Great Wall Marathon/Half Marathon/8.5K Tour 2020 Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu 13 Nights May 11 – May 24

Sunday 10 May Depart USA to Beijing International flights own arrangement

Monday 11 May Arrive Beijing and transfer to your hotel *We can book a private transfer or take a taxi to hotel

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL

A 5 star hotel located in Xuanwumen, the ancient heart of Beijing and within walking distance to Square. Settle in at the hotel and relax from your long journey.

Dinner on own Tuesday 12 May B, L Beijing

Get the “kinks” out with an optional early morning run and watch the traditional daily flag raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square.

Breakfast at the hotel 8:30AM Morning Tour to and Silk Factory with lunch Afternoon at leisure

6:30AM Welcome to China “Happy Hour” at The Lounge Bar in hotel Dinner on own

Wednesday 13 May B, L Beijing Breakfast at the hotel 8:30AM includes lunch Remainder of day at leisure

Dinner on own

Thursday 14 May B, L, D Beijing 6:30AM Early morning light breakfast at the hotel

Today you dreams come true on this “mandatory” site inspection to the Great Wall! You will get to walk on the actual Wall for a 4-km, an incredible section of the Wall with spectacular view that will be part of your course on Saturday. Lunch is included. Return to hotel late afternoon

7:30PM A special carb-loading Pasta Dinner at local Italian Restaurant

Friday 15 May B, L Beijing Breakfast at the hotel 8:30AM Morning Hutong Tour with pedicab ride and lunch Visit to the Old Beijing section and tea tasting at the Bell Tower

Afternoon at leisure Prepare for race day and plan to tuck in early!

Dinner on own

Saturday 16 May B, L

RACE DAY!

3:00AM Box breakfast from hotel

THIS IS YOUR BIG DAY!

Very early morning wake-up call for the 2 hour, 130 km drive by motorcoach to "our" piece of the Great Wall of Huangyaguan. It takes place on a part of the 6,000 km long Great Wall which is not generally visited by tourists.

After an aerobic warm-up and speeches by local officials the race will start at 7:30am

Sandwich lunches will be provided for everyone at the finish area. Also 20 minute massage on site is included after the race. Shuttle buses will take runners back to Beijing between 12 and 5pm.

Dinner on own

Sunday 17 May B, D Beijing Breakfast at the hotel Sleep in, relax and recover!

Optional morning tour to Tiananmen Square and

5:00PM In the evening we all gather for the big celebration dinner. All participants will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the Party venue

Monday 18 May B Beijing Optional tour to Lama Temple Free afternoon to do last minute shopping OR relaxing

Dinner on own

Tuesday 19 May B, L Beijing-Xian Breakfast at the hotel

TBD Transfer to the airport for flight to Xi’an

Meet local guide and drive into Xian to the Terra Cotta Warriors.

This is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world and a highlight of any China itinerary Lunch at a local restaurant inside the Digs compound Return to Xian to check into our hotel

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL

Optional Xian City Wall Bike Ride in evening.

Dinner on own.

Wednesday 20 May B,L Xi’an Breakfast at the hotel

6:30AM MT. Huashan tour 1.5 hours bus ride to Mt. Huashan The mountain offers several pathways as you challenge yourselves to hike the most beautiful mountain in Northern China. We will experience the cable car ride up and back to the mountain. You are free to choose to climb up either the Eastern or Western slopes.

You can also walk the famous plank!

Thursday 21 May B, D Xi’an Breakfast at the hotel Visit the Muslim Quarters Lunch on own at the Muslim Quarter

Mid afternoon visit to Jade Factory 6:30PM Grand Opera House and Tang Dynasty Show with Dumpling Dinner

Friday 22 May B Xi’an-Chengdu Transfer to railroad station for bullet train ride to Chengdu Guide greets and meets group Sightseeing at famous Old Broad and Narrow lanes area, Wuhou Temple and lunch

Check in at hotel Afternoon at leisure

Dinner on own

Saturday 23 May B, L, D Chengdu Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base with lunch

TBD Farewell dinner at a Sichuanese restaurant

Sunday 24 May B Transfer to Chengdu airport for your flight back home Flight arrangements on own from Chengdu

End of Tour