China Cultural Tour With Sacred Mountains

About This Trip

Beyond the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Bund, this two-week cultural journey unveils the spiritual heart of China through four of its Five Great Sacred Mountains - each steeped in religious symbolism and breathtaking natural beauty.

Beginning in Beijing and traveling by high-speed train, along the way, admire the intricate Buddhist carvings of the Yungang and Longmen Grottoes, marvel at the gravity-defying Hanging Temple clinging to the cliffs of Mt. Hengshan, and ascend the cloud-kissed peaks of Mt. Huashan. In Songshan, explore the legendary Shaolin Temple - the birthplace of Kung Fu, and then conclude with a pilgrimage to the imperial heights of Mt. Taishan and the Confucius in Qufu.

Itinerary Summary

DAY	PLACE	HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3	Beijing	Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Hutongs with Rickshaw Ride
4 - 5	Datong	Mt. Hengshan, Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple
6 - 8	Xi'an	Terracotta Warriors & Bronze Chariots, Mt. Huashan, Muslim Street
9 - 10	Luoyang	Shaolin Temple & Kong Fu, Longmen Grottoes
11 - 13	Tai'an & Qufu	Mount Tai, Temple of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion
14 - 15	Shanghai	The Bund, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Fuxing Park, Local Market

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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 - Xi'an
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Datong before boarding a high-speed train to Xi'an. As the train slices through China's northern heartland, watch the scenery shift from the coal-rich plateaus to fertile plains, dotted with remote villages, vast farmland, and low-rolling mountain ridges.
Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you for a comfortable transfer to your hotel.
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- Xi'an
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: Xi'an - Luoyang, Longmen Grottoes
This morning, a 1.5-hour bullet train will bring you to Luoyang, where you will explore the renowned Longmen Grottoes. Here, between the 5th and 10th centuries, artisans carved thousands of statues of Buddhas and saints into limestone cliffs overlooking the Yi River. At this UNESCO World Heritage site, wander through winding passageways lined with towering stone figures, each exhibiting exquisite poise and intricate detail.
Continue to the White Horse Temple, often hailed as the cradle of Chinese Buddhism. Originally built in the first century, this serene complex reflects a harmonious blend of Indian and Chinese architectural traditions.
Next, visit the Luoyang Folk Museum to explore traditional crafts and local heritage housed within a beautifully preserved Qing-era building. End the day with a stroll through Luoyang's Old City, where lantern-lit alleys and bustling night markets invite you to sample regional street food and immerse yourself in the city's timeless charm.
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- Luoyang
Day 10: Shaolin Temple and Kungfu
After breakfast, drive about 1.5 hours to Dengfeng, nestled at the foot of the misty Songshan Mountains, where the legendary Shaolin Temple awaits. Step through its timeworn gates to explore centuries-old halls, incense-filled courtyards, and stone walls etched with tales of discipline and devotion.
Continue to the Forest of Pagodas, a serene necropolis where more than 240 stone stupas, some dating back to the Tang Dynasty, rise beneath centuries-old cypress trees.
Your visit culminates with an unforgettable live kung fu performance. Watch in awe as Shaolin disciples - masters of movement and mindfulness - demonstrate incredible feats of strength, agility, and inner focus. Their synchronized strikes and flowing forms are more than performance but also a living expression of a philosophy that blends physical mastery with spiritual depth.
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- Luoyang
Day 11: Luoyang - Jinan - Tai'an
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station for a high-speed train to Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and continue by private vehicle to Tai'an, a small but celebrated city named after the majestic Mount Tai. Once checked in at your hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure as you prepare for the sacred ascent tomorrow.
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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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