Play Video
College of Mount St. Joseph presents:
Beijing City Stay
Day 1: Monday, February 18, 2013 Overnight Flight


Day 2: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 Beijing, China - Tour Begins
Experience one of the most fascinating cities in the world, Beijing. Over the next several days, you will experience the beauty and intrigue of this ancient culture.

Day 3: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 Beijing
Begin your journey in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China. After a short lesson on the local language, depart for a morning visit to the Summer Palace, ranked among the most noted classical gardens in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Beijing Zoo, home of the famous pandas. See the new habitat that has been created for those pandas rescued from the earthquake region who are now happily residing in their new home! Then, learn about jade carving and help design your very own custom-made jade name seal stamp, a perfect way to commemorate your visit to Beijing. Tonight, a traditional dumpling dinner is included. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Thursday, February 21, 2013 Beijing
Begin your day with a visit to the famous site of Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Next, visit the Forbidden City, a vast network of palaces including five halls, seventeen palaces and numerous other rooms and buildings which have been home to 24 Chinese Emperors over 491 years. This evening you will be treated to a dinner featuring Peking Duck, followed by a colorful performance of the Peking Opera. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Friday, February 22, 2013 Beijing
Today is at leisure to explore this fascinating, constantly changing city independently. Your Tour Manager will be available to offer suggestions on how best to spend your day! (B)

Day 6: Saturday, February 23, 2013 The Great Wall
No visit to China would be complete without seeing The Great Wall, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World! Behold this awesome site and have the chance to walk along a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. Travel through the Valley of the Ming Tombs where you will walk along the Sacred Way, or Divine Road, which means “the road leading to heaven.” Feel the excitement of the 2008 Summer Olympics when you view the Olympic Green where you have the opportunity to take photos of two famous structures - the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube! (B, L, D)

Day 7: Sunday, February 24, 2013 Beijing
Enjoy a full day of leisure to relax or independently explore this wonderful city. You may take an optional tour to Xian*, which includes a visit to the Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum. (B)

Day 8: Monday, February 25, 2013 Beijing
This morning you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperor came twice each year to thank the gods for the good harvest and pray for the new harvest. You will also see the locals doing their morning Tai Chi exercises, playing cards or board games. Afterwards, experience ancient Beijing on a traditional rickshaw tour through its narrow streets and alleys. With help from an interpreter, you will learn about a local family’s history and way of life when you share lunch with them in their Hutong home. They will also teach you the art of traditional dumpling making! Next you’ll visit with a kite master and learn the history of the favorite pastime of many locals, followed by a traditional tea ceremony. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Beijing - Tour Ends
Your tour ends in Beijing. On your return flight home, you will cross the International Dateline. (B)




February 18 - February 26, 2013
9 Days • 15 Meals
7 Breakfasts • 4 Lunches • 4 Dinners
Highlights: Beijing Zoo, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Peking Duck Dinner and Opera, The Great Wall, Olympic Green, Temple of Heaven, Rickshaw Tour
"Value Tours" provide all the key destination attractions and core benefits of a standard Collette tour, including the services of a professional Tour Manager. These lower-priced packages feature 3-4 star hotels that may be less centrally located. They also offer more free time, allowing guests to pursue a wider choice of independent sightseeing and dining options.

