Best China Guided Tours: 14 Days China Culture Explosion Tour

Summary

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Day 2 Beijing: Tian'an men Square, Summer Palace, Jietai Temple
Day 3 Beijing: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Bird's Nest, Water Cube
Day 4 Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Beijing Hutong, Shichahai Area, Lama Temple
Day 5 Beijing--Datong by Train
Day 6 Datong: Huayuan Monastery, Nine-Dragon Screen, Yungang Caves
Day 7 Datong--Mt. Wutai by driving: Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda of Ying County, leave for Mount Wutai
Day 8 Mount Wutai--Taiyuan by driving: visit Mutai Mountain, leave for Taiyuan
Day 9 Taiyuan-- Pingyao by driving: Jinci Temple, Shuanglin Temple, Qiao's Compound
Day 10 Pingyao-- Xi'an by Train: Pingyao Old Town, Leave for Xi'an
Day 11 Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarter
Day 12 Xi'an--Shanghai by Flight: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi Historical Museum, fly to Shanghai
Day 13 Shanghai: Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, Bund,Acrobats Show
Day 14 Departure Shanghai: Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Leave Shanghai

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing

After arrived in Beijing, You will greeted by our local guide at the exit of the airportwith a welcome signage and drive you to your hotel immediately. The rest of the day is flexible for your will, have a rest or take a walk near the hotel.

Day 2 Beijing

Today your memorable tour starts! After having breakfast at hotel, you will visit the Tiananmen Square, the biggest urban city square in the world. Many constructions of great historical importance have been built on and around it. From there you will enter the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City to explore its fascinating halls and pavilions. Here, you will not only learn how the emperor handled political affairs and lived their lives, but also appreciate numerous ancient art treasures.

After lunch in a local Chinese restaurant, you will be driven to appreciate Chinese featured royal park - Summer Palace, which boasts of typical Chinese architecture and splendid landscapes. It is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing, China serves as a popular tourist destination and recreational park as well.

Afterwards, move to Jietai Temple (1 hour visit), one of China's most famous ancient Buddhist sites. Its four main halls occupy terraces on a gentle slope up to Ma'an Shan (Saddle Hill).

In the evening, Beijing Opera show or Kungfu show can be optionally appreciated for you.

Day 3 Beijing

After having breakfast at hotel, you will have an excursion to the Badaling Great Wall, which is regarded as the most popular section of China Great Walls. It is also the best-preserved section, built during the Ming Dynasty.

Next, you will go to the most famous tomb of Ming Tombs, which was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhuli and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors built their tombs around Changling. We feel that it is necessary to remind visitors with heart problems to consider carefully whether they should enter the underground chambers. Also you will visit the Sacred Road of the tombs, was originally built to lead to the Changling mausoleum.

Later while driving back to downtown Beijing, you will stop by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics), to view the unique constructions and take some photos.

Day 4 Beijing

In the morning, you will head for the Temple of Heaven, where you can see the local people do morning exercise. The Temple of Heaven is the emperors worshipped the heavens in hopes of good harvests. As the dwelling of the God of Heaven, it covers an area even larger than the dwelling of the emperor, Forbidden City.

After lunch in a local Chinese restaurant, later you will explore Beijing Hutong by rickshaw. People say that the real culture of Beijing is the culture of Hutong and courtyard. Gossiping in these lanes is a common scene as it is the main way for people to strengthen their relationship. These lanes have witnessed the development of Beijing. Where there is such a lane, there is a story.

Head to the Shichahai Area - the old part of Beijing and visit a century-old courtyard and learn about its history, layout, Fengshui, and its traditional Chinese culture involved. Then take a pedicab and drive through the zigzag and narrow alleys or hutongs.

Finally you will visit to Lama Temple, which is the most handsome and impressive Buddhist temple in Beijing. It is the only temple in Beijing to have its own subway stop. It was the residence of Emperor Yongzheng before his ascending to the throne as well.

Day 5 Beijing-Datong by Train

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Beijing Railway Station for the high speed train to Datong, with comfortable soft-sleeper, the whole journey takes around six hours, and our local guide will meet you at the exit of Datong Railway Station, later escorting you to check in at Datong downtown hotel. 

After dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, the rest of the day, you could have a rest.

Day 6 Datong

In the morning, your first stop is Huayan Monastery of Datong, which is the largest and best preserved monastery of the Liao Dynasty in existence in China. It was built according to the Huayan Sutra Sect of the Huayan School and is unique in that it faces east instead of south. It was named after the Huayan sect of Buddhism. And it is the largest and most perfectly preserved temple of the Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties in China.

Then you will go on to visit a must-see in Datong - the Nine-Dragon Screen, which is three times larger than the one in Beihai Park, Beijing. The Nine-Dragon Screen was erected during the late reign of Emperor Hongwu (1368-1398) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). And there is an interesting story behind this screen, awaiting you to discover.

After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, you will see the No.1 must-see in Datong - the stunning Yungang Caves. Of the numerous artistic masterpieces that Buddhism has created in China in the past 2,000 years, the caves at Yungang are among the most profound. So there are few words for you can find to describe the overwhelming feeling when you just stand in the front of these giant Buddha statues.

Day 7 Datong-Mt. Wutai by vehicle

In the morning, our guide will take you to visit one of most famous highlights of Datong, Hanging Temple, which is definitely an architecture wonder in the world. It is the only existing temple in China where you can see the Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism in one place. Hanging Temple got its name as it is situated on the west cliff of Jinlong Gorge more than 50 meters above the ground.

After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, then you will shift to visit to Wooden Pagoda of Ying County, another construction miracle, called the Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It is the highest ancient timber-framed tower building within China. The tower is 67.31 meters in height, standing on the north-south axis. It lies between the gate and the temple, a typical "tower in the front; temple in the back" layout.

Drive you to Mt. Wutai by car (around 3 hours). After reached the hotel, you would have a good rest and make full preparation for the next day's visit.

Day 8 Mt. Wutai-Taiyuan by vehicle

After breakfast, today you will visit Wutai Mountain, known as Qingliang Shan, literally meaning "Five Terrace Mountain", is a Buddhist sacred site located at the headwaters of river Qingshui, in the Chinese northeastern province of Shanxi, surrounded by a cluster of flat-topped peaks (North, South, East, West, and Central). The North Peak, called Beitai Ding or Yedou Feng, is the highest (3,061 m) of these, and is also the highest point in northern China. And you will be surprised and impressed by its breathtaking sceneries and strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere. It is a must-go place combining beautiful landscapes with Buddhist culture.

After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, transfer you to Taiyuan city, it takes around 3 hours from Mt. Wutai to Taiyuan city. Then our guide will help you to check-in and arrange other things for you.

Day 9 Taiyuan-Pingyao by train

In the morning, your first stop is Jinci Temple, which is China’s oldest classical ancestral hall, preserving 98 buildings, 110 sculptures, 300 blocks and 37 cast arts which are all over 300 hundred years. It is rare that so many fine relics are preserved in one cultural heritage.

After lunch, drive you to Taiyuan train station for you to catch train to Pingyao. Upon arrival, you guide will wait you at the exit of the train station with a welcome signage.

Your adventure in Pingyao begins with Shuanglin Temple, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Reputed to be the "ancient painted sculptures museum", Shuanglin Temple houses more than 2,000 colorful sculptures reflecting the exquisite skills of the artisans of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The last stop for today is Qiao's Compound, where offer you a whole picture of what Chinese rich family's life was like in old times.

After arrived at water town in Pingyao, our guide will help you check in a featured guesthouse. The rest of the day is for you to relax or stroll around the town with your camera.

Day 10 Pingyao-Xi'an by train

In the morning, firstly, you will start the tour with Pingyao Old Town, There are three Key National Protected Relics in Pingyao, namely Pingyao City Wall, Shuangxiu Temple and Zhenguo Temple. Due to its sound preservation of the urban landscape in China's Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Pingyao was added to the UNESCO's World Heritage List on December 31st, 1997. "The Ancient City of Pingyao is an outstanding example of a Han Chinese city of the Ming and Qing Dynasties that has retained all its features to an exceptional degree, and in doing so provides a remarkably complete picture of cultural, social, economic, and religious development during one of the most seminal periods of Chinese history."- World Relics Committee of UNESCO.

