The imperial cities of Beijing and Xi’an are a ‘must’ for every China traveller. The classical image of China is formed by these two cities, which represent old tradition and modern centres of power. In stark contrast to this is Shanghai: metropolis and harbour city it has a truly international flair. You visit the almost Mediterranean Yangtze Delta, and its numerous water canals near Shouzou. China between rigid central power, imperial splendour and southern lifestyle ‘a la China’. A tour which vividly shows the contrasts in China.
tour itinerary
01 Arrive in Beijing.
After your arrival at the airport, our staff welcomes you and assists you with the transfer to a hotel in central Beijing. In the afternoon sightseeing of the great Summer Palace (Yi Heiyuan), with an area of 300 hectares hosting many pavilions, bridges, lakes and palaces.Overnight in hotel.
02 Beijing.
Today we visit the Great Wall near Hunaghua (ca. 50 km), where it can be seen in its typical old form, not renovated for tourism. Here you can see the real China. In the afternoon sightseeing of the Ming graves on the Tian Shou Shan hills, where the 13th and 16th emperor of the Ming dynasty are buried. In the evening You enjoy a meal of the famous Beijing duck. Overnight in hotel and full board.
03 Beijing - Datong.
Sightseeing in the open part of the ‘Forbidden City’, which covers an area of 72 hectares. It was residence and place of government to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. We visit the adjoining Tien An Men, or ‘Square of Heavenly Peace’. In the evening we drive by night train to Datong (359 km, 4-berth compartments).
Overnight in sleeper and full board.
04 Datong.
After arrival transfer to the hotel in Datong. Century-long Datong was a very important trade city of the empire. We visit the sacred mountain Hengshan (2017m), one of the largest monasteries of China. The temple buildings with Xuankongsi still today contain beautiful statues of stone, clay, iron and bronze from the Tang Dynasty (5th century). The famous 70m high Shakyamuni Pagoda in the Yinxian is said to be the oldest still standing wooden construction. In Datong afterwards we visit the monasteries of Huayuan. Overnight in hotel and full board.
05 Datong - Taiyuan.
In the forenoon sightseeing of the Grottos of Yungan, more than 15 km long and build during 100 years by the Wei Dynasty near the Great Wall. One kilometre of these grottos are open to visitors. In the afternoon we drive by train to Taiyan (300 km, 5 hours) through the beautiful backcountry. After arrival in Tayian transfer to hotel.
Overnight in hotel and full board.
06 Taiyuan - Pingyao.
The two famous Pagoda Temples Chongshan and Shuangta Si (Temple of the Twin Pagodas) and the very interesting temple of Jinci from the Song Period. In the afternoon we drive in lovely landscape to the old town of Pingyao (140 km, 2,5 hours).
Overnight in hotel and full board.
07 Pingyao – Xi’an.
All the old city of Pingyao is rightly UNESCO World Heritage Sight. The walled city from the Ming Period (1368-1644) with its sentry towers, temples and pagodas is one of the best in China. We visit the alleys and sights of the town before we drive to the station and take the night train to Xi’an.
Overnight in sleeper and full board.
08 Xi’an.
After arriving in the early morning in Xi’an and transfer to the hotel we visit the old imperial city. Xi’an was over 1000 years the capital of China and during the Tang Dynasty (8th-12th century) it was though to be the largest city of the world. We visit the old city, its pagodas and the interesting museum before in the afternoon we see the highlight of this place, the earthen warriors of emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. More than 6000 life-size clay soldiers, war-chariots and horses stand ready to march at the grave of the Emperor. Back at the town we visit the quarters of the Hui minority.
Overnight in hotel and full board.
09 Xi’an.
Sightseeing of the burial sights of the Tang emperors (AD 618-906) near Qian Ling (80 km). The grave of the 3rd emperor Gaozong, accompanied by all his court is especially worth seeing. If there is time we can explore the rural surroundings.
Overnight in hotel and full board.
10 X’ian - Luoyang.
The forenoon you can use for a stroll in the city. About noon we drive by train to Luoyang, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Luoyang is one of the oldest towns of China and was the capital for 960 years. We visit the old city in the late afternoon.
Overnight in hotel and full board.
11 Luoyang.
Sightseeing of the famous Grottos of Longmen at the river Li. The caves are some of the most important ones in China and were built during 400 years. Near Longmen is the Bai Ma Si, the oldest preserved Buddhist temple in China. The visit to the museums of Luoyang informs you about the Emperor Zhou.
Overnight in hotel and full board.
12 Luoyang – Beijing.
We drive to the famous monastery of Shaolin Siden, important spiritual seat of Chan Buddhism and renown for its Kung Fu monks. We can watch one of their performances. In the evening we go by night train to Beijing.
Overnight in sleeper and full board.
13 Beijing.
Before noon arrival in Beijing and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day at your leisure in Beijing, for own shopping or exploring of the modern capital city of China.
Overnight in hotel and full board.
14 Departure from Beijing.
At your leisure in Beijing or connecting tour programme or according to your flight schedule transfer to the airport for your final departure to your next onward destination.Overnight in hotel and breakfast.
services included and not
included
- Private car/van/bus according PAX
- Hotel**** (4 star) all over program with BB
- GOOD private car/van/bus according to number of pax with AC in mainland China
- Very good english speaking giude throughout tour if english clients
- All entrance fees for all SS as indicated
- All necessary permits
- 2 bottle of mineral water provided each day in vehicle per pax
- Food as per our food list and day to day indication
Not included
5, the train fee : beijing to Datong
Taiyuan to Xian
Xian to Luoyang
Luoyang to Beijing
The train fee not include in the land cost .
advises
- Not mentioned extra services eventually claimed by clients
- Photography and video fees in all places
- Outside services such as flights to Lhasa, Beijing, Chengdu etc.
- Any not expressively mentioned services
- SIGHTSEEING has to be started from hotel premises at latest 9 AM
- GUIDES are not allowed to require from clients any disclaimer
- VEHICLES need to have good tires, good general condition, good suspension
- CLIENT in car is max 02 PAX, van (6 seater) max 04, van (8 seater) max 05
and so on. There must be enough space for clients and luggages considering
foreigners are more fat and tall than local people.
