Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)
Detailed Itinerary: You'll be met on arrival in Beijing. On the way to your Hotel, your guide will explain tomorrow's arrangements. Spend the rest of the day exploring the nearby streets, or resting and catching up on your jetlag. Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts - an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites, and a bustling modern metropolis. Moreover, Beijing has successfully hosted the 2008 Olympics.
Day 2
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: The Tian'anmen Square, The Forbidden City, Hall of Clocks and Watches, Temple of Heaven
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: This exciting day starts by visiting Tian'an men Square, the biggest square in the world that lies in the center of the city. It's the symbol of Beijing and ranked No. 1 in the 16 new scenic highlights of Beijing. If you like, we can stop and let you have a walk on the square. Then you will have the privilege to experience ancient emperor's daily life. We will visit the Forbidden City, from which the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed for over 500 years. It is the essence and a must for sightseeing in Beijing, the magnificent and solemn palaces arouse your imagination of the life of Chinese emperors. Hall of Clocks and Watches set in the Forbidden City; we will drop on it to learn the clock history of the past 200 years. In the afternoon, we arrange a visit to the Temple of Heaven. Built in 1420A.D, it is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. You may see some interesting activities in the surrounding gardens, particularly weekend mornings.
Day 3
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Great Wall at Mutianyu, Mutianyu Cable Car(round trip)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner at Roasted Duck at Fangzhuang
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast, our guide will accompany you to visit the Great Wall -Mutianyu Section which owns some unique characteristics among all the sections. Wonderful surrounded landscape, rarely seen structure formed by three connected watch towers, all these make it outstanding from the others. Hiking by yourself or taking the comfortable and safe round trip cable car is up to you. Dinner is at Quanjude, where serves the world known Beijing roasted duck.
Day 4
Place & Transport: Beijing to Xian, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian), Summer Palace, Beijing Olympic Green
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Today we will first visit the Summer Palace, which is equally famous as the Forbidden City. It is up to now the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China. You may regret it if you come to Beijing without visiting this grand imperial garden. Then we step onto Beijing Olympic Green. It is a newborn green park with a massive 1,135 hectares along the historic north-south central axis of Beijing, including the stunning Olympic Stadium and National Swim Center. It also includes the 680 hectares of park, and will be integrated into Beijing residents’ daily life and tourists post-games. It is a new urban district and a multi-function complex deducing the balance of East with West, the ancient with the contemporary, development with nature, which highly expresses the logos of “technology, green, humanity”. Later you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Xi'an, one of the most ancient cities in China, which was the national capital for over 1,000 years, and the starting point of the Silk Road. Despite a lot of modern development Xi'an remains a charming city. You’ll have the evening to yourself.
Day 5
Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Terracotta Warriors, Muslim Quarters of Xi'an, City Wall, Great Mosque
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: After breakfast in the hotel, you will set off for one of today's highlights - the incredible 2000 year-old Terra cotta warriors. Each one is part of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. Well over 7000 figures were drawn up in full battle array in several large pits. Later, you will like a half-hour's cycling along the Ancient City Wall. It is a major landmark, and the best preserved, as well as the oldest and largest city defense systems in China. If you like, you can make an option to experience a City Wall biking, but the extra fee is needed. Afterwards we will visit the Great Mosque. It is one of the largest Islamic mosques in China. The pavilions, halls and gateways are wonderfully decorated, and this is an active place of worship for the Hui descendants of Silk Road traders and travelers. The last stop we arrange today is the Muslim Quarters of Xi’an. The Muslim quarters lies 100 meters west of the Bell tower in downtown Xi’an. The 500 meters long avenue paved by bluestones are dotted with many unique stall, souvenir shop, café and bars which are mostly run by Muslim people. Tourists, especially from overseas come and shop here.
Day 6
Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Shaanxi Historical Museum, Forest of Stone Steles Museum, Gao's Courtyard(includes Shadow Play)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Spend the morning at one of the best museums in China, the Shaanxi Historical Museum. Among the 400,000 items on display are treasures from many of the Dynasties, including some magnificent bronzes and porcelain, many of which have never been on permanent display before. In the afternoon, we step onto the Xi'an Stele Forest Museum which has 900 years of history, holding a large collection of the earliest stone steles of different periods, from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. This evening we go to the Gao's Courtyard, a famous house which has won the Prize of Cultural Heritage Protection in Asian-pacific Area of UNESCO in 2002. The courtyard owner Gao Yuesong was a high ranking official in Ming Dynasty 300 years ago. His building is nice with interlinked courtyards and Xi'an typical architectures. A shadow play performed by folk artists awaits you at the end of the day.
Day 7
Place & Transport: Xian to Dunhuang, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Dunhuang)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Farewell to the ancient city Xi'an, you will be transferred to the airport. After arriving in Dunhuang, we will drive you to the hotel, and the rest of time is your own time.
Day 8
Place & Transport: Dunhuang
Today's Activities: Yadan Landform Park/The Evil City, Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, Yumenguan Pass
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: You will first visit the Yadan Landform Park, also called the Evil City. It locates the south to the Wubao town in Hami and 20kms far from Wubao while 100kms far from Hami city. The Evil city is famous for its night sound and vivid rocks in various shapes those look like animals or other world-famous attractions in the world. Then you will spend your time on the other section of Great Wall- Great Wall of the Han Dynasty. It was build for defending the nomadic Xiongnu during the Han Dynasty (206 BC--220 AD).After lunch, you will arrive at Yumenguan Pass.
