12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS - TRAVEL WITH US TO CHINA!

(BEIJING - XIAN - SHANGHAI - ZHOUZHUANG - SHANGHAI)

 

DAY 1: BEIJING
Today's sightseeing  depends on  your arrival time.  Upon arrival at the Airport welcome by our local guide and transfer to your Hotel. In the afternoon you start exploring the city with a visit to the famous Temple of Heaven (Tian tan); the ancient altar complex that was used for the emperor to worship Heaven in the imperial times; it is one of the oldest and most interesting historical buildings of the capital, as much by its architecture, as by its former importance like a ritual center of the Chinese empire. Overnight in Beijing.

 

DAY 2: BEIJING
Today's sightseeing includes the visit to the Tian'anmen Square - the biggest public square in the world.  Located at the north of the Tian'ament Suare is the Forbidden City. A visit to Beijing without Gu Gong (Chinese name) is not a visit to Beijing! It was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, also known as the Palace Museum. Only part of the Forbidden city can be visited (somehow always some parts of the buildings are under renovation);  But still:  it can take hours to visit this gorgeous site! After lunch visit the Lama Temple, a beautiful complex which also is often crowed with Beijingers. It is a short block away from the Yonghegong subway station. The White Cloud Temple - a Daosit temple -  is the last site on your sight seeing list and an interesting contrast to the Lama Temple. Let us know if you would book you a ticket for a Beijing Opera performance at the Liyua Opera in Qianmen. Overnight in Beijing.

 

DAY 3: BEIJING - GREAT WALL - JUYONGGUAN PASS - MING DYNASTY TOMBS (B)
After breakfast drive  to the outskirts of the city to  the Juyongguan  Pass, one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall around Beijing. This visit includes the ascent by foot of the elevated section of the wall and the visit to the ruins of an ancient Buddhist temple dated from Yuan dynasty times. Inside you find some beautiful reliefs carved on the wall with Buddhist Gods and ancient inscriptions in many languages. Continue to he ancient mausoleum of one of the thirteen  Ming emperors (Shisan Mingling). Your visit includes the Sacred Path (sheng dao) flanked by fabulous animal stone sculptures and the tomb of Ding Ling emperor (1563 D.C.-1620 D.C.) one of the few open to the public. Upon return to your hotel it is leisure time or shopping to the Silk market? Overnight in Beijing.

 

DAY 4: BEIJING - LAMASIT TEMPLE - YONGHEAGONG - HUTONG (B)
After breakfast visit the Lama Temple of Yonghegong, a very impressive Buddhist monastery of exquisite architecture, which first was an imperial residence of prince Yongzheng (1678 D.C. - 1735 D.C.). The temple belongs to the Gelug-pa school (“School of the Virtuous) of Tibetan Buddhism. This temple houses a magnificent collection of Buddhist paintings of Tibetan style (thangkas), bronze statues of bodhisattvas and a monumental set of engravings and wood statues of great beauty - the most impressive among them is the Maitreya Buddha of 18 meters of height, carved from a single piece of White Sandalwood. Later hop on a rickshaw, relax and let Old China pass your way, along the famous 'hutongs'. Afternoon free. Crate your own program. We can help you and show you how to manage to get there! Really easy! You have many choices, such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace. Overnight in Beijing.

 

DAY 5: BEIJING - BAHEI PARK - BACK LAKES AREA (B)
After breakfast drive to the Beihai Park which is just northeast of the Forbidden City and surrounds the first of a series of lakes called the Back Lakes area. All of Beijing hits the park in the morning for tai chi, waltzing, group singing and other forms of recreation. If you head over to the park before 10am, you'll experience Beijing like a native. You might even join the tango lesson going on in the shadow of a beautiful ancient temple. First thing in the morning you'll be one of very few tourists.
In the afternoon enjoy the Back Lakes area which is northeast of the Forbidden City. The lakes are lined with chic restaurants, happening bars, teahouses and coffee shops. You can even get a Starbuck's fix here if you're feeling homesick. Many of the bars are beautifully decorated and many have live music. When the weather is good, there's outdoor seating by the lake. This is a hip, happening area. You won't find most tour buses stopping here.

