Exploring Ancient China

15 Day Tour Itinerary

Tour Code: ExtensiveTour-Historical-03

• Day 1-4 in Beijing
• Day 1

  Say Hello to China, an ancient & mysterious oriental land. Upon your arrival in Beijing airport, your local guide is ready to welcome and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jetlag.

  Day 2

  This morning you will ramble at the world’s largest plaza Tiananmen Square, and visit the splendid Forbidden City. As a World Heritage site, the City was the home to 26 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties in the past 600 years, featuring grand architecture and priceless imperial treasures.

  In the afternoon, you will marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy royal temple where emperors in ancient tiems worshiped Heaven for a good harvest, and then drop by a Pearl Store.

  Day 3

  Great Wall, the 8th Wonder of the World, is your first stop today. You will be transferred to tour the Badaling Great Wall, the best-restored and most representative part of the Great Wall. Stretching for 4,000 miles along mountain ridges, it was a great defensive system having protected China from nomad’s invasion.

  Descending the Wall, you’ll take a leisurely stroll along the Sacred Road, a royal path with vivid statues of divine beasts and officials. Evening, taste the fabulous Beijing Roast Duck in a local restaurant.

  Day 4

  After breakfast, you will take a rickshaw to explore the Hutongs, the disappearing alleys of Old Beijing. Here you will view the city’s typical residences and long-held traditions, and visit a local family to see the real life of the commons.

  In the afternoon, be escorted to the railway station for an express train to Datong, which is an opportunity to sit back and watch the Chinese countryside roll by. Upon arriving in Datong, be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

• Day 5 in Datong
• Day 5

  On this day you will first visit the impressive Nine Dragon Screen. Built in 1392, it is supposed to have offered magic protection to the mansion of 13th Prince of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming Dynasty.

  Then admire at refined Buddhism artifacts at Huayan Temple, a ancient temple with a history of 1,100 years.

  Later, you will tour Yungang Grottoes. Housing over 50 thousand Buddha statues of various dynasties, it is one of the four most famous grottoes in China and a must-see of Datong.

• Day 6-7 in Pingyao
• Day 6

  Today’s tour begins with the amazing Hanging Temple. As its name suggests, the temple clings precariously to a cliff face, making for a spectacular sight. 

  In the afternoon, you will be led to Qiao Family’s Compound to listen to the legends of this richest merchant of late Qing Dynasty on the way you go to the ancient city of Pingyao. 

  Day 7

  After breakfast, you will take a walk atop the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao, where you can get a panorama view of the history-enriched city. Followed by strolling along the Ming and Qing Street you will be immersed in the hustle bargaining phenomenon that last for centuries. Then come to Rishengchang Exchange Shop, which is the first bank established in China. After that is the centuries-old Shuanglin Temple, a treasure house of colored sculptures. 

  Then come to Rishengchang Exchange Shop, which is the first bank established in China, 

  Later in the afternoon, be transferred to Taiyuan and check into your hotel.

• Day 8 in Taiyuan
• Day 8

  In the morning, you will head to Shanxi Museum to gain an insight the history of this legendary land where Chinese civilization was originated. Then continue to visit the old Jinci Temple to wander through its winding corridors, bridges and beatiful gardens inside.

  After the sightseeing, be escorted to airport for a 1.4-hour flight to Xian. Upon your arrival in Xian, you will be picked up and accompanied to hotel by your local guide. The remainder of the day is free at your own leisure.

• Day 9-10 in Xian
• Day 9

  This morning you marvel at the incredible Terracotta Warriors, the burial grounds of Emperor Qin Shihuang, with its thousands of life-sized Terra-cotta Warriors and horses assembled to guard his afterlife.

  In the afternoon, you will step on the Ancient City Walls of Xian, the largest and best-preserved city wall in the world, drop by a Jade Gallery and visit the venerable Big Wild Goose Pagoda which is Xian’s city symbol.

  In the evening, you will have a delicious Dumpling Dinner and enjoy the fabulous Tang Dynasty Show.

  Day 10

  After breakfast, you will travel to Huxian County to appreciate the famous Farmers Painting. Here you will walk into a farmer’s house, witness how the intriguing countryside landscape were skillfully painted by local farmers, chat about their farming life and have a special homemade lunch with them.

  Then be transferred to the railway station for the express train to Luoyang, the capital of 7 dynasties in history. Upon your arrival in Luoyang, be met and escorted to your hotel.

• Day 11 in Luoyang
• Day 11

  The morning excursion will take you to Longmen Grottoes. Known as a treasure house of Buddhist art, it is one of the three grandest grottoes in China, covering 2,345 caves with over 100 thousand various Buddha statues. Then you will visit the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhism temple in China 1,900 years ago.

  In the afternoon, head to Dengfeng（1-hour drive) to visit Songyang Academy and the Star Watching Observatory, which are newly enlisted as World Heritage sites in August, 2010. Overnight at Dengfeng Town.

• Day 12 in Dengfeng
• Day 12

  The renowned Shaolin Temple is your first stop today. Reputed as "the cradle of Chinese Kungfu", the martial art, this temple is often referred as one of China's oldest temples. You will enjoy the stunning live Kungfu Performance in the temple and visit the venerable Forest of Dagobas. 

  Later in the afternoon, be driven to Zhengzhou and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

• Day 13 in Zhengzhou
• Day 13

  The tour today will bring you to the Yellow River Scenic Area to view the country's second longest river, which is also the mother river of China, and then Henan Provincial Museum to know more about the land from which China initiated to expand its territory.

  After, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

• Day 14-15 in Shanghai
• Day 14

  On this day you will be enchanted by the beautiful scenery and exquisite buildings at Yuyuan Garden, roam through the bustling Yuyuan Market and stop by a Silk Workshop to appreciate the unique Chinese silk culture.

  Then, take a trip to the French Concession. Here ancient French villas, gardens and relaxing atmosphere will make feel travel in Paris. After, move to Xian Tian Di (New World) to experience the colorful nightlife of Shanghai local people.

  Day 15

  You memorable historical China tour will draw an end today. You will walk down Shanghai’s lively waterfront of the Huangpu River, known as The Bund, take a look at China’s No.1 shopping street, Nanjing Road, and ascend the Jinmao Tower to get a fantastic view of this metropolis.

  Then you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to your next destination.