Historical China With Shanxi & Nanjing

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing, Arrival

  Welcome to Beijing, where the echoes of past dynasties interweave with modern skyscrapers. A warm greeting will come from your guide upon arrival, escorting you to a central hotel as nightfall awakens Beijing's bustling streets.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Beijing, Forbidden City

  Your morning begins amongst the history and pageantry of Tiananmen Square. Standing at the symbolic heart of the capital, gaze upon its iconic buildings and memorize the vibrancy.

  Nearby lies the stately Forbidden City, a sprawling wooden marvel that once echoed with imperial life. Wander its ornate halls and courtyards, transported back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

  Afterward, a rickshaw ride pulls you through Beijing's ancient alleyway network. Past charming courtyard homes and markets, glimpses reveal traditional dances and crafts that have stood the test of time. Attune your senses to the rhythm of this historic city within ancient walls.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Beijing, Great Wall

  Today sees a visit to the sacred Temple of Heaven, where emperors of yore petitioned heavenly blessings. Within its domains, locals practice tai chi under ancient arches.

  Later a drive transports to the glorious Great Wall stretches of Mutianyu, renowned as the essence of Ming structure. Round-trip cable cars float skyward, unveiling sweeping vistas of forested peaks below.

  Set feet upon stones once trod by legendary dynasts, inhaling history with each amble between guard towers. The sure-footed may hike further to examine centuries of fortitude baked into each kiln-fired brick.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Beijing - Datong, Lama Palace

  A peaceful morning unfolds with a stroll through the serene courtyards of the Lama Palace, where incense drifts beneath ornate eaves and Tibetan prayer wheels line the halls of this former imperial residence-turned-lamasery, now one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples outside Tibet.

  Afterward, board a high-speed train traveling west across green hinterlands. As the day draws to a close, Datong will come into view and you can explore its ancient wonders tomorrow.

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  • Datong

• Day 5: Datong, Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple

  A new day unveils Datong's heritage as Northern Wei's once capital. Buddhist history permeates this land whose oldest relics await. First, marvel at the Yungang Grottoes and their finely chiseled caverns housing over fifty thousand well-weathered sculptures from five centuries past. A preparatory film orients those venturing into the carved cocoons of faith.

  Later, visit a complex suspended between cliff and sky - the Hanging Temple mixes Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian influences within its winding walkways and bridges clinging precariously to Mount Heng's sheer heights. Here, antiquity and engineering fuse amidst a natural canvas in sacred salutation to past pieties.

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  • Datong

• Day 6: Datong - Pingyao

  In the morning, admire the spectacular Nine-Dragon Screen with its massive 120-foot wall intricately carved with nine mythical dragons. Despite some damage, the skill of the Tang Dynasty artisans remains evident in the swirling dragons amongst the verdant park scenery.

  Nearby stands the historic Huayan Temple, an architectural gem from the Liao Dynasty presenting exquisite wooden carvings and glazed tiles ornamenting its main hall and other structures. In the afternoon, the journey on the high-speed rail commences, whisking through the countryside en route to Pingyao in preparation for further discoveries.

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  • Pingyao

• Day 7: Pingyao, Pingyao Ancient City

  Time to discover the gemstone Pingyao. Within walls, visits commence at the Rishengchang Exchange Shop, now a museum showcasing the history of money. Nearby, step around the County Government Office with a chance to watch a short performance about an ancient court trial. The City God Temple is a remarkable display of architectural artistry featuring colored tiles and carved timber.

  However, the most breathtaking views of the black brick homes, pagoda temples, and alleyways that echo with the whispers of lives long gone, can be seen from atop the Pingyao Ancient City Wall. Standing on the wall, you can enjoy sweeping panoramas that offer a glimpse into the rich history of this ancient landmark.

