CTH-018: China Experience Tour

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Tour code: CTH-018
Tour Type: Culture,History,Photography,Religious,Sightseeing
Destinations: Beijing - Datong - Pingyao - Taiyuan - Xian - Chongqing - Dazu - Zigong - Leshan - Mount Emei - Chengdu - Lijiang - Kunming - Hangzhou - Shanghai - Wuyishan city - Xiamen
Tour overview: Your experience itinerary in China is set on the unspoiled ancient relics, charming scenery and profound culture of the land. Begin your trek in Great Wall Beijing, and explore the off-beaten track cities Datong & Pingyao; forward to Chongqing and extension to see the dinosaur museum in Zigong. Before unwind in the relaxing town Lijiang, admire the giant Buddha statues and charming views at Emei; before transfer to Xiamen, you stop at Kunming and Wuyi Mountain. Just experience the natural & cultural appeals of China!

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Call us at 800-87542136

Highlights

Beijing
Climbing the legendary Great Wall and photo stop at the Olympic Venue; a rickshaw tours to Hutong areas drive travelers into ancient laneways

Datong & Mountain Wutai
Admire the well-preserved Buddism stone sculptures in Yungang caves and explore the wild great wall section; Visit the hanging temples and buddism sites on Mountain Wutai

Pingyao
Stroll at the ancient city Pingyao to see the ancient shops and compounds in northern China

Xian
Marvel at the stunning terra cotta army and stroll at the old city quarter

Chongqing & Zigong
Visit the Ciqikou ancient towns and head to Dazu for beautiful Buddhism carvings; visit the famous Dinosaue Museum and the Salt Museum in Zigong

Leshan, Mountain Emei & Chengdu
Stun at the world’s largest Buddha statue at Leshan and visit the Buddhism sites on Emei while have fun hiking experience; get closer to giant panda at Chengdu

Lijiang
Stop at the relaxing town Lijiang and understand the unique customs and life of Naxi people

Kunming
Before fly to Hangzhou, visit some sites

Wuyi Mountain & Xiamen
Bamboo rafting in Wuyi Mountain area then admire the ancient tea trees – Dahongpao; watch the well-preserved earthen building and stroll on the Gulangyu

Tour Date	City	Tour Brief
1	Beijing	N/A
2	Beijing	Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven
3	Beijing	Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Road
4	Beijing - Datong	Hutongs
5	Datong	Yungang Grottoes, Deshengbao Great Wall
6	Datong - Pingyao	Free day
7	Pingyao - Taiyuan - Xian	Pingyao Ancient City, Ancient Ming-Qing Street, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Qiao Family Courtyard, Jinci Temple
8	Xian	Big Goose Pagoda, Xian City Wall
9	Xian - Chongqing	Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses, Ciqikou Old Town
10	Chongqing - Dazu	Three Gorges Museum, Dazu Rock Carvings
11	Dazu - Zigong	Zigong Dinosaur Museum, Zigong Salt History Museum
12	Zigong - Leshan - Mount Emei	Mount Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha
13	Mount Emei - Chengdu	Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple, Jinli Ancient Street
14	Chengdu - Lijiang	Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Jinsha Site Museum, Wangjiang Tower
15	Lijiang	Shuhe Old Town, Baisha Murals, Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Culture Museum
16	Lijiang	Free day
17	Lijiang - Kunming	Stone Forest, Sani Minority Village
18	Kunming-Hangzhou	Stone Forest, Golden Temple
19	Hangzhou - Shanghai	West Lake, Dragon Well Tea Plantation, Six Harmonies Pagoda
20	Shanghai - Wuyishan city	Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, Nanjing Road
21	Wuyishan city	Heavenly Tour Peak, Bamboo Rafting down Nine-twist Stream, Wuyi Palace
22	Wuyishan city - Xiamen	Da Hong Pao Tea Tree
23	Xiamen	Hakka Earth Towers
24	Xiamen	Gulangyu Island

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

City:	Beijing
Activity:	Arrival in Beijing. Our guide will meet you at the exit of Arrival Hall and transfer to the hotel.
Attractions:	N/A
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Day 2

City:	Beijing
Activity:	Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven
Attractions:	Tiananmen Square Named after the Ming dynasty gate at the northern part, with the huge portrait of Mao on it; it is the world's largest public square, with national flag raised at dawn and lowered at dusk on a daily basis. Forbidden City Served as Palace Museum now, it is the largest imperial palace in the world, once home to 24 emperors and the magnificent architectures and royal gardens well-left. Temple of Heaven A master piece of Ming-dynasty architecture; it served as an exclusive altar for the emperors to worship the Gods. There are many local practices in the mornings in the park.
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Day 3

