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, your tour guide will meet you at hotel lobby, then 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 airport and take a flight to Urumqi. Our representative will meet you at Urumqi airport, then escort you to hotel in city center.

After breakfast, we drive to visit Heavenly lake. It nestles in the middle of Bogda Peak(about 110km away from Urumqi). Covering 4.9 square kilometers, this crescent-shaped water area deserves its name, Pearl of Heavenly Mountain. With melted snow as its source, Heavenly Lake enjoys crystal water. Heavenly Lake, a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offers science lovers exploring opportunities.

Afterwards, we transfer back to city, and visit International Grand Bazaar which has become the window of this autonomous region and Central Asia. The building with a rich Islamic style is the landmark in Urumqi as a city of minorities, as well as the prosperous symbol of Xinjiang business and tourism.  Here visitors can taste local featured food, admire singing and dancing and buy all kinds of ethnic craftworks. Then, we drive back to hotel.

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This morning, we drive to Turpan.  Firstly visit the Ancient city of Jiaohe which was one of the world's architectural wonders hiding in Yarnaz Valley. Like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe with a history of 2300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30 meters. The city is the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world. Jiaohe distinguishes itself from other ancient cities owing to three features. First, it had only two city gates, the South and East Gates. The main South Gate vanished long ago, leaving a huge breach. The East Gate cut by the cliff was virtually non-existent. Second, the city faces cliffs on three sides, so there are no city walls commonly seen in other ancient cities. Third, all the buildings were dug from earth, and wood was rarely used.

Continue to Grape Valley which has already won a great fame in the world, as it is a place with both beautiful landscapes and unique cultural features.

 Afterwards, we go to visit Karez irrigation system which is an irrigation system of wells connected by underground canals, and considered as one of the three great ancient projects in China, with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

Flaming Mountains is very popular thanks to a classical novel(The Journey to the West).The mountain is barren and extremely  hot in summer. During the trek approaching it, visitors will find the soles of their shoes soften in the intense heat. With the red sun overhead, the red mountain looks like a fiery dragon-truly an unforgettable spectacle!

Finally, we visit Emin Minaret (Sugong Minaret) which is the largest extant old tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic tower among the hundred famous towers in China. Right beside the minaret stands Su Gong Ta Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang. The grand mosque can accommodate 1000 people despite the inconspicuous appearance. Atter dinner, we drive to train station and take a train to Liuyuan Town. Overnight on train. 

This morning, we drive to visit Mingsha hill. Seen from afar, the hill looks like a golden dragon winding its way over the horizon. As you approach you become aware that the sand has many colors ranging from red to yellow, green, black and white. On days when a strong wind blows, the fast shifting sand roars; but when the wind is little more than a light breeze, the sand produces gentle, dulcet sounds akin to music. It is the same when you are sliding down the mountainside. At first, the sand under your feet just whispers; but the further you slide, the louder the sound until it reaches a crescendo like thunder or a drum beat. Some say that the sand is singing, while to others it is like an echo and this is how the mountain gets its name.

Encircled by the mountain, there is Crescent Lake so called because of its shape. The water in the lake is so pure and sweet that it looks like an emerald set in the sand. Many of the visitors who have made their way down the mountain like to drink from the lake. According to historical record, the lake has been in existence for hundreds of years without ever being buried by the sand; it is really a geological wonder. After tour, we drive to hotel in Dunhuang city.

This morning, we drive to Mogao Cave. The cave is located 25 kilometers southeast of Dunhuang, and is regarded as the premier Buddhist spot in China, perhaps in the whole world. The artistic features of the treasured Buddhist murals represent perfectly the artistic style of the Northern Wei (386-543), Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties through the combination of the architecture, statues and murals in the caves. Presently, there are about ten caves and two exhibition centers open to the public, occasionally more during public holidays.

This afternoon, we drive to hotel in Jiayuguan. Located in the Gobi desert, at the middle of Hexi Corridor, Jiayuguan city boasts many historical relics referring to two wonders: Great Wall, Silk Road. The famous ones include Jiayuguan Pass, the Overhanging Great Wall, the First Fire Tower of the Great Wall. 

After breakfast, we drive to Jiayuguan pass. The pass represents the western starting point of a section of the Great Wall constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The pass is constructed in three concentric layers: the central area is made up of an inner city, containing the largest of the pass' buildings; an outer city section, surrounded by a large wall dotted with watchtowers, turrets, and high-terrace pavilions; and finally, for purposes of defense, a moat. All of these features combined to make it a daunting prospect for any would-be attackers.

Located on the cliff at a height of about 80 meters by Talai river, the First Fire Tower (built in 1539 during Ming Dynasty) of the Great Wall plays a very important role in Jiayuguan Great Wall's defense system and regarded as the First Dangerous Fire Tower under the Heaven. In the Ming Dynasty, Jiayuguan dominated 39 fire towers among of which the first fire tower was the most important one. The tower was guarded by a lot of soldiers. If soldiers found enemy, they would give a signal (making thick smoke in daytime or lifting firebrand at night) to the next fire tower (these fire towers were not far from each other and they were useful in military affairs). Standing on the tower, we can experience the grandeur of an ancient civilization while appreciating marvelous view of the vast Gobi.

This afternoon, we go to visit Overhanging Great Wall which is an important part of the defensive work of Jiayuguan Pass. It was built in the year 1539 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) in order to strengthen the defensive capability of the Jiayuguan area. Viewed from a distance, the Great Wall appears very like a dragon overhanging the slope, hence the name. After tour, we drive to airport and fly to Xi'an. Our local representative will meet you at Xi'an airport and escort you to hotel in city center.

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.

Terracotta Warriors and horses museum 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 visit 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.

Then, 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 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.

After lunch, 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.

Then, 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.

Before driving back to hotel, we' ll visit the ancient city wall which was constructed about 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty. Rambling around it freely (walking/ cycling), and have a nice view of this city.

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