12 Days Best China Classic Tour with Silk Road Exploration

Summary

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Day 2 Beijing:Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Bike at Hutong
Day 3 Beijing: Great Wall, Ming Tomb, The National Stadium and The Water Cube
Day 4 Beijing--Xi'an by Trian, Summer Palace, fly to Beijing
Day 5 Xi'an: Terracotta Army, Shaanxi History Museum, Bell Tower
Day 6 Xi'an: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum, Muslim Quarter
Day 7 Xi'an--Dunhuang by Flight, Lake Crescent, Ride Camel, Echoing-Sand Dune
Day 8 Dunhuang--Turpan by Flight: Mogao Grottos, take flight to Turpan
Day 9 Turpan: Jiaohe Ruins, the Karez Well, Turpan Water Museum, the Sugong Pagoda
Day 10 Turpan--Urumqi by driving, Heaven Lake (Tianchi Lake)
Day 11 Urumqi--Shanghai by flight, Bund, Yu Garden & Shanghai Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple
Day 12 Leave Shanghai

DAY 1

Welcome to Beijing! After arrived in Beijing, you are greeted by your guide at the exit of the airport with a welcome signage displayed and escorted you to your hotel directly. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jetlag. 

DAY 2

Today: Get up very early in the morning and arrives at the Tiananmen Square before sunrise, you can go to see the dawn flag raising ceremony in the Square. And you can have a relaxing time in Tiananmen Square and take some photos.

The next stop is the Forbidden City, you will notice the dominant color in the Forbidden City is yellow as yellow is the symbol of the royal family. Roofs are built with yellow glazed tiles; decorations in the palace are painted yellow; even the bricks on the ground are made yellow in special process. However, there is one exception. Wenyuange, the royal library, has a black roof. Because it was believed black represented water in the ancient China which could extinguish fire.

Have lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. 

Then you have the chance to visit the Temple of Heaven, you are recommended to visit the Three Echo Stones, which is outside of the gate of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. If you speak facing the Vault while standing on the first stone, you will hear one echo. Standing on the second and then the third stone, you will hear two and three echoes respectively. Another interesting and famous place for you to visit is called Echo Wall owning special feature. The wall encloses the Imperial Vault of Heaven and its perimeter is 193 meters long. If you and your friend stand at the east and the west roots of the wall respectively and you whisper a word, then your friend will hear clearly what you say. 

At last, we will help you rent a bike, and you can explore the traditional Hutong, which tells the story of growth and change and daily local life from ancient to present in old Beijing. Or you can talk with the local people and know more about their local conditions and customs. 

Then our guide will take you to restaurant to try the Beijing roast duck and other authentic food and after dinner, drive you back to your hotel.

DAY 3

Today: One of the most important activities for the entire Beijing trip is the brief hiking at the Great Wall, Mutianyu section. No words can tell its amazement to the world. It is the must place you should visit in China. Its tremendous influence is well-known around the world. The Mutianyu stretch of the Great Wall is 22 kilometers long and has 22 watchtowers - the highest of which reaches an altitude of 540 meters above sea level, thanks to the mountain peak on which it is erected - making it the most densely packed section of the Great Wall as far as watchtowers go. 

After lunch, you will continue the visit to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb. The Ming Tomb was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhuli and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors built their tombs around Changling. We feel that it is necessary to remind visitors with heart problems to consider carefully whether they should enter the underground chambers. The atmosphere and dull lighting can be a problem. As always, do not hesitate to consult your guide, who will be able to offer advice.

On the way back to your hotel, you are fortunately to pass by the famous Bird's nest and the Water Cube. You can take their exterior photography photographs to keep track of the two grand constructions and leave a pleasant memory here. And you can enjoy your meal in your hotel and have a rest for your tomorrow’s tour.

DAY 4

Today: your first stop is Royal Summer Palace in the morning. Covering an area of 4,300 mu 290 hectares, the park in Beijing is an outstanding example of imperial gardens. The landscape architect utilized Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake to create a paradise of hills and waters. Artisans reproduced the garden architecture styles of various palaces in China and combined them to create a harmonious atmosphere. This ancient royal garden is beautifully composed of palaces, temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes and corridors fully radiating the natural beauty and the grandeur of imperial gardens. As the largest garden in China, the Summer Palace is today the center of interests of all tourists coming to visit Beijing and its many cultural and historical relics.