City:	Beijing
Activity:	Visit the Great Wall, Ming Tombs and the Sacred Road.
Attractions:	Great Wall Ancient world wonder, stretching thousands of miles; the giant stone & brick dragon, winding through the lofty mountains, great rivers and boundless deserts, offers great hiking experience and breath-taking scenery. Ming Tombs Located outside Beijing City, 13 tombs in total; each held the body of one emperor and his wives, with many stone carvings, palatial buildings and numerous funerary treasures inside. Sacred Road The holy lane of animals and guardians leading and protecting the Ming Tombs; also acts as a stop-over along the way to Great Wall.
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Day 4

City:	Beijing - Datong
Activity:	Take a three wheel rickshaw to Hutong to see local Beijinger's life. After lunch, transfer to take train to Datong. Our guide will meet you at the train station and transfer to the hotel.
Attractions:	Hutongs the traditional living quarters of local people; they are formed by narrow alleyways, streets, courtyard houses, grey walls and tiles. Taking a rickshaw tours to get a glimpse of Old Peking Culture and pay a visit to a local family.
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Day 5

City:	Datong
Activity:	Visit Yungang Grottoes, and drive to see the wild Great Wall at Deshengbao.
Attractions:	Yungang Grottoes Yungang Grottoes, an official UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the treasure-house of ancient Chinese sculpture. All togerher the site is composed of 252 grottoes with over 51,000 Buddha statues. Deshengbao Great Wall Built 400 years ago, here used to be a military fort and trading distribution. But now as time passed, prosperity does not exist any more. What left are only some fading city walls and towers. From the ruin you can image past splendid time.
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Day 6

City:	Datong - Pingyao
Activity:	Take a morning train to Pingyao, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Attractions:	Free day
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Day 7

City:	Pingyao - Taiyuan - Xian
Activity:	Visit the ancient Pingyao town, Ming-Qing Street, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, etc. In the afternoon, drive to visit Qiao Family Courtyard and Jinci Temple. Proceed to Taiyuan to board the overnight train to Xian.
Attractions:	Pingyao Ancient City The town once served as a bustling economic center of feudal China. Rich in various valuable cultural relics and historic sites, it was named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in1997. Ancient Ming-Qing Street As the commercial center of Pingyao County, Ming-Qing Street assembles hundreds of shops which include banks, pawnshops, butchers, drug stores and silk warehouse. Gone through winds and rains, it keeps prosperity as hundreds years ago. Rishengchang Exchange Shop Built in 1823, Rishengchang exchange shop is first draft bank in China. Since China's currency "silver" is inconvenience to carry and transport in large amount, Rishengchang issue bills so that customers can exchange into silver in the other b Qiao Family Courtyard Qiao Family Courtyard House was first built in Qianlong Period, and reflects residential style of big families in feudal society in north of China. Well-knit arrangement and exquisite architecture make it the nice tourism spots in Shanxi Province. Jinci Temple Located in Taiyuan city, Shanxi Province, Jinci temple features ancient sacrifice architectures, gardens, sculptures, frescoes, and stele-carving. It is consider a perfect combination of historical relics and beautiful landscapes.
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Day 8

City:	Xian
Activity:	Arrive in Xian. Be met and transferred to have breakfast and check in hotel. Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Ancient City Wall and Old City Quarters.
Attractions:	Big Goose Pagoda A well-preserved pagoda from the Tang Dynasty in the Temple of Great Maternal Grace (Da Ci'ensi); built to house the Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the traveling monk Xuan Zang. Xian City Wall The most intact ancient fortifications in China, including moat, hanging bridge, gate towers and turrets; walk up to the top of the wall, riding bikes on it and have a wonderful view of Xian and Bell Tower.
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Day 9

City:	Xian - Chongqing
Activity:	Visit Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Transfer to take an afternoon flight to Chongqing. Be met and transferred to hotel. Visit Ciqikou old town if time permits.
Attractions:	Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses The miraculous archeological discovery in last century, famed as the world’s eighth wonder; over 8,000 life-size, vivid statues were lined in battle formation. Each figure shows various facial expressions as well as their hair styles and accessories. Ciqikou Old Town Built 1000 years ago, Ciqikou old town prospered for the trading of porcelains. As a crucial dock and transportation hub, Ciqikou is considered as a historic town with traditional architectures, rich culture and local flavor food.
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Day 10

City:	Chongqing - Dazu
Activity:	Visit Three Gorges Museum, then drive to Dazu, and visit the carvings at Baoding Hill. Overnight at Dazu.
Attractions:	Three Gorges Museum Three Gorges Museum is not only a specified museum of Three Gorges, but also a comprehensive museum of history and art, a collection of over 170,000 pieces of cultural relics. The museum enables people to understand the culture in interactive way. Dazu Rock Carvings Listed as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1999, Dazu Rock Carvings is a series of Chinese religious sculptures. It has a fame "Oriental Carved Bible" for refined craft, diversified theme and profound scripts.
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Day 11

