Beijing One Day Handicrafts Tour

, about 15km east of downtown Beijing. Gaobeidian is the nearest historical village of Beijing and located on the extended east-line of Chang'an Avenue, only 20 minutes ride from downtown. The village is also situated next to Tonghui River - part of the man-made Grand Canal connecting the Tongzhou to downtown Beijing in the past. In the ancient time, Gaobeidian actually became a prosperous dock serving the Chinese capital. The name of Tonghui River was made by Kublai Khan who found the solution to the problem of carrying foods collected in Tongzhou to Dadu (now central Beijing) by building the Tonghui River.

After a short visit in the village, you are arranged to learn to paint a Beijing Opera Mask. Facial mask painting is worth appreciating for its artistic value. The paintings tell the characters's roles. For example, a red face usually represents heroic bravery, uprightness and loyalty; a white face depicts a sinister and treacherous character and a green face symbolizes stubbornness, impetuosity and lack of self-restrain.

After prearranged Chinese lunch, you are transferred to the 300-year old courtyard in the

Arrive at the old courtyard and begin the one hour visit inside. 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 traditiona Chinese culture involved.

After visiting the old courtyard, take a 20-minute pedicab drive through the zigzag and narrow alleys or hutongs. Two people share one rickshaw. You are not supposed to tip the pedicab driver since the tour cost includes the tip.

Then move on to visit

escorted by our English speaking tour guide. Enter Mr. Bai Dacheng' house and begin the one hour visit inside. With the help of your English speaking tour guide, Mr. Ba Dacheng or his son Icen Bai will give you a detailed explanation of the making of Figurines of drama characters (bristle dolls) made of the hair of a pig or a horse, cloth and silk, which has been listed as a city-level intangible cultural heritage in Beijing. Transferred back to your hotel in Beijing around 11:30am.

Then visit the

( Yinding Bridge ), a narrow channel joining Qianhai Lake and the Houhai Lake, the hub of Shichhai area with surrounding quiet hutongs. Walking along the

( Tobacco Pipe Lean Street ), a quaint 800-year-old hutong located directly north of Yinding Bridge between Qianhai and Houhai and the south of the Drum Tower, used to be well-known for sellers of long-stemmed pipes, hence the name.

Ascending the 67-meter high and two-story

dating from 1420 is sure to bring you back to the old Beijing by seeing the big drum tower and having bird's eye view of the surrounding communities of hutongs and siheyuan - existing traditional courtyards in Beijing.

Return to your midtown hotel in Beijing around 5:30pm

Optional add-on:

If you are interested in the Chinese tea culture, after the day tour, you are transferred to a nice tea market in the center of Beijing. There you see a tea performance and learn how to conduct your own kungfu tea ritual. The knowledge of tea, tea selection, steeping and savoring will be explained. After a simple tea ceremony, you are free on your own in choosing your favorite tea, teapots and teacups.