After lunch, our guide will take you to train station for your bullet train to Xi’an (it takes around 5 hours). Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at the exit of the train station with a welcome signage and you will be transferred to your hotel directly. The rest of the day is on your own, you can relax and prepare for the trip next day.

DAY 5

Your trip in Xi'an begin in the Qin Terracotta Army Museum. Built on the site of the terra-cotta warriors and horse’s pits in the Emperor Qin's Mausoleum, the museum is located at the northern piedmont of Lishan Mountain 7.5 kilometers east of Lingtong County in Shaanxi Province and 37.5 kilometers west of Xi'an City. Excavation of the vault revealed thousands of terra-cotta warriors and their horses, an entire army designed to follow its emperor into eternity. The emperor's terra cotta army was found in three underground timber lined vaults. The life-sized terracotta figures vary in height, uniform, and hairstyle in accordance with rank, which will surely leave you deep impression. 

After lunch, continue your tour visit Shaanxi History Museum to know more about the glorious history. The building covers an area of over 70,000 square meters and houses more than 370,000 historical items excavated from all over Shaanxi Province, including murals, paintings, pottery, coins, as well as bronze, gold, and silver objects. The modern museum was built between 1983 and 2001 and its appearance recalls the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. 

After the tour of Shaanxi History Museum, then you will pay a visit to Xi'an Drum Tower is the largest one of its kind in China, facing the Bell Tower at east, which was beat to tell the time to citizens, hence the name. Standing on the towering above the city center and appreciate incredible view of Xi'an. Besides, in the Drum Tower, there are many larges drums hang on a hall with beautiful Chinese writing, which means good luck, besides, there is a drum museum where you can appreciate lots of drums, some of which has thousands of history. Between the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower, there is a square with grass, dotted with greenbelt beautiful acouto-optic fountain, which is a good place for leisure and entertainment for citizens.

Have a pleasant dinner with delicious dishes, you will be taken back to your hotel.

DAY 6

After breakfast, you will head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Walk up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda's spiral staircase for an excellent view of Xi'an and countryside. Do this early or late in the day during the tourist season to avoid long waits. In ancient times,successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations always left their signature in the tower which was called Superscription of the Wild Goose Tower. In addition, many celebrities left poems or some other literature works.

After that, you can visit the Ancient City Wall. This wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Now it is 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide over14 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it. You can walk, or even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the largest with a suspension bridge. Most of the tourists choose the south gate for sightseeing.

Have a simple lunch in a local restaurant, you will pay a visit to the Forest of Stone Steles, which holds a big collection of steles in China. It is one of the centers of ancient Chinese stone-engraving classic. It is also the center of the works of art of noted calligraphers of past dynasties. The numerous standing steles likens a forest, hence the name "Forest of Steles"'. With a history of over 900 years, it is an art treasure well known at home and abroad.

The last stop is Muslim Quarter, you can stroll along the Muslim Quarter which offers a wide range of bargains. The Muslim Quarter is the main gathering place of the local Muslim community and offers a great deal of exotic shops and savory restaurants. Xi'an is a city with a tolerant mind in religious culture and here you will find the harmonious getting-along of Buddhist culture and Muslim culture. Besides, you can taste various authentic local snacks here. The most sacred part in this community is without doubt the Great Mosque, featuring a great mixed architecture of Chinese and Arabic styles. You may happen to meet with some Muslim followers coming for worship.

DAY 7

Enjoy your free time till our guide take you to the airport for your flight to Dunhuang. You will be greeted by our local guide and escorted to your hotel directly, our guide will help you check in.

After lunch, you will have the chance to ride a camel along the Echoing-Sand Dune to Lake Crescent, a miracle in the Gobi desert. Lake Crescent is known for its brilliant blue waters and exceptional clarity, caused by a lack of nitrogen in the water which inhibits the growth of algae. You will be able to reach the top from one side of the dunes and slide down the other to see the fantastic view. (Plz prepare your sunglasses to keep out the dust). 

