Beijing begins to offer night bus tours

Spectacular night views of some of Beijing's landmark buildings and tourist sites. [Photo: http://weili.ooopic.com/weili_12724647.html]

Two night bus tours will soon be available for the first time in Beijing for travelers hoping to discover the night life of the ancient Chinese capital.

Three antique-style buses will run two circle routes from Beijing's Qianmen tourist transport center from Sunday, according to the Beijing Bus Group.

The eastern line will pass through many of Beijing's famous scenic spots including Chang'an Avenue, the Central Business District, Sanlitun and Guijie, a lively gourmet restaurant street, as well as Shichahai, one of Beijing's bar streets.

The western line will stop at the Beijing Exhibition Center, the Central TV Tower, West Chang'an Avenue and Ping'an Street. The Central TV Tower is a 405 meter-high tower that provides views over the city.

Two buses running eastward will leave Qianmen at 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., with tickets costing 30 yuan (4.4 U.S. dollars) per person, while the westbound bus will depart at 7:30 p.m. with a ticket price of 100 yuan.

Students, children and seniors over 80 years old receive discounts or free tickets.