 

DAY 6: BEIJING - XIAN  (B)
After breakfast have a  transfer to the airport to take off to Xian, once being the most important dynastic capital of imperial China, and nowadays the capital of the province of Shaanxi. In the afternoon visit the interesting Shaanxi History Museum, which houses many of important treasures of different dynastic periods, like Han murals graves, ancient Tang paintings, blue china, cooper coins and many ancient Zhou bronzes, etc. You still have enough time today to visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most famous pagodas in China. Overnight in Xian.

 

DAY 7: XIAN - TERRACOTTA WARRIORS - GRAND MOSQUE - MUSLIM QUARTER  (B)
After breakfast have a transfer to the airport to take off to Xian, once being the most important dynastic capital of imperial China, and nowadays the capital of the your morning will be totally dedicated to the magic of the Terracotta Soldiers and their horses. Lunch will take place at one of the restaurants nearby. Drive back to the center of Xian, and wonder in the compound of the Great Mosque which rather looks like a Chinese Temple than a Mosque. Its artistic fusion of styles harmonizes the traditional Chinese architecture combined with the doctrines of an Islamic mosque. The entrance of the Mosque is in the middle of the market, - rather a Bazaar, where you can shop till you drop and and make use of your bargaining skills... Overnight in Xian.

 

DAY 8: XIAN -   FAMEN TEMPLE - QUIANLING TOMB - XIAN (B)
After breakfast you continue your today's excursion to the Famen Temple situated some 118 kilometers (73 miles) west of Xian, the Famen Temple will appeal to travelers who are journeying west to explore the ancient Silk Road. The temple gained the name Famen (which means the initial approach to become a Buddhist believer) in the Tang dynasty when a wooden four-storey structure was built replacing the original Ashoka Stupa built in the Eastern Han dynasty. The temple with the "the Real Spirit Pagoda," in it enjoyed the reputation of being the "forefather of pagodas and temples in Central Shaanxi," because it held the finger bones of Sakyamuni - the founder of Buddhism.
Qianling Tomb was built in 684 AD. According to the records, the inner city, about 240 square meters, followed the rectangular layout of Chang'an city with the gates on the four sides. The city comprises the inner city and the outer. Many splendid buildings such as dedicatory halls and gate towers were built. About 1,000 valuable cultural artifacts found in the tomb include murals, pottery and wooden figurines, tri-color glazed pottery figurines, gold vessels, jade articles, and copper wares. The glazed tri-color pottery figurines demonstrate the high artistic achievements of the Tang dynasty. The antechamber represents a drawing room with murals mainly depicting elegantly dressed women attendants. Overnight in Xian.

 

DAY 9: XIAN - SHANGHAI (B)
After breakfast you will board a short flight to Shanghai (2hrs20min), China's largest city, bustling commercial center and port. In recent years, Shanghai has gone through a major revitalization and is now considered one of Asia's most vibrant and exciting cities. Transfer to your conveniently located hotel After lunch (we recommend the Ashanti Dome which set in an old Russian Orthodox Church), visit to the old French Concession, a pleasant mix of wide tree lined streets and interesting European style architecture. Enjoy a pleasant walk on the Bund along the Huangpu River in the evening and have dinner at M on the Bund Restaurant, a fabulously fashionable Pacific rim restaurant. Enjoy tonight  the Shanghai Acrobatics Show. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 10: SHANGHAI (B)
After breakfast you have a full day visit of Shanghai. In the morning take a Jewish tour illustrating the remarkable history of Jewish people in Shanghai. You will start with the Peace Hotel, built by the Sassoon family in 1920. Continue to Hongku district (known as the Shanghai ghetto) visiting various places including the Ohel Moshe, the monument and Chinese (former Jewish refugee) home and ending in the Children's palace (Sir Kadoorie's former home). After lunch (maybe at the Vegetarian Life Style Restaurant for a taste of veggi food?), enjoy the tea ceremony in Song Yuan Tea House. A Visit to the Shanghai Museum is a MUST - it is one of the best in China. At night? You may enjoy your time in Xintinadi, Shanghai's most popular entertainment complex. Overnight in Shanghai.

 

DAY 11: SHANGHAI -  SUZHOU GARDEN - SHANGHAI (B)
After breakfast  you have a full day tour to the Suzhou Garden, Lion Garden and Liu Garden. On the way back to Shanghai visit Watertown of Zhouzhuang to enjoy the life of Chinese people in small towns. Overnight at the hotel.

 

DAY 12: SHANGHAI DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the departure flight with a good memory of your China journey! Should you have some time left, then why not visit the Oriental Pearl TV TOWER and the National Museum in the base?