Rates Per Person
Double: $2399, Single: $2749,
Triple: $2379
*Included in Price: Round Trip Air from Cincinnati Intl Airport,Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges,Hotel Transfers.
*Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $220 per person.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 Overnight Flight
Day 2 - 8 Qianmen Jianguo Hotel, Beijing
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Essential Experiences
  • See the famous pandas at the Beijing Zoo!
  • Savor traditional Chinese food and drink, including dumpling making and a tea ceremony.
For more information call
 Nicki Veldhaus
College of Mount St. Joseph
513-244-4298
nicki_veldhaus@mail.msj.edu
Included Meals Key
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:
Beijing
Evening Acrobatic Show • $55.00
This evening, experience an age-old tradition in the Chinese culture, when you attend a performance of the world-famous Beijing Acrobatic Show. Chinese acrobatics has a long history that can be traced back to Neolithic times. Today, it is considered one of the most popular art forms among Chinese people. It is believed that acrobatics developed partly from intense labor, but also from self-defense skills, which many people would practice and demonstrate during their leisure time. During the fascinating performance, see for yourself how performers today carry on this tradition and illustrate the harmonious beauty of this lovely art form.
Jingsong Cooking School • $65.00
While in China, do as the Chinese do! Walk through a local market, perusing the fresh, daily produce, and see how the locals purchase all of the ingredients that make their dishes so savory, from vegetables to fish and fresh spices! When you arrive at the school, the real fun begins as you attend a demonstration that teaches you about the history and flavors of Chinese cuisine. Finally, treat your taste buds by indulging in the expertly created dish! You’ll impress your friends long after you return home with the knowledge gained during this hands-on experience in China.
Lama Temple & Beihai Park • $55.00
Explore the Lama Temple, a renowned temple of the Yellow Hat Sect of Lamaism that is appropriately known as the “Palace of Peace and Harmony.” This glorious temple, built initially in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty, was once the residence of Emperor Yongzheng at the time he was prince. The temple boasts five halls and five courtyards of beautifully-decorated archways, upturned eaves and intricately-carved details. It also showcases beautiful Tibetan-styled murals and houses a treasury of Buddhist art that includes sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddhas. Next, visit Beihai Park, initially built during the Liao Dynasty, which lasted from 907 to 1125. Enjoy a visit to the historic White Dagoba, the former site of the Palace of the Moon, where Kublai Khan once received Marco Polo!
Xian
Xian Day Trip • $499.00
Climb aboard a plane that will whisk you away to Xian, the former capital of China. During this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you’ll explore the excavation site of the Terra Cotta Warriors. This world-famous and vast army was created in 210 BC to guard one of China's emperors, the Emperor of Qin, in the afterlife. Warriors, horses, acrobats and other figures comprise the famed Terra Cotta Warriors, often referred to as “Qin’s Armies” and their sheer size will truly amaze you. Price includes round trip same day airfare, lunch and extensive sightseeing. Please Note: This optional tour must be purchased at least 45 days in advance of tour departure for rate to apply and availability to be ensured. Any late bookings, if available, will increase the cost. This option is non-refundable within 45 days of departure. Due to the nature of this optional item, once purchased it will be non refundable.
CANCELLATION WAIVER:

Worry-Free Cancellation
Our industry-leading cancellation waiver offers travelers a full cash refund for the price of the tour, right up to the day prior to departure, minus the small cost of the waiver. Travel worry-free knowing if anything changes, you're protected.

Plus, you're covered on tour.
Our cancellation waiver and insurance plan covers you on tour. If you have to stop your trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more, you're covered.

Cancellation Waiver and Insurance is just $220 per person.

Click here for complete details.

