Located in northern China, Beijing is the capital of China and is the nation's political, cultural, and educational center. As the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Beijing has been the political center of the country for much of the past eight centuries. The city is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, parks and gardens, tombs, walls and gates, and its art treasures and universities have made it a center of culture and art in China. Now Beijing has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Our representative will meet you at Beijing airport, then we drive to hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day. 

This morning, our tour guide will meet you at hotel lobby, then we drive to Tian'an Men Square which is located at the center of Beijing City. Firstly we' ll visit Tian'an Men Tower. It was initially built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 A.D.- 1644 A.D.), it was the front door of the Forbidden City. The most important use of it in the past was to declare in a big ceremony to the common people who became the emperor and who became the empress. When we arrive at the 2nd floor of tower, we can enjoy stunning view of Forbidden city and Tian'an Men Square.

Then, we go to visit Forbidden city (also called The Palace Museum) which was first built throughout 14 years during the reign of Emperor Chengzu  in the Ming Dynasty. It was the imperial palace for twenty-four emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987, the Palace Museum is now one of the most popular tourist attractions world-wide. The palace is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. 14 emperors of the Ming dynasty and 10 emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here until 1924.  It was forbidden to enter without special permission of the empeor. Hence its name 'The Purple Forbidden City', usually 'The Forbidden City'.

Through visiting the palace, we can learn more about Chinese culture. For example,  "yellow" is regarded as the symbol of royal family, it is the dominant color in it. Roofs are built with yellow glazed tiles; decorations in the palace are painted yellow; even the bricks on the ground are made yellow by a special process. However, there is one exception. Wenyuange, the royal library, has a black roof. The reason is that it was believed black represented water then and could extinguish fire.
Nowadays, it is open to tourists from home and abroad. Splendid painted decoration on these royal architectural wonders, the grand and deluxe halls, with their surprisingly magnificent treasures will certainly satisfy 'modern civilians'.

After visiting Palace Museum, we transfer to Wangfujing pedestrian street which is a very popular shopping place for both tourists and residents. Then, we wander around the snack street located in hutongs just west of the main street (pedestrian street). After dinner, we drive to watch Beijing Opera (or Kongfu show). 

This morning, we drive to visit Great Wall (Badaling / Mutianyu, according to your requirement). The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. Many dynasties in Chinese history actively built walls in this area. Among many historical ruins of the Great Wall in Beijing, the wall built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) is the most often seen and best preserved, running over 342 miles (550 kilometers) and containing about 827 city wall platforms, 71 passes and countless towers. The famous sections include the Badaling, Huanghuacheng, Mutianyu, Jiankou, Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Simatai. We' ll visit Badaling Great Wall which is about 80 km northwest of urban Beijing city.

Badaling Great Wall resembles a dragon winding along the steep mountain ranges. It was built in the Ming Dynasty (1505) to defend the capital against the intrusion of these Mongolian people. It was enlisted in the World Cultural Heritage Directory by UNESCO and was listed among the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

The Mutianyu Great Wall (originally built during 550-557, then rebuilt during Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 ) is well known for its surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures, which change colours with the seasons of the year. We could take the cable car/ ski-lift (* the fee is included in this package) to get onto and off of the wall (well, walking via stairs is also possible), Tobaggan will give us an opportunity to experience thrills by taking us swoop down from high mountains.

After lunch, we drive to visit Summer Palace which is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. It was also recorded that Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct it as a resort in which to spend the rest of her life. In December 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List.

The entire Summer Palace is centred around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, with the latter covering about three quarters of the area. Most of the important buildings were built along the north–south axis of Longevity Hill which is divided into the front hill and the back hill. The West Dam of Kunming Lake divides the lake into two. The East Dam was constructed during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor. The attractions in the Summer Palace may be divided into six different sections or scenic areas: the Halls, Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake, the Farming and Weaving Picture Scenic Area, the Long Corridor, and the Central Axis area. After tour, we drive back to hotel.

This morning, we drive to the Temple of Heaven Park. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. The complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City. The Temple of Heaven was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 and was described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design which simply and graphically illustrates a cosmogony of great importance for the evolution of one of the world’s great civilizations."

Then, we drive to The Prince Gong Mansion. The Prince Gong Mansion was constructed in 1777 during the Qing dynasty for Heshen, a prominent court official in the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. From a young age, Heshen earned the favour of the Qianlong Emperor and rose swiftly through the ranks in the imperial administration to become one of the top and wealthiest officials in Qianlong's court.

 After lunch, we' ll visit local Hutong by taking rickshaw.  The term "hutong" which is the name given to a lane or small street appeared first during the Yuan Dynasty(1271–1368). In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of Siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Now they have become representatives of local culture.

After tour, we transfer to railway station and take a bullet train to Xi'an. Our representative will meet you at Xi'an railway station, then escort you to hotel.

Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi province, located in the northwest of China. As the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, It records the great changes of the country just like a living history book.

