Cultural China With Sacred Mountains

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing, Arrival

  Welcome to Beijing, China's vibrant capital city! Upon arrival, your guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel from the airport. Enriching introductions to this storied destination's highlights, both ancient and modern, will be shared along the way.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City

  Your journey begins at vibrant Tiananmen Square, the beating heart of the nation. Next, pass through its towering gates to enter a lost world of imperial intrigue—the Forbidden City. Wander ornate halls where 24 emperors ruled China for five centuries and marvel at intricate carvings and meticulous designs. Your guide then shares insider access to hidden corners on this exclusive heritage tour. Afterward, climb Jingshan Park's grassy heights for sweeping vistas of glittering amber rooftops of the royal palaces.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Temple of Heaven, Great Wall

  Your day starts amidst serenity in the Temple of Heaven. Savor tranquility before setting out for the Mutianyu Great Wall.

  Upon arrival, take in sweeping vistas unveiling the iconic structure's proud peaks and valleys stretching across the rugged hills as far as eyes can see.

  For effortless ascent, smooth cable cars rise through the skies. Once atop, embark on a moderate hike along ancient battlements buffeted by refreshing mountain breezes.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Beijing - Datong, Yungang Grottoes

  This morning, embark on a high-speed rail journey to historic Datong. The first stop is the Yungang Grottoes, its cliff faces etched with over fifty thousand exquisitely carved figures from centuries ago. Wandering its weathered niches, you may feel a sense of awe before the devout portraits etched in ornate detail.

  Next, wander Datong's ancient city wall whose imposing battlements have stood guard for centuries, glimpsing past eras within their embrace through sentries once patrolling and modern life continuing today.

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  • Datong

• Day 5: Mt. Hengshan, Hanging Temple

  The following day brings an exploration of the revered Mt. Hengshan, renowned for its splendid natural splendors and ornate temples.

  The most arresting sight - the Hanging Temple, is a breathtaking architectural feat clinging miraculously to the cliffside as if suspended by forces otherworldly. Wooden beams wed the ethereal structure firmly to the rock face, affording pilgrims of past and present unobstructed vistas extending for miles, in all directions.

  At the journey's end, a winding descent delivers one safely back to Datong downtown.

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  • Datong

• Day 6: Datong - Pingyao, Pingyao Ancient Town

  A morning rail whisks through burgeoning cities to Pingyao. Wander Pingyao's fortifying walls winding around timeworn streets. Along Ming and Qing Street, characters from eras past seem to linger in façades framing lives once lived.

  At Rishengchang, Pingyao's pioneering finance hall, the hustle and bustle of flourishing trade comes to life. Within it, the foundations of China's modern banking were first established centuries ago.

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  • Pingyao

• Day 7: Pingyao - Xi'an, Wang Family's Compound

  The coming morn unveils the Family Wang's compound, Shanxi's grandest preserved Ming dynasty abode having served one noble household through sixteen generations since 1580. Wandering its courtyards and chambers presents a vivid window into elite family life centuries past. In the afternoon, a speedy train whisks to Xi'an, where more layers of history await peel back within ancient walls.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 8: Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Street

  This day delivers wonder upon seeing history come alive - the famed Terracotta Army standing eternal guard, each sentinel a work of intricate art brimming with tales from an empire conquering all beneath heaven and earth. General and foot soldier alike fix stares piercing through centuries, transporting one to imagine armies thundering across ancient plains. Later, a journey winds to Xi'an's old town, where Muslim Street awaits with sensory delights and a diversity of regional cuisines.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 9: An Excursion to Mt. Huashan

  The cable car glides skyward, unveiling Mt. Huashan in all its grandeur. Towering peaks jut from verdant folds like jagged blades. North Peak beckons, its rugged crags plummeting dizzyingly.

  Disembarking upon its lofty terraces, the true adventure begins. For four to five hours of hiking, discover new wonders around every turning: cascades that seem like rays of crystal sun, Titans of stone keeping their eons-long vigil.

  Later the cable car bears tired legs back to waiting cars, and tales of the sacred mountain accompany the journey back to Xi'an.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 10: Xi'an - Luoyang, Shaolin Temple and Kungfu

  Our train departs bustling Luoyang for Dengfeng's sacred mountains. There, Shaolin Temple emerges to reveal its history - the birthplace of both kung fu and Zen Buddhism. Our guided tour then leads to the Forest of Pagodas. Amid colossal trees standing watch since Tang times, we come upon over 240 stone sentinels - pagodas silently guarding sacred relics. At the end, we watch in awe as masters demonstrate Shaolin's legendary martial art.

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  • Luoyang

• Day 11: Luoyang - Tai'an, Longmen Grottoes

  We begin our day at the renowned Longmen Grottoes, where between the 5th and 10th centuries, artisans etched magnificent sculptures of Buddhas and saints into limestone cliffs overlooking the Yi River. At this UNESCO World Heritage site, wander winding passageways past towering sandstone figures exhibiting exquisite poise and delicate features. That afternoon, a high-speed rail whisks us to Tai'an and the base of mystical Mt. Tai.

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  • Tai'an

• Day 12: Mount Tai

  Standing as a revered symbol of rebirth and Imperial Patronage across millennia, Mount Tai is the foremost one of the Five Great Mountains of China. Up by the lofty cable car and visit Puzhao Temple at Han Peak's foot in four integrated courtyards glowing with "Buddha's light".

  Upon the summit stands the revered Bixia Temple, with two courtyards containing five major halls beneath 360 bronze tiles representing each day of the year. From Mount Tai's heights, a vibrant natural panorama unfolds in all directions. After descending, explore the grandeur of Dai Temple - the best-preserved Taoist architectural complex on the sacred mountain.

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  • Tai'an

• Day 13: Tai'an - Qufu - Shanghai, Confucius Legacies

  This morning, we embark on a picturesque drive for over an hour to reach historic Qufu, home to Confucius, who shaped Eastern philosophy with his teachings reverberating globally even today. Here we pay respects at the sacred sites that immortalize his legacy.

  Within the Kong Family Mansion's Ming and Qing structures, his descendants once administered rituals. At the expansive Temple of Confucius established in his honor, we reflect. And in the sprawling Cemetery of Confucius, he and his disciples are interred amongst thousands of his lineage.

  Later, we board an afternoon train, arriving by evening in dynamic Shanghai where our guide awaits to show us the modern metropolis.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 14: Fuxing Park, Yu Garden, the Bund

  Wander the verdant Fuxing Park before visiting bustling Burgundy Lane. Taking in the rhythms of daily life, we see where European designs meet Chinese architecture. Stroll the serene oasis of Yu Garden, its intimate courtyards transporting us back in time through exquisite gardening.

  Head to Jade Buddha Temple, gazing upon treasures that harbor centuries of cultural and spiritual history. Our day concludes at the Bund, a mesmerizing convergence of Shanghai's heritage, modernity, and future vision spanning both banks of the historic Huangpu River.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 15: Shanghai, Departure

  It is now time to say your farewells to Shanghai. Your guide and driver will be ready to pick you up and transfer you to the airport for the departing flight.

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