16 Days China Culture Expedition

Day 1

Arrival Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the Capital city of China. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Beijing
 
Beijing, China's capital and one of the great travel destinations of the World, offers sights and cultural relics found no where else on Earth. The city has a character all its own; there are quadrangles, small alleys, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, arts and crafts, Peking Opera, The Great Wall, the 2008 Olympics venue and a vibrancy that is the distinctive flavor of Beijing.
 

Day 2

Beijing
Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. Peking Opera is available for your optional night entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

As the biggest city center square in the world, Tian'anmen Square covering 44 hectares in the heart of Beijing. It is the place where history-changing events and ceremonies occurred. A few steps away, come to visit the Forbidden City, which was the Imperial Palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and, it is one of the largest, and certainly the most completely restored, ancient architectural complex in the world. Walk in the footsteps of Emperors; come to the museum and see with your eyes, and feel with your hearts; you'll begin understand what life in this richest of feudal realms was like for the Imperial Rulers, their concubines and their slaves.

After enjoying a delicious lunch, continue on to the Temple of Heaven. Departing from the Imperial vermilion and gold hues of the Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven is decorated in blue, the color of the Heavens. The perfect harmony between the architectural environment and nature can be felt here; you might easily imagine the vivid spectacle of a great sacrifice to the Heavens for a good harvest. The magnificent Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest is one of the most important and impressive building in China.

In the evening, we offer you an opportunity to enjoy Peking Opera. Expert performers convey powerful emotions to the audience through song, dance, facial make-up, exquisite masks and costume, skilled use of body language and sympathetically integrated musical accompaniment. 
 

Day 3

Beijing
In the morning, take a driving for 75km to visit the Great Wall (Badaling Section) first, then Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Peking Roasted Duck is available for your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Just 75km North-west of Beijing, along a smooth and comfortable highway is the Badaling Section of the Great Wall, which is one of the best-preserved and most accessible sections. The Great Wall is an internationally admired structure, symbolic of the cruelty of the ancient rulers, and the stoicism and determination of the Chinese people. The construction of the Great Wall began in the 5th century BC.

Then, you will have chance to visit the Ming Tombs which located in the northern suburbs of Beijing. Altogether there are thirteen tombs of Ming Dynasty Emperors from the period after the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. You'll visit the Changling Tomb, burial site of Emperor Yong Le, the biggest and first built at this historic site. The Lingsi Palace in Changling Tomb's second yard really deserves a visit. This is unique, a magnificent palace made of camphor wood. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor is decorated with gold bricks.

For today's dinner, how about taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck, as it is the best-known dish in Beijing. It is very tender and unforgettably delicious. You'll visit a local restaurant to enjoy a full meal and learn the proper way to experience Peking Roasted Duck. From the whole roasted duck to the soup of duck bones, you'll enjoy a banquet made from every part of the duck. Moreover, the chef will demonstrate his skill of cutting the skin of the duck for your entertainment. 
 

Day 4

Beijing    Xian
In the morning, take a relaxing Hutong Tour by rickshaw to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. Be transferred to the airport for the flight to Xian in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

If exploring the Forbidden City has improved your understanding of the lifestyles of China's ancient Imperial Court, then this Hutong Tour will give you an insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people and reveal their social culture in today's Beijing City. The narrow streets of old Beijing are known as Hutongs. You'll take a pedicab tour along the Hutongs and see the 100-year-old houses, courtyards and a vanishing way of life in today's Beijing.

Wonderful time always passes so quickly, in the afternoon, you have to take a flight to Xian, the city that steeped in history and still giving up secrets, is your gateway to ancient Chinese civilization. In its 3,100 recorded years of evolution, it has been home to 13 dynasties. Xian was also the end of civilization for those setting out on the famous Silk Road. Today's Xian is a vibrant, modern city, but surrounded by history, even underfoot! So there can be no underground railways due to the obligation to preserve the wealth of ancient treasure still awaiting discovery.
 

Day 5

Xian
You will have a full time tour for the visiting of those famous spots in Xian that includes Qin Terracotta Army, one of the world's most important archaeological finds with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum. You could choose Jiaozi Banquet or Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner as your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

As an ancient capital city to 13 dynasties, Xian has a rich recorded history, frequently enhanced by the evidence of new discoveries, like the 1974 unearthing of the fabulous Qin Terracotta Army, the long forgotten army created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb. In accordance with ancient beliefs, this grand project was mounted at enormous cost by the cruel and tyrannical Emperor, only to be attacked, plundered, burnt and buried after his funeral by the peasants who'd labored under the whip to build it. Then, over two thousand years later, this 'Eighth Wonder of the World' was rediscovered by farmers digging a well. The fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation are a National ancient art treasure. Three excavation pits are now opened to the public and a fourth is nearing completion. You can, like US President Clinton, now gaze in wonder upon this historic site, listed by UNESCO in 1987 as a world cultural heritage.