This morning, we drive to visit Terracotta Warriors and horses museum which is collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang who was the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE with the purpose to protect him in his afterlife. The figures were discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a water well.

‍The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor including the Terracotta Warriors Museum has been listed as the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China. The Terracotta Museum consists of Pit 1, Pit 2, Pit 3 and Pit 4 as well as the Hall of the two bronze chariots and horses. Pit 4 is empty by recovering earth but other are all worth seeing.

After lunch, we go to visit Huaqing Huaqing Pool (also called Huaqing Palace) located at the foot of Mt. Li in Lintong county. The palace is famed for both its dainty spring scenery and the romantic love story of Emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his concubine Yang Guifei in the Tang Dynasty. In the palace of Huaqing Hot Spring, visitors who are interested in calligraphy will be delighted to discover inｓｃｒｉｐｔions collected here. 

Afterwards, we drive to Tang Bo Art Museum where we' ll discover an extensive display of Chinese art from various periods and in a variety of styles. This evening, we' ll enjoy a marvelous Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show and the Dumpling Dinner at Shaanxi Opera Theatre. The show will take us back to 1400 years ago - the dreamy and glorious Tang Dynasty. After watching the show, we drive back to hotel.

This morning, we firstly go to Shaanxi History Museum. The museum gives a miniature overview of the thousands of years of Chinese history and the splendid ancient cultures of olden times. The exhibition halls are generally divided into four main groups; the Preface Hall, the permanent exhibition halls, the temporary exhibition halls, and an exhibition hall for Tang Mural Paintings.

After lunch, we go to Daci'en Temple. The temple was built in 648 and is the home of Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan pagoda) which was the symbol of Xi'an. The pagoda is 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. Built of brick, its structure is very firm. Inside the pagoda, stairs twist up so that visitors can climb and overlook the panorama of the city from arch-shaped doors on four sides of each storey. On the walls are engraved fine statues of Buddha by the renowned artist Yan Liben of the Tang Dynasty.

Before driving to hotel, we go to visit Bell Tower and Drum Tower. The Bell tower was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers. The wooden tower (36 meters high) stands on a brick base (35.5 meters long, 8.6 meters high on each side).  Drum Tower is located at northwest of the Bell Tower of Xian, across the Bell and Drum Tower Square. In ancient China, especially from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the drums were used to signal the running of time and on occasion were used as an alarm in emergency situations. In modern times, the Tower is not used as a timer any more, but there are some new attractions for visitors to enjoy. In the year of 1996, a new drum, covered by a whole piece of cowhide was given a place on the Tower. It is the biggest drum in China at present. What is more, visitors will enjoy musical performances inside it. These performances will enlighten one on the power of ancient Chinese culture.

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This morning, we' ll go to visit the ancient city wall first. The wall was constructed about 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty. Rambling around it freely (walking/ cycling), and have a nice view of this city.

Then we drive to visit Muslim quarter, the main gathering place of the local Muslim community and also a center of exotic shops and savory restaurants. Walking along Beiyuanmen street, we' ll find many local Muslim food specialities. Afterwards, we go to airport and fly to Chongqing. Our representative will meet you at Chongqing airport, and escort you to the port.  We board the Yangtze river cruise, the amazing Three Gorges tour begins.

After breakfast, we disembark (8:00am-10:40am) and visit White Emperor City (also called Baidi Temple). White Emperor City is also known as the City of Poems because so many poets, including the Poet Immortal Li Bai who wrote about "Departing from Baidi in the Morning", and the Poet Sage Du Fu who even resided here for nearly two years and wrote about 1,400 poems. This ancient temple is located at the top of Baidi Mountain directly overlooking the Qutang Gorge, one of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It is also the best place to overlook “Kui Gate” which is at the entrance to Qutang Gorge. Two perpendicular cliffs rear over the river surface on either side, looking like a pair of giant door leaves.

After tour, we back to cruise and go on sailing. The cruise will sail through Qutang gorge (10:40am - 11:20am)  which is the shortest one of the Three Gorges (only 8 km). While it's regarded as the most dramatic and gorgeous one by many tourists, with the width of the river here reduced to 100-200 meters and the narrowest places no more than a few dozen meters.

Then, we' ll sail through Wu Gorge (12:30 noon - 1:10 pm). Wu Gorge (45 km) is filled with flexuous and weird peaks, rising mists and spectacular sightseeing, known for its deep valleys and forest covered mountains. As strange peaks, grotesque rocks as well as fog and clouds surround the gorge, it is usually the most notable of the three gorges. Because of the long and deep canyons in the Wu Gorge, the daily period of sunlight is short which impedes the dispersal of air borne moisture within the gorge and so creates clouds and fog in a variety of fantastic shapes. How wonderful it is!

