Day 1 Arrival in Beijing
Our well-trained driver and tour guide will meet you outside the customs of Beijing Airport after your check-out procedures are fully completed. .
From the airport, we directly drive to Visit the Summer Palace , which reputed as the ‘Museum of Imperial Garden’, and it is an imperial garden and temporary dwelling palace for the emperors built 260 years ago. It is also a large-scaled natural mountain and water garden.
Then walking around Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, as one of the symbols of Beijing’s commerce, is the most well-known and prosperous shopping street with modern and fashion trends.
Transfer to the hotel to check in and rest of the day will be your leisure time.
- Beijing
Day 2 Beijing City Tour：The Temple of Heaven -Tiananmen Square- Forbidden City
Our well-trained guide and driver will pick up you at 09:00 AM in the hotel lobby. In the morning, you’ll Explore the Temple of Heaven, the place where the emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties worshipped heaven and prayed for peace and harvest and Right now hundreds of locals stroll around early in the morning to practice tai chi, play erhu (two string violin), compete in Chinese chess, sing opera, dance with ribbons, swords and fans. Walk off the main path you will get some peace and quiet.
In the afternoon, visit the world’s largest urban centre square, Tiananmen Square, which is a site where many major historical and celebratory events happened. Walk through the square to the Golden Water Bridge; you’ll enter the largest as well as best-preserved imperial palace complex, Forbidden City.
Note: For a bird view of the Forbidden City on a sunny day, a good idea is to get to Jingshan Park, right across the street after exiting the Forbidden City. It takes about 0.5-1 hour to visit and is also a good chance to experience local Chinese activities in the park, including group singing, dancing and occasionally folk story telling.
Get back to the Hotel, relax & refresh.
- Beijing
Day 3 Great Wall Tour：Great Wall at Mutianyu- Olympic Village
Today you’ll travel to the Great Wall at Mutianyu (approximately 1.5 hours’ drive). As one of the greatest wonders of mankind, the majestic Great Wall of China is always a must for those visitors to Beijing. It is one of most well-preserved Great Wall section as well as to avoid the crowds at Badaling. Upon arrival, you would be accompanied by your private guide walking on Great Wall, Cable car round way, OR chairlift up and toboggan down.
In the afternoon, on the way back to downtown Beijing, we will drive by go through the Olympic Green to have an outside look at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube- it is known as the “Bird’s Nest” due to its iconic design was the key competition venue of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the 13th Paralympic Games. And the National Aquatics Centre, also known as ”The Water Cube”, is one of the dramatic and amazing venues to host Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Get back to the Hotel, relax & refresh.
- Beijing
Day 4 Beijing→Datong
Reference Train Information : G2531 Beijing North 08:20- Datong South 10:06 Duration : 1 hours 46 minutes 2nd Class seats
In the morning we transfer to railway station for bullet train to Datong, Upon arrival, be met by your local tour guide, and start to explore Datong highlights.
First site to visit is the famous Yungang Grottoes, a World Heritage site dating back to 5th century. Containing 254 Buddhist caves, Yungang Grottoes stretches about 1 km long. It is filled with about 5,100 precious sculptures – the height of the largest Buddha statue reaches 17 meters and the smallest is only 2 centimeters tall. Most of the sculptures are Buddhas, from which you can be awestruck at their life-like features and blissful smiles. You won’t miss Cave No.5 and Cave No. 6 – the highlights of Yungang Grottoes with the entire interiors carved and colored. Facing these jaw-dropping celestial beings in different shapes, you can imagine the painstaking effort taken to produce them.
In the afternoon, drive to Datong city to visit Nine Dragon Screen Wall, made of colorful glazed tiles and depicting nine dragons. It once served as a temple’s spirit wall placed in an entrance to inhibit the evil spirit’s coming. Now it is the biggest and oldest glazed dragon wall in China. Next, you will visit Huayan Temple – the largest and best preserved monastery built by Khitan during Liao Dynasty. Unlike most traditional Chinese buildings, it interestingly faces east not south, because the Khitan were also sun worshipers. Indulge yourself in the palatial buildings, exquisite frescoes, valued inscriptions in the temple.
Get back to the Datong Hotel, relax & refresh.
- Datong
Day 5 Datong→Mt. Wutai
After breakfast, you will get to Hanging Temple after 1.5 hours’ driving (80 km). Built in 491 during Northern Wei Dynasty, it enjoys a history of over 1,500 years. Miraculously carved into the sheer cliff of Hengshan Mountain, Hanging Temple is one of the most incredible sights in China. Its 40 perilous halls and pavilions lean straight over the canyon. Seeing it from the ground, travelers can’t help admiring at the ancient people’s wisdom. Moreover, Hanging Temple is featured as the only existing temple with the combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
After the exciting experience in Hanging Temple, drive 1 hour to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda – the oldest and tallest wooden multi-storey structure in the world. Built in 1056 during Liao Dynasty (907 ~ 1125) and standing at 67.31 meters high, it shocks travelers most that the whole structure was made without any nails, screws, or bolts. There are lots of elegant Buddha statues and Bodhisattva statues to worship. Among them, a 11m high Sakyamuni statue is sitting solemnly in the pagoda on the first floor, it is the grandest one.
After the tour, drive about 3 hours to Mount Wutai. Stay overnight in Wutaishan.
- Mt. Wutai
Day 6 Mt. Wutai→Pingyao
After breakfast, go to explore Buddhist culture in the most influential temples of Mount Wutai – Tayuan Temple, Shuxiang Temple, Xiantong Temple, Pusa Ding Temple which are all convenient located in Taihuai Town.
Tayuan Temple (Pagoda Courtyard Temple) is named after the Great White Pagoda, a symbol of Mount Wutai. This big white pagoda is 75.3 meters high and 83 meters around. It is said there is a stupa of Sakyamuni’s sarira built by ancient Indian King Ashoka and hair of Manjushri inside the Great White Pagoda. Shuxiang Temple (Temple of Manjushri’s Statue) was established in East Jin Dynasty (AD 317~420). It houses the biggest statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva which is nearly 10 meters high. It used to be visited by many ancient emperors and queens. Xiantong Temple is the largest as well as the oldest temple in Mount Wutai. Its Bronze Hall, built in 1610 and made of 50,000 kg bronze, is one of the best preserved bronze halls in China. Pusa Ding Temple (Bodhisattva Summit) is the largest Tibetan monastery in Mount Wutai. It is featured in grand royal-style halls and temples. The ancient emperors in Ming and Qing Dynasties lived in the temple during their pilgrimage to Mount Wutai.
After the temples visit, drive about 3.5 hours to Pingyao. Check in to your hotel. The rest time is free for you to relax and take rest.
- Pingyao
Day 7 Pingyao
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to start Pingyao Ancient City exploration. As one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China, Pingyao Ancient City is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site because of its brilliant cultural magnificence. With a history over 2700 years, Pingyao Ancient City still keeps its intact charm: ancient city walls, elegant courtyards, scattered temples, all reflecting the urban planning style between 1368 and 1911 during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Your tour starts from the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao, where you can have a panorama view of the layout of this town. Then you will move on to the Rishengchang Former Bank, which shows you the original bank system in the past. Next, stroll on the traditional Ming and Qing Street, a cobbled road with old buildings on either side. It’s much like tracing back to the former bustle bazaar in the old days. Later, visit the Temple of City God to appreciate the wonderful wood carvings, paintings and sculptures in the old temple.
After Pingyao Ancient City exploration, drive about 15 minutes to visit Shuanglin Temple, where you will be impressed by its large number of clay figures and wooden sculptures of various gods, goddesses and saints.
Return to your pingyao hotel after Shuanglin Temple visit.
- Pingyao
Day 8 Pingyao→Taiyuan →Zhengzhou
After breakfast, drive to Qiao’s Family Compound, which is used to be the house of a famous local financier during the Qing Dynasty. Built in 1756, this well-preserved compound shows you how the traditional North China Folk house was like in the past.
Then head to Jinci Temple – the top historic site in Taiiyuan. It was firstly built to commemorate Tang Shuyu, the founder of Jin State (1033 B.C. – 376 B.C.) and his mother and then became an imperial garden where religious rites and sporting contests were held. Stepping into this sprawling complex, you will admire the charming natural landscape as well as historical relics like featured architectures, elegant murals and colored sculptures.
After visiting, your local guide will escort you to Taiyuan Railway Station to catch your train to Zhengzhou. Upon arrival be transferred to Zhengzhou hotel to have a rest.
Reference Train Information : G691 Taiyuan South 17:45- Zhengzhou 20:40 Duration : 2 hours 55 minutes 2nd Class seats
- Zhengzhou
Day 9 Zhengzhou- Dengfeng - Luoyang
After breakfast, your guide will lead you to explore the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting the largest and most impressive collection of Chinese art from the late Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (316-907). Take an electric car to the West Tourist Center to begin your exploration from there. You’ll marvel at the remarkable Buddhist caves scattered across the West Hill from north to south. The Bingyang Middle Cave, the first royal cave, was excavated to immortalize Emperor Xiaowen’s historical achievements in moving the capital to Luoyang and initiating Chineseization reforms. In the Wanfo Cave, adorned with 15,000 small seated Buddhas, you’ll witness a harmonious depiction of the Western Pure Land. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the Longmen Grottoes awaits you at the Fengxian Temple, where the majestic Vairocana Buddha stands 17.14-meter tall, showcasing unparalleled carving skills through its diverse statues. After immersing yourself in the beauty of the grottoes, take a leisurely stroll to the opposite side of the river for a panoramic view, particularly of the magnificent Vairocana Buddha. Conclude your visit by exiting the scenic area aboard an electric car.
In the afternoon, go to take a stroll through the ancient streets of Luoyang Old City (Lijing Gate & Shizi Street). Teeming with old residential buildings, food streets, and quaint shops, it offers a vibrant glimpse into the splendor of old Luoyang. Indulge in local snacks or shop for unique souvenirs at your leisure. After the trip, drive back to your hotel.
After the trip, your local guide will escort you to Luoyang Railway Station to catch your train to Beijing.
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Day 10 Luoyang→Beijing
Depart from your hotel in the morning. Be transferred to the Zhujiang Pier by our driver (about 40 minute drive) for a 4-4.5 hours wonderful Li-River cruise. You will enjoy the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank. A Chinese buffet lunch is served on the most comfortable 4-star Li River cruise boat. It quite spaciously accommodates 72–80 passengers, so you can enjoy the amazing scenery along the Li River peacefully. When the boat arrives at 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm (depending on water levels), Our tour guide will take you to Yangshuo West Street, also called Foreigner’s Street. With a history of over 1,400 years and located in the center of the town, Yangshuo West Street is the busiest as well as the oldest street in the town; As China continues to open to the outside world, this little town attracts more and more foreigners with its unique mix of culture and, gradually, the street has become a center for cultural exchange between the east and west.
Tonight you will enjoy the largest live-action performance of landscape in the world—-<Impression Liusanjie> directed by Mr. Yimou Zhang-the world famous director, the general director of the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Get back to the Yangshuo Hotel, relax & refresh.
- Yangshuo
