Great Wall Marathon, Half & 8.5K

(Note: this package is hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff with a minimum of 10 participants)

Arrive at Beijing International Airport (PEK) between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.  Scheduled transfers to The Kempinski Hotel will be provided during these times.  If your flight does not correspond to the transfers included, a private transfer can be booked at additional cost. This evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel.

Following breakfast, we will travel to the Great Wall for a mandatory inspection of the on-Wall route. Both runners and spectators will visit the Great Wall and receive race details. All runners must walk the 3.5 km of the wall, which is part of the Great Wall Marathon course.  It is very important to familiarize yourself with that specific section to take proper precautions and incorporate it into your race strategy. Non-runners may participate in this strenuous walk (good physical condition is required).  (breakfast and lunch included) 

This morning you will enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of Hutong, the old city of Beijing. You will travel the ancient alleyways via three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws. We then travel to the Summer Palace for a tour of the man-made lake followed by lunch & some shopping. We will return to the hotel early enough to allow you to rest before race day.  Tonight, we will gather at the hotel for a pre-race pasta dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

RACE DAY!  It will be an early morning departure for the Great Wall Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8.5K fun run.  A boxed breakfast will be provided upon departure, and lunch is available after the race.  After your race, be sure to visit the pop-up shops and massage tent, located outside the walls of Yin Yang square, for post-race massage.  Buses will return runners and supporters to their hotels.  Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. (breakfast and lunch included)

After breakfast we will take a bus to Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. We will walk through the square from the south to the north, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum.  Next is the Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City, one of China’s architectural masterpieces.  Entry to the city was forbidden to the common people until the early 1900’s. We will have lunch in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for the Gala Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included) 

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and transfer to Beijing Airport for the short flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, we will be met by our English-speaking local guide and transferred to the Hilton Xi’an for check-in and some time at leisure. Take this opportunity to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and begin exploring this fascinating ancient capital.

Later this afternoon, choose from two included activities.  Enjoy a self-guided bicycle ride atop the impressive Ming Dynasty City Wall, one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Originally constructed in 1370, the wall stretches more than 13 kilometers around the historic city center and offers a unique perspective of Xi’an’s past and present. Or, for guests who prefer not to participate in the bike ride, an alternative visit to a local museum will be available, offering a deeper look into the art, history, and culture of Xi’an.

This evening, we gather for a memorable welcome to Xi’an with the city’s famous dumpling banquet at the renowned Defachang Restaurant, a local institution celebrated for its exceptional variety of traditional Chinese dumplings. (breakfast, snack on plane and dinner included) 

Note: You must be under 65 years of age (or sign a waiver) to participate in the bike ride.

After breakfast, we visit one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures, the Terracotta Warriors, the life-sized army created to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor more than 2,000 years ago. We will also explore the Museum of Bronze Chariots and Horses before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, we visit the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty, before returning to the hotel for free time to relax or explore Xi’an at your own pace.

This evening, experience the grandeur of ancient China at a Tang Dynasty Dinner Banquet and Show, where music, dance, and elaborate costumes bring to life the era when Xi’an, then known as Chang’an, served as the capital of China. (breakfast, lunch and Tang Dynasty Dinner Show included)

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Chongqing, where we will be met by our English-speaking guide. Upon arrival, we explore the historic Shapingba District, often referred to as “Little Chongqing.” With more than 1,700 years of history, this vibrant neighborhood is known for its traditional architecture, charming cobblestone streets, local teahouses, and lively atmosphere. We’ll also enjoy a traditional Chongqing hot pot lunch, a regional specialty.

This afternoon, we visit the impressive Chongqing People’s Auditorium, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in 1954, this architectural masterpiece is renowned for its grand design and cultural significance.

Later, we board the Century Victory and settle into our cabins.  Enjoy time to relax and explore the ship before dinner as our Yangtze River cruise begins. The ship is scheduled to depart Chongqing at approximately 10:00 PM.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included – VIP restaurant)

Join us for early yoga or Tai Chi on the sunshine deck before breakfast, or sleep in. As we travel down the Yangtze River we will see dramatic landscapes along the gorge. After breakfast, take the excursion to Fengdu Ghost City where you will learn about the culture of ghosts and the integration of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism with Chinese traditions. A variety of onboard activities & lectures will be available during the afternoon.  Optional Evening show “The War Fire of Three Kingdoms” (sign up on the cruise ship in advance for additional cost) (breakfast, lunch and dinner included – VIP Restaurant)

