Day 1
Destinations: Arrive in Beijing
Today's Activities:Beijing is an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites which are listed in World Heritage as well as a bustling modern metropolis having hosted the 2008 Olympics. Upon your arrival in Beijing, our professional guide will meet you at airport and transfer you to the Hotel. During the trip, he/she will give you some tips on local restaurants and shops in streets nearby. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or to explore the neighborhood by yourself.
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Day 2
Destinations: Beijing
Today's Activities:Your city tour starts at Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square where important occations took place such as Founding of P.R.China in 1949 and National Day Celebration. Then go straight ahead to Forbidden City, the largest royal palace in the world serving as administrative center and living quarters for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1911.
In the afternoon you'll visit Temple of Heaven, where emperors worshiped the God of Heaven and prayed for a good harvest annually. Today's itinerary includes a visit to the Beijing handicraft workshop to see traditional arts and crafts.
Meals: lunch |  |
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Day 3
Destinations: Beijing
Today's Activities:Be an early bird and catch the rewarding view of the Great Wall at Badaling section. Stretching over 6000 km, the Great Wall was originally built to protect China from the nomadic attack. You can walk and climb at your own pace, or enjoy spectacular views from the cable car. In the afternoon you'll take a look of Changling Tomb (one of the Ming Tombs with best preserved ground architecture) as well as the attractive tree-lined Sacred Way, bordered by stone statues. After sightseeing, continue a visit to Jade Caving Factory or Cloisonné (enamelware) workshop. Dinner tonight is at Quanjude Restaurant, where you'll eat some of the best 'Roasted Duck' in Beijing.
Meals: lunch |  |
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Day 4
Destinations: Beijing
Today's Activities:In the morning we will learn Chinese cooking lesson which covers not only how the dishes are prepared, but also the culture and customs. During the class, you will cook three popular dishes with your own set of cooking equipment provided by us. And after the class you can sit down to enjoy your culinary creations and to share your new skills with other students like you. In the afternoon followed by a rickshaw tour to Hutongs (small back lanes) to see daily life of Beijinger. You can also learn how to make a kite with local craftsman. In the evening enjoy a Peking Opera Show. You can come to the back stage to find out how actors and actress do make-up and even take photos with them.
Meals: lunch |  |
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Day 5
Destinations: Beijing to Chengde
Today's Activities:Take a morning train to Chengde, a small city constructed during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in Qing dynasty (1644-1911) in mountain area where emperors hunted annually to train their princes and troops. In the afternoon take round-way cable car to the Qingchuifeng Peak, which is also called "Wooden Club Peak" because of its shape. From top of the peak you can have a bird's eye view of Chengde city. Followed by Puning Temple. The temple has also in its time been known as the Big Buddha Temple (Da fo si), a huge statue of Avalokiteshvara, Goddess of Mercy were erected.
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Day 6
Destinations: Chengde
Today's Activities:The Putuozongcheng Temple, also known as Little Potala Palace, was built in 1767. Lamaism was believed by Manchurian, Mongolians and Tibetan during emperor Kangxi's reign (1661-1722). The emperor ordered construction of outer Lamaism temples around his resort to show his repect toward ethnic customs and religion. This temple is the largest out of the eight remaining outer temples in Chengde, with an area of 220,000 square meters. After lunch you will visit Imperial Summer Resort, which was built in early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and served as political center and living quater when emperors went hunting here. Then you will visit a local old master of paper cutting. You can learn to cut red papers into different things like flowers, rabits, fish or anything you like.
Meals: lunch |  |
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Day 7
Destinations: Chengde to Beijing
Today's Activities:In the morning visit Pule Temple (Temple of Universal Happiness). Within its main pavilion is the temple's namesake, a copper statue of the Buddha of Happiness (Huanxi Fo), unembarrasingly caught in acts unmentionable! After lunch take train back to Beijing.
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Day 8
Destinations: Depart from Beijing
Today's Activities:Enjoy free and easy leisure time until you are ready to transfer to the airport for your departure.
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