Budget-Friendly Beijing & Datong Tour with Indian Food, Great Wall Hiking, and Overnight Train to Xi'an

Day 1: Arrival & Evening Kayaking

Beijing, China on August 20, 2025

3:00pm

Arrival and Transfer to Hotel

Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport. Take Airport Express Line to Dongzhimen (CNY25), then Bus 619 to Houhai area. Walk to Yi Se Hotel (within 1km of Indian restaurant Ganges). Cheapest option costs ~CNY30 and duration about 1h45m.
CNY55, 1h45m

6:00pm

Dinner at Ganges Restaurant

Enjoy affordable authentic North Indian dishes with open hours till 11pm, great to unwind after your journey.
CNY90, 1h

7:30pm

Kayaking at Houhai Lake

Rent a kayak on Houhai Lake (open till 9:30pm) for CNY60/hour, to see nighttime views of the area.
CNY60, 1h30m

9:30pm

Night Stroll at Houhai

Leisure stroll along vibrant lakeside bar street, free of cost.
Free, 1h
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Day 2: Datong Budget Day Trip

Beijing & Datong, China on August 21, 2025

6:45am

Slow Train K178 Beijing to Datong

Take slow train K178 departing Beijing Railway Station at 6:45am. Journey lasts approx 5h10m, affordable at CNY80. Arrives Datong at 11:55am.
CNY80, 5h10m

12:15pm

Visit Yungang Grottoes

Take bus 5 from Datong Bus station to Yungang Grottoes (30 mins). Ticket cost CNY100, open 8am-5pm.
CNY100, 2h

2:45pm

Bus to Hanging Monastery

Take bus 709 from Datong city center to Hanging Monastery (approx 1h). Ticket CNY80, open 8am-5:30pm.
CNY80, 2h

5:00pm

Indian Dinner at Tandoori Grill, Datong

Enjoy Indian dishes at Tandoori Grill, open till 9pm. Order local favorites for approx CNY90.
CNY90, 1h

7:00pm

Slow Train K177 Datong to Beijing

Return to Datong station by taxi or local bus (CNY20). Train departs 7:25pm, arriving Beijing at 12:30am.
CNY80+20, 5h5m

12:30am

Taxi to Hotel

Take taxi (~CNY30) from Beijing station to hotel.
CNY30, 30m
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Day 3: Mutianyu Wall & Summer Palace

Beijing, China on August 22, 2025

7:30am

Bus to Mutianyu Great Wall

Take Bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Bus Station to Huairou North Station (1h30m). Then take local bus H23 or taxi to Mutianyu entrance. Entrance fee CNY45. Toboggan ride approx CNY80. Open 7:30am-6pm.
CNY125, 5h

1:00pm

Lunch at Ganges Restaurant

Return by bus to Beijing and enjoy budget-friendly Indian meal at Ganges Restaurant.
CNY80, 1h

2:30pm

Summer Palace by Bus

Take Bus 303 from Bei Hai Park to Summer Palace (approx 50 mins). Entrance fee CNY60, open 6:30am-7pm. Rent bicycle for CNY40/hour to explore larger grounds.
CNY100, 3h

6:30pm

Dinner at Ganges Restaurant

Indian cuisine dinner at Ganges open till 10:30pm.
CNY130, 1h30m
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Day 4: Badaling Wall & City Tour

Beijing, China on August 23, 2025

7:15am

Bus 877 to Badaling Great Wall

From Deshengmen Bus Station take bus 877 (approx 1h). Entrance fee CNY40. Zipline approx CNY150. Cable car optional CNY90. Open 7am-6pm.
CNY190, 4h

12:00pm

Lunch at Ganges Restaurant

Return to hotel vicinity and enjoy Indian dishes for lunch.
CNY80, 1h

1:30pm

Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City

Walk or take Bus 1/2 to Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City. Entrance CNY60, open till 5pm.
CNY60, 3h

4:30pm

Temple of Heaven by Bus

Bus 5 from Chongwenmen to Temple of Heaven. Entrance CNY35, park open till 9pm.
CNY35, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner at Ganges Restaurant

Final Indian dinner before departure.
CNY120, 1h

7:30pm

Public Bus 673 to Beijing West Railway Station

Take Bus 673 from Nanluoguxiang to Beijing West Railway Station (approx 1h). Cheapest way to station for overnight train.
CNY5, 1h

9:00pm

Overnight Train Z19 Beijing to Xi'an

Board overnight sleeper train Z19 departing 9:00pm, arriving in Xi'an approx 8:45am next day. Hard sleeper ticket CNY550.
CNY550, 11h45m
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