14 Days China Ancient Architecture and Culture Tour

Summary

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Day 2 Beijing: Tiananmen Square,Forbidden City,Temple of Heaven,Summer Palace
Day 3 Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall,Ming Tombs, Olympic Green Park
Day 4 Beijing: Panjiayuan Antique Market,Beijing Hutong,798 Art Zone
Day 5 Beijing to Datong by Flight: Fly to Datong,Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Monastery,Nine Dragon Screen
Day 6 Datong to Pingyao by car:Hanging Temple, Yingxian Wood Pagoda
Day 7 Pingyao: Qiao Courtyard, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Ming Qing Street
Day 8 Pingyao to Xian by train: Wang's Courtyard
Day 9 Xian: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum,Drum Tower, Tang Dynasty Show, Dumpling Banquet
Day 10 Xian to Shanghai by Flight: Ancient City Wall, Wild Goose Pagoda,fly to Shanghai
Day 11 Shanghai:Shanghai Museum,Yu Garden,Nanjing Road, The Bund,Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 12 Shanghai to Suzhou by train: Lingering Garden,Hanshan Temple,Panmen Gate,Shantang Street,Silk Factory
Day 13 Suzhou to Shanghai by train: Tongli Water Town
Day 14 Shanghai Departure

Day 1

Welcome to China! Upon on your arrival in Beijing, our Beijing local guide will meet you at the exit of airport with a welcome sign "China Private Tour". Transfer to your hotel in Beijing for check-in, and the rest day is free on your own to recover the jetlag or expore the city.

Day 2

In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel lobby. Firstly, you will pay a visit for Tiananmen Square. It is the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Square is the geographical center of Beijing City. It is the largest city square in the world, occupying an area of 440,000 square meters (about 109 acres), and able to accommodate 1000000 people at one time. Tiananmen Gate on the northern square was the site where the Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

After sightseeing, walk into the Tiananmen you will meet the one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City, The Forbidden City, also named the Palace Museum, shares the honor of being one of five world-famous palaces with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in England, the White House in the U.S. and the Kremlin in Russia. The incomparable palace occupies an area of 720,000 square meters (177.9 acres) and has approximately 8,700 rooms. A high red wall with a total length of 3,400 meters (3,718 yards) encases the palace.

Have lunch at the local famous Peking Roast Duck restaurant, taste the most famous duck in Beijing and try some local cuisine in Beijing.Roast duck — or Peking Duck, as it's often known — has been served in Beijing for around 600 years, according to Liu. First served by palace chefs during the Ming dynasty, it has royal pedigree.

In the afternoon, drive about 6km to next imperial site -Temple of Heaven. The temple was constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was enlarged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is the grandest cult architecture complex in the world and a masterpiece of the Chinese people created in ancient times. It covers 2,700,000 square meters (667 acres). Emperors of the two dynasties used to worship the heaven and pray for rich harvests, as the feudal emperors thought they were the son of the heaven.

Next, you will visit Summer Palace. It first built in 1750, largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886 – is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 3

In the morning, our guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby. Your tour starts with visiting Mutianyu Great Wall, it about 70KM far way from downtown. There is an old saying "If you haven't climbed the Great Wall, you haven't seen China." Many of your friends who visited China before might have told you this. It is indeed an experience of life. As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, Mutianyu section of Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. It's known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year.

Lunch is offered near the Great Wall in a local Chinese restaurant.

After lunch, go for visiting the Ming Tombs. The Ming Tombs lie in Changping County, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest from the urban area of Beijing. It is actually a tomb cluster of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including thirteen emperor's mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines and one grave for eunuchs.  

In the afternoon, return to the downtown Beijing and visit the Olympic Green Park, constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Visit the National Stadium-Bird's Nest (from outside). Its located at the Olympic Green Park, the stadium cost US$428 million. The design was awarded to a submission from the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron in April 2003 after a bidding process that included 13 final submissions.

Then continue to visit the "Water Cube" ( National Aquatics Center),  is one of the best venues of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, built with donations from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan compatriot and overseas Chinese. It was chosen through public appraisals as one of “China ten big new architecture views” by The U.S. magazine "Business Weekly".

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 4

In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to visit Panjiayuan Antique Market. Panjiayuan market covers an area of 4.85 hectares of land and accommodates over 3,000 stalls.It is the largest antiques market of its kind both in China and Asia.Located at the southeast corner of the 3rd Ring Road in Beijing,it is the largest,most complete, cheapest and most popular market selling second hand goods and curios in China. There are so many types of goods in the market that it is like a museum. It is a heaven for buying and appreciating antiques, crafts, collectibles and decorations.