TRAVEL TIPS:
Beijing City Stay
Listed below is important information to assist you in preparing for your upcoming trip. This information provided will help you have a more enjoyable experience while you are on your tour.
Accommodations
On some programs, there are a limited number of single and triple rooms. Double rooms usually consist of 2 beds. Triple rooms are normally a standard double room with 2 beds. A cot or rollaway bed may be added to the double room at some hotels, based on room size and fire codes. When triples are not available, appropriate charges for single and twin accommodations will be assessed. We make every effort to accommodate your specific requests and forward them to the hotels. These requests cannot be guaranteed as hotels may not always be able to honor them. Check-in times are set by individual hotel properties and vary by hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be a delay in gaining access to your room as most hotels offer afternoon check-in. We ask guests to observe check-out times at all properties as designated by the hotel. Some hotels require a credit card imprint or your passport information upon check-in in order to activate telephones in the rooms and for potential incidental charges. Most hotels charge an access fee for using phones in hotel rooms. Please check with the front desk personnel at each hotel for specific policies. Hotel membership programs are not applicable. In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than standard U.S. accommodations. Please be assured that we use high quality properties throughout each country.
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply outside of the United States. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants. Persons requiring individual assistance must be accompanied by a companion who is capable of, and totally responsible for, providing the necessary assistance. Neither our personnel nor its suppliers may physically lift or assist clients onto transportation vehicles. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member who has special mobility, dietary or other like needs.
Arrival Day Suggestions
Due to varied flight schedules and different arrival times of our tour guests, your tour will not have any scheduled activities prior to dinner on Day 1. Should your flight schedule allow for an earlier arrival time that day, enjoy the great opportunity for some independent exploration.
Clothing & Packing Tips
As you prepare to explore China, enjoy a casual dress style -- even during the Peking Opera excursion -- and be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. It is recommended to bring clothing that may be worn in layers that may be added or removed as the temperature changes. Bring smart casual wear if you plan to dine at a formal restaurant during your free time. In the summer months, loose cotton clothes can be worn. Be sure to also pack rain gear and bug spray. In the winter months, it is a good idea to wear layers of garments including thermal undergarments with a sweater and a down or wool coat. You may also wish to pack gloves, a hat and a scarf.
If you are taking prescription medication, please be sure to take an adequate supply for your tour and a few additional days, in original prescription containers. Medication should be packed in your carry-on baggage. Do not place it in your checked luggage. You may want to carry an extra prescription in a separate bag in case medication is lost.
Currency
Your personal bank card may work at local ATM machines in the destination you are traveling to and would dispense local currency. Please contact your bank to determine if this option is available, that your PIN number will be accepted, to inform them that you are traveling and to determine if any charges apply for each transaction. You may exchange your money at airports, banks, exchange bureaus, and at most hotels. In some cases, a commission charge will be assessed to exchange your money. Locations in the city usually offer a better currency exchange rate than airports. We recommend carrying only a few major credit cards. Credit card purchases often provide an extra guarantee on your purchase (check with your specific credit card company for details and fees). It is advisable to contact any credit card company you intend utilizing while on tour before you depart to notify them where you will be traveling, to avoid any rejection of services. The street vendors accept local currency and U.S. Dollars, which must be in good condition with no tears or damage. Be sure to bring small currency for shopping at local markets. The currency in China is known as Renminbi Yuan (RMB). This is divided into jiao and fen. One 10 fen equals one jiao, 10 jiao equal 1 yuan. When you cash in your travelers checks or dollars, be sure to keep your receipts, as you MUST have your receipts in order to cash any money back. (NOTE: you are only allowed to cash up to half of the money you purchased). If optional tours are made available to purchase, please note that credit cards must have an expiration date of greater than 30 days from the start of the tour.
Electricity
An adaptor (which changes the physical plug) and/or converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance with voltage different from the standard within the country you are visiting. Please note, if your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adaptor for the plug. When packing your electronic items for travel, please review the converter electric current level to make sure it is the same or greater than the items you are planning on using. If you plan on utilizing or transporting a sleep apnea machine, please remember to pack an extension cord and adapter plug to ensure proper function.
China generally uses AC 220 volts, in contrast to the US standard of AC 110 volts.
Elevation
No significant elevation is encountered.
Helpful Hints
Bring a camera, memory cards, film, and batteries and be sure to bring enough photography supplies for your entire trip. If you have a video camera, bring an extra battery, plus proper recharging equipment. Due to security screening, we recommend storing your equipment in your carry-on luggage. Bring a travel alarm clock, travel sewing kit and an alcohol based gel hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible. Pack items that may leak in plastic bags. Do not pack any articles of value in your checked luggage. As a precaution, we suggest that you divide the contents of your suitcase with your traveling companion. Avoid over packing and leave room for souvenirs that you plan to take back home.
Bring a copy of your passport/identification and pack it separately from the original. Leave a copy of your tour itinerary at home with your emergency contact and a copy of your passport. Remember when flying you can only take one quart size bag with no more than 3 ounces of any one liquid. Liquids that do not fit in the one quart size bag and are larger than 3 ounces will be discarded by security. Remember to hydrate and get up and stretch while flying. If you are considering using your cell phone while traveling internationally, you should check with your cell provider concerning their access and charges for overseas calls, texting and emailing for the specific destination you are traveling to.
Included Features
The following are included in your tour package: transportation via motorcoach, accommodations, hotel luggage handling, meals, sightseeing, admission charges (as outlined in your itinerary), and applicable gratuities for bellmen, doormen and dining room wait staff. Customary gratuities for hotel housekeeping staff, local sightseeing guides, drivers and tour managers have not been included.
Local Guides
In order to further enhance your experience of this destination, one local guide has been arranged throughout this tour. Customary gratuities for this guide are not included in the cost of the tour. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary and individual basis at a suggested amount of 1-2 USD per person, per day, per guide. Your tour manager will review customary tipping amounts and timing with you when you are on your tour.
