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Day
1
Beijing Arrival
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time.
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Day
2
Beijing (B, L)
Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
World Heritages Sites included Today: Temple of Heaven,Forbidden City
This morning our tour will begin with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.
After lunch, we will go on our city tour to visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.
From here we will walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.
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Day
3
Beijing (B, L)
Sightseeing: Hutong Tours in Rickshaw, Summer Palace, Lama Temple,2008 Beijing Olympic venues
World Heritages Sites included Today: Summer Palace
We will experience a unique Hutong tour by taking a rickshaw this morning. Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane and are very typical for Beijing. Most of them can be found close to the Forbidden City, and many were built during the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. Today, the Hutong is a living museum of Beijing history showing the traditional lifestyle of Beijing people.
After having lunch at a local restaurant, you can spend the whole afternoon to visit the famous royal garden-Summer Palace. In 1888, the notorious Empress Cixi used the money intended for the Chinese Navy to build this opulent summer retreat for herself. We will have a lakeside cruise on the lovely Kunming Lake and enjoy the magical views of the temples, pavilions and covered corridors around.
Then visit Lama Temple, the only Beijing city temple that survived the Cultural Revolution. It is the largest Lama Temple outside Tibet.
After the tour, you will be driven to visit the main 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, take an exterior visit of both the, Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium), National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube'),feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.
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Day
4
Beijing to Chengde (B, L)
Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Jinshanling Great Wall, Imperial Summer Villa (Bishu shanzhuang) & Mountain Resort and Outlying Temples.
World Heritages Sites included Today: Great Wall, Imperial Summer Villa (Bishu shanzhuang) & Mountain Resort and Outlying Temples.
In the morning, drive to Chengde directly, on the way, you will visit the spectacular Jinshanling Great Wall. It is the best place for photography.
The Great Wall at the Jinshanling is located at the boundary between Miyun County, Beijing and Luanping County, Hebei province. It has been a strategic place contested by militarists since ancient times. The 25-kilometer-long Jinshan Ridge section has as many as 150 watchtowers and battlements,terraces and turrets. Architecturally, there are towers of various shapes--square, circular, oblate and cornered, and roofs of different strctures --flat and vaulted.
Arrive in Chengde, you will check in the hotel, then visit the famous Imperial Summer Villa (Bishu shanzhuang) & Mountain Resort and Outlying Temples.
One of China's ten leading scenic spots and the world's extant largest imperial garden where emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911) used to come in summer to escape heat and engaged in political activities, the resort is also known as the "Ligong of Chengde" or temporary palace away from the capital. Built in the years between 1703 and 1790 and located in a hill-encircled basin, it covers an area of 5.64 million square meters and boasts 120 groups of building, including terraces, pavilions and towers characteristics of gardening architecture. Seventy-two scenic spots bear inscriptions by Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong. The gardens are full of natural interest, blending the cream of ancient gardening art of both the north and south of China.
In December 1994 the Mountain Resort was listed by UNESCO in its World Heritage.
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Day
5
Chengde to Beijing (B, L)
Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Putuo Zongcheng Temple, Puning Temple
Today you will visit Putuo Zongcheng Temple. It is reminiscent of the Dala Lama’s Potala Palace in Tibet. It is considered as a great place to go if you cannot travel to Tibet. The temple was built to show the imperial family's respect for the minority groups and their beliefs. The temple is a marvelous sight with red walls that contrast against the green mountain backdrop. The top of the temple complex has a commanding view of the Chengde Summer Palace Resort., the temple is also named 'little Potala Palace'. Then you will also pay a visit to Puning temple, also called Big Buddha Temple, has the world's largest wooden Buddha. This Buddha has thousands of hands and eyes. It is 22 meters high and 15 meters wide. The temple was built to commemorate Emperor Qianlong's victory over the Mongolian rebellion. The front of the temple was built in traditional Chinese style, but the temple complex features both Han and Tibetan style buildings. The temple has drum and bell towers, numerous pavilions and halls. It is still in use today.
After lunch, drive back to Beijing city with 2-3 hours. Arrive in Beijing, check in the hotel.
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Day
6
Beijing to Datong (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Yungang Grottoes, Nine-Dragon Screen Wall, Huayan Monastery, Shanhua Temple.
World Heritages Sites included Today: Yungang Grottoes
In the morning, you will be transferred to airport and catch the flight to Datong. After your arrival you will be met by our local guide and transferred to hotel.
Then visit Yungang Grottoes is one of the largest grotto-groups in China. There are now 53 grottoes with 51000 statues remaining. Yungang Grottoes were listed as UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage in 2001. Then take a visit to Datong Nine-Dragon Screen Wall. In the east of Datong City, it is one of the four famous nine-dragon screen walls in China. And visit the Huayan Monastery. In the west of Datong City, it is an art museum of the Liao and Jin dynasties.
At last, you will visit Shanhua Temple, it islocated in central Datong within the old city walls. It was first constructed during the Tang dynasty (618-907AD) though most of the present wooden building dates back to the 12th century. The temple houses some intricately carved Jin dynasty (265-420AD) statues and has a screen wall decorated with dragons.
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Day
7
Datong to Wutaishan (B, L)
Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Hanging Monastery, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Today we will drive to Wutai Mountain, on the way, you will visit Hanging Monastery and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. The Hanging Monastery was magically built into a near vertical rock face, the whole structure being supported by nothing more than a few wooden beams. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the oldest and tallest wooden pagoda in China. The pagoda was built over 900 years ago. It is a mystery to scientists and tourists alike that this pagoda withstood several natural disasters and still was able to maintain its original condition.
