9-Day China History and Culture Tour

Tour Overview
Have a good time with our experienced guide! On this tour, you'll explore the facts of ancient and modern China, including eximious buildings, historical relics, traditional culture, food and arts...

Day 1 Beijing Arrival (no meal)

Meet your guide at the Beijing Airport and then check into the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure for you to take a rest to recover from jetlag or walk around the hotel to get a glance of the city.

Day 2 Beijing (B, L)

Highlights today： Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square，the Forbidden City

Private escorted tour to China's existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven - Temple of Heaven. It was used to hold a memorial ceremony for the God in Winter Solstice Festival and to pray for harvest in the first month of the lunar year by the emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties. And then go to the Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world.

Walk throught the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tian'anmen Gate) to the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City, nominated as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987, is the largest ancient palatial structure in the world and the best-preserved imperial palace in China.

Day 3 Beijing (B, L, D)

Highlights today： Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tomb, Sacred Road, Peking Duck Banquet

Private escorted tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu section, the greatest of the eight ancient architectural wonders in the history of human civilization. Then go to Ming Tomb, about 50 kilometers from the northwest of Beijing, is the best preserved Chinese imperial tombs and have been nominated by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. Connected with the tombs, Sacred Road used to be regarded as "the way leading to Heaven", the highlights are the 12 pairs of animal stone sculptures.  Tonight’s dinner, we arrange you the famous Peking Duck Banquet, which used to be a royal court dish with a history of around 1500 years.

Day 4 Beijing → Xian by Train (B, L)

Highlights today： Beijing Hutong, Panjiayun Flea & Antique Market

In the morning, take a walk in the old alleyways (Beijing hutong) with a short rickshaw riding. You stop at a traditional courtyard home for a cup of tea and get a historic view of hutong life. And then go to Panjiayuan Flea & Antique Market. It is a famous market to buy souvenirs, but more important, you can learn almost everything in Chinese traditional life. Bargain is also a great fun. After the shopping time, take high speed train to Xian. Be met and transfered to your hotel.

Day 5 Xian (B, L, D)

Highlights today： the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Wlid Goose Pagoda, make dumplings

In the morning, transfer to visit the famous Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, one of the top attractions in China. It is significant because the hundreds of detailed life-size models represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinese armies and who were the decisive factor in forming a united China. Then pay a visit to Wild Goose Pagoda, first built in Tang Dynasty, which is for the storage of Buddhist scriptures taken from India by Monk Xuanzang. After that, go to learn how to make Chinese noodles or dumplings at a local family house. Make friends with the family and enjoy your hand-made noodles/dumplings.

Day 6 Xian → Shanghai by Flight (B)

Old City Wall visit is planned in the morning. It is the first landmark visitors will encounter in Xi'an which stretches round the old city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall. Besides a walk at the old quarters of the city, if weather permits, a bike ride on the Old City Wall is available for you to exercise your feet.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to China’s biggest metropolis, Shanghai. You will travel from ancient Chinese capital to the future of China. 

Day 7 Shanghai (B, L)

Highlights today： Shanghai Museum, Tianzifang, Bund, Orietnal Pear TV Tower

First you will head to the Shanghai Museum. It is widely recognized as one of the best collections of ancient art in China. The bronze collection is considered the best in the world, with other first-rate exhibits of sculpture, jade, calligraphy, painting, and Ming and Qing dynasty furniture and minority art.

Afterwards you will visit the Tianzifang. Tianzifang is a narrow lane dotted with local style Shikumen Houses, here you can appreciate the old Shikumen residences and find the epitome of locals’ life. Though Tianzifang possesses international sense of art, it’s still a residence area. You can steep into modern art atmosphere and take your time in some pretty handicrafts shops. And besides boutiques and art studios, there are various fascinating bars and exquisite restaurants where you can enjoy Italian, French, Southeastern cuisines, etc.

After lunch you will explore the Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront area on the western bank of the Huangpu River. Originally a tow path for dragging rice barges into port, it slowly grew into the world financial center today. Your guide will take you into historical buildings and tell you stories about their past.

Finally, take a bird view of Shanghai & Huangpu River from sightseeing floor of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower - one of the most attractive landmarks and cultural symbols in Shanghai.

Day 8 Shanghai → Suzhou → Shanghai by Private Vehicle  (B, L)

Highlights today： Humble Administrator's Garden, No.1 Silk Factory, the Grand Canal

Drive 1.5 hours to Suzhou to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden. The Humble Administrator's Garden is the largest and most renowned garden. Your guide will tell you the history and some stories of this traditional garden.

After lunch you can research silk products at No.1 Silk Factory, with a history of more than 80 years, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory enjoys a good reputation in the silk industry. The high-grade filature silk made in the factory has won the national gold medal.

Have a leisure walk along the Grand Canal, which is also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the earliest and the longest artificial river in the world. And take a small boat in Pingjiang River. Passing old houses and bridges, seeing local people washing clothes at the dock and enjoy sunshine by the river.

Transfer back to Shanghai in late afternoon.

Day 9 Shanghai  Departure (B)

At the appropriate time today you will be collected from your hotel by your guide, and transferred to Shanghai Airport or train station for your next destination.

Services End