Luggage
Please consult with your scheduled airline as luggage fees and restrictions vary by carrier and destination. Due to the limited motorcoach capacity, one checked luggage (62 inches in length, height and width; weight not to exceed 20kg/44lbs) is allowed on tour. We also encourage just one carry-on bag per individual (for carrying items that might be needed during the day’s sightseeing excursions or camera/video equipment). Dimensions for carry-ons should not exceed 17" x 12" x 10", allowing it to fit under the seat or in the overhead rack of most motor coaches. If you exceed the limit of 2 bags, we cannot guarantee that your additional luggage will be able to fit in the touring vehicle. Storage or shipment of additional luggage will be at your own expense. If we are able to accommodate your additional luggage, we will assess a fee of 4 USD per bag per hotel. Please remember to label your luggage and important items with your name, home address and telephone number. We recommend labeling your luggage on both outside and inside of the bag. Please attach only the plastic luggage tag included in this mailing to your checked luggage before checking in for your flight. Your paper luggage tag is to be attached at the first hotel. We cannot assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft or normal wear and tear that results from hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is in your best interest to have adequate insurance (such as our comprehensive “No Worries Travel Protection”) to cover these eventualities. ******IMPORTANT- UPDATED BAGGAGE WEIGHT RESTRICTION********** **The baggage weight permitted into China is 20 kilos (approx 44 lbs) per passenger.** Guests will be responsible for payment of any excess baggage fees that may apply. The airlines are strict on this weight restriction and guests will be responsible for payment, in cash, in local currency, of any excess baggage fees that may apply. Within China, inter flights may limit or ban all liquids from carry on luggage. Please keep contents to the 100ml (3oz) limit, sealed within plastic bags and preferable in checked baggage.
Meals
Most meals are included as indicated in your document itinerary. Guests with special dietary requirements must advise their travel counselor at the time of booking and also the tour manager upon joining the tour. When information is provided, every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. Please be advised that the average cost of meals (not inclusive of tax and gratuity) that are not included in your tour are as follows: lunch 5 to 7 USD and dinner 10 to 15 USD. It is customary to drink only bottled water while in China.
Name Badges
Collette Vacations provides name badges to our travelers in order to facilitate conversation among fellow travelers. The name badge also ensures that a Collette Vacations representative can easily recognize you, especially at airports upon arrival.
Reading List
Interested in reading about your destination before you depart? We have pre-selected travel guides, novels and books on history, nature and art to help enhance your total vacation experience. You can access the complete list by typing the following into your web browser. Select the region of the world to find your tour: http://www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/332/r/CV/mcms.html
Shopping
One of the best parts of traveling is coming back home with souvenirs that really reflect the place you’ve just been. China is a shopper’s paradise and you can find amazing quality items at reasonable prices throughout the trip. Look out for good deals on pearls, jade, silk, cloisonné, carpets, stone carvings, and jewelry. You will learn how to distinguish between different quality grades of these products on tour as you get to visit some of these factories. While shopping on your own, Collette cannot guarantee the quality of merchandise at shops; we encourage you to think carefully before making large purchases. As the quality is not always assured, you should know the merchandise you are buying and bargain vigorously.
Smoking
Smoking Restrictions: Our tours are non-smoking throughout. If you require a smoking room, please alert your agent upon tour booking. Please be mindful of locations where smoking is prohibited: the motorcoach, at dining venues and other restricted areas on tour including most hotels. Customers are responsible for any fines incurred for failure to comply with smoking restrictions.
Time Zone
Beijing is on China Standard Time (CST), 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) (13 hours during Daylight Saving Time).
Tour Manager
We pride ourselves on having the best-trained and most experienced tour managers in the industry. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary basis and should be in direct proportion to the level of professionalism and personal service extended to you throughout the tour. Past experience has shown that a guideline of 4-6 USD per person for each traveling day is a customary amount for the tour manager. A customary amount of 3-5 USD per person per day is suggested for the driver.
Transportation
Flight Information, Departure Taxes & Fees Land Only Vacations: If you chose to purchase a land only vacation, pay particular attention to flight segments that occur during the tour which are not included in your land only rate. You must purchase these internal flight segments and the schedule must match the flights that we utilize on the group tour. Please provide us with your flight schedules for the entire tour six weeks prior to departure so we may secure services if you purchased transfers from us, as well as maintain emergency contact. Air Inclusive Vacations Air inclusive vacations cover air transport to and from your origin gateway as well as all internal air segments on tour. In order to comply with Homeland Security’s “Secure Flight” mandate, all passengers must provide full name, date of birth and gender at time of reservation. Your airline ticket must match the name on your valid, non-expired, government issued photo ID to be shown at the airport (including middle name, first or middle initial). If you are a member of a participating frequent flyer program, provide the number upon booking and retain the passenger copy of your ticket and boarding pass to ensure that you receive proper credit of your mileage. Some air tickets are not eligible for mileage accrual. Whenever possible, we will add charges for air departure taxes to your invoice. Some international arrival and departure fees are not included in your air ticket and must be paid by you on tour in local currency.
Transfers We are pleased to provide you with complimentary airport to hotel, and hotel to airport transfers at the beginning and end of an escorted tour when you purchase an air-inclusive vacation. Land-only clients who have purchased round trip transfers will be accommodated at the same times as air inclusive clients. Arrival meeting locations and transfer departure times are provided on your document booklets. On some programs there may be a waiting period at the airport due to varying flight schedules of other arriving passengers. If you have secured your own transfer, you may meet your tour manager at the hotel. Motorcoach Information: We do not own or operate vehicles. We charter quality coaches that are temperature controlled vehicles. Coach size may vary based upon the number of tour patrons. In certain countries, lavatory equipped motorcoaches are not available or the lavatory is for emergency use only. Frequent stops will be made en route for comfort and convenience. Seat Rotation: Seats are rotated for the benefit of our tour guests. This fosters communication and enables our guests to enjoy a variety of vantage points on the motorcoach. Guests will rotate seats at least once a day, as directed by the tour manager. In fairness to all, there will be no exceptions to this policy.