| DAY .1 | Beijing |
| | Welcome to Beijing, capital of the Peoples Republic of China. Upon arrival, you are met by your guide and transferred to the Hotel. |
| DAY .2 | Beijing Sightseeing Tour |
| After breakfast, you are off to see the sights, including the vast Tian An Men Square, and Ming treasures adorning the imperial palace in the once Forbidden City. In the afternoon, more Ming extravagances are evident as you tour the exquisite architecture and vivid embellishment of the Temple of Heaven. We end the day with the pleasure of an evening cultural performance of Beijing Opera. | |
| DAY .3 | Beijing Sightseeing Tour |
| In the morning, we take rickshaws for a fascinating tour of Beijing`s Hutongs-old narrow lanes lined with ancient courtyard houses, giving us a glimpse into the daily life of Beijing residents. En route, we climb to the top of Drum Tower, used to report time in Ancient China, for a panoramic view of old Beijing. After lunch at the imperial Fangshan Restaurant inside the Beihai Park, we visit the beautiful Summer Palace, the largest and best preserved of all imperial palace gardens which boast such delicacies as the famous Marble Boat and the ornately painted 'long corridor'. In the evening, we are guests at a sumptuous Peking Duck feast. | |
| DAY .4 | Beijing-Chengde, Chengde Sightseeing Tour |
| This morning, we travel by air-conditioned train through the countryside of old courtyard houses, rice paddies and spectacular hills to the town of Chengde where we stay at Qianyang Hotel. On arrival at Chengde, we visit the "Mountain Resort", the summer residence of Qing Emperors. The palaces surrounded by royal lakes and parks are in charming contrast to Beijing's Forbidden City. We also visit the three magnificent temples of Pule, Pulin and Putuozongshen, built in imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. | |
| DAY .5 | Beijing Sightseeing Tour, Beijing-Zhengzhou |
| This morning we drive to Jinshanling, one of the most scenic sections of the Great Wall. The fortified towers, built in different shapes - round, rectangular and oval - stand majestically amidst the undulating mountains surrounding them. We admire this stunning scenery over a relaxing picnic. We then head for Beijing airport for our flight to Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province. | |
| DAY .6 | Day trip to Kaifeng |
| We take a full day overland excursion to Kaifeng, one of the six ancient Chinese capitals. Though spanning several thousand years, the city retains many vestiges of its glorious past. The newly restored Song Street presents the prosperity of the Northern Song era (960 ¨C 1127 AD). We also visit the Iron Pagoda, Bo Ta Pagoda and the Yenqing Guan Daoist Temple that reflect China`s religious and philosophical traditions. | |
| DAY .7 | Zhengzhou Sightseeing Tour, Zhengzhou-Luoyang |
| In the morning, we visit the Henan Provincial Museum to see its rare collection of Zhou Dynasty bronzes and Han Dynasty funerary treasures. We then travel overland to visit the Shaolin Temple where we will have a chance to appreciate the real Chinese Kongfu (martial arts). We continue our journey to the ancient city of Luoyang, capital of nine dynasties over 2000 years. | |
| DAY .8 | Luoyang Sightseeing Tour |
| This morning, we visit the Longmen Caves, one of the three most famous Buddhist caves in China. The caves were carved over a period of 1000 years with an astounding 97,300 Buddhist figures overlooking the Luo River. We visit the Luoyang Museum and walk through the Old Town for the remainder of the day. | |
| DAY .9 | Luoyang-Xian |
| Our pleasant train ride takes us to Xian, capital of China for eleven dynasties. | |
| DAY .10 | Xian Sightseeing Tour |
| We have an excursion to the world renowned Terra-cotta Warriors, guarding the tomb of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty for over 2000 years. We also visit the Huaqin Hot Springs and Banpo Neolithic Museum. Back in the city, we visit the Grand Mosque and its nearby Muslim living quarters. In the evening, we enjoy a fabulous Tang Dynasty Dance and Music performance. | |
| DAY .11 | Xian-Hangzhou, Hangzhou Sightseeing Tour |
| This morning we fly to Hangzhou, capital of China during the 12th and 13th century Southern Song dynasty. For the rest of the day, we will take a short cruise on the famous West Lake, surrounded by the idyllic gardens. After visiting the unique Guo Family Garden, we taste once the world famous Dragon Well green tea at a tea plantation. | |
| DAY .12 | Hangzhou-Suzhou, Suzhou Sightseeing Tour |
| After visiting the Linying Temple, we take a short train ride to Suzhou, a city known for its classic gardens and canals. After dinner, enjoy the local folk music and dance in one of the gardens. | |
| DAY .13 | Shanghai Sightseeing Tour, Suzhou-Shanghai |
| Take a scenic riverside walk from Surging Water Pavilion to the Garden of Master of the Nets and enjoy the scenery of traditional houses and small bridges often compared to the canal landscape of Venice. On our way, see Twin Pagodas and Winding Garden for an example of the typical study-style architecture of the late Qing dynasty gardens. We also visit the delightful Lingering Garden and the Silk Research Institute. Later today, we take train to Shanghai. After dinner, attend the city`s famous Acrobatic performance. | |
| DAY .14 | Shanghai Sightseeing Tour |
| Shanghai is China`s most populous city with 12 million inhabitants, and it is the nation's industrial center and a busy port. There is the chance to stroll on the Bund overlooking the Huangpu River with its backdrop of early 20th century buildings, to visit the former concession areas and narrow streets of the Old Town. Also of interest are the Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden and Shanghai Museums. This evening is free at your leisure. | |
| DAY .15 | Shanghai/Home |
| Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight |
2008/09/07
Ancient Capitals of China
China has a long history of more than 5000 years. On this carefully designed itinerary, you will go beyond the Great Wall and visit five of the six ancient Chinese capitals: Beijing, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Xian and Hangzhou. Your exploration begins in Beijing with visits to the world's biggest Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. You will also visit the traditional living quarters known as Hutongs by pedicab. After Beijing, you take a pleasant train ride though the lush Northern China Plain to Chengde, the summer palace and hunting ground of the Qing Emperors. Then you travel track in time” to the ancient capitals of Kaifeng, Luoyang, Xian and Hangzhou. The First Emperor's Terra-cotta army, the Longmen Caves with its amazing Buddhist carvings, the restored Song Street and the tranquil West Lake are only some of the unforgettable highlights. Your journey ends in Shanghai, Paris in the East” and now a business giant in modern day China.