Next, walking along the Hutong alley and taking the rickshaw to experience the old life of Beijing. Hutong is a window into Beijing folk life. Drive you to Nanluoguxiang Hutong, it's one of the best preserved historical areas in downtown Beijing, is famous for its hutong and siheyuan courtyards. Recently the popularity of Nanluoguxiang has increased noticeably with tourist numbers on the rise after 2008 Olympic Games. You will do a short walking along the authentic Beijing Hutong. Here will give you a deep impression of the local residents’ live.

You will have lunch at local family, to taste the home- cooking style.

In the afternoon, you will visit 798 Art Zone. It is located in the Dashanzi area, to the northeast of central Beijing. It is the site of state-owned factories including Factory 798, which originally produced electronics. Beginning in 2002, artists and cultural organizations began to divide, rent out, and re-make the factory spaces, gradually developing them into galleries, art centers, artists' studios, design companies, restaurants, and bars.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Beijing.

Day 5

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning and transfer to Beijing airport for your flight to Datong. Once you arrive, our Datong local guide will meet you at the exit of airport with a welcome sign "China Private Tour".

The first stop for the tour is Yungang Grottoes, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues, represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries. The Five Caves created by Tan Yao, with their strict unity of layout and design, constitute a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese Buddhist art.

After admiring the art, you will go to a local restaurant for a Chinese lunch.

In the afternoon, you will visit Huayan Monastery, positioned at the heart of Datong old town and it is one of the most prestigious Buddhism temples across the country. The Huayan Monastery was erected during the Liao Dynasty and is an excellent example of architectures combining both Khitan and Han characteristics. The Monastery consists of two main structures, the Upper and Lower Huayan Monastery.

Continue your tour to Nine Dragon Screen, built over 600 years ago, is presently the oldest and largest glazed screen in China today. It is three times larger than that in Beihai Park, Beijing City. The screen was built for the thirteenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), has been well preserved and remains intact to this day.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Datong.

Day 6

In the morning, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel after check-out. Today, you will visit Hanging Temple, also Hanging Monastery or Xuankong Temple is a temple built into a cliff near Mount Heng in Hunyuan County, Datong City. The temple was built more than 1500 years. Along with the Yungang Grottoes, the Hanging Temple is one of the main tourist attractions and historical sites in the Datong area.

Afterwards, drive about another 1 hour to Yingxian County, you will have lunch at a restaurant in this county.

After lunch, you will pay a visit for Yingxian Wood Pagoda, was built in 1056 during the Liao Dynasty (916–1125),75km from Datong. It is the oldest all-wood pagoda in China, as well as the only Buddhist temple that was totally built with wood. It is also called Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It is the tallest all-wood pagoda in the world.

You will be driven to Pingyao Ancient City when you done the places along the road. Upon you arrival, our guide will take you to have dinner and then check-in your Pingyao hotel.

Day 7

Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby. Firstly, dirve you to visit Qiao Family Courtyard, it is not far from Pingyao ancient city. Qiao family were among many successful businessmen in Shanxi, who later spent their fortune to build the luxury courtyards with the traditional Chinese building art. It is a huge courtyard with 6 large courtyards and 19 smaller courtyards. The estate covers 9000 square meters with 313 rooms. Architects think it to be one of the refined existant examples of private residences in northern China. It has been turned into a folk museum.

After visiting, drive you back to Pingyao for a Chinese lunch to taste some local food.

In the afternoon, you will explore the Pingyao Ancient Town. Such as Rishengchang Exchange Shop, was established in 1823 of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it is the first private financial organization of China majoring in deposit schemes, loans and remittance services. The headquarter was situated at Pingyao old town with an area of 1,600 square meters; its 35 plus branches are widely spread all over China mainly in those big commercial cities. The business lasts 108 years, playing an important role in the development of civil economy and industries.

You will walk along the Ming Qing Street. It was founded in the year of 1856 and went out of business in the year of 1913, is also called South Street and had been the most prosperous business hub of Pingyao County since ancient times. Along the street, architecture of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1616-1912) are here and there. In June, 2009, it was designated as the first batch of Renowned Chinese Cultural-Historic Street.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Pingyao.

Day 8

In the morning, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby. Drive you to Lishi County to visit the Wang's Courtyard, is a rare example of vintage Chinese civilization handed down through the ages. Built by the Wang family of Jingsheng in Lingshi County, descendants of the Wang family of the city of Taiyuan some 150 kilometers to the north and one of the four prominant merchant families of Shanxi Province during the Qing (CE 1644-1911) Dynasty, the compound is an unsurpassed masterpiece of Chinese residential architecture from the Qing Dynasty period.