The Banpo Neolithic Village Museum is built around a historical site consisting of the remains of a 6,000 year-old village once home to a matriarchal clan community. The museum is East of Xi'an City and was set up in 1958. The site was discovered accidentally in 1953. The living section of Banpo Village occupied an area of 30,000 square meters. It was surrounded by a moat to protect the village against wild animals and floods. The largest among the remains of the 46 houses, located in the centre of the living area is possibly a meeting hall. There are cellars to store grain and tools outside the houses, and they illustrate the equal distribution and communal features of the society. It’s a fascinating peek at the birth of civilization.        

This evening you could choose Jiaozi Banquet as a local flavor experience. It includes over 10 kinds of Jiaozi, whose shapes and flavours vary, such as rabbit, duck, shrimp, peanuts and so on.

Or if you more interested in dancing show, choose a Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner would be a good idea. You'll enjoy the sumptuous dinner while watching a fabulous dancing and singing performance of the Tang Dynasty. This is not only a performance of Chinese traditional dancing and singing, but a re-enactment of Chinese ancient ceremony and culture.
 

Day 6

Xian    Chengdu
In the morning, you will visit Shaanxi History Museum and Xian City Wall, one of the oldest and best-preserved walls in China. Then drive to airport for your flight to Chengdu in the afternoon. Be transferred to the hotel to catch up with some rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Chengdu

As the regional capital and doorway to the Silk Road, Xian was one of the richest, most well-protected cities in all of China. The famous Shaanxi History Museum introduces the visitor to area's rich culture, from Emperor Qin Shihuang to the present day in this walled city. The museum is house in a striking Tang Dynasty-style pavilion and features an enormous collection of 113,000 historic and cultural relics. This is where you experience history, with chronological dynasties exhibits that take you through the dynasties.

The Xian City Wall stretches round the old city. Xi'an was always a walled city, and today's wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The first city wall of Chang'an was begun in 194 BCE. The existing wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1370; it is massive, measuring 13.7 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base. The South Gate and North Gate are the two main entrances to the inner city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall. This impressive structure is just a precursor to the remarkable discoveries awaiting visitors to Xian.

Wonderful time always passes so quickly that we need to take a flight to Chengdu in the afternoon. Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province, with a population of 11 million, an important commercial transportation, and communications hub of south-western China. The locals have a reputation for a laid back attitude and knowing how to enjoy life. Historically, Chengdu has a special place in the annals of finance. The world's first paper money, the 'Jiao Zi' was minted in Chengdu in the year A.D1023.
 

Day 7

Chengdu
Chengdu is a very cultural city and has a lot of interesting and fascinating sights to offer, today you will have a city tour that covering Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, Wuhou Temple to Jinli Old Street. Optional Hot Pot in Sichuan Style and Sichuan Opera are available today.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Chengdu

Firstly visit Thatched Cottage of Du Fu, which is a beautiful garden and museum to honor Du Fu, one of the greatest Chinese poets of all times. Along with Li Po, he is frequently called the greatest of the Chinese poets. In 760 Du arrived in Chengdu, where he based himself for most of the next five years. He wrote more than 240 poems at this cottage.

Then you continue your trip to Wuhou Temple, which is another very beautiful spot. Located in the southern suburb of Chengdu, Wuhou Temple was first built in 265 during the Western Jin Dynasty in memory of Zhuge Liang, prime minister in charge of the Kingdom of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). It is the largest museum of the site left over from the Three Kingdoms Period, and a very quiet oasis in the city.

Jinli Old Street is located next to Wuhou Temple. The street is a surviving representation of the folk style in Western Sichuan and is lined with many old houses and shops of Ming and Qing dynasties style. Local food and products can easily be found here.