City:	Dazu - Zigong
Activity:	Drive to Zigong, visit the famous Dinosaue Museum and the Salt Museum.
Attractions:	Zigong Dinosaur Museum The museum, enjoying the same excellent reputation as American National Dinosaur Park and Canadian Dinosaur Park, houses the world’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils. It offers a great Time Tunnel to the mysterious world of mid-Jurassic Period. Zigong Salt History Museum The collection of the museum display the ancient Chinese salt production, especially large-scale mural paintings inside shows the 2,000-year evolution of salt mining in China.
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Day 12

City:	Zigong - Leshan - Mount Emei
Activity:	Transfer to visit the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world at Leshan, then proceed to Mount Emei.
Attractions:	Mount Emei Featured with the graceful natural beauty, the long Buddhist culture, the rich resources of wild life, and the singular topography; A two day trip to Mountain Emei helps you fully enjoy the beauty there. Leshan Giant Buddha the world's largest stone-caved Buddha in the world, with a height at 71 meters, sitting in a cliff overlooking the confluence of Min, Dadu and Qingyi River.
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Day 13

City:	Mount Emei - Chengdu
Activity:	Visit Baoguo Temple at the foot of Mount Emei and take cable car up to visit Wanian Temple, walk down to see the wild monkeys, then drive to Chengdu, visit Jinli ancient street if time permits.
Attractions:	Baoguo Temple Baoguo means “dedication to one’s nation”. Built in the 16th century, it’s the largest temple on Mt. Emei. One of its most famous historical relics is the 25-ton bronze Bell, reputedly the second-largest bell in China (after Beijing's Great Bell). Wannian Temple The Temple of 10,000 Years, at an elevation of 1,020 meters, is the oldest surviving Emei monastery. It houses an 8.5m-high bronze statue (weighing 62 ton) of Bodhisattva Puxian on a white elephant. Another historic site inside is the Beamless Hall. Jinli Ancient Street Once as one of the oldest and busiest streets in the history of Xishu Kingdom, it now combines the ambience of ancient and modern China. The teahouse, wine bar, snacks and handicraft there fully display the charm of Sichuan's customs and folk arts.
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Day 14

City:	Chengdu - Lijiang
Activity:	Visit Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Jinsha Site Museum, and Wangjiang Tower Park. Transfer to take an evening flight to Lijiang. Transfer to the hotel.
Attractions:	Giant Panda Breeding Research Base semi-wild area where those lovely China's ambassadors can be allowed to freely roam. Jinsha Site Museum It is a theme museum which concentrates on the Jinsha Site, the most significant archaeological discovery of China in the 21st century. Compared with other sites in the same period, it houses the most unearthed gold wares, jade wares, and ivories. Wangjiang Tower inside the Wangjiang Park, with lush bamboos (over 150 types) built inside; the tower is dedicated to a versatile and beautiful woman in Tang Dynasty.
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Day 15

City:	Lijiang
Activity:	Drive to visit Shuhe Town, Baisha Murals and a local Naxi Family, Black Dragon Pond and Dongba Museum.
Attractions:	Shuhe Old Town At an altitude of 2440 meters, it is a tranquil town with a population of about 3000 people. Along with its sister town Lijiang, it is also part of the UNESCO Heritage site. But the town is less touristy and polished with more original characters. Baisha Murals Painted in Baisha Town in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it’s a wonderful sight with their smooth lines, bright colors, vivid pattern and harmonious composition. The mural is an interesting co-existence of Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism in the artworks. Black Dragon Pool Coming from melting snow water, the pond flows downstream into Lijiang. As its water is as green and lucid as jade, the pond also gets the name "Yuquan" or Jade Fountain. Dongba Culture Museum Dongba culture refers to ancient Naxi culture. The main architecture of the museum is similar to the Naxi courtyard, and fully uses the advantage of its landform. It holds a remarkable collection of Naxi relics and cultural display.
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Day 16

City:	Lijiang
Activity:	Free day for exploration
Attractions:	Free day
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Day 17

City:	Lijiang - Kunming
Activity:	Transfer to Lijiang airport and fly to Kunming. Drive to visit the Stone Forest, the minority village on the way.
Attractions:	Stone Forest A grand karst site, located outside Kunming, features countless stone pillars, unique aesthetic peaks, grotesque rocks, strange caves, mountain lakes, and interesting ethnic culture and customs. Sani Minority Village Sani minority group, a subgroup of the Yi nationality, lives in the Stone Forest area for centuries. The village is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, mystical folk customs, colorful embroidery and wonderful minority dances.
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Day 18

