China (Beijing-Xi’an-Shanghai (6 Nights/7 Days) )

We arrive in Beijing, the fascinating capital of the nation, it has presided china since 13th century. Ages of ruling under the emperors of different dynasties have given Beijing undeniable mark in every corner of the city. Even though the last quarter a century has transformed Beijing into a modern city filled with skyscrapers and heaving flyovers, still just few steps away people are living peacefully in the ancient hutongs. This city mirrors the whole of China’s fast-growing economy, while at the meantime struggling to keep her own tradition and culture; all these, and much more, make Beijing one of the world’s most impressive cities to visit. From the airport, we transfer to our hotel for refreshment. Overnight in Beijing.

In the morning we first go to the Temple of Heaven. As the world largest heaven worship architectural complex, it used to be where the emperors, considered to be directly descended from heaven and representing the heavenly spirit on earth, asked for blessings for the Imperial Family and for the entire nation. The ceremony lasted three days during which he did not leave the compound. Nowadays the grounds surrounding the temple are filled with Beijingers of all ages, who come to practice tai chi and dancing, and take part in all kinds of recreational activities. We join them for morning exercise before proceeding on a tour of the temple itself. After lunch, we go to the Tiananmen Square. As the world’s largest central city square, it is a symbolic center of China universe, it is said that no one could rule China without first gaining control of the square. It is surrounded by important buildings, among them the National Museum and the Great Hall of the People (the Chinese parliament), both were built in 1959 to celebrate 10 years foundation of the people’s republic of China. At the heart of the square there is a mausoleum for Chairman Mao, who reshaped the country, leading the People’s Republic of China from its foundation in 1949 until his death in 1976. After that we proceed on foot to the Forbidden City (does not open on Monday), so called are because it is off-limit to common people in ancient time; it is home to 24 emperors in 505 years in Ming and Qing dynasty. The compound was forbidden to all but the Imperial Family and their servants, and has been the place from which the emperors of China ruled the country for hundreds of years. We will stop at some of the more significant halls, and we will also explore more authentic small courtyard, from where is the royal family’s honor as well as misery really happened. In the late afternoon, we will make a visit to the hutongs, which are alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyard, today have been preserved and protected as a living evidence of how Beijing looked during imperial times. We will take a rickshaw through the calm alleys, and get a glimpse of the local life here. With dozens of families living in one courtyard, sharing public toilets, and facilities, this way of life has been lasted for centuries. After walking from the famous Huohai Lake to Nanluoguxiang Street via drum tower, we have a dinner at local restaurant and then drive back to our hotel. Overnight in Beijing

Today we drive out of the city to the famous Mutianyu Great Wall, China’s most prominent landmark and must-see site. Begun the construction 2000 years ago, the efforts required to build the wall through the history is phenomenal, some people call it the longest cemetery in the world, but it is better to be named as the accumulation of Chinese culture and history; The total length of all the walls built in different dynasties around china exceed 20,000 km, however lengthy sections of it has returned to dust in the history, the wall remained today is less than 2500 km. We will take the cable car up, and walk on part of the Wall, and hear about its history and how it failed to fulfill its main goal of stopping the Mongols from invading the country, and then we take cable car down. After lunch, we drive to the Summer Palace. Served as the playground of the royal family during the summer heat, the enormous park comprises various temples, gardens, pavilions, lakes and the world’s longest decorated corridor, and today it offers Beijingers a place where they can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. We tour the site on foot and enjoy a boat ride on the man-made Kunming Lake. After dinner, we drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Beijing.

With an early transfer to Beijing’s railway station, we take the bullet train to Xi’an by G91 (0755/1206). Known as ‘The Eternal Peace’ during the Tang Dynasty, Xi’an was the center of the ‘old world’ and also the center of the first Chinese Empire after the first Qin emperor conquered the nearby feudal kingdoms and laid the foundations of the great united Chinese empire. Upon arrival, we have a lunch at local restaurant, then we head towards the Terracotta Army Site. Discovered accidentally in 1974 by two farmers plowing their plot, one of the most amazing historical discoveries of our time was made. An entire army made of terracotta, each of the soldiers with different characteristics and fully armored, was created to protect the tomb of the first Qin emperor. We explore this breathtaking site and then visit the nearby museum to see the permanent exhibition displaying the rare artifacts found in the site and also describing its discovery, excavation, and the restoration works. After dinner, we stroll around the Tang Prides Night Market to deeper experience the local life. Then we transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Xi’an.

In the morning we first visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in AD 647, it was originally constructed to house holy scripts brought from India, which contributed to the adoption of Buddhism as the main religion in China many years later. Then we walk on the City Wall, which dates from the Ming Dynasty. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. After lunch, we go to the bustling Muslim Quarter. The Muslims settled in Xi’an during the glory days of the Silk Road, which connected East and West for trading purposes. Originating in Central Asia, the Muslims arrived to trade in the exotic goods they brought to the then capital of the Chinese Empire. Over time, a huge community of Muslims became assimilated into the population and has recreated its traditional way of life. They brought with them their delicious food, their clothes and customs, and built a beautiful Mosque at the heart of the once cosmopolitan capital. We roam the colorful market and visit the Great Mosque, which is a blend of Chinese style and Muslim architecture. Then we transfer to the railway station for bullet train to Shanghai by G1934(1532/2123). Overnight in Shanghai.

In the morning we proceed to Shanghai’s old town to visit the Yu Yuan Garden & Chinese Bazaar. Perfectly maintained to the present day, the gardens were built by a Chinese mandarin in the 16th century in honor of his beloved parents. With their six very distinctive areas, these gardens are a true marvel and a great escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Then we start with the Jewish quarter, the shelter of hundreds of Jews during 2ed world war. Leaving the garden, we proceed to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which rises to 468 meters and offers a great view over the city and its harbor. With its unique design, the tower has become the city’s own trademark. After lunch, we explore Xin Tian Di & French Quarter, the new hot spot in town. This pedestrian street offers a mixture of traditional architecture alongside contemporary design. Here you can get a real sense of the fusion of two cultures that sometimes clash but most of the time peacefully coexists in this rapidly changing city. Then we make a visit to the Bund. Since the middle of the 19th century, this street has played a major role in opening up China to the rest of the world. Built on the bank of the Huang Pu River, the Bund served as the main trading area for merchants coming to Shanghai from all over the world to trade for exotic goods and take them to their native countries. It is still a bustling street that offers a great view of the magnificent buildings along the river. Afterwards we stop at Nanjing Road. With more than 600 shops extending over 5.5 km, this is probably Asia’s busiest trading street, visited daily by more than 1.5 million people—locals and tourists alike—looking for a good bargain, and here you can see the best of the Chinese trading and bargaining customs as they take place. After dinner, we transfer to hotel. Overnight in Shanghai.

Today we will have a day tour to the famous Tongli Water Town, known as the “Venice in Shanghai”; it is a well-preserved waterside ancient town. It was already a country fair as early as the Warring States Period, 1,700 years ago. During the Wanli years of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1617), with merchants flocking to the place and a growing population, it had become a prosperous town. There, we can still see the traces of the antique markets and streets of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The antique buildings and simple life-style of the town’s people will give visitors a feeling of peace and rest. We will have a lunch at local restaurant. In the evening, we transfer to the airport for the international depart flight.