TRAVEL
This is a special package for British runners and has been prepared to include all the highlights of a visit to Beijing and Jixian as well as the activities of the race.
ITINERARY
Mon 16th May: Departures from London Heathrow or your Regional Airport on the overnight flight to Beijing with KLM via Amsterdam. You can fly from a number of UK airports with the wide network of KLM flights from around the UK to Amasterdam where the group will join for the flight to Biejing (please note some flights may be operated by code share partners). We can quote direct flights from LHR with BA on request.
Tue 17th May: Arrive in Beijing this morning and meet our English speaking guide for the transfer by coach to Beijing. As we can't check-in to the hotel before 3pm we will visit the Lama Temple and have lunch before transferring to your hotel, the newly refurbished Dong Fang Hotel a superior 3-star located in the heart of the city and a short walk from Tianamen Square. The first days itinerary is only available for those arriving on the BA flight. If you arrive on independently booked flights you will be transferred straight to the hotel. Dinner on your own this evening.
Wed 18th May: American style breakfast at the hotel, then join your guide for the drive to Tian An Men Square and visit Moa's Tomb then walk on to The Forbidden City. After an included lunch visit a Silk 'factory'. Dinner on your own this evening.
Thu 19th May: Collect a breakfast box for the early departure to The Great Wall, arriving at the Great Fort at 8am and the course inspection (packed lunch). On arrival at Jixian check into the 3-star Ji Xian Yuyang Hotel for 2 nights. Chinese dinner at the hotel.
Fri 20th May: American style breakfast then visit the Qing Tombs and a local flea market on the way. Chinese style lunch. In the afternoon walk to the Dulesi temple and the local shops of this provicial town. Tonight there will be a pasta dinner at the hotel.
Sat 21st May: Early breakfast before the transfer to the race start - Full Marathon starts at 7.30am. After the race lunch items are available. Once all of our runners have finished our coach will depart back to Beijing with a stop for an 'Imperial Dinner' on the way to the Dong Fang Hotel.
Sun 22nd May: American style breakfast and then a short coach ride to the famous Silk Street Market where you can bargain for a wide range of goods from designer labels to chinese traditional silks. Lunch on your own at the Silk Market and then transfer to the superb Summer Palace where you can walk and relax in the grounds around the lake. Tonight join us for the Gala Dinner with champagne on arrival. There will a shuttle bus back to hotels or there will be an opportinity to join the other runners at a bar or disco afterwards (returning under your own steam).
Mon 23rd May: American style breakfast and the morning at leisure. Lunch not included. In the afternoon join us for sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. In the early evening enjoy the Chinese Acrobats Show followed by a final dinner of the classic Peking Duck.
Or depart for one of the extension packages below - if you choose an extension package it will replace all or part of the itinerary on 23rd May.
Tue 24th May: After your American style breakfast transfer by private bus to Beijing Airport for the return flights to the UK.
TOUR EXTENSIONS
OPTION 1: XI'AN & TERRA COTTA ARMY - 5 days by Train
Mon 23rd May: Evening transfer to Beijing to take the overnight train to Xi'an (4-berth cabin available on shared basis only). Breakfast.
Tue 24th May: Early morning arrival in Xi'an and transfer to a 3-star hotel to have breakfast. Visit Terra Cotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty Dancing Show at Shaanxi Opera House. Overnight in Xi'an in 3-star hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Wed 25th May: Sight seeing at the City Wall, then transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Beijing in 4-berth compartment. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Thur 26th May: Arrival in Beijing this morning and transfer to the Dong Fang Hotel.
Fri 27th May: Transfer to Beijing Airport this morning for the return flights to the UK.
OPTION 2: XI'AN & TERRA COTTA ARMY - 4 days by Air
Mon 23rd May: Depart from your Beijing Hotel today for the flight to Xi'an. On arrival visit the City Walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Overnight in 4-star hotel in Xi'ian for 2 nights. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Tue 24th May: Vist the Terra Cotta Army then enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing Show at Shaanxi Opera House. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Wed 25th May: Arrival in Beijing early morning and transfer to the Don Fang Hotel for one night.
Thur 26th May: Transfer to Beijing Airport for flight home.
OPTION 3: SHANGHAI & SUZHOU - 4 Days by Train
May 23rd: Transfer to Beijing Station for overnight sleeper train to Shanghai sharing a 4-berth compartment. Breakfast.
May 24th: Early morning arrival in Shanghai and transfer to your 3-star central hotel for breakfast. Visit to the top of the Jinmao Tower to see the incredible birds eye view of Shanghai. Visit Yuyuan Bazaar, Huangpu River Cruise tour and evening Acroboatics show. Overnight in 3-star central hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 25th: Full day excursion in Suzhou including Master of Nets' Garden, Old Water Gate, City Wall at Panmen and the old water surrounding Tongli. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
May 26th: Transfer to Shanghai airport for return flight to UK.
