| Day 1 Arrive in Beijing |
| Airport pickup service with private English speaking guide and private car. |
| Day 2 Beijing (B,L) |
| Today we will visit Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. |
| The Tian'anmen Square: |
As a symbol of the nation, this world's largest city square is home to various historical sites and known for the daily ritualistic flag raising ceremony. |
The Forbidden City: |
One of the world's most beautiful architectural complexes, served as China's imperial palace for almost five centuries; you will be overwhelmed by its massive scale and majestic design. |
| Summer Palace: |
Used to be the imperial summer resort; ranked among the most noted and classical gardens of the world, it never fails to leave you a lasting impression. |
| Day 3 Beijing (B,L) |
| After visiting the Great Wall at Badaling, we go to the Olympic Stadium and National Aquatics Center. In the evening, you can taste Peking Roast Duck optionally. |
| Great Wall at Badaling: |
The best-preserved and most imposing section of the Great wall; approximately 3,741m long and of great strategic importance in ancient times. |
Olympic Stadium (Bird Nest): |
The nest-shaped elliptic steel structure is hailed as "an icon of the Beijing 2008 Olympics" and has become a recognized landmark worldwide. |
| National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) : |
The outlook being a semi-transparent "cube", with "bubbles" spread out all over its surface; believed as the fastest Olympic pool in the world, swimmers set 25 new world records here during the 2008 Olympics. |
| Peking Roast Duck: |
Most famous and delicious dish in Beijing with a very long history, prized for its tempting color, crispy skin, tender meat and gorgeous apperance. Most visitors will want to have a try. |
| Day 4 Beijing to Datong (B,L) Transfer by train |
| In the morning, we visit Temple of Heaven and Hutongs. After lunch, transfer to railway station for your train to Datong. (about 6.5 hours from Beijing to Datong). Upon arrival at Datong railway station, pickup by our English speaking tour guide and drive to hotel. |
| Temple of Heaven: |
This temple complex was ever a place for the emperor to worship heaven; an architectural wonder featuring the triple-roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. |
| Hutong Tours in Rickshaw: |
Leaving the bustling city streets, stepping into the maze-like hutongs and deep courtyards, you'll get a true taste of Beijinger's life and seem to travel back in time. |
| Day 5 Datong to Pingyao (B,L) Transfer by train |
| Huayan Temple, The Datong Nine Dragon Screen, Yungang Grottoes, take the overnight tain 2462 (2256/0719) to Pingyao. |
| Huayan Temple: |
The largest and most perfectly preserved monastery of the Liao and Jin dynasties, featuring the Grand Hall, one of the two biggest Buddhist halls existent in China. |
| The Datong Nine Dragon Screen: |
The oldest, largest and most impressive glazed screen in China, an amazing display of superb craftwork that the intense art-lover or casual fan will not want to miss. |
| Yungang Grottoes: |
With a series of 53 caves and over 51,000 majestic sculptures, it's a treasure trove of grotto art that combines Chinese ancient Buddhist art and superb skills of the craftsmen. |
| Day 6 Pingyao (B,L) |
| Upon arrival at the railway station, be met and transferred to hotel. Visit Shuanglin Temple, Qiao Family Mansion. |
| Shuanglin Temple: |
This Buddhist temple enjoys a high reputation in China's history of art, by featuring exquisitely painted clay sculptures of Tang, Song, Jin and Yuan Dynasties. |
| Qiao Family Mansion: |
Used to be the residence of one of Shanxi's tycoons, this massive and castle-like mansion will give you an idea of the day-to-day life of upper class Chinese of centuries ago. |
| Day 7 Pingyao to Xian (B,L) Transfer by train |
| Have a whole day tour to explore this ancient town by visiting the attractions: the City Wall, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, and Ming & Qing Street. Free time in Pingyao before transferred to Pingyao railway station to catch the overnight train (soft sleeper class, 4 berths in one compartment) to Xian. Train No.2176 (leaves Pingyao at 23h01, arrives in Xi'an at 07h24 next day). Stay overnight on the train. |
| Historical old town--Pingyao: |
