If you are going to be visiting Beijing on on after July 20 you should be aware of two new sightseeing bus tour routes that will be launched in Beijing to allow visitors to experience both the ancient and modern in the Chinese capital during the Olympics.

Beijing tourists have a choice of old or new. The route starting at Yongdingmen Gate in southern Beijing will take sightseers to several major historic attractions including the Temple of Heaven, the Front Gate (Qianmen), the Tian’anmen Gate, Jingshan Park and the Drum Tower.

Modern day sights such as Olympic venues are covered in the other route which starts at Datun, outside the north fourth ring road, and passes major Olympic venues and facilities like the Olympic Green, the Olympic village and the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium.

The new routes, measuring 18.1 km and 16.25 km respectively, will be taking onboard the first sightseers starting July 20. The routes will be operated by the Beijing Public Transport Holdings Ltd. Group.

Air-conditioned double-decker buses are going to be used on the routes. With the hot summer weather in Beijing this will be a welcome comfort

The fare for the routes are yet to be announced however you can expect that information will be released in a few days.

If the routes prove popular there could be additional routes added for the benefit of visitors to Beijing.