After finished that, you will have dinner in a local good restaurant to try the local cuisine with our guide. Then drive you back to your hotel.

DAY 8

After breakfast, the first stop is Mogao Grottos, which are also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes, form a system of 492 temples 25 km (16 mi) southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China. The caves may also be known as the Dunhuang Caves. The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years. The Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, are one of the three famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China.

   

After lunch, free on your own for a while to walk around and for photograph.

Then our guide will take you to the airport for the plane to Turpan. You will be greeted by our local guide at the exit with a welcome signage and escorted to your hotel directly. After checking in, you can have a rest and enjoy your dinner in the hotel later.

DAY 9

Today the first stop is Jiaohe Ruins, was once the biggest and oldest city built on rammed earth, dating back to 2nd century BC. It is a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys.

 

The word karez means "well" in the local Uyghur language. Turpan has the Turpan Water Museum (a Protected Area of the People's Republic of China) dedicated to demonstrating its karez water system, as well as exhibiting other historical artifacts.

Turpan's well system was crucial in Turpan's development as an important oasis stopover on the ancient Silk Road skirting the barren and hostile Taklamakan Desert. Turpan owes its prosperity to the water provided by its karez well system.

After lunch, continue your tour to Sugong Pagoda. Sugong Pagoda, also named Emin Minaret or Turpan Pagoda by local residents, which is the largest extant ancient pagoda in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is one of the most popular Islamic construction and the only Islamic style pagoda and now it is inscribed on the list of key cultural relics under the protection of the Xinjiang government.

Later, dining in the local Chinese restaurant and drive you back to your hotel after dinner.

DAY 10

In the morning, pick you up at your hotel lobby and drive you to Urumqi (around 3 hours).

Upon arrival, have a simple lunch and start your tour with Heaven Lake, also named Tianchi Lake on Tianshan. The Mountain Lake stands 1980 meters above sea level and features picturesque scenery of snowcapped peaks. In ancient Chinese literature, Tianchi also refers to Nanming. Some other well-known lakes named Tianchi include those in Xinjiang and Taiwan. North Korean propaganda claims that Kim Jong-il was born near the lake on the mountain. In accordance with this, North Korean news agencies reported that on his death, the ice on the lake cracked "so loud, it seemed to shake the heavens and the Earth."

  

After finished the tour of Tianchi, drive you back to your hotel and you can enjoy dinner in your hotel.

DAY 11

In the morning, our guide will take you to the airport and you will fly to Shanghai from Urumqi directly. Our local guide in Shanghai will meet you at the exit with a welcome signage and your tour in Shanghai start.

First stop, you will visit famous Bund area, which is teemed with the futuristic, avant-garde buildings - Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Building, Bank of China Tower. Completed in 1995 to a highly innovative design, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower has become a symbol of excellence in architecture and is a favorite sight for tourists in Shanghai. At 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the World. On the TV Tower, to have a bird's eye view of Shanghai City. 

  

Have a pleasant lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. 

Later, visit the 400-year-old Yu Garden – the representative traditional Chinese garden in Shanghai. Each pavilion, hall, stone and stream in the garden is expressing the quintessence of South China landscape design from the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Over forty spots, divided by dragon walls, wound corridors and beautiful flowers, form a unique picture featuring "one step, one beauty; every step, every beauty". Out from Yuyuan Garden, move to Yuyuan Bazaar to explore how elaborate and cute the traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works are, and savor some local flavor snacks here.

Then continue your tour to Jade Buddha Temple to admire the largest jade Buddha in the world and exquisite religious artifacts. The essence of the temple is the two jade Buddhist statues brought back from Burma by the Monk Huigen for Putuo Mountain during the Qing Dynasty.

Move on to popular Chinese local restaurant to try the authentic food, after that, you will be transferred to your hotel.

DAY 12

TODAY Enjoy your free time till our guide drive you to the airport and you fly back to home. Then your 13-day Silk Road Cultural Tour come to the ends.

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.