Strap yourself in… well actually, you can’t, but at least brace yourself for what is sure to be a bumpy and exhilarating ride. Founded and operated by Frenchman Gael Thoreau, Beijing Sideways offers tours of Beijing and The Great Wall in a motorcycle sidecar. That’s right – imagine you’re the sidekick to your favorite superhero as you whizz around traffic, see the sights, and incite more than a few stares from locals.
We took the “Beijing in a Nutshell” tour (1200RMB for the 1st passenger; 750RMB for the 2nd) and couldn’t think of a better way to squeeze the whole city into a mere four hours. From the glamourous heights of Central Business District to the rough-edged remains of the old city hutongs, Thoreau hit on all of Beijing’s high points without neglecting its real character.
Even better, each tour is improvised at Thoreau’s (and your) whim(s), with a little help from his large circle of friends around the city. We had a fashion designer in our party, so he brought us by the ultra-exclusive Wuhao Curated Shop in Dongcheng for a look at their spring collection (more to come on that later…).
And if you’re looking to escape city traffic entirely, Beijing Sideways can give you a glimpse of rural China with a rustic journey to the Great Wall, complete with a stay at their Guest House and a menu of classic French fare (3500-4000RMB per person, minimum two participants).
So for a thrilling, somewhat dangerous, and altogether unique way to see the city, we thoroughly recommend Beijing Sideways and their Beijing sidecar tour.
To book a Beijing Sideways tour through Bespoke Beijing, give us a shout at [email protected].