Day 1
Destinations: Arrive in Beijing
Today's Activities:Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts - an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites and a bustling modern metropolis getting ready to host the 2008 Olympics. Upon your arrival in Beijing, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your Hotel. The guide will give you some tips on local restaurants that we recommend and you can do some shopping in streets nearby. The rest of the day is free to rest to recover from jetlag or to explore by yourself.
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Day 2
Destinations: Beijing
Today's Activities:After breakfast head out for Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square, which is closely linked to The Forbidden City, from which the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed for over 500 years. Later you'll visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors prayed for good harvests and rain, or gave thanks for the harvest. Today's itinerary includes a visit to the old Beijing handicraft workshop.
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Day 3
Destinations: Beijing
Today's Activities:Leave town in the morning for the drive (a bit under two hours) to the Badaling Section of The Great Wall , which stretches for over 6000 km, and was originally built to protect China from the barbarians. You can walk and climb at your own pace, or enjoy spectacular views from the cable car. Before returning to the city you'll enjoy visiting the Changling (one of the Ming Tombs), and the attractive tree-lined Sacred Way , bordered by stone statues, along which the Emperors once trod to conduct their sacred ceremonies. During the day a visit to Jade Caving Factory or Cloisonne (enamelware) workshop is included. Dinner tonight is at Quanjude Restaurant, where you'll eat some of the best 'Peking Duck' in Beijing.
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Day 4
Destinations: Beijing toTaiyuan (overnight train)
Today's Activities:After experiencing royal life today there is the opportunity to take a rickshaw ride to the Hutong where we visit a local flea market which is an excellent example of typical architecture of this area. You may find some interesting things and learn how to bargain. You will also visit with a local family and talk to the family members to gain a true understanding of life in this region and to have an experience of this unique form of community. We can guarantee you will have impressive stories to tell your friends after this. Then to the Summer Palace, which is equally famous as the Forbidden City. It is the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China.
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Day 5
Destinations: Arrive at Taiyuan, Taiyuan to Pingyao
Today's Activities:"Jinci Temple: Lies in the Xuanweng foothill, which is 25 kilometers from the southwest of Taiyuan city, it is the temple of Jin Emperor in ancient times; it is initially built during the northern Wei Dynasty (386-535) for memorizing the second son Jiyu of Zhouwu Emperor. Jinci Temple is one of the national key cultural relic reserves, enjoys the reputation of ""Little South of the Yangtze River"".
- Qiao Family's Compound: Built in 1755, this well-preserved and exquisite structure used to be the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, who was a famous businessman during the Qing Dynasty."
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Day 6
Destinations: Taiyuan to Xi'an (overnight train)
Today's Activities:The Ancient City Wall: the ancient city wall of Pingyao with nearly 3,000 years of history keeps the original appearance of city wall constructed in early Ming Dynasty.
The Rishengchang Draft Bank: It was the biggest draft bank at that time and had been famous for ""Hui Tong Tian Xia"" (Business Connecting the Whole World).
The Mingqing Street: the downtown thoroughfare and reserved quite well of the styles in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Pingyao Ancient Town: In the middle of Shanxi Province, this is the best-preserved of the four ancient towns in China. Inside the intact Ming Dynasty city wall this traditional town, whose buildings date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, is exceptionally well-preserved, and just as it was centuries ago. Bikes can be rented for about 10 yuan/hour. You can also learn the traditional Chinese art of paper-cut, producing beautiful shapes and designs from paper in the Wentao Paper-cut shop, and lean how lacquerwork is done in Yonglong Shop.
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Day 7
Destinations: Arrive in Xi'an
Today's Activities: Ancient City Wall: The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defences still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side.
Shaanxi Historical Museum: The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nation's best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes."
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Day 8
Destinations: Xi'an
Today's Activities: Terracotta Warriors and Horses are part of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. Well over 7000 figures in full battle array are formed for battle in several large pits. Many of the figures - soldiers, archers, horses and chariots have been restored. In the afternoon we’re going to the Bell Tower where you can get a bird’s view of the city from the top. There is a music performance of the ancient music and a display of the instruments. We will continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda where widely renowned Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India.
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Day 9
Destinations: Depart from Xi'an
Today's Activities:Your time is your own, until you are ready to be transferred to the Xi'an airport for your departure.
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