16 Days Best Selected Historical & World Culture

Day 1

Beijing Arrival

Transfer via:Flight on your own arrangement

Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Then you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure, or resting and catching up on your jet lag.   

Day 2

Beijing（B, L）

Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven , Tiananmen Square , 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. In the park nearby local people practice Tai Chi or sing and dance relaxingly.

After lunch, we will go on our city tour to visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolic 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.

Day 3

Beijing（B, L）

Sightseeing: Mutianyu 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 Mutianyu 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.

Day 4

Beijing to Datong（B, L）

Transfer via: High speed train-arranged by us  
Sightseeing: Summer Palace (boat trip included)
This morning, we will visit the Summer Palace. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called 'Yiheyuan' (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. Until nowadays, it is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. You will regret it if you leave Beijing without having visited this grand imperial garden.Have a lakeside cruise on the lovely Kunming Lake and enjoy the magical views of the temples, pavilions and covered corridors around. 

After lunch，you will be transferred to the railway station to take your train to Datong. Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

Day 5

Datong (B, L)

Sightseeing: Yungang Grottoes, Nine-Dragon Screen, Huayan Temple

Today we will start with the Yungang Grottoes. With their 252 caves and 51,000 statues, the grottoes represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th century. The Five Caves have been created by Tan Yao, with a strict unity of layout and design; they constitute a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese Buddhist art. The three main sites in China that are famous for their stone sculpture are Dunhuang, Longmen and Yungang. Among these, the Yungang grottoes are considered first.

We will go on to the Nine-Dragon Screen, which was built in 1392 to conceal the palace of a Ming dynasty (1368-1644) prince. Originally it was a screen wall in front of the gate of the palace of the thirteenth son of Emperor Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang. The screen is 45.5 meters long, 8 meters high, and 2 meters thick and consists of 426 pieces of glazed tiles. The nine dragons were depicted fighting and frolicking in the clouds above the blue sea.

Then we'll move on to visit Huayan Monastery: Named after the Huayan sect of Buddhism, it was established in the 11th Century and was one of the eight most important temples in the Tang Dynasty. There are five statues of Buddhas and 20 statues of lokapalas in the center of the hall, which covers 1,559 square metres.

Day 6

Datong to Wutai Mountain (B, L)

Transfer via: Private car     
Sightseeing: Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda

In the morning, we will drive to the Wutai Mountain. On the way, we will visit the Hanging Temple. Built in the Northern Wei Dynasty, this small temple of 40 tiny halls and pavilions was built along the contours of the cliff with its natural hollows and outcroppings as support. There are many kinds of inscriptions, poems and another 78 statues of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism made of copper, iron, clay and stone, which are valuable cultural craftworks.

Afterwards we will get to the Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian County. Being 67.31 meters high, it is the only present large wooden pagoda in China and also the tallest among ancient wooden buildings of the world. A statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni is sitting prominently in the center of the first floor of the pagoda, with an ornate zaojing (caisson) above its head (the pagoda is named Sakyamuni Pagoda due to this statue)

We will finally arrive in Mt. Wutaishan area, the most holy land of Chinese Buddhism. Mt. Wutaishan lies in Wutai County in Xinzhou Region, Shanxi Province. Then you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Day 7

Wutai Mountain (B, L)

Sightseeing: Mt. Wutaishan

Today we will spend a full day visit for a cluster of the holy temples at Wutai Mountain. It is China's most sacred Buddhist Mountain. The area's biggest attractions are the numerous Buddhist temples. The beautiful scenery of Wutai Mountain is a masterpiece of exquisite acts of nature, predominantly visible over the five main 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. That is why it bears the name "Wutaishan" (Mountain of Five Terraces).It is said that this mountain, one of the four holy Buddhist Mountains, is the dwelling place of Manjusri Bodhisattva. 360 temples were built here dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) but nowadays only 47 of them still exist. Over the years, incalculable numbers of pilgrims and visitors have come to these magnificent temples.

Day 8

Wutai Mountain to Zhengzhou (B)

Transfer via: High speed train arranged by us 
This morning is free for leisure till you will be transferred to Taiyuan railway station (about 200 KM) and catch the high speed train to Zhengzhou.
Taiyuan is the capital city of Shanxi Province. Located in the center of the province, it is also the political, economic and cultural center of Shanxi. Taiyuan is a city bounded on three sides by mountains. It has a long history and in ancient times was an important military town.

Day 9

Zhengzhou (L)

Sightseeing: Yellow River Scenery Area, Relics of Shang Dynasty

We will start the tour to the capital city of Henan Province this morning. As an ancient city with a history of over 3,000 years, Zhengzhou City is abundant in historical cultural relics.

