14 Days Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Xian Beijing Tour

Fly into Beijing. Be greeted by your private guide and chauffeur of China Culture Tour at Beijing Capital International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in downtown Beijing, nearby famous shopping streets, restaurants and attractions. Spend the rest of the day resting at hotel or explore China’s capital city on your own.

• Hotels: Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel, Beijing Fairmont Hotel, Beijing Aman Summer Palace

Tian'anmen Square

A unique historic vibe envelops Beijing. Navigate to Temple of Heaven, which is a Ming Dynasty architectural masterpiece. From its façade and interior design, you can tell that it was a mysterious sacred site. Participate in an hour long Tai Chi class with a local master here.

Later cross Tiananmen Square, you travel through time to visit Forbidden City – the imperial palace of ancient China that retains the royal holiness and dignity. Witness the wonderful displays of cultural and artistic treasures, and listen to the legendary stories that happened in Forbidden City. Climb up Jingshan Hill, a big “natural garden” for the ancient royals, for a spectacular panorama of Forbidden City.

Are you always interested in Chinese martial arts? Invite him/her to watch a fantastic Shaolin Kung Fu show tonight (optional).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Tian'anmen Square

The Beijing-style lanes are called hutongs, which crisscross and encircle the old part of Beijing. It is a perfect place to glimpse into the local traditional way of living, discover centuries-old residents, local delicacies and folk arts. Here, you learn the fascinating Chinese calligraphy – writing Chinese characters in an artistic way with brush pen and ink stick. How about writing down the Chinese version of “I Love You”?

Thereafter, get in Jinshanling Great Wall by cable car. Jinshanling is considered the most beautiful section of the Great Wall and a classic site for photographers. Hike for a while to the Xiao Jinshan and Si Wu Yan Lou, the best places for sunset view, to shoot romantic kissing photos. Walk down the Great Wall, since the cableway shall be closed before sunset.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Hutong rickshaw

Hopefully you have had a good sleep last night, since you have to get up very early to capture the beauty of sunrise on the Great Wall. Hike up for about 1 hour (the cable car is not opened yet), and pray for a clear sunny day. When the warm sun shines down on the earth, the Great Wall looks like a giant dragon flying over the mountains. What a wonderful and romantic experience!

Drive back to downtown Beijing. You'll then visit Lama Temple , a Tibetan monastery once belonged to the royal family and Confucian Temple, second largest Confucian temple in China. After a well-spent yet a bit tired day, reward yourselves with a specialty dinner - Beijing Roasted Duck (optional).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian

Great Wall

Summer Palace is the most sophisticated royal garden of ancient China, built based on the superb traditional garden art and beautiful natural environment. The main structure of the palace was built against Wanshou Hill, which is so grand and solemn. Take a royal cruise on Kunming Lake to overlook the palace and the distant picturesque Yuquan Hill.

Board a high speed train from Beijing to Xian, one of China’s premier historic capitals, with many ancient sites.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian

Summer Palace with Dragon Boat Cruise

Begin your full day Xian tour with a trip to the archaeological site of the enormous Terracotta Army. The vividly carved warriors, officers, horses, chariots and weapons were the funerary objects of Emperor Qinshihuang and supposed to protect him after he died. Get to know Chinese manual skill of terracotta 2000 years ago.

Then take a stroll on bustling Muslim Street, a renowned food center in Xian introducing perfectly the local cuisine that blends Muslim flavor. Come to the Great Mosque of Xian in Huajue Alley, a grand Islamic mosque blending traditional Chinese architectural art yet strictly in accordance with the Islamic layout system.

Tonight, be amused by Tang Dynasty music and dance, while at the same time gracefully feasting on various flavors of dumplings at a banquet (optional).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Terracotta Army in backdrop

After the breakfast, you will visit the Shaanxi History Museum, which is one of the biggest and best museums with modern facilities in China. It contains over 370,000 precious relics which were unearthed in Shaanxi Province, including; bronze wares, pottery figures and mural paintings in Tang tombs. Following the Shaanxi History Museum, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda where Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his Buddhism classics brought from India.

