Doing a Beijing tour already - what else to do?

Hi

My partner %26amp; I are doing a China tour (in December)which starts in Beijing %26amp; covers the Great Wall at Mutianyu %26amp; Ming Tombs(1st day), Olympic Stadium Area, TiananmenSquare, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Panda House (Beijing Zoo)%26amp; Hutong (2nd %26amp; 3rd day).

As we are arriving 3 days early we were wondering what else we could see/do in Beijing? Should we visit some of sites already on our tour despite going to them later (ie. theres so much to see/do)? Should we visit another section of the wall %26amp; if so which part? If we were to see a kung fu show where would we go?

Doing a Beijing tour already - what else to do?

First of all, only do the wall once.

For Kung Fu shows or acrobatics check this web site: www.piao.com.cn/en_piao/ticket_623.html

In December it will be cold so maybe you want to visit some museums so that you stay inside.

Maybe you do your shopping in the early days. There are also some interesting market that only open certain days (like week-end) but you don%26#39;t say which day of the week you will be there.

Walk around some neighborhoods and soak into the atmosphere.

Most probably that by the time your tour starts you will be very capable to do your things in Beijing yourself and will regret being stuck in these tours.

Doing a Beijing tour already - what else to do?

Hi,

Your time is tight.

If you go to Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tombs, you have to hire a private car. It will spend your whole day.

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Panda House (Beijing Zoo)%26amp; Hutong will spend your second day.

Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Olympic Stadium Area in 3rd day.

You could check out Yonghegong and its surrounding area. There%26#39;s the Confucius Temple nearby too. If your hutong tour doesn%26#39;t already take you there, you could also go walk around Nanluoguxiang - an ';upgraded'; hutong - and Houhai for dinner.

Other stuff to do:

- the 798 Art District

- Panjiayuan weekend market if you%26#39;re there on a weekend

- Get a Chinese massage ( do a search for Taipan, Bodhi or Dragonfly) These places serve food too...something I never quite got over :)

Have fun in Beijing!

And I missed out the Capital Museum!

we will be there thursday, friday, saturday. so will there be any good markets opened on the saturday? any other good shopping places?

thanks for your suggestions!