The big draw of Chengdu is delicious Sichuan Cuisine and local snacks. Fortunately, you will have a chance to taste Hot Pot in Sichuan Style at night. Sichuan Cuisine is famed for bold flavors, particularly the pungency and spiciness resulting from liberal use of garlic and chili peppers, as well as the unique flavor of the Sichuan peppercorn. Famous dishes are Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Dofu, etc.    
Today you'll explore the surrounding sightseeing of Chengdu, which are inclusive of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding where you can see the lovely pandas and Sanxingdui Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

Day 8

Chengdu
Today you'll explore the surrounding sightseeing of Chengdu, which are inclusive of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding where you can see the lovely pandas and Sanxingdui Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Chengdu

What you could not miss in Chengdu is the world famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is located about six miles out of Chengdu City. T This institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population. Visitors are able to hold lovely pandas and be photographed with them.

The guide will lead you to your next destination, Sanxingdui Museum. It is a modern theme museum which is 40 km to the north of Chengdu, is the very place where you can learn about the culture that existed between 2,800 and 800 BC. The museum houses ancient remains including bronze wares, jade and stone objects, gold articles, pottery and bone objects excavated near present city of Guanghan, a famous historic and cultural city.
 

Day 9

Chengdu    Mt. Emei
In the morning, you will take hours driving to visit Mt. Emei (170 km) and take a cable car up to visit Wannian Temple. After the tour, get down the mountain and stay overnight in Emeishan City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Emeishan city

Located on the southwest periphery of the Sichuan Basin, Mt. Emei is one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. Seen from afar, the undulating mountain range of Emei resembles a girl's eyebrows; hence, it was so named. Great spectacles of Mt. Emei include the sunrise and sea of clouds seen from the Golden Summit of the mountain. In the center of the Wannian Temple there is a huge bronze statue of Samantabhadra mounted on a white elephant. It weighs 62-ton.
 

Day 11

Mt. Emei    Mt. Leshan    Chengdu
Get up early, you will continue your dirving to Mt. Leshan (30 km away) and take a cruise for an overview of Mt. Leshan and the famous Leshan Giant Buddha. After the tour, you will be drove back to Chengdu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Emeishan city

As a matter of fact, Mt. Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha belong to the Mount Emei-Leshan Giant Buddha Historic Scenic Area, situated in the Mt. Leshan Region, including in the list of 'World Natural and Cultural Heritage' by UNESCO in 1997.

Registered as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1997, Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone sculpture of Buddha in the world, lies at the confluence of the Min, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. Carved out of a cliff face, it sits impassively against the mountain, hands on his knees and looking across the river with heavy-lidded eyes. To really appreciate the majesty of the statue, taking cruise across the river is a good idea.
 

Day 11

Chengdu      Chongqing, Embark on Yangtze River Cruise boat
Take a morning train to Chongqing (2hours riding) and then, you can have a short city tour to the Three Gorges Museum and Erling Park there before boarding the Yangtze River cruiser.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Chongqing, the largest inland city of China, is a booming metropolis located in the southeast of the Sichuan Basin at the confluence of the Yangtze and the Jialing rivers. Surrounded by waters on three sides, and by the mountains on four sides, Chongqing is known as 'mountain city', 'foggy city' and 'furnace city'.

Tonight, instead of hotel staying, you will spend the night on Yangtze cruise boat and start your relaxing cruise afterwards. The ship TCT'd like recommend for you will be qualified ship that can offer high level service during your cruise. The cruiser looks quite new and clean. All the stuffs are waiting along two sides to welcome you with sweet smile and fluent English. The standard two-bed sharing cabin is about 21 squarer meters with private balcony and bathroom. A good cabin is very vital for your cruise.
 

Day 12

Yangtze River Cruise
Enjoy your Yangtze cruise!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

Today you will stop for a visit to Fengdu, is located on the northern bank of the Yangtze 176km downstream from Chongqing. Fengdu received its reputation in the Eastern Han Dynasty. A plethora of demon-decorated temples, buildings and statues in this river town earned it the moniker "Ghost City"-the carved facades are truly fascinating. The temples built on Mt. Mishan display punishing instruments and wild demon images, which vividly depict the Chinese people's imagination of Hell. Another classic site – Shibaozhai may for your optional visiting.
 

Day 13

Yangtze River Cruise
Today pass Three Gorges that namely Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, during which take an excursion through Daning River Lesser Three Gorges.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

This morning, rise early to see the dawn light the Yangtze River before the boat enters the first gorge- Qutang Gorge, the shortest (8 km), narrowest and the most dramatic one of the three gorges. Two mountains, Chijia (Red Passage) and Baiyan (White Salt), guard the entrance to this gorge like giant castle doors.

