China Cultural Tour

You’ll get your fist real taste of China on the transfer from Beijing International Airport. Your guide will accompany you to your luxurious accommodations.

Today you’ll begin your China sightseeing tour. The first stop is Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing. Then head for the magnificent Forbidden City, which stood as the imperial palace for China from the Ming Dynasty until the end of the Qing Dynasty, a period of 500 years. Next you will visit the exquisite 15th century Temple of Heaven – to see the Imperial Ceiling of Heaven with its Echo Wall and the Nine-Dragon Cypress, more than 500 years old. In the evening, you will enjoy an authentic Peking Duck Banquet. B.D

Today you’ll see and perhaps climb the Great Wall of China, one of the country’s most famous tourist attractions and one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world. It runs about 5,500 miles through 150 different counties. You will then have a Seminar on Chinese Jade Culture at a local Jade Museum. After lunch, visit the Changling Exhibition Hall of the Ming Tombs, where thirteen of the sixteen Ming dynasty emperors are buried. Tonight, you can choose to attend an optional large scale dramatic musical, “The Golden Mask Dynasty” (at your own expense – £35) B.D

Tour the elegant Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the largest imperial garden in the world, a favorite retreat for many of the emperors during the Qing Dynasty. Then, stop at a Pearl Factory to gain a little knowledge of fresh pearls. In the afternoon tour Beijing’s 700 year old Hutongs (narrow lanes) area by old fashioned pedicab, as well as visit a local family living in a courtyard style home to experience the local customs of old Beijing people and their unique architectural structure. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to shop and explore at Wangfujing Street.
17:00 to the airport. Fly to Datong B.D

The first stop today is the over-1,500-year-old Hanging Temple that fast fastens itself to a near-vertical cliff. Beneath the temple are a dozen of wooden pillars that appear to be supporting the temple from falling apart. Actually you’ll soon discover that the safety of the temple has little to do with these pillars. It is said that the architects added the pillars to strengthen people’s confidence in walking through the temple. Enjoy visiting the temple and see how human intelligence can get!
End the thrilling Hanging Temple tour and drive back to the downtown Datong to have your lunch. Then you’ll have an excursion to the biggest Nine-Dragon Screen around China. The vivid dragons would pull you closer to the concept that Chinese guys regard the dragon as the symbol of the highest power.
After that you’ll head for the World Heritage, Yungang Caves. The tremendous caves, one of the four Buddha caves in China, sports as many as 45 main caves and over 51,000 statues. Whatever size they come with, from the gigantic Buddha statues that front you at the cave entrance to the pocket statues inside, they are drop-dead gorgeous. Look what they’re doing- flying in midair playing with Chinese lute, beating the drum, dancing to the rhyme of the royal band, etc. All you see are to show you both the Buddhist and worldly ways of life in China during 5th -6th Centuries. About 2 hours later, you’ll go back to downtown Datong. B.D

Today fly to historic Xian, ancient capital of China and site of archaeological treasures. Upon arrival in Xian, your first stop will be at the Buddhist Jianfu Temple, where the towering Small Wild Goose Pagoda commands panoramic views of the city. And your dinner will be the feast of the Imperial Dumpling Banquet, followed by a splendid Tang Dynasty Stage Show. B.D

According to UNESCO, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the Eighth Wonder of the World. Today’s excursion will take you to modern China’s greatest archaeological discovery – The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, which silently guarded the tomb of China’s First Emperor for over 2,200 years. Next you’ll head to the Terracotta Replication Factory that actually re-made terracotta soldiers. Later you’ll board a plane to Chongqing, the picturesque “Mountain City”. B.D

Visit the Chongqing Zoo and a chance to watch the lovable Giant Pandas. Afternoon stop at Chongqing Flying Tigers Museum, as well as the Ciqikou Old Town (ancient Porcelain Village), which is a famous China attraction for its porcelain during the Ming and Qing dynasty. The day ends by boarding the cruise to begin the highly anticipated Yangtze River cruise adventure. B.D

As the moves on, you could see the lofty peaks, precipitous cliffs and towering trees on both sides of the gorges. The optional shore excursion at the Fengdu Ghost City is offered. In the evening, join the Captain’s Welcome Dinner Party. B.D

Today, the will firstly sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic one among the Three Gorges. Then sail though the breathtaking Wu Gorge, where you could indulge yourself in the beautiful scenery along freely. Later, disembark at Wushan and boat on Shennong Stream. Shennong Stream is endowed with crystal clean water, picturesque stones and crips fresh air. Boating along the stream would never fail to be an terrific experience. Later, the ship will pass through the ship lock of the Three Gorges Dam. B.D

In the morning, disembark to visit the mighty Three Gorges Dam project, the largest dam project in the world, 606-feet in height and 6,500-feet in length. Then the ship will sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest one among the Three Gorges. Later, disembark at Yichang, the terminus of your memorable Yangtze River Cruise. The bus to the Wuhan, then flew to Guilin (20:00 ) B.D

A leisurely four-hour Cruise down the Lijiang River from Guilin to Yangshuo begins the day. Enjoy the picturesque landscape, surrounded by the hills and bamboo that have inspired many artists over the centuries. This afternoon to explore on your own by either renting a bike or taking a walk around Yangshuo’s West Street, a 1,400-year-old street paved with marble. Tonight, you can choose to attend an optional large scale ethnic performance over the Li River “Impression Liu San Jie” (at your own expense – £40). B.D

Drive back to Guilin, visit a Organic-Tea Research Institute (or the South-sea saltwater pearl Center). Tea is the national drink in China and serves as an important part of Chinese history and culture. Later fly to Shanghai, the largest city by population in China. B.D

Today you’ll soak up the more commercial aspects on Old Street, Nanjing Road, the famous Bund. Visit a Silk Spinning Mill where you can doing some shopping. Then step back in time at the Shanghai Museum with more than 120,000 art objects. Our farewell dinner this evening will be a banquet of delicious Shanghai cuisine. In the evening, you may join an optional “Night Cruise on the Huangpu River” (at your own expense – £35). B.D

Today is free for leisure or last minutes shopping. You can cap of the celebrations by attending a thrilling optional Chinese acrobatic show – “ERA – Intersection of Time” (at your own expense – £40). B.D

Today you’ll board a flight to return home. Your amazing China trip ends. B.