Exploring Ancient China

12 Day Tour Itinerary

Tour Code: ExtensiveTour-Historical-01

• 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, and has 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 times 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 the 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. Then you will spend some time exploring Wooden Pagoda, which is the highest wooden in China.

  In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Qiao Family’s Compound to listen to the legends of this richest merchant of late Qing Dynasty and then the centuries-old Shuanglin Temple, a treasure house of colored sculptures. After the tour, be driven to 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. Then come to Rishengchang Exchange Shop, which is the first bank established in China, and stroll along the Ming and Qing Street to be immersed with the bustle bargaining phenomenon which last for centuries.

  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 your 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 airport for a flight to Shanghai, the prosperous economic center of China. Upon your arrival in Shanghai, your local guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.

• Day 11-12 in Shanghai
• Day 11

  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 12

  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.