City:	Kunming-Hangzhou
Activity:	Visit the Golden Temple, and a stroll at Green Lake, then take an afternoon flight to Hangzhou. Be met and transferred to the hotel.
Attractions:	Stone Forest A grand karst site, located outside Kunming, features countless stone pillars, unique aesthetic peaks, grotesque rocks, strange caves, mountain lakes, and interesting ethnic culture and customs. Golden Temple a Taoist shrine rebuilt in early Qing Dynasty; it is the largest copper architecture in China.
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Day 19

City:	Hangzhou - Shanghai
Activity:	Boating on West Lake, Dragon Well Tea Plantation, Six Harmonies Pagoda. Then transfer to take an express train to Shanghai.
Attractions:	West Lake Known as "paradise on earth", the famous lake is so popular not just for its picturesque natural scenery, but for innumerous historical sites. The beauty of West Lake consists in the changeable scenery at anytime, even in winter. Dragon Well Tea Plantation Within the West Lake district, the plantation is the core production area and designated as the production base of national gift tea. And dragon well tea enjoys the reputation of "Green Queen" and rank first in China’s top ten teas. Six Harmonies Pagoda Towering on the north bank of Qingtang River, Six Harmony Pagoda is the best place to view renowned Qingtang Tide. This 60m-high octagonal pagoda collects lot of stone carvings, sculptures, calligraphy which stand for the Chinese art essences.
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Day 20

City:	Shanghai - Wuyishan city
Activity:	Visit Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund and Nanjing Road. Transfer to take an evening flight to Wuyishan city.
Attractions:	Yuyuan Garden A charm and quiet garden located in the city heart of Shanghai separated travelers from the bustling street; it is a classical Chinese architectural marvel with traditional pavilions, bridges and rocks inside. Jade Buddha Temple A nice Buddhist temple inside Shanghai, can see monks and local worshippers there; the temple houses number of ancient sculptures, paintings, scriptures including the jade seated Buddha wearing a robe inlaid with precious jewels. Oriental Pearl Tower One of the symbolic buildings in Shanghai, located at the tip of Lujiazui of Pudong; it is also a multi-functional establishment that serves to kinds of visitors. the Bund The icon of Shanghai, located at the waterfront of Huangpu River, with enchanting western-style architectures. Stroll down into the area in different period of one day to see taichi playing in the mornings and colorful neon lights at nights. Nanjing Road A bustling pedestrian road with lots of shopping malls, unique designed buildings, stores, restaurants and hotels along the lane. Nice place for shopping and feel the vibe of Shanghai at the same time.
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Day 21

City:	Wuyishan city
Activity:	Visit Heavenly Tour Peak Scenic Spot, and Bamboo Rafting down Nine-twist Stream, Wuyi Palace and ancient street.
Attractions:	Heavenly Tour Peak Frequently shrouded in clouds and mist, it towers aloft over clusters of peaks and commanding a bird’s eye view of the fabulous Nine-Bend Stream. Here, visitors can see a sea of clouds passing by, as if touring in heaven, hence the name of the peak. Bamboo Rafting down Nine-twist Stream It takes about 2 hours to drift down the 10-kilometer stream by means of a bamboo raft. Amazing sceneries along the 10-kilometer Nine-twist Stream are perfect blend of waters and hills, presenting a real-life traditional Chinese painting. Wuyi Palace Amongst the bamboo grove and swirling mountain mist, the palace, built in 7th Century, is the oldest one in the Wuyi Mountain. Originally, it was used to be a sacrificial temple and only served emperors.
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Day 22

City:	Wuyishan city - Xiamen
Activity:	Visit Da Hong Pao Tea Tree, and other scenic areas. Then transfer to catch the flight to Xiamen. Be met and transferred to hotel.
Attractions:	Da Hong Pao Tea Tree Da Hong Pao Tea Tree, known as the "King of Tea Trees", grows on rocks with a bright color, strong scent and pure taste. Its tea, with special rock charm and fragrance, is good for at least 5 distinctive infusions when steeped gong-fu style.
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Day 23

City:	Xiamen
Activity:	Full day tour to Nanjing Hakka Earth Buildings (Tulou).
Attractions:	Hakka Earth Towers A kind of tall, multi-storey circular earthen buildings (Tulou) where a whole family or clan could live in; with unique glamour and elegance of Chinese civilization, the fantastic and spectacular Earth Tower of Hakka attracts more and more tourists.
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Day 24

City:	Xiamen
Activity:	Visit Gulangyu Island and stroll at old town street. Transfer to airport and fly to your next destination.
Attractions:	Gulangyu Island A relaxing retreat of meandering lanes and shaded backstreets, set in an architectural twilight of colonial villas, crumbling remains and ancient banyan trees; the island now is added on China’s list of National Scenic Spots.
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