After breakfast, you will visit Yellow River Scenery Area and Shangcheng Relics. Yellow River Scenery Area: Yellow River is the cradle of Chinese culture. In the Yellow River Scenery Area, you can feel the majesty and immensity of the Chinese mother river. You will enjoy the beauty of more than 40 scenic spots in this area, such as the Sculpture of Nursing Mother, the Statue of Yu the Great, and the place where Chairman Mao Inspected the Yellow River, as well as the Yellow River Folk Custom Garden and the Yellow River Forest of Stele.

We will go on to see the Relics of Shang Dynasty. As the earliest dynasty with written evidence, the ancient Shang city is the town of Shang Dynasty which enjoyed a high level of Shang Dynasty. Civilization was a series of towns united under the Shang kings. It is most famous for the mysterious pictographs and colorful bronzes.

Day 10

Zhengzhou to Luoyang (B, L)

Transfer via: Private car     
Sightseeing: Shaolin Temple
You will have a full day tour to Shaolin Temple & Pagoda Forest. Then you will be transferred to Luoyang directly, which is one of the seven captical cities in ancient China and see Shaolin Temple. In the region of Song Mountain, Dengfeng City, Henan Province, it is reputed to be 'the Number One Temple under Heaven'. The temple is the cradle of the Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts such as Shaolin Cudgel. Shaolin has a long tradition of Chinese martial arts, hence the saying 'All martial arts (Kong Fu) are from Shaolin'. 

Shaolin Temple embraces many exciting attractions, such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tian Wang Dian), the Mahavira Hall (Da Xiong Bao Dian), the Pagoda Forest, the Dharma Cave and the Shaolin Temple Martial Art Training Center. 

Finally you will arrive in Luoyang, an ancient capital city in China for many dynasties. Luoyang occupies quite an important geographic location. Its long history endows Luoyang with a profound sense of culture.

Day 11

Luoyang to Xi'an (B, L)

Transfer via: high speed train- arranged by us      
Sightseeing: Longmen Grottoes, White Horse Temple

We will start today's highlight-tour by visiting Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple. Longmen Grottoes are one of China's three most precious treasure houses of stone sculptures and inscriptions. Longmen is not only renowned for the caves, but also endowed with lush mountains and ridges, springs and waterfalls. The two mountains are covered with green pines and cypresses. Towers and pavilions set each other off. It's a unique scenery area.

White Horse Temple is the first Buddhist temple and is honored as the 'Cradle of Buddhism in China'. Built in the Dong Han Dynasty (AD.68) with a history of over 1900 years, it is one of the oldest temples of China, which is regarded as "The First Temple of China". It's said that white horses carried the first scriptures from India to this spot in 68 AD, hence the name (meaning White Horse Temple) and the prevalence of horse statues about the entire area.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the railway station for your train to Xi'an.

Day 12

Xi'an (B, L)

Sightseeing: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Today you will experience the highlights of Xi'an. After breakfast you will depart from your hotel and 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.
Our next 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.

Day 13

Xi'an to Shanghai (B, L)

Transfer via: flight -arranged by us 
Sightseeing: Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower,

This morning you will visit the 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).

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.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Shanghai. 

Day 14

Shanghai (L)

Sightseeing: Nanjing Road/the Bund /Yuyuan Garden / Jade Buddha Temple
In the morning, we will take a stroll through the lovely Yuyuan Garden, one of the best Suzhou-style gardens in southern China, which has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools and flora, all connected by corridors and passageways. Afterwards, you will get an insight into Shanghai's local life on the Yuyuan Market – taste a pot of tea, shop for unique souvenirs and get a feeling for Old Shanghai.
Follow us to the Jade Buddha Temple. It is famous for its two rare statues of Buddha carved out of a single piece of white jade. One is a 1,000kg, 1.9 meter-high figure carved from Burmese jade brought to China in 1882, and the other is a sleeping Buddha; The temple receives thousands of visitors and worshipers every day. If you're lucky, you can watch the monks serving a ceremony in a side room.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Bund to take a walk along the waterfront and experience the smells, sights and sounds of the old "Wall Street"" in Shanghai. Actually, some people say that the Bund is like "an exhibition of buildings". Finally we will walk along the famous pedestrian street-Nanjing Road, known as "China's No.1 Shopping Street".

Day 15

Shanghai (B, L)

Sightseeing: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

After breakfast, drive about 1 hour to visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Town which is known as the Venice of Shanghai. Zhujiajiao has a history of 1,700 years and is a well-preserved waterside ancient town. You will enjoy some leisure time on the traditionally decorated boat, cruise along the canals and see the old residences, shops and bridges which are filled with classic architectural style in Ming and Qing Dynasties .

Day 16

Shanghai Departure (B)

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

The rest of the day is your own, until our guide escorts you to the airport for your next destination.