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A Glimpse of China Tour (Beijing-Xian-Shanghai) 8 days

First time come to China? Have limited time? This tour gives you a quick look at the history of the country and lifestyle of its people.

Tour code: CHP-01
Destination: Beijing, Xian, Shanghai
Departure: Daily
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Highlights: old Hutongs, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall, Sacred Way, Ming Tomb, Ancient City Wall,Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, History Museum,Great Mosque,Shanghai Museum, Huangpu River,the Bund, Yuyuan ,the Old Street

A Glimpse of China Tour (Beijing-Xian-Shanghai)

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing (D)

Upon your arrival, our local guide will hold a welcome sign of Absolute China Tours to meet you. Then you will be transferred to our best selected hotel. Check in for a two-night stay. After a short break, you will begin your tour in Beijing with an exploration to the old Hutongs and see a relaxed life different from that of urban residents. A welcome dinner is prepared for you at a fine local restaurant.

Enjoy a relaxing evening in the hotel.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing or similar

Day 2 Beijing (B/L)

Morning:

After having breakfast at your hotel, you will visit the impressive Tiananmen Square which is the biggest of its kind in the world and the stage of many important historical events. Then pay a visit to the world heritage site Forbidden City to explore its grand palaces and fascinating pavilions and courtyards. Built in 1420, it was here that 24 Ming and Qing dynasty emperors lived and ruled for over 500 years. Besides its massive scale and historical significence, the Forbidden City strikes the imagination by its design. Lunch is served at a local Chinese restaurant.

Afternoon:

In the afternoon you will visit the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing's most famous landmarks. This was the place

where Ming and Qing Emperors worshipped the God and prayed for good harvests. Highlights of the temple are the Hall for the Prayer of Good Harvast, the Circular Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Echo Wall. Next go to the Summer Palace. In 1886, the Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing dynasty diverted funds earmarked to build a modern Chinese navy and spent the money on endowing the Summer Palace with a marble boat-shaped pavillion and other extravagances throughout the palace. She also gave the palace its current name, Yiheyuan which means the Garden for Cultivating Harmony in Chinese.

Evening:

Enjoy a fascinating Chinese Kung-fu performance in the front zone at the Red Theatre.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing or similar

Day 3 Beijing (B/L)

Morning:

To almost all the first comers, the Great Wall is a must-see site. This morning you will take a half-day excursion to the awesome Great Wall of China. There are three major sections of the Great Wall open to tourists near Beijing: Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai. All are built on steep terrains so it's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes. Today you will explore the Badaling Section. It is only 70km (about 43.5 miles) away from downtown Beijing.

Afternoon:

After having lunch, continue to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tombs in the peaceful shadow of Longevity Mountain. The Ming Tombs are located in a gorgeous valley 45km (28 miles) northwest of Beijing. The burial site of 13 Ming dynasty emperors and their consorts was carefully chosen and took over 200 years to complete. Today you will visit Dingling where the 13th Ming emperor was buried. Then walk along the Sacred Way lined with animals, mystical beasts and four statues. It was believed that the road lead to heaven. Transfer back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing or similar

Day 4 Beijing - Xian by plane (B/L)

Morning:

Transfer to the airport and take a morning flight to China's ancient capital Xian. Upon arrival in Xian, our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a downtown restaurant for lunch.

Afternoon:

This afternoon your tour of Xian includes a visit to the Ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The gray City Walls were firstly built to keep out invaders. The surviving walls, built on Tang dynasty foundations, date to the Ming dynasty and were built during the 14th century.

Accommodation: Royal Garden Hotel or similar.

Day 5 Xian (B/L)

Morning:

Xian,with over 3000 years of recorded history, has been the capital of 12 dynasties. The Qin emperor Shihuang who lived from 259 to 210 BC left his indelibel mark through the famed Terrocotta Warriors. This morning you visit the world wonder where numerous life-sized clay soldiers, horses stand in battle formation guarding the tomb of the first Qin emperor.

Afternoon:

After lunch, you visit the History Museum which houses a large collection of historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi Province. The bronze pieces, the Tang gold and silverware, the terrocotta pieces and murals from Tang dynasty tombs are of special significence. Then you visit the Great Mosque. It was established in AD 742 in the Tang dynasty for Muslim traders from central Asian who settled in Xian. It is difficult to tell that the buildings are Islamic because it was built according to traditional Chinese architectural forms. Now it is still an active place of worship.

Accommodation: Diamond International Hotel or similar

Day 6 Xian - Shanghai by plane (B/L)

Morning:

Transfer to the airport and take a morning flight to Shanghai – the most dynamic city and the country's financial and artistic centre. Upon arrival you'll be met and transferred to a local restaurant for lunch.

Afternoon:

After lunch, you visit the Shanghai Museum which boasts more than 120,000 precious cultural relics such as bronze, sculptures, ceramics, paintings, furnitures, ect. The museum was designed by a Shanghai architect and its it outlook is like an ancient Chinese bronze vessel, Ding.

Evening:

Tonight you will enjoy a cruise tour on the Huangpu River and stroll along the Bund

Accommodation: Cloud's Paradise Hotel or similar

Day 7 Shanghai (B/L)

Morning:

This morning you will have a unique experience of being a Shanghainese. Our guide will introduce you a local residential community. You can also visit a local family for a close look at ordinary people's life: their living condition, lifestyle and so on. Then move on to Children's Palace where children can enjoy themselves by playing various games, learn interesting things with various societies.

Afternoon:

In the afternoon you will visit the beautiful Yuyuan Garden, a major attraction in Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a Ming dynasty offical named Pan. In 1956 a large-scaled renovation was done by the local government. Inside there are over 30 pavillions linked by a maze of zigzagged corridors and bridges. Then take some time wanderring along the Old Street nearby where you could buy some ornament for your family or friends.

Accommodation: Cloud's Paradise Hotel or similar

Day 8 Depart from Shanghai (B)

Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.

Service included:
- Hotel accommodation (double occupancy)
- Air-conditioned private car, or van for transfers and sightseeing
- Domestic flights (economy class)
- Service Charges & Government Taxes.
- Experienced English speaking guide in each city
- Entrance fees and meals as specified in the itinerary
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance.

Service not included:
- International transportation
- Chinese visa
- Personal expenses such as: excess luggage charge, beverages, laundry services, etc.
- Tips or gratuities to local driver and guide

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