Beijing's Present and Past: Olympic Park and Hutong Tour

On this full-day tour of Beijing’s past and present, experience Beijing’s mix of tradition and innovation as you visit the Olympic Park and Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow streets).

In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel by your guide and transported to the Olympic Park, the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Admire the architectural beauty of the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest. The Swiss and Chinese architects who designed the stadium intended it to look like a large nest with exposed steel structures. Walk inside the Bird’s Nest and see the massive interior with a capacity for 91,000 spectators!

Adjacent to the Bird’s Nest is the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube. This site hosted the swimming, diving and synchronized swimming events during the 2008 Olympics, and has since been converted into a water amusement park. Get a feel for the excitement during the Olympics as you walk around the Olympic Park.

Then, enjoy lunch at a Chinese restaurant before exploring the hutongs – Beijing’s narrow streets. Depart from the Drum and Bell Tower and drive down the alleyways by rickshaw. See the traditional courtyard homes and elderly men playing mahjong (a four-player tile game) on the streets. On your way, stop and visit the home of a Chinese family with your local guide. Interact with the local people and see the traditional Chinese way of life.

Finish off your tour with a tea tasting at a tea shop on one of the city’s many hutongs. Experience the traditional Beijing tea culture and learn about the different varieties of Chinese tea. Then, enjoy a relaxing drive back to your hotel.