After lunch, transfer to Pingyao train station to catch the train to Xian. Upon arrival, our Xian local guide will meet you at the exit of train station with a welcome sign "China Private Tour". Transfer to your hotel in Xian.

Day 9

In the morning, our guide will meet you at the pointed time. Today, you will visit the highlights of Xi'an city. Firstly, drive you to Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, it known as "the eighth Wonders of the world", the museum shows a surprisingly high level in sculpture which is listed as the most significant discovery of the 20th century. Up to now, there has discovered a total of 179 accompanying burial pits of different connotations and various shapes in Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum area.

Your lunch is arranged at local restaurant with tasting local cuisine. Such as Liangpi, it is made from rice, this cold noodle dish is a summer favourite through Shaanxi province as well as other places around China.

After lunch, you will Drum Tower, which is the largest bell tower in structure and shape and the best-preserved one in China. The Drum and Bell towers located in the center of the ancient city of Xian, are two of its most famous symbols.

Contunie to visit the Muslim Quarter. It is a fascinating area where you can find exotic food, interesting people (some of the residents are still look like their Arabian cousins) and great souvenir stalls. You can taste many authentic Islamic snacks, like beef or mutton Rou Jia Mo (Chinese Hamburger), northwestern style noodles, Yangrou Paomo and many other attractive snacks that will not make you disappointed. The restaurants and eateries here are serving their food in budget prices.

Today, you will have a Xi'an Dumpling Banquet, which is famous in Xi'an. Our guide will lead you to Shaanxi Grand Opera House and help you find your seat for the most famous Xi'an Dumpling Dinner within the Opera House.In Xian, a must for visitors to try is the delicious dumplings.

After dinner, you will enjoy the local colorful and splendid Tang Dynasty Dance Show, which is a performance of music and dance that imitate the Tang Dynasty over one thousand-year ago. The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance, is a must when you visit Xian.

After the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 10

In the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel. Today, you will visit Xi'an Ancient City Wall. As one of the UNESCO's World Heritage Site, Xi'an Ancient City Wall was built in the 14th century, under the regime of Emperor Zhuyuanzhang in Ming dynasty, had the function of protecting the cities or towns as military defense systems in ancient China. Xi'an Ancient City Wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls.

Next, visit the Big Goose Pagoda in Xi'an. The padoga attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion and its simple but appealing style of construction. It is rated as a National Key Cultural Relic Preserve. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang.

After lunch, transfer to Xi'an airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival,our Shanghai local guide will pick you up at the exit of airport with a signage"China Private Tour" and take you to your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 11

Pick up from your hotel in Shanghai. Drive you to visit Shanghai Museum. It houses a comprehensive collection that perfectly showcases the Middle Kingdom’s millennia old history. Spread over five floors, covers most of the major categories of Chinese art with a collection of 12, 300 pieces in 21 categories of valuable cultural relics.

Next you will visit Yuyuan Garden, it not only regarded as best private garden in Shanghai but also the best in southeast China.The garden enjoyed a history over 400 years since its first establishment by Pan Yunduan who had intended to bring happiness and pleasure to his parents and relatives.

And then walking to nearby to Yuyuan Bazaar, there are many small streets and lanes where vendors sell their products and food stuffs to the tourists and local people.It is an ideal place for you to find some specialists.

Your lunch is arranged at Nanxiang Dumpling House to try the most famous Shanghai Xiaolongbao(soup dumpling).A favorite of dim sum eaters around the globe, are considered to be a Shanghai specialty, rumored to have originated here in the 19th century. Legend has it that this world-renowned snack started out as an experiment by a cake shop owner in Nanxiang who decided to try out a riff on his popular steamed bread.

After lunch, drive you to the Bund area. The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai.When you come here, you can embrace the best cityscape, feast on the rich architectural fashions and know why Shanghai is glorified as "Paris of the East". There are a number of attractions in the area, such as Shanghai World Financial Center, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Century Park, Century Boulevard, Jinmao Tower etc. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

Walking with your guide to Nanjing Road, another popular landmark of Shanghai. It is a shopping paradise as well as a ideal place tootake a wonderful walk to explore the modern atmosphere of the city.

You will have a dinner before cruise, the last thing for today is Night cruise along the Huangpu River. When traveling in Shanghai, you should not miss a cruise tour on the Huangpu River. It is the best way to admire Shanghai's classic skyline views of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers along the river.

After the cruise, you will be taken back yo your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 12

Pick you up from your hotel at pointed time, our driver will drive you to Shanghai train station to catch a high speed train for Suzhou. Upon your arrival, our Suzhou guide will wait for you at the exit of train station with a welcome sign "China Private Tour".

