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China Singles Tour Beijing / Xi'an / Shanghai 8 Nights May 14th to 22nd 2010 |
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Day 01- May 14th Arrive Beijing
On arrival proceed to hotel. The rest of the day/evening is at leisure to unwind from your flight. Please plan your intl flight to arrive in Beijing at anytime on this day. Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is the political and cultural heart of China. Beijing is an extraordinary place with one of the world's oldest civilizations. It has been in existence as a settlement for over 3,000 years and the capital of the nation over many centuries, yet it is now a vibrant metropolis that is moving toward the future at hyper-speed and home to 11 million citizens. Some of China's most stunning sights can be found in Beijing: the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and the Great Wall, etc. In the evening- meet and greet with rest of group, guides, and have a general orientation (time TBD) Overnight stay at Qian men hotel or similar |
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Day 02 Beijing (B/L/D) This morning we will have a welcome briefing and introductions during breakfast at the hotel. After start by visiting Tiananmen Square, the world's largest and most famous square, followed by a visit to the Forbidden City, where exquisite architecture and a vast glimpse of the staggeringly opulent lifestyles of the Chinese Emperors can be found. Tiananmen Square - With a total area of 440,000 square meters, the Tiananmen Square is the largest of its kind right in the center of Beijing. Over hundred years, many ceremonies and demonstrations have been held at Tiananmen Square. Found here are the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, the Museum of Chinese History, the Monument to the People's Heroes and most popular with the Chinese, the remains of Chairman Mao in the Memorial Hall. Forbidden City - Located just half a mile from Tiananmen Square is the 250-acre imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is also called the Palace Museum and known to be the world’s largest palace with over 9000 rooms. It was closed to the common people for many years and only opened to the public in 1949. After lunch, visit the picturesque Summer Palace located 9 miles from Beijing; the Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China, with a history of over 800 years. Special Peking Duck traditional Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay at Qian men hotel or similar |
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Day 03 April 5th Beijing (B/L/D) Today explore a part of the great wall, which is not frequently visited by visitors. You will have the unique opportunity to trek a part of the Great Wall which is not commonly used by general tourists. Your guide will drop you at one end of the wall where will start your trek which is approximately 4 hours. This trek will take you through parts of the wall which are broken and remain in their original state and where you will not run into many visitors. (The trek is strenuous and only fit for those with stamina, thus we offer an option to visit this part of the wall and return to your coach which will drive to meet the rest of the group arriving from the trek). Great Wall - The highlight of your stay in this ancient city is a visit to the Great Wall, built 2300 years ago and extends 3,750 miles. It’s a must see for every visitor. Dinner at a local restaurant |
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Day 04- April 6th Beijing (B/L/D) Thereafter continue your visit of Beijing by taking a rickshaw ride in the “Hutongs” – the alleys which run through shops and courtyards which are residences to the older generation. Dinner at a local restaurant and this evening you will be taken to an Opera Performance in Beijing- a special cultural occasion!
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Day 05- April 7th Beijing / Xian (B/L/D) This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. Xian is one of China’s six historic capital cities. From 1027 BC onwards eleven dynasties chose it as their seat of government. It probably possesses more items of archaeological interest that any other town or city in China, the most important, of course being the world famous Terra Cotta Warriors. Met on arrival at Xian airport and proceed on a city tour of Xian with visits to the Wild Goose Pagoda, one the famous Buddhist pagodas in China, followed by a visit to the ancient City Wall. Big Wild Goose Pagoda, situated in the Da Ci'en Temple, is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. Originally built in 589 A.D. in the Sui dynasty, the temple was named Wu Lou Si Temple till 648 A.D. when Emperor Li Zhi, (then still a crown prince), sponsored a repair project on the temple. This was a symbol of thanksgiving to his mother for her kindness, after she had suffered an early death. City Wall of Xian is an extension of the old Tang dynasty structure and the building was built by Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming dynasty (from 1370 A.D. - 1375 A.D.). After the enlargement the city wall stands 40 feet high and 40-46 feet across the top. It is 50-60 feet wide at bottom and 8.5 miles in length with deep moats surrounding the wall. It boasts to be the most complete city wall to have survived through China's long history. Dinner at a local restaurant
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Day 06 - April 8th Xian (B/L/D) This morning visit the burial site of an incredible army of 8000 lifelike Terra-cotta Warriors, horses, and chariots. Afterwards visit the History Museum. Terra Cotta Warriors - In 1974 a group of peasants digging a well, made what was to become the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century when they unearthed fragments of a life sized Terra Cotta Warrior. Excavation of the vault revealed thousands of warriors and their horses, an entire army designed follows its emperor into eternity. This evening enjoy a traditional Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. |  |
Day 07- April 9th Xian / Shanghai (B/L/D) Thereafter visit the Jade Buddha Temple - the most famous Buddhist temple in Shanghai, located in the western part of the city. In 1882, a monk named Huigen left two of five jade Buddha statues (brought from Burma) in Shanghai and built a temple to keep the statues. In 1918, the old temple was burned down and a new one was built at the present site and now named Jade Buddha Temple. Dinner at a local restaurant and this evening you will be able to enjoy a special Shanghai acrobatic show in the traditional setting. Overnight stay at Longmen Shanghai hotel or Similar
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Day 08 - April 10th Shanghai (B/L/D) This morning visit Yu Garden, characteristic of the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty and used to be a private garden with a 400 year history. Yu Garden maybe the most celebrated classical Chinese garden in Shanghai, located in the northeast part of the old town with an area of fives acres. In 1559, a Ming official named Pan Yunduan launched the construction of this private garden for his father. The construction lasted for 19 years. Later, due to the decline of the Pan family, the garden gradually fell into oblivion. Furthermore several civil conflicts in the mid 19th century caused great damage to it. After several large-scale re-constructions since 1949, Yu Yuan was finally opened to the public in 1961. The garden attracts countless visitors from China and overseas. Built in the Suzhou style, Yuyuan garden is characterized by its exquisite layout, beautiful scenery and the artistic architecture. Each pavilion, hall, stone and stream in the garden can express the quintessence of South China’s landscape designed from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Afterwards visit and stop at Nanjing Road for some shopping. Dinner at a local restaurant
“End of tour”
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