20 DAYS / 19 NIGHTS - FOUR CITIES AND ONE TOWN
(BEIJING - XIAN - SOUZHOU - 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. Create your own program. We can help you map your way there which is really easy to manage! You have many choices, such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and, and and... Overnight in Beijing.

 

DAY 5: BEIJING - JI'NAN - QUFU (B)

After breakfast you enjoy some leisure time, visit a market, go to a spa or visit one of the many parks in the capital. After lunch time continue your journey to Qufu via Ji'nan, the capital of Shandong province (appr. 1 hour flight). have another one hour travel by car to your hotel in Qufu. Overnight in Qufu

 

DAY 6: QUFU - KAIFENG  (B)
This day is dedicated to the city of Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius (551 a.C-479 a.C.), the most influential and important thinker of China.  After breakfast visit the Temple of Confucius (Kongmiao), which commemorates the doctrine and the ideological and cultural legacy left by the Kong Teacher (Confucius). It’s one of the biggest temple in China (and only exceeded by the Forbidden City in Beijing). Next on the sightseeing list is the Forest of Confucius (Konglin), the huge cemetery used exclusively for the Kong family including the tomb of Confucius and their descendants. This cemetery has the longest line of descendants in the world. Record has it that this cemetery has already lasted 2340 years. At the time Confucius was buried there, the cemetery was about 1 qin (6.67 hectares). It was continually expanded to over 3,000 mu (200 hectares) through constant l and grants by emperors of following dynasties. The walls around the cemetery are 7 kilometers (4.35miles) long enclosing more than 10,000 tombs. It’s abt a 4 hours drive to Kaifeng. Overnight in Kaifeng .

 

DAY 7: KAIFENG -  AYNYANG (B)
After breakfast visit the Buddhist Temple of Xiangguo, one of the most important centers of Buddhism history in China. Later have a stroll in the gardens surrounded by the lakes of the Dragon Pavilion, a place where the imperial palace of Song emperors was located. The immense calm and mysterious beauty of this place will allow you to go back to ancient times when Kaifeng was one of the richest cities in the world. Next on your list before lunch is the Iron Pagoda. After lunch enjoy walking through the old streets of the city. Another two hours drive will bring you finally to the ancient city of Aynyang which boasts a history of over 3000 years. Overnight in Aynyang. 

 

DAY 8: AYNYANG - ZHENGZHOU (B)
After breakfast visit the archaeological Yin Ruins Museum , recently inaugurated over the ruins of the old capital of the Shang dynasty (Yin). Here you find numerous pieces of great artistic and historical value. This museum contains the greatest collection on tortoise shells and oracle. This archaeological site also houses the tomb of Princess Fuhao, the wife of Emperor Shang Wu Ding, who was considered the most important military leader of the history of China. Continue to the Temple of the Celestial Tranquility and the Wenfeng Pagoda, both symbols of the city. After lunch leave for Zhengzhou (2h), the capital of the province of Henan. En route on the a short stop to see the Yellow River (Huanghe), which is considered the cradle of the Chinese civilization. Overnight in Zhengzhou.

 

DAY 9: ZHENGZHOU - DENGFENG - LUOYANG (B)
Early morning after breakfast have a one hour drive to Dengfeng, a small town at the base of the Song Shan mountain, the most sacred Taoist mountain. It is considered as the center of the universe. There you visit the Temple of Zhongyue , one of the older Taoist temple, believed to be built during Qin dynasty (221. - 206 AC.). Next sight seeing is the famous Shaolin Temple, (386. - 534 DC). Later the afternoon you will depart to Luoyang, (1hour drive), where you visit the Longmen Grottos: The Ten Thousand Buddha Grotto, constructed in 680 contains 15,000 Buddha sculptures along the side walls. On the ceiling an enormous lotus blossom can be seen. The site of Longmen Grotto was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000. Overnight in your hotel in Luoyang.

 

DAY 10: LUOYANG - RUICHENG - YUNCHENG (B)
After breakfast leave to the small city of Ruicheng (1h), where you will visit the Palace of Eternal Joy, built initially to pay tribute to the birthplace of the Taoist immortal Lü Dongbin. During the Yuan dynasty, the building was turned into one of the most important Taoist temple of China; at this time is when it starts the decoration of its walls with beautiful painting of Taoist subject which cover a total area of 873 square meters. Continue to Xiezhou (½ h approx) to the Temple of Guandi. Drive to the town of Yuncheng (1h) for overnight.

