Incredible Zhangjiajie

After your flight arrives at Beijing Airport, and you have claimed your luggage and cleared customs, you will meet your local guide at the exit. The driver will convey you to the hotel and assist you with checking in. The rest of the day is free for you to arrange.
 
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing - the former Sheraton

To start your China group tour, your guide will host a short pre-trip meeting at your hotel lobby this morning. This includes a final briefing and preparations for your trip. After that, you will begin the trip with a visit to Tiananmen Square. The majestic surrounding buildings, such as the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, along with Tiananmen Gate which was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD) constitute this majestic square, a spectacular city site. Next, we will take you to explore the marvelous Forbidden City. Located in the city center, it is an excellent and unique masterpiece of ancient imperial architecture that shows the wisdom and technical ingenuity of the ancient people.

► Discover Less-known Spots in Forbidden City with Our Guide
Is there a hall superior to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Forbidden City? Hall of Supreme Harmony is known for the highest specification in Forbidden City, and it was the place for major ceremonies. We can’t find a hall superior in the building specification, but there are two halls played more important roles in ancient times, on the two sides of the square in front of Hall of Supreme Harmony. On the east side, Tiren Pavilion was the place for examinations once, to select erudite talents. Opposite to the Tiren Pavilion, Hongyi Pavilion on the west side was the royal treasury in Qing Dynasty, keeping gold, silver, jade, jewelry and more. Only with talents and money, the country could have a development.

After a busy morning of sightseeing, we will drive to a popular local restaurant for an a la carte welcome lunch where you are able to order the dishes of your choice (to a value of CNY150.00 per person, and included in our price). The roasted Peking duck is highly recommended. 

Your journey then continues to the Temple of Heaven, which is the largest existing imperial altar in China. As well as enjoying the splendid architecture, you will also find local residents singing, dancing and reading in the park, which will offer you an opportunity to observe ordinary people's lives here. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte welcome lunch

We believe that you have probably heard much about the Great Wall of China. Today you will visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and have a chance to witness, in person, this extraordinary project in human history. A round trip cable car ride is included. Standing on the wall and appreciating its snaking path along the mountain ridges will certainly bring you unique feelings.

We suggest you have a large breakfast, because the visit lasts a whole day and the restaurants in the mountain area are not up to our standard. You may make your own arrangements to have some fast food for lunch at the site. 

Later we will return to the city and leave you with free time to wander and explore a well-known lively market. You will be dazzled by the colorful goods of many kinds.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

After the hotel check-out, your guide will pick you up and take you to visit the world famous Summer Palace. Built in 1750, it represents the pinnacle in the Chinese traditional art of garden construction. Artfully taking advantage of the surrounding mountains and lakes, the Summer Palace not only represents a resplendent imperial garden, but also reflects the exquisite beauty of nature. Afterwards, we will pass by the Olympic Bird's Nest and you will have a short stop nearby to take some photos.

Then, we will take you to an upmarket local restaurant having fantastic food with a la carte menu (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price). 

After lunch, you will take a Hutong visit. Hutong is an alleyway, which has a history as long as Beijing city. Courtyards with gray bricks in the narrow residential alleys will leave you with a great impression of old Beijing. We have also specially arranged for you to experience Chinese Paper Cutting. In the late afternoon, you will wave goodbye to Beijing and catch the flight to Xi'an. Upon your arrival at Xi'an airport, your local guide and driver will welcome you and escort you to the hotel for checking in.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel

Begin the morning with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then we will head for the Terracotta Army, which is famous for its incredible artistic skill displayed and its tremendous scale. In 1974, the army of terracotta warriors was discovered by local villagers when they were drilling a well. After a series of excavations by archeologists, this amazing hidden treasure was finally revealed to the world. This discovery not only made Chinese people proud of their forefathers, but amazed the whole world.  

★ Travel Different:

Want to Know Who First Discovered the Terracotta Army? Keep up Our Family Visit
The life-size clay figures shocked the world after its first appearance but few people know who, when, and how these clay soldiers are found. Today you will be guided to visit the home of the first discoverer of the Terracotta Warriors to acquire the answers. In 1974, Mr. Yang Zhifa first discovered these lifelike clay statues when he was digging a well and then the giant underground army was unearthed by archaeologists. It is possible for you to communicate with Mr. Yang’s family members to learn more hiding stories about him and see the meaningful tools like a hoe and a wooden cart once used to dig out the clay pieces.