After the first gorge you will meet Mt.Wushan, near the mountain, are the Three Little Gorges (Xiao San Xia), referring to the three separate valleys of the Daning River; they are respectively, Dragon-Gate Gorge, Misty Gorge and Emerald Gorge. You can change to a smaller boat to enjoy these marvelous spectacles of nature. You may well find this spot more impressive than the Yangtze Three Gorges themselves, as the Daning River's waters are pristine, compared to the muddy Yangtze and the river is narrower and the cliffs embracing it are even steeper and higher than those along the major Three Gorges. As the boat passes minority villages, you will be charmed by the spellbinding voices of the women singing traditional folk songs, and the haunting tones of the men's Flute music.

A few hours later you see the second gorge - Wu Gorge, the middle gorge which is best known for its quiet beauty, sheer cliffs and twelve unique peaks. Often veiled in swirls of mist, six line the north side of the river and six staggered peaks stand to the south. The most famous, Goddess Peak, resembles a kneeling maiden.

The longest of the three, Xiling Gorge (66 kilometers), is also the deepest, with sheer cliffs rising 4000 feet. It is actually comprised of seven smaller gorges, whose varied names are all based upon ancient legends, like Military Books and Precious Sword. Xiling Gorge had a reputation for being an unpleasant section where dangerous reefs and shoals lurked, and ships and boats frequently overturned in this area; however, as the level of the river rises behind the wall of the Three Gorges Dam, this wild part of the river is tamed.
 

Day 14

Disembark, Yichang    Shanghai
Then it is time to pass through the locks of Three Gorge Dam, the climax despite of the nature sightseeing. You could really feel the might of the dam. After the visiting, disembark at Yichang and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai and be transferred to the hotel to catch up on some rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai

Today you will take a visit to the great Three Gorges Dam. It is 2,335-meter long, 185-meter high, 18-meter wide on the top and 130-meter wide at the bottom. The dam will raise the river to a level of 175 meters above sea level, creating a 600km long reservoir with storage capacity of 39.9 billion cubic meters extending from the dam site all the way to Chongqing. It is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken. 

Then, return to your boat and have a nice lunch, it is really the time for you to say goodbye to the crews. You will take a flight from Yichang airport to Shanghai. For Shanghai, you have a lot to expect.

Shanghai is a city unlike any other in China. It is the bustling economic heartbeat of China that enjoys all of the comforts and amenities of a fully modern metropolis. Shanghai today looks to regain its former position at the turn of 20th of being one of the largest financial centers in the world behind New York and London. It is a city that seamlessly blends East and West.
 

Day 15

Shanghai
Depart from hotel in the morning to have a whole-day trip of Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, the Old Street, Oriental TV Tower and the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade. Traditional Dim-sum Banquet and Acrobatics are available for your optional lunch and night entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai

Today you'll find a Buddhism shrine - Jade Buddha Temple, which is located in a crowd of Shanghai City. It was first built in 1882 in Jiangwan on the southern outskirts of Shanghai. In order to make it convenient for the adherents to visit, it was bodily moved to Shanghai City at the present sire in 1918. It is named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha. It receives thousands of visitors and worshipers everyday while keeps its sanctity and charming. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the sitting jade Buddha statue is translucent with a solemn expression, displaying the excellent skill and extraordinary art of Chinese people.

Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19th century and was restored in 1961. This garden was first built in the 16th century by provincial governor, Pan Yunduan, in honor of his father who was the then government minister. It has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools, and flora that are all connected by corridors and passageways. The delicate design and exquisite layout of the whole garden reveals a strong impression of 'garden in the garden, whole in the part.

Completed in 1995 to a highly innovative design, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower includes 15 spheres of different sizes at different levels creating an artistic conception of "large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate" in ancient Chinese poem. It has become a symbol of excellence in architecture and is a favourite sight for tourists in Shanghai. Viewed from the Bund at night, the tower's three-dimensional lighting creates an enchanting, brilliantly coloured display. At 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the World. Two of the six tower elevators can reach the highest sphere in 40 seconds; here the visitor will discover shops, a rotating restaurant and a sightseeing floor. The view of Shanghai from here is breath-taking. 

Shanghai offers colorful recreations with rich contents and creative form. Your night may be filled with an interactive old form of art known as the Acrobatics. Those professional performers have been trained of as early as age six or seven so that they can play so well and excellent. It definitely will be an unforgettable night in your memory.

Day 16

Departure Shanghai
Your China tour is over all too soon as you transfer to the airport and board the homebound International flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends