Beijing Family Visit Downtown Day Tour

Met at your hotel lobby by our tour guide and driver. Then drive to a local market for a half hour market tour. This market tour is essential in having a some basic knowledge of Chinese condiments and cooking ingredients. A glimpse of Chinese condiments is a must for you to know Chinese cooking including cooking oil, light soy sauce and dark soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, white vinegar & dark vinegar, cooking wine and Shaoxin wine, fresh root ginger, garlic, chillies, scallion, salt and MSG.

Various ingredients are available in local food and vegetable markets. The common ingredients are Chinese cabbage, turnips, radish, carrot, spinach, rape, celery, Chinese chive (leek), mustard and many more. For meat, we have chicken, pork, lamb, beef, duck, fish etc.

Outside Visit to the Bell Tower and Ascend the Drum Tower

The bell and drum were first built as musical instruments in China. Later, however, they were used for telling time. In the past, each city had a bell tower and a drum tower. Beijing's bell tower and drum tower are located to the north of Beijing-south axis line in Dongcheng District. They are visibly prominent constructions and represent the symbol of this old city. They were originally built in 1272. You will have outside visits to the two high towers. (the entrance for Drum Tower is included ).

2 and Half Hours Family Visit with Home Style Cooking Learning

You are arranged in a private and traditional Siheyuan (courtyard) and chat with the family host. You also have the chance to learn how to make Jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) from the host. Siheyuan literally means a courtyard house, a house enclosed by four walls, called a quadrangle courtyard.

In Chinese history, the Siheyuan building was the basic system of the building for housing, palaces, temples, and government offices. Many of Beijing's residents still live in the traditional courtyards within the second ring road, which features the limits of old Beijing.

Chinese dumpling is one of the most important foods in Chinese New Year. Since the shape of Chinese dumplings is similar to ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, they symbolize wealth. In northern China, the people eat the dumpling and noodles everyday. Today you will Learn how to make Chinese dumplings from beginning to end with the guidance of the host.

After finishing your Chinese dumpling learning course, you will taste the dumplings made by your hostess and enjoy other delicious Chinese dishes as well as your lunch. After lunch, take a 30-minute pedicab drive through the zigzag and narrow alleys or hutongs.

Hutong Tour

Two people share one rickshaw. You are not supposed to tip the pedicab driver since the tour cost includes the tip. then visit an old courtyard. With the help of your English speaking tour guide of the courtyard, you will have a detailed explanation of the old courtyard ( Siheyuan ) - its history, its layout, its Fengshui, and its traditional Chinese culture involved.

continue to visit Lama Temple , also called the Yonghe Lamasery, or Yonghegong. It is the most handsome and impressive Buddhist temple in the city. Lama Temple was built in the 33 Qing Kangxi year (1694) and it is now the largest and best-preserved Lamasery of Yellow Sect in Beijing. After visiting Lama Temple, you are transferred back to your downtown hotel in Beijing around 5:pm.