DIY a Mini Terracotta Warrior
Our next stop is to make a small terracotta warrior in Yaodong, a kind of Chinese cave dwelling. It is said all terracotta warriors were made in this kind of traditional cave dwelling as they can offer a moderate temperature. This is very important for clay figure making and you can try making a small size terracotta soldier here like an ancient artisan. Nevertheless, the whole making process is simplified now and takes about 40 minutes to complete. There will be an artisan giving a very detailed instruction about the whole process and you can follow it step by step. The body of statue is mainly made via a mold but the features of the face need to be sculptured by yourself. Even kids can enjoy making a cute cartoonish clay soldier and take the self-made work back home.

Lunch is on your own and our guide will gladly assist. Then you will visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, an ancient Buddhist tower, which was built more than 1,300 years ago and still stands in its elegance. Here you can also visit the newly built Xi'an Museum. This evening, you will enjoy a delicious dumpling dinner and appreciate the classic Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Performance.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Dumpling dinner

You will spend the whole morning visiting the City Wall area. First you will see the local people doing their morning exercises in the City Wall Park where you can also take part in the practice of Tai Chi. The master will teach you how to practice this set of Chinese Kung Fu exercises in order to keep fit and healthy. Then follow your guide to ascend the City Wall, which is the fortification for Xi'an city, built in the Ming Dynasty, a real ancient ruin. Having fun on the wall is easy, just hire a bike, ride around the old city wall, getting excited all the way, returning the bike when you get tired. 

An a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) will be served at a famous local restaurant.

Then you go on to the Provincial History Museum and the Great Mosque. After, you have time to wander around the Muslim Quarter. There are a lot of interesting knickknacks and traditional local snacks for you to sample. Then your guide and driver will escort you to the airport and help you board the flight to Zhangjiajie. On arrival, you will be greeted and taken to the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel

An exciting day in the fantastic Zhangjiajie National Forest Park awaits you! Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Golden Whip Stream and Ten-mile Gallery are the main spots that you will explore today.

The spectacular Bailong Sight-seeing Elevator in Yuanjiajie rapidly takes visitors up to the mountain top, where you get a magnificent vista. Also, do not miss the chance to view the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains in the distance. Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve is hailed as 'the Monarch of the Peak Forest', so you can imagine how magnificent it is. Golden Whip Stream, with overlapping peaks, rippling waters, verdant forests and tranquil valleys gives everyone a visual feast. Making your way through the Ten-mile Gallery is like a journey across a huge scroll of scenic paintings.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Today, your forest park exploration continues to the world's highest and longest glass bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. You will have a chance to challenge your courage. Later, you will take a boat excursion on the Baofeng Lake, which offers you fresh air and the opportunity to capture a lot of beautiful photos.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Today we get the chance to take the world's longest cable car to ascend Tian Men Mountain, eight kilometers away from Zhangjiajie city area. Its name comes from the natural wonder Tianmen Cave, which is like a portal to the heaven. Our sightseeing ends in the afternoon, and then we set out for the airport for the flight to Shanghai. Your guide will welcome you at the airport in Shanghai and transfer you to the reserved hotel for checking in.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World

Shanghai Museum is a beautiful site with modern interior and exterior, and with excellent, well organized displays covering ancient Chinese bronzes, paintings, ceramics, ethnic minority arts and crafts, and even ancient Chinese currencies. After seeing so many antiques, we will transfer you to Yu Garden, a beautiful garden with a history of more than 400 years. Every bridge, hall, pavilion, pond, rockery in the garden has its own personality. With the tour guide's detailed introduction, you will learn some of the characteristics of a traditional Chinese garden. Later, we will leave you with some time at the nearby Yu bazaar, full of traditional commodities, in the old City God Temple area of Shanghai. 

An a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a popular local restaurant follows. 

Shanghai boasts China’s tallest building, Shanghai Tower. This afternoon, we will head to its 52nd floor to visit the tallest book store in China and even in the world. Taking the world’s fastest elevator, we will soon arrive at the fancy “Duo Yun Book Store”. Its Chinese name means that the book store is built above the cloud, very romantic and beautiful. It also features a fantastic view platform where you can overlook the Huangpu River and see other landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower at a height of 239 meters (784 ft.). Enjoying a coffee break and appreciating the stunning skyline of the city would be one of the best things to do on your China tour. And then go to  the Bund, where you will have a short cruise tour along the Huangpu River. Then you will have the opportunity to take some free time to walk around the Bund and see the different styles of buildings along one side, and boats, big and small, traveling along the Huangpu River. It is a must to see this great view in Shanghai. Your amazing trip comes to an end when your guide and driver transfer you back to the hotel and bids you bon voyage.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte farewell lunch

As this is the last day of your vacation, after having breakfast at the hotel you will need to prepare for your departure flight. You can take a taxi to Pudong airport, about a 1.5-hour drive. We wish you a safe journey home and we will be always happy to serve you again in the future.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast