Beijing in One Day: Day Trip from Shanghai by Air

Very long day. Worth it. We saw Tianaman Square, The Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.Fabulous experience. Guide very good. However did not expect to go to a silk factory or a jade factory especially as there was a very hard sell.

One day is certainly not enough for this trip. Getting up early wasn't an issue and our driver to/from Shanghai was helpful in getting us all the way to the security point at the airport. When we arrived at Beijing our guide picked us and and drove us to our first destination. So far, so good. We stopped at a silk factory where they spent heaps of time selling us items. We then went to the Forbidden City, this was where the tour went down hill. The line to get through security was massive and our guide literally pulled us through the crowd knocking over people including children so that we could get through on time. Once we finally got through she then walked at such a pace that we didn't get to see or hear much about the city at all, only stopping for a photo or two. In total we were in there for an hour max. Next we drove to a Jade factory where they proceeded to take their time trying to get us too buy items we didn't want. Where are the priorities?? We came for the Forbidden City not to spend our money in factories built to sell to foreign tourists. Because of the time spend here we had to go to a smaller section of the Great Wall. Here our guide left us at the gate and just gave us a time to meet her. We paid for a tour guide to show us these places and tell us about them not dump us there. Lastly was a tea house, again designed for tourists. Should we have spend our time in these factories being pressured to buy or should we have spent more time at the attractions we paid to see?? We were then almost left at the airport with no information until we asked the guide to come in with us to help. I would not recommend this tour to anyone. I have done day trips of cities before in multiple countries but there is just not enough time in the day for this one! The guides are obviously getting commission on what we buy and have their priorities completely out of whack. If you wish to visit these places make them day trips each on your own.

Highly recommended although seemed quite expensive for a day. Both Maria the guide and the drivers were excellent, and I manages to see the Great Wall, a jade factory, the Olympic Park and the Forbidden City all in one day. I was taken to the airport far too early but I do understand that Beijing traffic can be very temperamental.

It was an interesting day, very fast paced. It did not start out great though.... At 5:30 am, on our way down in elevator, when the doors opened, the Guide that was shuttling us to airport said You are late. It turns out it was 5:32am-Apple time. Not a pleasant start. At airport we were given paperwork, but struggled to get past security as the paper barding pass was not accepted. After 3 tries of very mean airport personnel, we finally were able to get on. I personally think, that you know your own airport, Guide should have helped us print a boarding pass at the airport. Shanghai airport everyone is pushy, rude, and have no sense of personal space at all-to the point of feeling uncomfortable. Ran to gate, and got on plane, but we thought we would miss the plane with all the back and forth with boarding pass. Guide in Beijing was good. Great Wall was amazing, as were T Square and Forbidden City. Lunch at a Jade Store was good, but salespeople were indeed pushy, and follow you around the entire store. On our way back we were dropped off 3 hours prior to departure, which was a bit early. We could have gone somewhere else as we are only in Beijing once. Once dropped off at airport, Guide was in extreme hurry to leave us. Above complaints I am providing as this was an expensive tour and the described airport experience make a huge difference on stress and in how you spend the day.

Great tour, started a little early. Delivered as promised airfare, airport driver, tiananmen square, forbidden palace and great wall all by a knowledgeable english speaking tour guide. Only other complaint is the standard tour of a jade factory and silk factory. Really just a slightly pressured sales trip after the tour which only lasts five minutes.