Exploring China’s natural wonders and historical landmarks can be a captivating experience. The Shilinxia Glass Platform, perched 400 meters above the Jingdong Grand Canyon, offers breathtaking views that’ll leave visitors in awe. After this exhilarating adventure, the tour continues to the Ming City Wall Park, where travelers can uncover the rich history of the 15th-century fortification. This unique combination of modern and ancient attractions promises an unforgettable day trip from Beijing. What else might this tour have in store for intrepid adventurers?
Key Points
- This private full-day tour from Beijing features the world’s largest glass sightseeing platform at Shilinxia Scenic Area, 400 meters above the gorge.
- The tour also includes a visit to the last remaining section of Beijing’s 15th-century Ming city wall, showcasing its historic architecture.
- Private air-conditioned transportation and entrance fees are included, along with a lunch at a local Chinese restaurant.
- Moderate physical fitness is required for the Shilinxia experience, with significant stair-climbing and walking involved.
- The tour receives positive reviews, with guests praising the stunning views from the glass platform and the informative guides.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Tour Overview
- Shilinxia Scenic Area
- Glass Platform Experience
- Ming City Wall Park
- Lunch and Transportation
- Physical Fitness Required
- Passport and Confirmation
- Traveler Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can We Take Photographs on the Glass Platform?
- How Long Do We Spend at Each Location?
- Is There Any Shopping or Free Time During the Tour?
- Can We Bring Our Own Food and Snacks?
- Are There Any Discounts or Packages Available?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in Beijing
- More City Tours in Beijing
- More Tours in Beijing
- More Tour Reviews in Beijing
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Beijing we have recnetly reviewed
Tour Overview
This private full-day tour takes travelers from Beijing to explore the stunning Shilinxia Scenic Area and the historic Ming City Wall Park.
Guests will experience both modern and medieval Chinese engineering feats. The tour includes a visit to the world’s largest glass sightseeing platform at Shilinxia, offering breathtaking views 400 meters above the gorge.
After lunch, the tour continues to the last remaining section of Beijing’s 15th-century city wall, where visitors can climb the Southeast Corner Watchtower.
Private air-conditioned transportation, entrance fees, mineral water, and a Chinese restaurant lunch are all included in this comprehensive tour.
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Shilinxia Scenic Area
The tour begins with a private vehicle journey of approximately 2 hours northeast of Beijing, traveling through the rolling hills to reach the Shilinxia Scenic Area, also known as Jingdong Grand Canyon.
Upon arrival, visitors can admire the unique rock formations of the area.
They’ll then ride a cable car to the highest mountain, where the world’s largest glass sightseeing platform extends 32.8 meters from the mountainside, offering breathtaking views of Jinhai Lake and Mount Pan from 1,300 feet (400 meters) above the gorge.
Walking on the glass platform is an exhilarating experience, showcasing the area’s modern and medieval Chinese engineering.
Glass Platform Experience
Ascending the cable car, visitors reach the highest point of Shilinxia, where the world’s largest glass sightseeing platform extends outward from the mountainside.
Standing 1,300 feet (400 meters) above the gorge, the platform offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including Jinhai Lake and Mount Pan.
Visitors can walk along the glass floor, marveling at the sheer drop beneath their feet. The engineering feat provides an exhilarating and unique experience, allowing guests to feel immersed in the natural wonder of the Jingdong Grand Canyon.
This highlight of the tour showcases modern Chinese architectural innovation alongside the region’s stunning geological formations.
Ming City Wall Park
After marveling at the glass platform experience, the tour then journeys to the Beijing Ming City Wall Park, located approximately 1.5 hours away. Visitors can explore the last remaining section of the 15th-century city wall, admiring the 2-kilometer Ming-era structure with its notable brickwork and bullet holes. The highlight is climbing the Southeast Corner Watchtower, featuring 144 arrow windows. This provides stunning views along the wall.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wall Length | 2 kilometers |
| Wall Era | 15th century (Ming Dynasty) |
| Architectural Style | Brick with bullet holes |
| Watchtower | Southeast Corner with 144 arrow windows |
Lunch and Transportation
Following the Shilinxia Glass Platform experience, the tour group enjoys a Chinese restaurant lunch.