 

DAY 11: YUNCHENG - HONGTONG - PINGYAO (B)
Early in the morning head to the outskirts to the small town of Linfen for the visit of the Guangsheng Monastery, built during the Ming dynasty; the Temple Water Spirit constructed during the Yuan dynasty. Coninue to the town of Lingshi (1h) to the Mansion of the Wang family, an exquisite residential complex . Early evening drive to of Pingyao (½ h). Overnight in a traditional hotel in the centre of the old city.

 

DAY 12: PINGYAO - XIAN (B)
After breakfast walk around on the awesome City Wall, one of the most intact ancient city walls in China with a viewover the inner city. Explore the "Civilian Forbidden City" (Family Wang's Residence) an ancient government residence compound of government, continue the famus merchant houses of the Qiao Family Manor (remember the movie "Raise the Red Lanterns" ?). The next on your sightseeing list is the Ri Sheng Chang remittance bank, the first private bank in China. Before lunch clim up steep and narrow stairs to the wooden City Tower, being the landmark of Pingyao. After lunch one more temple to see: the Temple of Shuanglin behind the city walls. Back to to Taiyuan to get the plane to Xi'an. Upon arrival, transfer to the Hotel. Overnight in Xian.

 

DAY 13: XIAN (B)
Today you have a free morning. After lunch time your guide will pick you up for some sightseeing: Shanxi Historical Museum, housing more than 37,000 historical relics evacuated around Shanxi area; the Wild Goose Pagoda. Why not enjoy the Tang Dyansty show after your dinner?

 

DAY 14: XIAN - TERRACOTTA WARRIORS - GRAND MOSQUE - MUSLIM QUARTER  (B)
After breakfast, take the transfer to the airport to take off to Xian, once being the most important dynastic capital of imperial China. 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 wander 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 make use of your bargaining skills... Overnight in Xian.

 

DAY 15: XIAN - HANGZHOU (B)
This morning visit the treasure house of calligraphic art: The Forest of Stone Steles houses more than 2,300 famous steles and inscribed memorial tablets of the Han, Wei, Sui, Tang, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties and known as the largest 'stone-book warehouse' in China. After this visit continue to the airport to take a flight to Hangzhou (1h). Once there, transfer to the Hotel in Hangzhou. Enjoy to walk around this ancient city and go to Qing He Fang Street, a popular and historic street. As Hangzhou’s cuisine is noted for its sophisticated cooking and refreshing taste, try tonight the local specialties and make it a culunary experience. Try Beggar's Chicken (a chicken baked in clay), West Lake Fish in Sweet Sour Source (vinegar coated fish fresh caught from the lake), Dongpo Pork (braised pork) and Fried Shrimps with Longjing Tea...

 

DAY 16: HANGZHOU (B)
In the morning cruise on the West Lake and visit: the Solitary Mountain Island, the Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake; the Island of the Three Pools that Reflect the Moon; Su Causeway on a Spring and the Bai Causeway ; the Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor; the famous and now reconstructed Pagoda Leifeng and many other places that give fame to the beautiful lake. In the afternoon, free time to visit the city and have lunch. After lunch time there is more to see: the Temple of Yue Fei, the Taoist Monastery of Baopu, the Field of the Eight Trigramas, where the emperors of the South Song dynasty; the Monastery of Soul's Retreat. Overnight in your hotel.

 

DAY 17: HANGZHOU- SHANGHAI (B)
Most of the many ancient buildings of the city were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Besides its ancient and beautiful channels and bridges, the town was famous in imperial times for its cultural tradition. For so many years the town was a kind of university town with students from all over the country. Lots of sightseeing: You may stay stop to your guide if it is too much for you! Just to name some: the Taoist temple of Xiuzhen, the Bay and the Temple of the God of the Fortune, the former Residence of Mao Dun, the Chinese Shades Theater or the old pharmacy of the Perfumed Mountain, the Museum of Old Beds of the South of China, Museum of old wood statures, and, ...more after lunch...where you visit many other ancient buildings and channels such as the Tower of the White Loto, the Zhaoming Academy, the old Water Scene, the Temple of General Guam, the traditional fluvial market and the Museum of the History of Foot Binding! There is so much sightseeing that you may ask your guide to stop if it gets too overwhelming at any point!Overnight in Shanghai.

 

DAY 18: 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 19: SHANGHAI -  ZHUOZHENG GARDEN - SHANGHAI (B)
After breakfast  you have a full day tour to the Zhuozheng 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 20: 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?