songhezhai and Wanhesongfeng Hall to trace back to previous royal offices and living quarters. Next, walk to enjoy peaceful green lakes embraced by many shoreside lush trees and ancient buildings, also have a leisure stroll along the lakes and visit Yanyu Tower to view elegant Jiangnan-style architectures with handwriting of Qianlong Emperor, and walk through vast grassland and dense forests in Wanshu Garden to see the Mongolian yurts and Liuhe Pagoda, which will refresh your eyes and mind and offer you a pleasant summer retreat like ancient emperors.
After sightseeing, you will go to explore Chengde's sacred Buddhist temple.
Accommodate in Chengde city.
Day 5 Chengde - Jinshanling Great Wall - Beijing (B, L)
Two-pagoda Peaks - Jinshanling Great Wall
After breakfast, you will be drive to Jinshanling Great Wall. On the way, you will drop by Two-Pagoda Peaks, the largest unexplained natural sight of Chengde. Two giant rocky peaks stand together with two similar ancient pagodas on the flat tops. Formed by water and wind erosion, the twin stone pillars have existed over forty million years. And, the two brick pagodas were confirmed to be constructed during Liao Dynasty over 1,000 years ago. It is a man-made wonder that the Khitans completed such work in the ancient time without obvious access up to the summit.
After that, continue driving to Jinshanling Great Wall, which is about a 1.5-hour drive (90 km) from Chengde. Known as one of the best-preserved and most picturesque sections of the Great Wall, it features in steep mountains and dense, ornate towers. This section is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts and photographers.
From the entrance of the scenic area, you'll walk about 20 minutes to Zhuanduo Tower. Then, start your hike eastward along the undulating wall winding through stunning and remote mountainous terrain. The essential hiking route from Zhuanduokou to Big Jinshan Tower is renowned for its beauty and is considered the most picturesque section of the Jinshanling Great Wall, taking approximately 2.5 hours to complete. During your hike, you’ll encounter several notable towers: General Tower, Small Jinshan Tower, and finally Big Jinshan Tower. Each of these towers features distinctive architectural elements and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the wall itself. After the sightseeing experience at Big Jinshan Tower, hike back to Small Jinshan Tower and take a cable car down.
For Hiking Enthusiasts: The above hiking route is suitable for various ages and fitness levels. If you're looking for a more challenging hike, let your travel consultant know so they can tailor the route to your preferences and physical condition. For a longer hike, consider continuing from Big Jinshan Tower to Houchuankou (about an hour) to view the unrestored section or to East Wuyan Tower (approximately two hours) to fully explore the unrestored Great Wall before descending on foot.
Lastly, transfer back to Beijing.
Day 6 Beijing Departure (B, L)
Temple of Heaven - Hutong - Beijing Departure
After breakfast, drive to Temple of Heaven, a historic site once used by emperors for sacrificial ceremonies. As you explore this grand complex of buildings and gardens, you'll discover the rituals and beliefs of the Ming and Qing emperors, who sought divine blessings for good harvests through intricate ceremonies. Beyond its historical importance, you'll observe vibrant local life, with residents practicing Tai Chi, dancing, and engaging in various exercises among the lush pine woods.
Then get back to the central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience the Beijing Hutongs - narrow alleys lined with historic quadrangle dwellings. This journey will immerse you in the traditional Beijing lifestyle, where you can explore charming antique shops, boutique stores, and witness the city's historical evolution. You'll also visit a local family's home in the Hutongs, offering a glimpse into everyday life.
Optional Activity: If time permits, you may join a class on Traditional Chinese Paper Cutting in the Hutong area. Learn to create beautiful designs and motifs with the guidance of a skilled teacher.
Your Beijing tour is now about to end. Your tour guide will escort you to catch your flight/train to next destination.
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons. It will drop greatly if your group has 4 or more members.
2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, month and date. There may be huge price increasing during public Chinese holidays, school summer vacations, tourism peak seasons or some special dates. (China Public Holiday 2024 Schedule Released)
3. Other factors that may change the final tour price include group size, hotel class, tour activities, fluctuation of currency exchange rate, etc.
4. This price is based on exchange rate USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final price will be based on the exchange rate in effect at the time of agreement with our quotation.
5. This price is only valid to March 31, 2025.
6. This price is not the final price until the Confirmation Letter is sent.
7. The items included and excluded in this price are for reference only. The final services included, please refer to the confirmation letter sent to you by the travel consultant.
Hi Juliet,
I am very happy during this cruise trip. The service is excellent. The staff is smiling all the time and manger Stephen is very helpful. But I don't understand why the tips is different between the local customers and the foreign customers.
Kenny
Hi Phoebe,
You were so helpful and responsive. I am glad I booked this adventure with you. Booking my one-day Great Wall Huanghuacheng excursion with China Discovery was worth every penny! The car ride was quite long and very comfortable. I was super grateful that there was some water provided because the climb was intense. My guide, Jack, was kind, knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging the whole time. The hike was the second hardest hike of my life but worth every moment and every drop of sweat. This was an experience I will never forget.
Thank you for your help!
Best,
Cassidy
Hello, Shirley
First, I wanted to thank you for your assistance in planning our trip to China these past few months. We have exchanged many emails and your support and suggestions have been essential to our holiday.
Second, we want to highly recommend Lyla as a guide in the Guilin area. She went above and beyond for us and demonstrated great depth and breadth of knowledge about numerous topics. We asked many questions and she was very thoughtful and informative with her responses. She was also very conscientious and always made she we were comfortable and prepared for the daily activities.
We cannot recommend her highly enough and we hope other English-speaking tourists are fortunate to have her as their guide.
Thank you,
Heidi
Dear Wing Zeng,
Thank you for arranging this tour for us. I will answer your questions below. 1) Our travel consultant answered every email very promptly and has always provided us with the assistance we requested. 2) The tour was arranged properly, the schedule wasn’t too tight and we also managed to do many different activities. 3) I’m willing to recommend your services. 4) I believe you are a respectable and great travel agency. 5) Don’t have any particular suggestions. Best regards, Ayiri Otuedon
Hi Shirley,
Me and my family were very pleased with the cruise.
Service level was excellent, staff very helpful. Rooms and food did meet our expectation. Enjoyed the selection of VIP dining room.
Eric
We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Tianjin City Vivew
Jingyuan Garden (the Garden of Serenity)
Five Avenues (Wu Da Dao)
Wumen Gate of Forbidden City
Chona Espinosa from Philippines visited Tiananmen Square
The Forbidden City Overall View from Jingshan Park - Victoria from South Africa
The Fudol Couple - Summer Palace
Beatiful Lake and Ancient Pavilions Shared by Our Guest Roger
Viewing Putuo Zongcheng Temple from Chengde Mountain Resort
Viewing Jinshanling Great Wall from Small Jinshan Tower
Jinshanling Great Wall Shot by Victoria from South Africa
Carsha's Group from USA - Beijing Hutong Rickshaw
Fantastic View of Temple of Heaven Shared by Our Guest Daniel
Beijing / Chengde / Beijing
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
2,010+ Reviews