The private, air-conditioned transportation takes the group to a local eatery where they’ll savor authentic Chinese cuisine. This provided lunch is included in the tour package, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the cultural experience.
After the meal, the group re-boards the private vehicle for the journey to the next destination – the Ming City Wall Park.
The smooth, comfortable transport ensures a hassle-free transition between the two iconic attractions, allowing the tour to flow seamlessly.
Physical Fitness Required
To fully enjoy the Shilinxia Glass Platform experience, visitors must possess a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour involves a significant amount of stair-climbing, even after taking the cable car to the top.
Guests will need to ascend and descend numerous steps to reach the glass platform that extends 32.8 meters from the mountainside. Plus, the tour covers a good amount of ground, with a 2-hour journey each way to and from the scenic area.
While the views are breathtaking, visitors with limited mobility or stamina may find the physical demands of the tour challenging. Proper preparation and appropriate footwear are recommended for the best experience.
Passport and Confirmation
For this tour, visitors must have a valid passport. Tour confirmation is received at the time of booking. This is an important step, as the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.
Here are four key things to know about passport and confirmation for this tour:
- A passport is required for participation.
- Tour confirmation is provided upon booking.
- The tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.
- Booking confirmation should be received prior to the tour date.
Attention to these details will ensure a smooth experience on this private Shilinxia Glass Platform and Ming City Wall Park tour from Beijing.
Traveler Reviews
What do travelers say about this tour? The Shilinxia Glass Platform & Ming City Wall tour receives positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Guests praise the prompt confirmation and informative guides, as well as the spectacular views from the glass platform.
Two reviews award 5 stars, highlighting the breathtaking scenery.
While most find the moderate physical fitness required manageable, they note significant stairs even after the cable car ride.
A few 4-star reviews mention the tour’s good value but caution that the Shilinxia site may be closed on rainy days.
Travelers agree this tour offers a unique blend of modern and medieval Chinese wonders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can We Take Photographs on the Glass Platform?
Yes, visitors can take photographs on the glass platform at Shilinxia Scenic Area. The tour includes access to the platform, which extends 32.8 meters from the mountainside and offers breathtaking views of the gorge and surrounding landscape.
How Long Do We Spend at Each Location?
The tour typically allows 1-2 hours at the Shilinxia Scenic Area to explore the glass platform and take in the views. After lunch, visitors spend around 1.5 hours exploring the Ming City Wall Park.
Is There Any Shopping or Free Time During the Tour?
There’s no dedicated shopping or free time during the tour. The focus is on exploring the Shilinxia Scenic Area glass platform and Ming City Wall Park. Guests have the opportunity to take in the views and sights at each location.
Can We Bring Our Own Food and Snacks?
Guests can bring their own food and snacks on the tour, but the tour includes a Chinese restaurant lunch. Bringing additional snacks is allowed, as long as they don’t interfere with the scheduled activities.
Are There Any Discounts or Packages Available?
The tour offers flexible packages, with discounts for larger groups. Customers should inquire about any current promotions or combo deals when booking. Some tour providers may also provide discounts for seniors, students, or children.
Shilinxia Glass Platform & 798 Art District/Ming City Wall Tour
“It was one of the most memorable tours. Everything went smoothly. The climb to the glass observation deck was not an easy one but so enjoyable and …”
Recap
This breathtaking tour combines the thrilling Shilinxia Glass Platform with the historic Ming City Wall Park, offering a unique blend of modern innovation and ancient architectural significance. Visitors can experience the exhilarating views of the Jingdong Grand Canyon and explore the last remaining section of the 15th-century city wall, making for an unforgettable day trip from Beijing.