After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, you will be transferred to Railway Station to leave for Xi'an. It takes about 8.5 hours with comfortable soft-sleeper, your will meet by our local guide and drive you to your hotel.

Day 11 Xi'an

After breakfast, you will be picked up to check from your hotel, you will head for the world-famous Terracotta Warriors to start wonderful Xi'an tour, one of the most significant archeological finds in 20th century. 6000 life-size terra soldiers and horses in battle formation have guarded Emperor Qin Shihuang’s mausoleum for 2200 years.

After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, you will set foot in the Muslim Culture at the Great Mosque, savoring the special blend of Chinese & Muslim cultures and feel the soul of the broad-minded ancient Xi'an. Hanging around the Muslim Quarter nearby the Drum Tower is another way to experience the local Muslim life. Various featured snacks & crafts shops are surely a great feast.

At night, Xi'an Tang Dynasty Music and Dance show plus Chinese dumpling banquet can be optionally tried.

Day 12 Xi'an to Shanghai

After breakfast at hotel, the first spot you will visit is Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. In ancient time, successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations always left their signature in the tower which was called Superscription of the Wild Goose Tower. In addition, many celebrities left poems or some other literature works.

At noon, after lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, continue your tour to Shaanxi Historical Museum, where you can learn more history about this ancient city through the valuable bronze wares, jade, potteries, and murals from the Prehistory Period to the Qing Dynasty exhibited there.

After finished that, you will be transferred to Xi'an airport for the fly to the next destination - Shanghai. Our local guide will meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel.

Day 13 Shanghai

Today you will start to visit the biggest city of China - Shanghai, which definitely offers many lures, which is a famous classical garden in the south region. The symbol of Yuyuan Garden is the Nine Zigzag Bridge built of granite and grass-white jade and the quaint, elegant mid-lake pavilion.

Move to Nanjing Road, 5.5 km in full length, enjoys the reputation as China No.1 commercial center. It was the earliest commercial street in Shanghai since the city opened to the outside world.

Take a leisure stroll from Nanjing Road to the Bund, you will be impressed by Modern Shanghai amazingly compared with Xi'an.

Later you can view the whole city at the highest floor of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and know about the development of Shanghai with a following visit to Shanghai Municipal History Museum at the pedestal of the tower. 

At night, the Shanghai Acrobats Show can be optionally appreciated.

Day 14 Shanghai Departure

After breakfast, you will visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where you could get a deep impression about Shanghai city's development at this hall was built to show the achievement of Shanghai city planning and construction. With many functions, such as exhibition, reference, research, communication, recreation and entertainment, here you can understand the past changes and the future blueprint of Shanghai and enjoy yourself with advanced exhibiting technology.

At last, drive you to your hotel or Shanghai International Airport for your return flight. And your 14 Days China Culture Exploration Tour comes to the end.

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes        1. Transportation: Inter city flights including          airport taxes, trains, buses, etc., specified in          the itinerary Private car with air-conditioning          in every tour city      2. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based on         two persons sharing one standard room;      3. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western          breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and dinner         in local restaurants      4. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned in          the itinerary will be covered All first          admission/entrance fees in the itinerary      5. Tour guide: Tour guide: In every tour city         of China, each tour is conducted by a         professional tour guide      6. Free baggage allowance: Passages holding         adult-fare air tickets are entitled to free         baggage allowance of 40 kg for first class,         30kg for business class,and 20kg for        economy class.No free baggage allowance is        granted to infants free baggage transfer         between airport and hotel

Price Excludes     1. Chinese visa.     2. International or domestic air tickets which          are not listed in the itinerary.     3. Meals not specified in the itinerary.     4. Tips for guides and drivers.     5. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,          optional tours, postage, excess baggage         charge, entertainment fees out of the          itinerary.     6. Single Room Supplement.      7. Taxi Fee