The first stop for Suzhou tour is Lingering Garden. It is one of the four most famous gardens in China with plenty of exquisite halls in various sizes, shapes and colors, possessing Qing style. If you want to savor a natural beauty in a man-made garden? Lingering Garden (Liu Garden in Chinese),such a famed garden with delicate designed architecture, featured shaped stones and idyllic scenery, can satisfy your needs. As one of the Four Famous Garden, Lingering Garden will give you a visual treat.

After admireing the classic Chinese gardens, our guide will take you to a local restaurant for lunch to try the authentic Suzhou food.

In the afternoon, visit Tiger Hill, one of the most renowned tourist destinations in Suzhou, which is in fact a hillock about 30 meters in height. However, this tourist attraction site comprises nearly a dozen of historic and cultural relics to see, including Tomb of King He Lu, Yunyan Pagoda, Sword-testing Stone, the Thousand Men Rock, and the Sword Pond. The millennium-old Tiger Hill Yunyan pagoda stands on the top of the hill and is considered as the symbol of Suzhou.

Next, you will have a lesuire time to walk along the Shantang Street, an ancient riverside pedestrian road in northwest Suzhou, Jiangsu, is very popular with tourists. From Changmen Gate (the west gate of the ancient city) in the downtown, it winds northwest on the northern bank of the Shantang River, and ends at scenic Tiger Hill. It extends about 2.2 miles (seven li), hence the name ‘Seven-Li Shantang’.

The last stop for today is Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory. Suzhou has a long and rich history of silk culture, including mulberry tree and silk worm cultivation and turning raw silk into beautiful fabric. The Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory more like a museum which shows you how the silk is made from cocoons from the beginning and the whole silk process.

After dinner, you will be taken back to your hotel in Suzhou.

Day 13

After breakfast, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel. Drive you to Tongli Water Town, it takes around 1 hour.
Tongli is an aged town located a short drive from Suzhou, which is about a hour drive outside of Shanghai. Tongli is over 1000 years old and has only recently been changed into a tourist attraction. The town is characterized by stone bridges and well preserved ancient architecture including private gardens, temples and houses.

Firstly, pay a visit for Retreat and Reflection Garden, a traditional Suzhou-style garden. Built in 1885, it joined Suzhou's other classical gardens in 2001 in becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In spite of the garden's similarities to other standard Suzhou-style layouts, the east-west axis is unique for the region. Your private guide will accompany you along the way, introducing the varied and unique features.

Next, move on to Luo Xingzhou, a small island town at the heart of Tongli Lake. Regal housing and gardens and ancient bridges and walkways merge to create a magical isle. Cruise the tranquil waters in a traditional wooden boat, taking in the river's vistas before wandering the island town.

Break for lunch at a Chinese restaurant to taste some food in Water town.

After lunch, visit Chongben Hall to view its intricate collection of wood carvings inspired by the folklore of the Yangtze River Delta. You will also walk around Jiayin Hall, a traditional mansion constructed in 1912. Scattered with engravings depicting "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", a seminal Chinese novel, the complexity and precision of the craftsmanship and carvings in this mansion are simply astounding.

Afterwards, go for visiting the Three Bridges. Tongli has more than 50 bridges, however the three most popular are the Taiping, Jili, and Changqing bridges. When celebrating milestones such as births, weddings or birthdays, locals will cross the bridges and pray for health, happiness, and future prosperity. As you walk the bridges, your guide will explain their folklores while you take in the scenery.

After the tour, transfer to Suzhou train station to catch the high-speed train back to Shanghai. Once you arrived in Shanghai, our guide will wait for you at the exit of station with a sign "China Private Tour", drive you to your hotel after a dinner at local restaurant.

Day 14

Free on your own until out driver pick you up from your hotel lobby at appointed time, dirve you to airport for your flight to next destinastion or fly back home. Your 14 Days China Architecture and Culture Tour comes to end. Have a pleasent trip!

Price Per Person in US Dollars

Price Includes 1. All transfer and city transportation 2. Air-conditioned car or van 3. Hotels specified in the itinerary, all based     on two persons sharingone standard room; 4. Meals specified in the itinerary: Western     breakfast in hotels Chinese lunch and     dinner in local restaurants 5. Sightseeing: All arrangements mentioned     in the itinerary will be covered All first     admission/entrance fees in the itinerary 6. Tour guide: Conducted by a professional     tour guide

Price Excludes 1. International air-tickets 2. Airport departure tax. 3. International or domestic air tickets which     are not listed in the itinerary. 4. Insurance coverage of personal loss, illness     or damages incurred during your trip 5. Tips to the tour guide and driver 6. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 7. Personal expenses: phone bills, laundry,     optional tours, postage, excess baggage     charge, entertainment fees out of the     itinerary. 8. Single Room Supplement.