Why choose this Beijing tour ?
The hutongs are the historic heart of old Beijing. Join us on this self-guided GPS audio walk from the Drum Tower to the Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple, through a winding labyrinth of alleyways and local color that takes you to some of Beijing’s most ancient landmarks.
IMPORTANT: There is a GPS offset in China, and as a result your position on Google and Apple maps will be incorrect. This issue doesn’t affect the offline map, so after you’ve downloaded all the audio files, but before you hit start, switch to ‘airplane mode’ (or turn off data) and you’ll be able to track your position correctly.
The tour starts at the south side of the Drum Tower. If you’re taking the subway, get out at Exit C of Shichahai Station on line 8, turn right and walk up. You can also take a taxi to “Gulou” and you’ll end up at the same spot.
The audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone’s GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.
Make the most of your Beijing adventure
What makes Beijing’s Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour a unique experience ?
Most of old Beijing, like the Forbidden City, was built in the 1400s in the early Ming dynasty. The Drum Tower is much older, dating back to the 13th century Mongolian Yuan dynasty and the reign of Kublai Khan.
The Baochao or “Precious Money” hutong is an appropriate name – things are a little busier down there, with more shops and bars, such as Modernista on the corner, an expat bar with live music, great cocktails, and swing dance every Wednesday.
The Confucius Temple was built in 1302, and officials and ordinary folk alike have paid their respects to the Great Sage here for centuries. Confucius went out of style during the Cultural Revolution and old temples like this were looted and sacked by gangs of Red Guards.
Yonghegong, which literally means “Harmony and Peace Palace” – was built in 1694, and it’s one of the largest Gelugpa or “Yellow Hat sect” Tibetan Buddhist temples outside of Tibet itself. Of course, there are Han influences in the architecture too, and in fact the original function of this building was as a residence for court eunuchs, before it was converted into a monastery in 1722.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Beijing’s Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
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Beijing’s Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- VoiceMap Application
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Lifetime access to Beijing’s Old Hutongs tour
Not Included
- Smartphone
- Transportation
- Food/Drink
- Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by VoiceMap Audio Tours.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Shanghai.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.
VOICEMAP CODE
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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You’ve been sent an eight character code you’ll need to redeem your tour.
This code can be used by every member of your party. If you’ve booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.
DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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Once you’ve received your code, please follow these steps:
1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
2. Create an account
3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
4. Enter your code then select Download Now
PLEASE NOTE
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• You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
• This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
• When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
• Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.
SUPPORT
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For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me
