China (Beijing-Xi’an-Hangzhou-Suzhou-Shanghai (10 Nights/ 11 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 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. After dinner, we continue to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, where, behind some of the world’s largest shopping malls, we visit the night food market. For the brave at heart, a delicious meal of various insects cooked in several ways awaits. Overnight in Beijing.

In the morning, 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. After lunch, we continue to Coal Hill, an artificial hill built in the Ming dynasty. It is worth us to spend 10 minutes at a fine weather to climb to the top for a breathtaking view over the Forbidden City. From there, 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. Then we walk from Houhai to Nanluoguxiang. With a history of more than 700 years, Nanluoguxiang is one of the best preserved historical areas of Beijing downtown. Running north and south, the street is packed with bars, cafes, and shops selling souvenirs and traditional crafts. Thus it’s considered as an ideal place to hang out in the afternoon and in the evening. We stroll around the old however trendy street to enjoy the unique surrounding architecture and witness local people’s lives. After having a Peking Duck Dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast at the hotel, 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. Then we have a lunch at local restaurant. On the way back to the city, we will make a visit to Zone 798, a modern art compound, in which artists from all over the city create and exhibit their work. We get to talk to some of the artists, hearing from them about what it is like to express yourself in a country where self-expression was taboo until not so long ago. After dinner, we walk from the famous Dashilan Pedestrian Street to Liulichang Street, in the very old style Chinese construction displays Chinese calligraphy and fake antiques, strolling there give us the feeling that we were in china a century ago. Overnight in Beijing.

With an early transfer to Beijing’s railway station, we take the bullet train to Xi’an by G655 (0955/1405). 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. We will have a simple lunch on the train. Upon arrival, 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. Then 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. In the evening, we will enjoy the famous dumpling dinner at local restaurant. 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. Leaving the temple, we head towards the Terracotta Army Site. We will have a lunch at local restaurant. Then we go to visit 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 will stroll around the Tang Prides Night Market to further experience the local life. Overnight in Xi’an.

In the morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Hangzhou by MU5678 (0940/1210). Hangzhou has a rich cultural and historical background dating back to over 2000 years. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), it was known as the capital of China and was hailed as one of the most prosperous and beautiful cities in the world. Many famous poets and scholars have written poems and prose about Hangzhou, praising its natural scenery, especially its West Lake. Upon arrival, we have a lunch at local restaurant. Then we go to visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda. It is a representative ancient pavilion-style tower in China, located on Yuelun Mountain to the south of the West Lake and facing Qiantang River. Because of the height advantage and special location, the Pagoda is one of the best places to view the splendid Qiantang River Tide. Then we spend some time in Qinghefang Ancient Street. It is one of the oldest streets and the last antique street that is well persevered there. It derived from the Southern Song Dynasty and became prosperous in the Qing Dynasty. With old alleys, antique houses and famous stores on it, the street is a place melding the local art culture, construction culture and business culture. After dinner, Overnight in Hangzhou.

In the morning we go for a boat ride on the West Lake, probably Hangzhou’s most prominent landmark. We will also stroll around the local parks around the lake to experience the local life. After lunch, we go to the Hidden Souls Temple, which dates back to the very early Eastern Jin Dynasty. It is said that the temple was built by an Indian monk who believed that the breathtaking scenery could only be the final retreat of all souls. After a soft hiking from the local tea plantation to Bamboo Lined Path at Yunqi, we leave Hangzhou and transfer to Suzhou. Upon arrival, we have a dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Suzhou.

We start our day with visit of the Humble Administrator’s Garden. It is the largest garden in Suzhou and generally considered the finest garden in southern China. First laid out in 1509 AD, the garden’s scenery is focused on a central pond with various buildings of pavilions, terraces, chambers and towers located by the water or on hillocks in a natural, unsophisticated, and appropriate composition. The garden is most representative of Chinese classical gardens in the Ming Dynasty. After lunch, we continue to Hanshan Temple. Hanshan Temple, literally “Cold Mountain Temple”, is famed in East Asia because of the poem “A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge”, by a famous Tang Dynasty poet, Zhang Ji. Covering an area of about 10,600 square meters, it presents the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty. There are many more historical relics in the temple, such as the Grand Prayer Hall, Sutra-Collection Building, Bell Tower, Fengjiang Pavilion and Tablets Corridor. Leaving the garden, we have some free time in the famous Shantang Old Street. The street was originally built by Bai Juyi, an extremely famous Chinese poet in Tang dynasty. As one of the most antiquated communities in Suzhou, the street has retained its original layout for more than 1000 years. Strolling around the street, we are able to see houses with white washed walls and black tiles as well as a canal that runs along the street. After dinner, we will visit the Master of the Nets Garden. It is recognized with other classical Suzhou garden as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden demonstrates Chinese garden designers’ adept skills for synthesizing art, nature, and architecture to create unique metaphysical masterpieces. The initial garden was first constructed over 800 years ago and even though its physical form has changed drastically since, the name and spirit of the garden still remain intact. The Master of the Nets is particularly regarded among garden connoisseurs for its mastering the techniques of relative dimension, contrast, foil, sequence and depth, and borrowed scenery. Overnight in Suzhou.

Today we drive to the famous Tongli Water Town. Tongli, a small but elegant water town in Suzhou, is a short 45-minute drive from downtown Suzhou and only 1.5 hours from Shanghai. Renowned as the “Oriental Venice” for its gondola rides, beautiful water, Gardens, and ancient stone bridges. It is one of the six famous ancient towns to the south of the Yangtze River, with a hint of old China. A mix of traders and locals are still living and working there. Less commercialized and crowded than some other famous water towns, it can be seen as the best water town close to Shanghai. After lunch, we drive to Shanghai. Upon arrival, 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 our hotel. Overnight in Shanghai.

In the morning we will go to the Fuxing Park to experience the local life. Then we proceed to Shanghai’s old town to visit the Yu Yuan Garden & Chinese Bazaar (does not open on Monday). 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. Leaving the bazaar, we have a lunch at local restaurant, then 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. Then we have a walk in M50, 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. After dinner, we enjoy a traditional Era acrobatics show (B seat), which displays an art developed and performed in China for the

Today we transfer to the airport for our depart international flight