As we continue down the Yangtze River, we will see more dramatic landscapes, including the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, carved by the mighty Yangtze River. Optional shore excursions can be added today after breakfast or spend the morning at your leisure. After lunch, enjoy the included excursion on Shennv Stream (approx. 2 hrs). We will board smaller sampan boats for a short cruise down the gorge to see the famous hanging coffins. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included – VIP Restaurant) 

After breakfast, join the shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site, the largest hydro dam & water conservancy project in the world.  We will disembark in Yichang after our tour, have lunch and visit the local bungee jump site at Xiling Gorge Happy Valley & Riverside Park.  You will have time for some shopping and enjoy a group dinner at Wanda Plaza before heading to the airport for our late flight to Shanghai. This evening, we check into the Conrad Shanghai. (breakfast, lunch & dinner included) 

After a leisurely breakfast, we begin our exploration of Shanghai with a visit to the beautiful Yu Garden, one of the city’s most treasured attractions. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, this classical Chinese garden features elegant pavilions, koi-filled ponds, and traditional architecture that offer a peaceful escape in the heart of the city.

We then continue to the historic Bund for a guided walking tour. Stretching along the Huangpu River, the Bund is famous for its impressive collection of colonial-era buildings and provides a fascinating contrast to the modern skyline of Pudong across the water.

Following lunch, we visit the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. From the observation deck, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city, including the Bund, Huangpu River, Oriental Pearl Tower, and Shanghai’s ever-evolving skyline.

In the evening, enjoy a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

(breakfast, lunch & dinner included) 

(Note: this package is hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff with a minimum of 10 participants)

Arrive at Beijing International Airport (PEK) between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.  Scheduled transfers to The Kempinski Hotel will be provided during these times.  If your flight does not correspond to the transfers included, a private transfer can be booked at additional cost. This evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel.

Following breakfast, we will travel to the Great Wall for a mandatory inspection of the on-Wall route. Both runners and spectators will visit the Great Wall and receive race details. All runners must walk the 3.5 km of the wall, which is part of the Great Wall Marathon course.  It is very important to familiarize yourself with that specific section to take proper precautions and incorporate it into your race strategy. Non-runners may participate in this strenuous walk (good physical condition is required).  (breakfast and lunch included) 

This morning you will enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of Hutong, the old city of Beijing. You will travel the ancient alleyways via three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws. We then travel to the Summer Palace for a tour of the man-made lake followed by lunch & some shopping. We will return to the hotel early enough to allow you to rest before race day.  Tonight, we will gather at the hotel for a pre-race pasta dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

RACE DAY!  It will be an early morning departure for the Great Wall Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8.5K fun run.  A boxed breakfast will be provided upon departure, and lunch is available after the race.  After your race, be sure to visit the pop-up shops and massage tent, located outside the walls of Yin Yang square, for post-race massage.  Buses will return runners and supporters to their hotels.  Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. (breakfast and lunch included)

After breakfast we will take a bus to Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. We will walk through the square from the south to the north, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum.  Next is the Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City, one of China’s architectural masterpieces.  Entry to the city was forbidden to the common people until the early 1900’s. We will have lunch in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for the Gala Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included) 

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and transfer to Beijing Airport for the short flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, we will be met by our English-speaking local guide and transferred to the Hilton Xi’an for check-in and some time at leisure. Take this opportunity to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and begin exploring this fascinating ancient capital.

Later this afternoon, choose from two included activities.  Enjoy a self-guided bicycle ride atop the impressive Ming Dynasty City Wall, one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China. Originally constructed in 1370, the wall stretches more than 13 kilometers around the historic city center and offers a unique perspective of Xi’an’s past and present. Or, for guests who prefer not to participate in the bike ride, an alternative visit to a local museum will be available, offering a deeper look into the art, history, and culture of Xi’an.

This evening, we gather for a memorable welcome to Xi’an with the city’s famous dumpling banquet at the renowned Defachang Restaurant, a local institution celebrated for its exceptional variety of traditional Chinese dumplings. (breakfast, snack on plane and dinner included) 

Note: You must be under 65 years of age (or sign a waiver) to participate in the bike ride.

After breakfast, we visit one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures, the Terracotta Warriors, the life-sized army created to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor more than 2,000 years ago. We will also explore the Museum of Bronze Chariots and Horses before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, we visit the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty, before returning to the hotel for free time to relax or explore Xi’an at your own pace.

This evening, experience the grandeur of ancient China at a Tang Dynasty Dinner Banquet and Show, where music, dance, and elaborate costumes bring to life the era when Xi’an, then known as Chang’an, served as the capital of China. (breakfast, lunch and Tang Dynasty Dinner Show included)

(Note: this package is hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff with a minimum of 10 participants)

Arrive at Beijing International Airport (PEK) between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.  Scheduled transfers to The Kempinski Hotel will be provided during these times.  If your flight does not correspond to the transfers included, a private transfer can be booked at additional cost. This evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel.

Following breakfast, we will travel to the Great Wall for a mandatory inspection of the on-Wall route. Both runners and spectators will visit the Great Wall and receive race details. All runners must walk the 3.5 km of the wall, which is part of the Great Wall Marathon course.  It is very important to familiarize yourself with that specific section to take proper precautions and incorporate it into your race strategy. Non-runners may participate in this strenuous walk (good physical condition is required).  (breakfast and lunch included) 

This morning you will enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of Hutong, the old city of Beijing. You will travel the ancient alleyways via three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws. We then travel to the Summer Palace for a tour of the man-made lake followed by lunch & some shopping. We will return to the hotel early enough to allow you to rest before race day.  Tonight, we will gather at the hotel for a pre-race pasta dinner. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

RACE DAY!  It will be an early morning departure for the Great Wall Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8.5K fun run.  A boxed breakfast will be provided upon departure, and lunch is available after the race.  After your race, be sure to visit the pop-up shops and massage tent, located outside the walls of Yin Yang square, for post-race massage.  Buses will return runners and supporters to their hotels.  Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. (breakfast and lunch included)

After breakfast we will take a bus to Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. We will walk through the square from the south to the north, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum.  Next is the Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City, one of China’s architectural masterpieces.  Entry to the city was forbidden to the common people until the early 1900’s. We will have lunch in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for the Gala Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included) 

After breakfast we will continue our sightseeing in Beijing with a trip to the zoo and finish your adventure off with a cultural acrobatic show and Peking Duck dinner at a local restaurant.

(Please note: This package is NOT hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff.)

Arrive at Beijing International Airport (PEK) or Daxing Airport (PKK) at your leisure and make your own way to the New World Hotel Beijing.  Transfer to your hotel is not included but a guide will be at the airport to help you navigate taxis, or hotel shuttle or the express train.  Information will be provided in advance of travel. Check into your hotel and enjoy an evening in Beijing. (no meals included today) 

Following an early breakfast, you will check out of our Beijing hotel and transfer to the Great Wall for a mandatory inspection of the on-Wall route. Both runners and spectators will visit the Great Wall and receive race details. All runners must walk the 3.5 km of the wall, which is part of the Great Wall Marathon course.  It is very important to familiarize yourself with that specific section to take proper precautions and incorporate it into your race strategy. Non-runners may participate in this strenuous walk (good physical condition is required). After the race briefing, your tour leader has arranged a transfer to your new hotel in Jizhou, located 45-60 minutes’ drive from Huangyaguan Great Wall, where you have the afternoon at your leisure and will spend two nights. (breakfast and lunch included) 

Today is yours to enjoy before your race tomorrow. Take in the local atmosphere of Jizhou, Tianjin, or go on the optional excursion that takes visitors to Qing Dynasty Tombs. Covering an enormous area and housing five of China’s emperors, 14 empresses and 136 concubines, the Qing tombs are more impressive than the famous Ming dynasty graves but are visited by relatively few.  Lunch is included in this optional tour ($130/pp purchased in advance). (breakfast & dinner included – lunch is included with Qing Tomb tour) 

RACE DAY!  It will be an early morning departure for the Great Wall Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8.5K fun run.  A boxed breakfast will be provided upon departure, and lunch is available after the race.  After your race, be sure to visit the pop-up shops and massage tent, located outside the walls of Yin Yang square, for post-race massage.  Buses will return runners and supporters to their hotels.  Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. (breakfast and lunch included)

Today is your recovery day!  Sleep in, relax or do a bit of shopping in Beijing center. You may choose one of the two optional excursions (must be booked in advance): City of Emperors will take you to the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Pearl Market ($115 per person – includes lunch). Or opt for Hutongs by Rickshaw ($95 per person – includes lunch) where you will be offered a unique glimpse into the city’s rich history and traditional lifestyle. Enjoy a traditional lunch after your rickshaw tour through the old hutong area, showcasing the historic way of life in Beijing.  In the evening, all participants will be picked up at their hotels and taken to the Gala Dinner venue.  (breakfast and dinner included) (lunch included on optional tours)