Beijing by Bike
Beijing, China
From USD 67.00
Office phone number: +86 10 6528 8951
Beijing by Bike
Beijing, China
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Be one of the estimated nine million bicyclists in China on this Beijing tour. Spin your wheels through the backstreets and hutongs, stopping for quirky hutong stories, to admire some of the city’s top sights and to enjoy a tasty local lunch.
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Highlights
- Zigzag through the ancient alleyways and hutongs of Beijing
- Bike along the moat of the Forbidden City for a different perspective of this former royal palace
- Discover the secrets and backroads in the ancient city for a real insight into the local life
- Make some friends as you enjoy lunch with a local family at a friendly hutong house and experience their lifestyle firsthand
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- As part of your tour you visit a local NGO museum (closed on Mondays) to learn about Hutong culture and support their efforts to protect their local community.
- You will also enjoy lunch at a local family home, giving you insight into local food, traditions and culture.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 5 - 5.5 hours
- Meeting point:
Nanluoguxiang Station, Exit F
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Nanluoguxiang Metro Station (Exit F, Lines 6 & 8), Nanluoguxiang is a central spot near the market and bell and drum tower
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, bike rental, lunch at a Hutong
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for driver or guide.
Beijing is a city that’s both modern and traditional, forward-looking and connected to its past, and in our opinion, one of the best ways to experience it all is by bike.
Although modernising at a rapid pace, for now, China's capital still preserves its ancient and traditional heart in the winding alleyways and backstreets around the Forbidden City. Known as hutongs, these lanes are still home to many of Beijing's residents as well as shops, markets, temples, and historic buildings.
As our Beijing bike tour winds through the hutongs, you'll have a unique view of this traditional way of life and witness this neighbourhood as it slowly disappears and the developers move in. Riding along the Forbidden City moat and through the parks nearby is hands down one of our favourite experiences, as it gives you a different perspective on this formerly “forbidden city” now being a welcoming open place for the non-royals.
Visit a very well preserved Hutong family home and enjoy an authentic Chinese lunch, cooked with love by the family themselves and chat to them about life in Beijing.
Hop back on to your bikes and continue our cycling journey through the hutongs until you are back at the drum tower. We’ll then hop on the public bus for a 15 minute ride back to the bike rental place, as your guide points out more of the city’s historic landmarks and top foodie joints!
If you’d like to continue to the hutong experience in a different way, sampling some of the most popular snacks and visit a local produce market to learn a bit about Chinese cooking ingredients and spices, feel free to join us in the afternoon Beijing food tour which starts at 4pm. Your local guide can give you more information if you are interested.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, bike rental, lunch at a Hutong
Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for driver or guide.
Dress standard: You will need comfortable clothes for cycling.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: NOTE: Helmets are provided at the beginning of the tour.
Child Policy: Children and teens under age 18 are not permitted to join this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +86 10 6528 8951
Email address: info@beijingurbanadventures.com
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