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Day
1
Arrival Beijing
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival in Beijing 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: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Way
After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Badaling Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whereas Genghis Khan contemplated it as a military obstacle, Richard Nixon described it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb and walk one of the best preserved sections of the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views. Bring a jacket and layer- although it is breezy, the climbing is tough. So be in a good shape!
In the afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, which are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, Changping, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13 Ming emperors buried there, this place was called the 13 Ming Tombs. You will walk along the Sacred Way, a road guarded by stone statues on both sides, as the ancient emperors did to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestors. Finally, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors and visit one of the spectacular tombs, indeed an underground palace.
On the way back to hotel, 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
3
Beijing / Xi'an (B)
Transfer via: Overnight train (soft sleeper class) on our arrangement
Today is a free day to see some of the downtown sights of Beijing such as the Forbidden city, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven. Make your own way to the station for an early evening departure by overnight train to Xi'an in a comfortable soft sleeper class compartment.
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Day
4
Xi'an (B, L)
Sightseeing: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Arrive in Xi'an in the morning. Be met and transferred to your hotel with time for breakfast and a chance to freshen up before starting a full day tour.
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. More than 7000 vivid figures in full battle array are formed for battle in several large pits.
Then we 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.
Our last stop today will be the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated in the south of Xi'an 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 Xi'an.
Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel.
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Day
5
Xi'an / Shanghai (B)
Transfer via: Overnight train (soft sleeper class) on our arrangement
Free morning in Xi'an to further explore such sights as the Drum and Bell Towers or a trip to the Hanyangling Mausoleum. Make you own way to the station for a mid-afternoon train to Shanghai in a comfortable soft sleeper class compartment.
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Day
6
Shanghai (B, L)
Sightseeing: Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl Tower
Early morning arrival in Shanghai, a cosmopolitan, modern and bustling city. Transfer to your hotel to freshen up and then a half day tour.
First, 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.
Continue, with a visit of 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.
Then we will head to 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.
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Day
7
Shanghai (B)
Free day in Shanghai for last minute shopping or sightseeing or perhaps a trip to the nearby water town of Suzhou.
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Day
8
Departure Shanghai (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