Arrival in Beijing, met and transferred to your hotel in Beijing. Free for the rest of the day

 

Today’s Activities: The Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, Hall of Clocks and Watches
- The Tiananmen Square: The worlds largest city square and enduring symbol of Chinas national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Maos Mausoleum.
- The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this city within a city. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Hall of Clocks and Watches: Hall of Clocks and Watches set in the Forbidden City，2208 square meters，show us the clock history of the past 200 years. (B, L)

 

Today’s Activities: Hotel to Train station Transfer (Beijing), Mutianyu Cable Car(round trip), Great Wall at Mutianyu, Beijing to Taiyuan by overnight train,
- Mutianyu Cable Car(round trip): It is a challenging climb up to the Mutianyu Great Wall for it is much steeper than Badaling section. Here you have the option of taking the Cable car to the highest point or down to the foot in a few minutes instead of climbing more than 1,400 steps, while you can also have a bird view of the wall.
- Great Wall at Mutianyu: This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Roasted Duck at Quanjude: In the evening, enjoy the Peking Roasted Duck which is renowned as the most delicious food of Beijing.(B, L)

 

Day 4:  Taiyuan - Pingyao
Today’s Activities: Train station Transfer (Taiyuan), Jinci Temple, Shuanglin Temple, train to Pinyao
- Jinci Temple: Lies in the Xuanweng foothill, which is 25 kilometers from the southwest of Taiyuan city, it is the temple of Jin Emperor in ancient times; it is initially built during the northern Wei Dynasty (386-535) for memorizing the second son Jiyu of Zhouwu Emperor. Jinci Temple is one of the national key cultural relic reserves, enjoys the reputation of "Little South of the Yangtze River".
- Shuanglin Temple: It is located in Qiaotou village, six miles southwest of the Ancient City of Pingyao.“A real, unique treasure!” (B, L)

 

Today’s Activities: Hotel to Train station Transfer (Pingyao), The Ancient City Wall, The Rishengchang Draft Bank, The Mingqing Street, Pingyao Ancient Town, Pingyao to Xian by overnight train
- The Ancient City Wall: the ancient city wall of Pingyao with nearly 3,000 years of history, at present, basically keeps the original appearance of city wall constructed in early Ming Dynasty.
- The Rishengchang Draft Bank: It was established in 1823. It was the biggest draft bank at that time and had been famous for "Hui Tong Tian Xia" (Business Connecting the Whole World).
- The Mingqing Street: the downtown thoroughfare and reserved quite well of the styles in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
- Pingyao Ancient Town: In the middle of Shanxi Province, this is the best-preserved of the four ancient towns in China. Inside the intact Ming Dynasty city wall this traditional town, whose buildings date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, is exceptionally well-preserved, and just as it was centuries ago. Bikes can be rented for about 10 yuan/hour. You can also learn the traditional Chinese art of paper-cut, producing beautiful shapes and designs from paper in the Wentao Paper-cut shop, and lean how lacquerwork is done in Yonglong Shop. (B, L)

 

Day 6: Xian
Today’s Activities: Train station to Hotel Transfer (Xian), Terracotta Warriors(include golf carts), Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Stele Forest Museum
- Terracotta Warriors: Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qins tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Cien Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
- Xian Stele Forest Museum : A fascinating collection of inscribed stone tablets (steles), from very ancient to quite modern (Han-Qing Dynasties, 206BC-1911). All kinds of calligraphies and scripts tell stories, poems, classics, reports from around the Empire. Other exhibits include early sculptures and objects from Imperial tombs. This was once a Confucian temple, and the architecture and grounds are well worth a visit on their own account. (B, L)

 

Today’s Activities: City Wall, Great Mosque, Shaanxi Historical Museum
- City Wall: The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defences still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side.
- Great Mosque: In the heart of Xians Muslim quarter, close to the city centre, this is one of the largest Islamic mosques in China. Remarkable for the combination of Chinese architecture with Islamic practice, the courtyards align from east to west facing Mecca. The pavilions, halls and gateways are wonderfully decorated, and this is an active place of worship for the Hui descendants of Silk Road traders and travellers.
- Shaanxi Historical Museum: The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nations best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes. (B, L)

 

Day 8: Depart Xian
Today’s Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian)(B)