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.
Meals: lunch |  |
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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.
Meals: lunch |  |
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Day 4
Destinations: Beijing to 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.
Meals: lunch |  |
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Day 5
Destinations: Overnight Train to Pingyao
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.
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Day 6
Destinations: Pingyao to Taiyuan
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 7
Destinations: Taiyuan to Datong
Today's Activities: Yungang Grottoes: 16 kilometers west of Datong City.Yungang Grottoes are the most famous historic site in Datong.
Nine Dragon Screen: In the east of Datong City.It is one of the four famous nine-dragon screen walls in China."
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Day 8
Destinations: Datong to Beijing
Today's Activities:Transfer to Datong railway station and then end of service. Upon arriving Beijing at around 18:42, arrangement is on your own. You can stay overnight in Beijing on your own or head for next destination.
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