Please mention MarksTravelNotes.com when contacting eclipse tour operators.

[ Main tour ] [ Option A ] [ Option B ] [ Option C ]

A firm known as A Classic Tour Collection have provided me with quite detailed information about their tours to China for the 2009 eclipse. There is a main tour and an additional three options to extend the trip around China.

OPTION A- BEIJING – 4 nights/ 5 days

DAY 1: ARRIVE BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing, the ancient capital city of People's Republic of China. Beijing has been a capital city for over 3,000 years. The remainder of the day is free to relax and adjust to time difference. NOVOTEL XINQIAO HOTEL.

DAY 2: BEIJING TOUR

Hundreds of buildings were demolished to create Tian An Men Square, since 1949 it has been the venue of major rallies held during the Cultural Revolution. Forbidden City - A Tang Dynasty poet wrote, "Without seeing the magnificence of the royal palace, one can never sense the dignity of the emperor”. Completed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it was the home of 24 emperors and scene of many important events affecting the course of Chinese history. The Summer Palace is the second largest imperial garden in China and is equally famous as the Forbidden City; the Summer Palace is called "Yiheyuan" (Garden of Nurtured Harmony). Tour the Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan) was built in the 15^th century, where emperors in China once worshipped their multiple Gods. BL

DAY 3: GREAT WALL & MING TOMBS EXCURSION

Visit the Badling Great Wall. Construction began more than 2,000 years ago that meanders more than 6,000 kilometers across the country. The Ming Tombs represents the addition of three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning to the Ming tombs inscribed in 2000 and 2003. They were built for the founding emperors of the Qing Dynasty and their ancestors, constructed on the principles of traditional Chinese geometry and fengshui. The Tombs are masterpieces of human artistic brilliance. The Sacred Way is part of the Ming Tombs complex, located in the front part of the royal cemetery, which means the path leading to heaven. This archway is the earliest and largest in China, constructed in 1540. BL

DAY 4: BEIJING – DAY AT LEISURE – or OPTIONAL TOUR-

1. Hutongs developed around the Forbidden City as early as the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). In order to strengthen their authority, emperors would plan city housing according to an etiquette system. Hutongs follow a strict quadrangular layout, with four buildings arranged around an open inner courtyard. There were 3600 hutongs at the beginning of this century and now there are 2000.

2. This evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner followed by Cultural Show. B