Once as one of the west gates out of the country of the Han Dynasty (206 B. C. -220 A. D.), it is quite ruined by the shifting sands but still shows the ever splendor. Today’s last stop is Yumeng Town, which is the site of China's first oil field.
Day 9
Place & Transport: Dunhuang to Overnight train, Train No. Y501 Dep 9:40PM - Arr 6:41AM
Today's Activities: Hotel to Train station Transfer (Dunhuang), Mogao Grottoes, The Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Mogao Grottoes is the first stop our trip. Constructed over a millennium, from the 4th to the 14th centuries, the caves hold the world's richest treasure house of Buddhist sutras, murals and sculptures. It is not allowed to take photos. After lunch, you will arrive at The Crescent Lake and Echoing-Sand Mountain. Crescent Moon Spring is 6km south of Dunhuang in the Singing Sands Mountains and is quite literally an oasis in the desert. The spring's name derives from the crescent moon shape taken by the small pool of spring water between two large sand dunes. Although the area is very dry, the pool doesn't dry up as one might expect. Later, we will take the train heading for Turpan.
Day 10
Place & Transport: Overnight train to Turpan
Today's Activities: Train station to Hotel Transfer (Turpan), Tuyoq Village and Tuyugou Canyon, Karez Well, Grape Valley, Pass through the Flaming Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Breakfast
Detailed Itinerary: Today, you will first visit Karez Well. The Karez Water System Folkways Paradise is located at the Ya'er country in Turpan city. This irrigation system of wells connected by underground channels is considered to be one of the three great ancient projects in China. After that, you will get to Grape Valley. Its shady vineyards and trees provide a welcome place of relaxation amidst the sand. You may take a seat under the vintage frames, savor various grapes, enjoy the beautiful Uyghur girls in their ornate costumes, and be fully intoxicated by this refreshing palace of grapes. There are many drying rooms on nearby slopes. Every year over 300 tons of raisins are made here. After lunch, you will pass through the Flaming Mountain. It is the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. Eighty percent of the total natural landscapes and human landscapes in Turpan are located here. Finally, you will arrive at the Tuyugou Great Canyon. It is 47 kilometers from Turpan city in the west. Among the canyons in the Flame Mountain which extends nearly one hundred kilometers, the Tuyugou Great Canyon is the canyon with the longest culture and the most mighty and majestic natural landscapes.
Day 11
Place & Transport: Turpan
Today's Activities: Jiaohe Ruin,
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: Today, your trip will start at Jiaohe Ruin. It is Located in the Yarnaz Valley, 13 kilometers away from the Turpan city in the west, Jiaohe Ruin was built by the old Cheshi people in Qin dynasty and Han dynasty. It was almost dig from natural ground and the tallest building reached three stories high, which is the biggest, oldest and best preserved earth construction city in the world. The present preservation was descended from Tang dynasty during which period it had its Gold Age. After lunch, you will have a local family visit. It is a precious opportunity to have a close contact with the locals and to know their custom and Muslim life.
Day 12
Place & Transport: Turpan to Urumqi
Today's Activities: Heavenly Lake, , Boat for Cruise on the Heavenly Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: on arrival in Urumqi, you enjoy your trip at the Heavenly Lake, which is a very beautiful mountain lake formed more than million years ago in the 4th glacial epoch, so the water in it is pure and icy. The altitude of the lake is up to 2150 meters above the sea level and got its fame as the 'jewel in the crown'. To the east of the lake stands the Bogda Peak-the highest peak in the east part of Tian Shan Mountain, which is capped by glacier and snow glistening in the sun, finely contrasted with blue lake water, forming fabulous scenery.
Day 13
Place & Transport: Urumqi to Shanghai, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Urumqi), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai)
Meals: Breakfast
Detailed Itinerary: Departing from Urumqi, you will be transferred to the airport. After arriving in Shanghai, we will drive you to the hotel, and the rest of time is your own time. Shanghai is the China's biggest and most prosperous city oozes an atmosphere of vitality and a dynamic which can rival New York in the United States and Paris of France in terms of modernity. Shanghai's gorgeous night scene is one of the main highlights that will linger in visitors' mind owing to its ornate feature after their Shanghai travel experience.
Day 14
Place & Transport: Shanghai
Today's Activities: Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, The Bund, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
Detailed Itinerary: We start the day by visiting the lovely old Yuyuan Garden, the most famous garden in Shanghai, which is decorated by beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rock formations. It is also a shopper's paradise for there are many small shops carrying everything from furniture to porcelain. Then we step onto Yu Market, which is a busy market today, specializing in traditional arts and crafts. Outside, however, it still looks like a temple. We will stop here for a while to give you time to browse the stalls. After that, you will pay a visit to Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. This is a fascinating insight into Shanghai’s future. The 2nd floor has a giant walk around model of the city, and other floors have great displays, interactive exhibitions and walkthroughs of aspects such as the ports, greening, leisure etc. The last stop is the Bund. It was once the home of the foreign traders and major banks, with futuristic old European-style buildings, chic restaurants, top end shops and bars offer plenty to see and do – and by night it's magic!
Day 15
Place & Transport: Depart Shanghai, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai)
Meals: Breakfast
Detailed Itinerary: Your time is your own, until you are ready to be transferred to the airport for your departure.