OPTION 4: SHANGHAI & SUZHOU - 3 Days by Air
May 23rd: Transfer to Beijing Airport for the flight to Shanghai. Visit to the top of the Jinmao Tower to see the incredible birds eye view of Shanghai. Visit Yuyuan Bazaar, Huangpu River Cruise tour and evening Acroboatics show. Overnight in 4-star central hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 24th : Full day excursion in Suzhou including Master of Nets' Garden, Old Water Gate, City Wall at Panmen and the old water surrounding Tongli. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
May 25th Transfer to Shaghai Airport for flight back to UK.
OPTION 5: YANGTZE CRUISE + XI'AN & TERRA COTTA ARMY
May 23rd: Transfer to Beijing Airport for the flight to Yichang. Transfer to your 5-star Cruise Boat. Breakfast and dinner.
May 24th-26th: Three day luxury cruise on the Yangtze with shore excursions. All meals included.
May 27th: Arrive at Chongqing. Transfer to airport for flight to Xi'an and transfer to your 4-star hotel for the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 28th: Vist the Terra Cotta Army then enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing Show at Shaanxi Opera House. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
May 29th: Sight seeing on the City wall and transfer to airport for the flight to Beijing. Transfer to Don Fang Hotel for overnight. Breakfast.
May 30th: Transfer to airport for return flight to UK.
OPTION 6: XI'AN - GUILIN - GUANGZHOU - HONG KONG
May 23rd: Depart from your Beijing Hotel today for the flight to Xi'an. On arrival visit the City Walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Overnight in 4-star hotel in Xi'ian for 2 nights. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
May 24th: Vist the Terra Cotta Army then enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing Show at Shaanxi Opera House. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
May 25th: Morning at leisure then transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin. Transfer to your 3-star overnight hotel in Guinlin. Breakfast and dinner.
May 26th: Li River cruise tour and arrival in Yangshou. Transfer to your 4-star hotel and evening at Comorant Fishing Show. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 27th: Cycle to Moon Hill, sightseeing and cycle back to Yangshuo. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 28th: Transfer to airport for flight to Guangzhou. On arrival sightseeing of Chen Clan Temple, Sanmian Island, food market. Take train to Hong Kong. Check-in to 4-star central hotel in Hong Kong. Breakfasst and lunch.
May 29th: Free day in Hong Kong.
May 30th: Independent transfer to Airport for return flight to UK.
OPTION 7: LANZHOU - LHASA - XI'IAN & TERRA COTTA ARMY
May 23th: Transfer to beijing Airport for the flight to Lanzhou. Transfer to lanzhou City for lunch and city tour. Transfer to railway station for overnight sleeper train to Lhasa. Breakfast and lunch.
May 24th: Evening arival in Lhasa and transfer to your 3-star hotel for 4-nights. Dinner.
May 25th: Sightseeing in Lhasa - Jokhang Temple, the Bazaar of the Barkhor Street and Norbulinka. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 26th: Sightseeing in Lhasa - Potala Palace and Sera Monastery. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 27th: Free day in Lhasa. No meals included.
May 28th: Transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Xi'ian. Transfer to 4-star hotel for 2-nights. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 29th: Visit to Terra Cotta Army and City Wall. Evening at Tang Dynasty Dancing Show. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 30th: Flight to Beijing and transfer to Dong Fang Hotel. Breakfast.
May 31st: Transfer to Beijing Airport for return flight to UK.
OPTION 8: XI'AN - GUILIN - SHANGHAI
May 23rd: Transfer to Beijing Airport for the flight to Xi'an. Visit to City Wall and Big Wild Goose. Overnight 4-star hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 24th: Visit the Terra Cotta army. This evening enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dancing show at Shaanxi Opera House. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 25th: Transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin and transfer to your 4-star hotel. Breakfast and dinner.
May 26th: Cruise Tour on the Li River. Arrival at Yangshuo and transfer to your 4-star hotel and spend the evening watching the Cormorant Fishing show. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 27th: Cycle to Moon Hill along the picturesque countryside road and after sightseeing at Moon Hill return by bicycle. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 28th: Transfer to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Visit to the top of the Jinmao Tower to see the incredible birds eye view of Shanghai. Visit Yuyuan Bazaar, Huangpu River Cruise tour and evening Acroboatics show. Overnight in 4-star central hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
May 29th: Full day excursion in Suzhou including Master of Nets' Garden, Old Water Gate, City Wall at Panmen and the old water surrounding Tongli. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
May 30th: Transfer to Shanghai Airport for the return flight to the UK.
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