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  • Pingyao

• Day 8: Pingyao - Xi'an, Wang Family Compound & Shuanglin Temple

  The coming day reveals the splendid Wang Family Compound, Shanxi's largest preserved Ming courtyard residence spanning acres. Constructed in 1580 and remaining under one family's care for 16 generations, this unfolding antiquity presents a compelling glimpse into wealthy clan life centuries past. Courtyards, bedrooms, and carefully crafted details impart cultural insights throughout guided tours. Move to the Shuanglin Temple, where centuries-old clay statues and faded frescoes quietly recount Buddhist tales in timeworn halls.

  Later, board a high-speed train to Xi'an where further facets of antiquity beckon discovery within its walls.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 9: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Street

  Within age-old Xi'an, discovery begins among the Terracotta Warriors, the clay sentinels entombed to shelter first emperor Qin Shi Huang's nether kingdom - diverse facial expressions indicate each statue's nature, guarding for centuries.

  When returning to the city, wandering the bustling Muslim Street reveals a rich intermingling of the East and West centuries ago. Fragrant kebabs and sweets satisfy you while soaking in an exotic ambiance. Nearby, the splendid Great Mosque stands as witness, its faithful architecture echoing influences from afar.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 10: Xi'an - Nanjing

  Enjoy a leisurely morning in Xi'an before your flight lifts you eastward to Nanjing - a city steeped in dynastic heritage and riverfront charm, where history and modern life flow side by side. Once you arrive, feel free to relax at the hotel or wander around the neighborhood to discover Nanjing's tasty street snacks and local charm.

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  • Nanjing

• Day 11: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Tomb of Hongwu, Qinhuai River

  The tour begins at Sun Yat-sen's final resting place, a solemn and stately mausoleum located atop Purple Mountain. Nearly four hundred stone steps must be traversed to pay respects to the Father of Modern China. On the southern slopes nestled amidst lush greenery, lies the Tomb of Hongwu belonging to Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. At Zhonghua Gate, imposing fortifications evoke ancient defense might. Later, stroll through Laomendong's cobbled alleys and century-old houses before ending along the lantern-lit Qinhuai River, where history murmurs in the twilight air.

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  • Nanjing

• Day 12: Massacre Memorial Hall & Qixia Temple

  This morning, harrowing histories are absorbed within the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, which commemorates Nanjing's sorrowful suffering, a pain that shall linger long in thought. Later, serenity replaces grief at Qixia Temple, where crimson halls and golden statues rise amid misty forested hills, offering a moment of spiritual calm.

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  • Nanjing

• Day 13: Presidential Palace & Six Dynasties Museum, Nanjing - Shanghai

  Step into history at the Presidential Palace, once a nerve center of the Republic, where corridors echo with past proclamations. Continue to the Six Dynasties Museum, where buried walls and relics uncover the cultural depths of Nanjing's ancient capitals. Here, dynasties speak not in words, but in stone and silence.

  The tour concludes with a swift bullet train ride over fields from ancient sanctuaries, arriving in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai for further exploration on another day.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 14: Shanghai, the Bund, Former French Concession

  The colonial architecture of the Bund comes into view along the famed waterfront promenade, with meticulously restored European facades standing stately against the modern skyline. Venturing inland leads to the cobbled lanes and charming white villas of the Former French Concession, a relaxed neighborhood filled with cafes, boutiques, and antiquity shops.

  Further exploration brings one to the Jade Buddha Temple, where precious jade statues of Buddha's past draw worshippers offering incense in clouds of fragrant smoke. Nearby, Yu Garden offers a respite from the bustle within its artistic landscape of stone pagodas, pavilions, and lotus-filled ponds. To take in stunning panoramic views, a lift rises to the Shanghai Tower, granting a breathtaking aerial perspective over the metropolis below as evening falls.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 15: Shanghai, Departure

  Your explorations through China's storied past have now reached their end. Enjoy some leisure time in this dynamic city. Then your guide will escort you to the airport, where the journey homeward awaits.

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