Gate 1's One-Week Trip to Beijing Adds Additional Dates to a Crowded Period

Sensing the massive demand for a cheap week to Beijing in the month of November, Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com ) has announced its own air-and-land package there for a six-night stay: $799 for persons booking prior to August 29, plus taxes of $290, for a grand total of $1,089, including round-trip air to Beijing from Los Angeles and a hotel with breakfast daily for six nights.

That price compares with China Spree's November package to Beijing from Los Angeles of $849, plus $71 in taxes (tel. 866/652-5656; www.chinaspree.com ), for a grand total of $920 per person. Not only is China Spree's program cheaper, but it also includes substantial escorted sightseeing of the major attractions (which Gate 1 does not), and it makes use of an outstanding hotel (while Gate 1 doesn't name the hotel it uses).

Nevertheless, it's important to keep Gate 1's package in mind—because two of China Spree's November dates are already sold out, and it seems probable that the remainder of its November space will be fully taken in just a short while. November is a fine time to tour China, and far more pleasant than in January and February (when still another tour operator, China Focus Travel, chimes in with an additional large number of seats for a one-weeker to Beijing at remarkable low rates).

Because these one-weekers to Beijing in November are an obvious big hit, and will all sell at a very rapid rate, you'll want to consider Gate 1 Travel as still another, third source of these excellent travel opportunities.