BEIJING CHINA: How much will a 5-day trip cost?

In this 2010 trip, here is the summary of our expenses.
 
EXPENSES PER PAX, in US$ (based on Oct2010 conversion rates):

1. Plane fare Cebu-Manila-Cebu - we got $35 on promo Phil AirLines (regular fare is around $70)

2. Plane fare Manila-Beijing-Manila - we got $110 on promo Cebu Pacific Air (regular fare is $280)

3. Accommodation (City Walls Courtyard House) - $75 for 3nights (US$50/night for a double bed private ensuite)

4. Shows (KungFu, Acrobatic, Opera) - $35 to $42 depending on the seat row (must see: Chaoyang Acrobatic show)

5. Other incidentals (including meals, travel tax in Manila, terminal fees in airports (Manila/Cebu), taxi rides in Manila/Cebu) - $100.  A very filling ala carte meal in Beijing good for 7 pax costs around $30, that's around $4 average cost of meal per pax...very reasonable!

Important tip:  There are no foreign exchange stalls around Beijing.  Money is changed ONLY at the banks.  So better load up on CNY (yuan) from home, if you don't want to waste your time waiting for your turn at the bank!

TOUR OPTIONS:

Standard inclusion in all tours are English-speaking guide, van, airport transfers, mineral water and entrances to tourist places.

Other factors that will affect the price of your tour are the ff:

• Factories or markets in the itinerary - we got one quote with $50 markdown IF we include at least 4 factories or markets in our itinerary
• Size of the Group - the more the cheaper.  If you browse tour agencies' offerings, discounts are really huge for big groups.
• Entrance - some tours provide only for first or main entrance fees in a tourist spot so if there are other sites or rides within that tourist destination with separate fees, one pays separately
• Accommodation - some tours offer accommodation  (i read somewhere that their hotel classification is different than standard cause they have up to 7-star rating in Beijing)
• Meals - full board means all meals are provided
• Great Wall - different fees for different sections of the Wall, so ask the tour operator which side you will be taken to
• Tombs - there are two Ming tombs open to tourists: Chang tomb and the underground Ding tomb; there is also an option to visit the Spirit Way  

TOUR PRICES:

1. Without accommodation and meals, group of 5 - we got quotes ranging from $111 to $200 depending on arrangements (see above factors).

2.  With accommodation and full board meals, group of 11 - range is around $160  

3.  With accommodation (Marriot Courtyard) and full board meals, 5D4N, group of 2, includes one show - range is around $395

4.  One travel agency in the Phils. offer package of 500USD for 5D 4N all in with airfare via HK EXpress of Hongkong Airlines, 4N hotel, Hongkong and Beijing Tours. 

Memories and family bonding – "Priceless!".

The trip was worth every peso or yuan or dollar spent!