City bus tours

Visitors to Beijing who are hard-pressed for time, can soon avail of a new bus service to take in the sights of the city in a jiffy.

Beijing's first city bus tour was launched on June 18 at the 2009 Beijing International Tourism Expo. Operated by the Beijing City Bus Tour Services, the company has pressed into service five buses on ten, 3-hour, 55.6-km-long tours lines around the city.

The buses will go to some major landmarks and scenic spots of the city. The day tour will pass by such places as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Shichahai Lake with its hutong, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, and the White Pagoda Temple. Tourists can also see some modern landmarks such as the new CCTV building, Birds' Nest and Water Cube, as well as the National Grand Theater.