Presenting a lively picture of the Han people's life hundreds of years ago, walking through and exploring this ancient city will be like taking a walk back in time. |
| Day 8 Xian (B,L) |
| Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. |
| Terracotta Warriors: |
As the eighth wonder of the ancient world, it has the history of more than 2200 years. Oriental mummies await you to discover its mystery. |
| Big Wild Goose Pagoda: |
Outstanding design in Chinese pavilion architecture history and containing many Buddhist relics that brought by Master Xuan Zang 1000 years ago. |
| Day 9 Xian to Shanghai (B,L) Transfer by flight |
| Shaanxi Historical Museum, Bell Tower, Ancient City Wall, transfer to airport. Upon arrival inShanghai, be met and transfer to hotel. |
| Shaanxi Historical Museum: |
More than 3000 well-chosen cultural and historic relics have display here, which can fully reflect splendid civilization of Shaanxi province. |
| Bell Tower: |
The sign of Xi'an. It is the largest and best-preserved bell tower in China, and used for as timer and alarm in ancient China. |
| Ancient City Wall: |
It is an extension of the old Tang Dynasty structure boasting the most complete city wall survived in China as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. |
| Day
10 Shanghai
(B,L) |
Yu Garden, see the Oriental Pearl TV Tower on the Bund, Strolling on the Nanjing Road. In the evening, enjoy the Shanghai Acrobats Show optionally. |
| Yu Garden: |
The most celebrated classical Chinese garden in Shanghai, with a long history of more than four hundred years; famed as "an architectural miracle in the south of Yangtze River". |
| Oriental Pearl TV Tower: |
Landmark of Shanghai and the tallest completed tower in Asia; Applys Chinese elements in design, and features a breathtaking bird's eye view on the tower. |
| Nanjing Road: |
The earliest and most prosperous shopping street in Shanghai dating back to the 1840s; offering all-in-one shopping centers, gorgeous restaurants and spectacular night views over this area. |
| The Bund: |
Regarded as the symbol of Shanghai and an epitome of Shanghai's history; famous for various styles of magnificent buildings and a marvelous view for the landmarks of the city. |
| Shanghai Acrobatic Show: |
A magic touch for your nightlife! A typical art of China with long history. Exciting and breath-taking and you will be marveled at the varieties of programs. |
| Day 11 Shanghai to Suzhou (B,L) Transfer by train |
| After visiting Shanghai Museum, take train to Suzhou in the afternoon. |
| Jade Buddha Temple: |
An ancient temple with long history; imparting a peaceful and transcendent atmosphere; also renowned for two gorgeous white jade Buddhist statues. |
| Shanghai Museum: |
A museum of ancient Chinese art; holding many items that are superlative works of art and are unique in the entire country; cherished exhibits include bronzes, ceramics and paintings. |
| Day 12 Suzhou (B,L) |
| Suzhou Silk Museum, Tiger Hill, Grand Canal, Lingering Garden |
| Suzhou Silk Museum: |
Located in Suzhou, the Silk Capital of China; a dignified and elegant museum, explaining the silk production history; also fabulous silk embroidery and artworks to see... |
| Tiger Hill: |
No.1 landmark of Suzhou city; featuring the Yunyan Pagoda famously leans and even taller and leaner than the Leaning Tower of Pisa; well preserved despite of a history over 1000 years... |
| Grand Canal: |
The world's oldest and longest canal, far surpassing the next two grand canals: Suez and Panama Canal; paired with the Great Wall as the two great engineering feats of ancient China... |
| Lingering Garden: |
Surpasses thousands of its kind to become one of the four most famous classic gardens in China; the magic touch is that a fascinating scene forms from every single angle of the garden... |
| Day 13 Suzhou / Tongli / Shanghai (B,L) |
Visit a typical traditional water town of Tongli, then drive back to Shanghai. |
| Water Town of Tongli: |
Known for a system of canals reminiscent of Venice, Italy; with a history of over 1000 years, remains almost intact from wars because of its complicated network waterways; peaceful and relaxing... |
| Day 14 Depart Shanghai (B) |
Transfer to airport for your departure flight. |
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