Later, meet a local family and learn to make Chinese noodles or dumplings from the local. A visit to Forest of Stone Steles Museum where you can admire over thousands of ancient stone steles here, before we call it a day. Enjoy rest of the day on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show

In the morning view Xian’s urban landscape, dotted with old structures such as Bell and Drum Towers, on the majestic Ancient City Wall. There’s no other place like Xian that retains its history on every modern aspect.In the afternoon, take the flight to Hangzhou. Meet your private guide and driver at the airport before settle into your centrally located hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Banyan Tree Hangzhou, Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, Grand Hyatt Hangzhou

Xi'an Ancient City Wall biking

Following breakfast, head for the cruise pier at West Lake for a leisure boat ride to see the scenery printed on the one yuan note of Chinese currency. Gu Shan (Solitary Hill) is an island that stands by West Lake where it got its name. Climbing the hill (35 meters high) gives a panoramic view of the Lake. Lunch is later arranged at a local fine restaurant. After, we’ll visit the Lingyin Temple which is the largest and wealthiest Buddhist temple in China. Hefang Street, a nearby attraction, offers opportunities to see ancient crafts shops and taste local foods. At night fall, enjoy the show Impression of West Lake directed by Zhang Yimou, the director of 2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony. You’ll be able to experience the sad love story in the misty fog and touching music.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

West Lake at dawn

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Crowne Plaza Suzhou, InterContinental Suzhou, W Suzhou

Classic Chinese garden in Suzhou

Following breakfast, you’ll ride about 30 minutes to Tongli Ancient Town which is well known for its system of canals. A relaxing boat ride allows you to watch how local people live peacefully. Lunch is later arranged at a local fine restaurant. You’ll ride back to the city and visit Suzhou Museum and the Lion Grove Garden. Suzhou Museum was designed by I.M. Pei and houses artworks of ancient Chinese paintings, calligraphies and handmade crafts etc. The Lion Grove Garden got its name from the shape of large Taihu rocks resembling lions. Before going back to the hotel you can take a walk on Pingjiang Road and experience the city as a local. In the evening your guide and driver will escort you to the railway station to catch your train to Shanghai.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Central Hotel Shanghai, Four Seasons Hotel Pudong Shanghai, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square

Water town in south China

Visit both of the Old part and Modern Part of Shanghai. You will spend about an hour in the ancient Yuyuan Garden, a typical Chinese garden with traditional pavilions, beautiful rockery, decorated halls, corridors and clear pond. Next walk a few minutes to the Shanghai City God Temple for a short stay, a Taoist temple known for its long history and grand architecture, surrounded by traditional commercial district that hosts hundreds of old shops, restaurants, and teahouses. Drive to visit the Shanghai Museum, a museum of 120,000 precious works of art, including the ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy. Have your lunch at a local restaurant where you can taste the authentic Shanghai cuisine. In the afternoon, you will visit the modern parts of Shanghai. At the Shanghai World Financial Center, you will take an elevator up more than 90 floors, walk on the glass floor and have a breathtaking view of the Bund and the Huangpu River. Follow this by visiting the Bund, which constitutes dozens of historical buildings along the Huangpu River. There were and still are banks and trading houses from the UK, France, the USA and Italy etc. When night falls, the colorful lights and beautiful boats on the Huangpu River provide great photo opportunities.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

View Shanghai Pudong skyline on Shanghai World Financial Center

Drive about 1.5 hours from hotel to visit Xitang Ancient Town and take a sampan cruise into town. Xitang Ancient Town is an ancient scenic and cultural town dating back to at least the Spring and Autumn Period. In the town, there are well-preserved buildings originated from Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The town is also famous for its large number of covered corridors, lanes & bridges. We'll drive back to city area later. From here, enjoy the rest of your day exploring Shanghai city on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast,

Xitang Ancient Water Town

Be transferred from hotel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport and fly home. China Culture Tour service ends.

• Meals: Breakfast,

Shanghai Pudong area