Beijing shore excursion help please

SS first timers, booked on the Shadow Tokyo to Hong Kong Oct 15. The shore excursions are now showing on our booking and available to book June 4.

Very disappointed that they are not offering a 2 day/1 night excursion, only 2 11+hours trips each including a 6 hour return bus trip. No option to go by train, no doubt much faster, allowing more time in Beijing.

Now considering a SS private tour on the first day, more $$, but hopefully having more time to experience what we choose.

I understand that we can nominate what we would like to see including part of the Great Wall, hopefully. Would we make the request for these at the time of booking? Or, SS will contact us in this regard? I would not like to book then be told "can't do this or that"

Next option is trying to find a private shore excursion from the port and return.

A bit concerned to do a long distance trip outside of the ship's tours as would not like to be left behind if we are late back for some unforseen circumstance.

Would anybody have a favourite company to contact?

Thank you in advance for any help/information:)

We were on SS Tokyo to Shanghai in october 2013 and elected not to take the official SS overnight tour that was offered. We used a Chinese company that was brilliant - Leon lung at china highlights -and we set our own itinerary and chose the Beijing Hilton for the overnight. Two other couples used the same operator. It worked like a dream we had a lovely private guide and driver. We were escorted from the port by car and train to Beijing where we met the car driver and guide and we came back by car. We based our itinerary on SS's so saw all the main sights including the Great Wall, summer palace, temple of heaven and the forbidden city. We also ate in non tourist restaurants. Make sure to have a Peking duck dinner. It was one of the best side trips we have taken. We felt a little aggrieved to be paying essentially twice for a couple of days as of course one has already paid SS for two days that one is missing but it was truly fantastic experience and not to be missed. Make sure to leave a big margin for the return which is why we returned by car rather than trai and the traffic was light.

Ps it cost just over half of the tour that SS was offering and it was private too!

Eastern Journeys. Excellent.

As advised, find a private tour operator to pick you up at the ship., drive you to Beijing and give your guided tours for the two days. Book a hotel on your own. It will probably still be cheaper than two days of SS's tours for two people and you won't be on a bus with forty other people dependent on their whims.

Yes, definitely stay overnight.

I will contact the private operators suggested. Much appreciated all your suggestions, thank you:):)

We are also doing this trip. Have organised a private tour returning to the ship in the evening. SS has now posted an overnight tour from Tianjin but very expensive. We are doing much the same apart from staying in Beijing. half the cost. Recommend you look on Trip advisor Catherine Gao has excellent reviews

You have been given excellent advice as you want to stay over and not do individual trips.

Whoever picks you up at the terminal request that they be the one to drop you off too. The port that service Beijing can be very challenging to simply find the ship and I would not want any surprises. Be sure to read reviews on trip advisor as to the private companies you look at. Ask for someone who speaks fluent english (the tour guide) and state up front that you want the tour guide to return to the terminal with you along with the driver as often the drivers will speak little to no english. Pad the time to get back to the ship so there are no surprises.

Keith

Thank you all again, have done lots of research. All advise is very much appreciated :)