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Day
8
Wutaishan (B, L)
Sightseeing: Wutai Mountain Scenic Area
World Heritages Sites included Today: Mt. Wutai
You will have full day to explore the Wutai Mountain Scenic Area. The beautiful scenery of Mt. Wutaishan is a masterpiece, nature at its most exquisite. There are five glorious peaks: Wanghai Peak in the east, Guayue Peak in the west, Jinxiu Peak in the south, Yedou Peak in the north, and the central Cuiyan Peak. This mountain, one of the four holy Buddhist Mountains, is said to be the dwelling place of Manjusri Bodhisattva. 360 temples were built here dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and 47 of these still exist.
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Day
9
Wutaishan to Taiyuan (B, L)
Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Hanging Monastery, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
After breakfast, we will drive to Taiyuan city with about 4.5 hours. Arrive in Taiyuan, after check-in the hotel, you will visit the Chongshansi Temple. It lies in the Wuyi Road of Taiyuan，one of the famous Buddhism temples of Shanxi province. In 1983, it became a national key temple of the Hans.
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Day
10
Taiyuan to Pingyao (B, L)
Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Pingyao Ancient Town, Qiao Family Compound
World Heritages Sites included Today: Pingyao Ancient Town
After breakfast, drive to Pingyao. Arrive in Pingyao, you will enjoy visiting the Pingyao Ancient Town. In the middle of Shanxi Province, this is the best-preserved of the four ancient towns in China. Inside the intact Ming Dynasty city wall this traditional town, whose buildings date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, is exceptionally well-preserved, and just as it was centuries ago. Bikes can be rented for about 10 yuan/hour. You can also learn the traditional Chinese art of paper-cut, producing beautiful shapes and designs from paper in the Wentao Paper-cut shop, and lean how lacquerwork is done in Yonglong Shop.
Then visit the famous Qiao Family Compound. It was built in 1755, this well-preserved and exquisite structure used to be the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, who was a famous businessman during the Qing Dynasty.
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Day
11
Pingyao to Xi'an (B, L)
Transfer via: Overnight train (soft sleeper) on our arrangement
Sightseeing: The Rishengchang Draft Bank, The Mingqing Street, Armed Escort Company Museum, Ancient City Wall
Take full day tour around Pingyao, you will visit The Rishengchang Draft Bank. It was established in 1823. It was the biggest draft bank at that time and had been famous for "Hui Tong Tian Xia" (Business Connecting the Whole World).
And visit the The Mingqing Street. The downtown thoroughfare and reserved quite well of the styles in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Also visit Armed Escort Company Museum. Armed Escort Company once played a significant role in promoting comerce in Ming and Qing dynasties. The museum tells stories of the founder-members and introduce some famous wings of martial arts.
At last, visit Ancient City Wall, the ancient city wall of Pingyao with nearly 3,000 years of history, at present, basically keeps the original appearance of city wall constructed in early Ming Dynasty.
After the tour, take overnight train to Xian, you will have one overnight on the train, it is special way to experience Chinese train.
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Day
12
Xi'an (B, L)
Sightseeing: Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, Bell Tower.
In the morning, you will be met at train station, transferred to hotel, then visit Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. It is the largest and best preserved present city wall in ancient China and is probably the best military battlement in the world. If you want to, you can rent a bicycle for a ride on top of the spectacular city wall. The wall was built in the Tang dynasty (618 -907) and enlarged in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
And we will move on to visit the Shaanxi History Museum. It is a magnificent architectural complex in the Tang Dynasty style. The Museum possesses a treasure of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi, and it covers an area of 1,100 square meters for exhibition.
At last, you will go on to visit the Bell Tower, which is the best-preserved and best-known one among many. The Bell Tower was built in 1384. In early mornings of ancient times it had the mission of ringing the bell and giving the correct time to the whole city, hence called "The Bell Tower". With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.
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Day
13
Xi'an (B, L)
Sightseeing: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
World Heritages Sites included Today: Terracotta Warriors and Horses
Today you will experience the highlights of Xi’an. After breakfast, you will depart you’re your hotel. You will visit the amazing 2000-year-old Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Regarded as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the construction of a vast army of Terra-cotta warriors in search of immortality. After his early death they were buried with him to protect his empire.
Another highlight today is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated in the south of Xian city, it is one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple. There, the well-known Buddhist Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India in Tang Dynasty. Now it is the Landmark of Xian.
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Day
14
Xian to Shanghai (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Nanjing Road, The Bund.
You will have free time to explore the ancient city. Then you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Shanghai. There, you will be met by our local guide and transferred to your Hotel. Take a walk to the famous Nanjing Road and the Bund. They are among the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai and therefore a must-see when visiting Shanghai.
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Day
15
Shanghai (B, L)
Sightseeing: Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden
Today we will start with a visit of Shanghai Museum which is the biggest museum of China. It incorporates a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics and is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy.
Then we head to the Jade Buddha Temple. The old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique and inimitable in this modern city. Both, the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha are carved with whole white jade. If you're lucky, you can watch the monks serving a ceremony in a side room.
After lunch, we will visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, the highest TV Tower in Asia, which creates a picture of twin dragons playing with pearls'. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors all year-round.
Then we will take a relaxing walk to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful garden in the south of the Yangtze River. Wandering through it, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features.
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Day
16
Shanghai Departure (B)
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Today will be free for your own purposes, until our guide will escort you to the airport for your next destination.