Mr Cricket’s Fight Club in the Hutongs

Mr Cricket’s Fight Club
in the Hutongs

Meet Mr Cricket, an octogenarian cricket trainer and witness
the age-old pastime of cricket fighting conducted
in the ancient alleyways of the hutongs.

WHY THIS TOUR?

Mention cricket and most people think of the sport. But in China this is a different kind of cricket altogether. Once the sport of the emperors, cricket fighting is an age-old tradition and a popular pastime. Cricket owners cherish their insects and caring for them is far from cheap.

In addition to food, many cricket trainers will buy tiny bowls, plates and beds that are placed in a minute cricket house. The lifetime of a cricket is only one hundred days and champion crickets will even be placed in diminutive coffins after they die. These crickets are so precious that their owners will rarely allow them to get injured during a fight.

TRAIL ITINERARY

Mr Cricket’s Fight Club in the Hutongs

09:30 - 11:30
-
14:30 - 16:30

The driver and guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to the narrow alleyways, known as the hutongs. The hutongs are situated in the old quarter of the city and they give an insight into a different pace of life in Beijing, such as the lifestyle of the contemporary residents. They are the best place to see and feel Beijing’s authentic culture – and this is also where you will find the home of legendary Mr Cricket.

In a traditional courtyard in the middle of the hutongs, you will meet this famous cricket boxing trainer. Crickets are loved all over Beijing but particularly in the Beijing hutongs where this traditional culture has been kept alive. Mr Cricket is also a referee of this insect sport and he has been featured in many magazines and publications. He is incredibly passionate about this traditional pastime and loves to pass on his extensive knowledge.

You will hear all about the unusual life of Mr Cricket and the history of raising crickets in this ancient part of the city. You will get the opportunity to see the crickets up close and you can even gently hold one in your hands.

At the end of the tour the driver will take you back to the hotel.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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INCLUSIONS

  • A half-day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
  • All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

EXCLUSIONS

  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
  • Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside downtown Beijing. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside the Central Business District and both Beijing’s International Airports are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
  • Customers are advised that during the Lunar Festival celebrations (celebration of Chinese New Year), excursions and tours may be subject to supplementary charges and/or may see longer waiting times than normal.
  • We regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • We will always make the effort to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
  • Please note pick-up and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
  • Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • The protection of the country’s flora and fauna is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities for guests that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.
  • This excursion is only operated in the morning.

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