The cruise will dock at Shengnong Stream wharf (3:00pm - 6:20pm). We disembark and take small sightseeing boats to visit Shengnong stream. With a distance of 60 km, Shennong Stream, Just like a dragon meandering through the forests at a height of 3000m above sea level, rushing southward between mountains and cliffs. Therefore, it fascinates the tourists with its special virtue of serenity, uniqueness, primitiveness and wilderness. After tour, we go back to cruise.

Then, we' ll sail through Xiling gorge (76 km) which is the longest one among the three. Once the most dangerous part with numerous reefs, riffles and rocks, Xiling Gorge is gentler and milder after years of rectification and improvement on the river way as well as the building of Gezhou Dam.  This evening, we' ll pass through the three gorges ship lock. 

This morning (8:00am-10:00am), we' ll take a shore excursion to The Three Gorges Dam. It is the biggest dam in China and the world’s largest hydroelectric station for the usage of the flood control and power generation.

Afterwards, back to cruise. We' ll reach Yichang wharf at about 12:30 noon, our tour guide will meet you at the wharf, after lunch, we drive to visit Yichang city center if time permits. This evening, we take a flight to Shanghai. Our tour guide will meet you at Shanghai airport, and escort you to hotel.

Located in the Yangtze River Delta in East China, Shanghai serves as the most influential economic, financial, international trade, cultural, science and technology center in East China. Also it is a popular destination for visitors to sense the pulsating development of the country.

This morning, our tour guide will meet you at hotel lobby, then we go to Jade Buddha Temple. The temple was founded in 1882 to hold two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by sea.The temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately the statues were saved and a new temple was built on the present site in 1928.

Then we transfer to Yu Garden which was first created in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a place for his parents to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. Out from Yuyuan Garden and let’s move to neighboring Yuyuan Market to explore how elaborate and cute the traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works are, we' ll also find many local snacks there. It' s a real kingdom of delicious food with many different kinds of restaurants spread along the streets.The most famous ones are Lu Bo Lang Restaurant, Nanxiang Small Steamed Buns, Songyue Vegetarian Restaurant and Shanghai De Xing Guan. If you like buns you can enjoy Mini Steamed Buns, Crab Soup Buns, Barbecued Pork Buns and Vegetable Buns. If you like dessert, you may have Plum Flower Cakes, Date Mash Cakes, Chop Rice Cakes, Black Rice Balls, Osmanthus Cakes and Eyebrow-like Crisps.

After lunch, we drive to visit The Bund which is the symbol of Shanghai with its magnificent landmarks. It is a waterfront area of Puxi facing the newer part of Shanghai-Pudong, with the renowned Huangpu River flowing in between.The most famous and attractive sight are the 26 various buildings of different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. At the Bund, visitors could see the essence of Shanghai, the prosperous, historical and elegant Shanghai. Then, we take a cruise along Huangpu river. It wriggles like an undulating dragon from Wusong to the East Sea. During the cruise, we' ll find the obvious differences of architecture between the east bank and the west bank. On the west bank, a lot of western-style buildings can be seen, full of exotic flavor, while on the east bank, rows of skyscrapers spring up and rise above the clouds. The great modern skyscrapers and the characteristic buildings in different architectural styles are the best records of the development of the city and the Huangpu River, the birthplace of Shanghai, is the faithful eyewitness.   

Afterwards, we stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street regarded as the first commercial street in China. Today, it become the most welcomed commercial area around Shanghai. Over 600 businesses on the road offer countless famous brands, superior quality, and new fashions, world-famous food vendors line both sides of the street.

This evening, we' ll watch a Chinese Acrobatics performance (ERA- Intersection of Time). ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology.

This morning, we' ll visit Shanghai mumseum first. The museum is a large museum of ancient Chinese art with a collection of 120,000 precious Chinese works of art and archaeological findings.

Then, we drive to Pudong New Area and visit Shanghai World Financial Center. It boasts a 474-meter-high top sightseeing platform where we could have a bird's eye view of Shanghai cityscape. We can get a view of the entire all the high-rises around the bund area and also of the river. Wow! What a spectacular view!

After lunch, we go to visit Shanghai History Museum in the basement of Oriental Pearl Tower.The museum tells an interesting tale about Shanghai during the colonial period between 1860 and1949 with abundant vivid wax figures. After that, we stroll along the Riverside Promenade (Binjiangdadao) which is located at the east bank of Huangpu River in Pudong district.The riverside promenade is the best place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Bund, the ships and the river. Especially, it is the absolutely right place to enjoy the night of the Bund. Riverside Promenade is not only a scenic avenue with some entertainment spots, but also a great project to protect the city from a flood.

Then, we drive to Xin-tian-di  in Puxi area. Xin-tian-di is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style. It is unique due to its concept of construction. Its exterior retains the antique walls, tiles of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery,bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into it, you will get the taste of both Shanghai in the1920's and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century. After tour, we drive back to hotel. 

Today, no tour is arranged. The driver will meet you at hotel lobby, then we drive to airport. Good bye! China!