Summary Northern China Experience Tour should be an experience to remember for every traveler. The spectacular Beijing is overwhelming in its long history and sublime in detail. Jinan, known as 'city of springs', attracts people around the world to view the Baotuquan Spring which is known as the 'No. One Spring on the Earth'. Mt. Taishan is regarded as the first of the Five-Holy-Mountains in ancient China for its majesty and beauty. And Mt. Songshan in Zhengzhou will offer you a deep discovery of two of three roots of Chinese culture¡ªConfucianism and Buddhism. Add to above, Shanghai, a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features, provides you an ideal venue to reminisce about the vivid pictures of this trip in near future. Features Local specialties and night shows listed at the bottom for your delight Fine selected hotels at wide range of choices for your comfort Comprehensive and unique program Knowledgeable guides, experienced drivers and vans in good-condition
Day 01 Arrival, Beijing (No meals)
Arrive in Beijing, your gateway city of China tour. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Beijing, China's capital and a well-known tourist city of the world, offers sights and cultural relics found no where on earth. The city has its own individuality, that's the flavor of Beijing. The quadrangle, small alley, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, Peking Opera, arts and crafts you can see, hear and feel them all only when you come to the city yourself. After a good rest in a comfortable hotel TCT recommended, you are ready for the incoming exciting tour with full energy.
Day 02 Beijing(B/L)
Depart from hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square and Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. Peking Opera is available for your optional night entertainment.
[ Itinerary Description ]
As the biggest public square in the world, Tian¡¯anmen Square conquers you with its grandeur at the first sight. You are quite glad to begin your first-day tour here. Then you are leaded to Forbidden City. It is the imperial palace for 24 emperors during Ming and Qing Dynasties and the biggest ancient architecture complex in the world. You walk in the museum to see with your eyes, to touch with your hands and fell with your hearts. Thanks to this wonderful visiting, you know how the richest feudal country was and how the top rulers and their concubines lived. After enjoyed a nice Chinese lunch , you continue your trip to Temple of Heaven. Different from the red and golden in the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heave is based on a color of blue, which stands the color of sky. You feel the perfect harmony between the architecture and nature and a circle and peace spirit of Chinese people. You even could imagine the vivid pictures of a great sacrifice to the Heaven for good harvest through the description of local guide.
At night, it is lucky that you'll have an opportunity to enjoy the opera of nation- Peking Opera. Skillful performers convey their exact feelings to you through various facial making-ups and featured musical instruments. The Chinese culture is completely revealed.
Day 03 Beijing(B/L)
In the morning drive 75km to visit the Great Wall (Badaling Section) first and Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Peking Roasted Duck is available for your optional dinner.
[ Itinerary Description ]
The Great Wall (Badaling Section) is located in the suburb 75km northwest of Beijing. The highway from Beijing to the Great Wall is smooth and comfortable. The Great Wall is the symbol of China and the wisdom of Chinese people. It is very unbelievable that Chinese succeeded in building such a great architecture with simple tools in ancient time. The construction of the Great Wall began in the 5th century BC. The wall has a total length of 6,700km, traveling up and down over numerous mountains and valleys. Starting in the east at Shanhaiguan Pass, it crosses Hebei Province, Beijing, Shanxi Province, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shaanxi Province, and ending up in Jiayuguan at Gansu Province. It is said the Great Wall is the only man-made project which is visible from the moon. Badaling Section is one of the best preserved and most accessible parts with the essence of the whole Great Wall.
The Ming Tombs are located in the northern suburbs of Beijing, consisting of 13 tombs of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty after the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. Now there are only two tombs, Changling and Dingling, open to the visitors. The Lingsi Palace in Changling Tomb's second yard as really deserves a visit. This is unique as it is the only huge palace made of camphor wood. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor is decorated with gold bricks.
Today's dinner should be a highlight of your tour if you desire to taste the most famous Peking Roasted Duck. From the whole roasted duck to the soup of duck tones, you'll enjoy a banquet of every part of duck. Moreover, the chef shows his skill of cutting the skin of duck on live. Not only your taste is fulfilled but also your eyes are entertained.
Day 04 Beijng--Jinan(B/L)
Take a flight to Jinan, Shandong Province in the morning. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Visit the No. One Spring on the Earth- Baotuquan Park and beautiful Daming Lake in the afternoon.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Say goodbye to Beijing, and another charming city is waiting for you.
Backing the Mt. Taishan in the south and facing the Yellow River in the north, Jinan has distinguishable four seasons and sufficient sunshine all year around.
The city has another name of ¡®the City of Spring¡¯ for is has more than 700 natural springs caused by the blocked groundwater underneath the Mt. Taishan Range. Four groups of springs including 136 individual, namely Baotu, Pearl, Heihu and Wulong, are the most famous among the 72 others within the city.
In the afternoon, you will move forward to one of the most famous springs- Baotuquan with the fame of ¡®the No. One Spring under the Heaven¡¯ in Baotuquan Park. Located in the city center, the whole park covers an area of 10.5 hectare. The park is famous for its beautiful natural scenery. During the high flow period the scenery becomes much more magnificent than regular times.
Another famous spot Daming Lake pooled by several springs is located in the north of the old city area. For the lake covered nearly one third of the city, there came an ancient poem describing the city was covered by mountain and lake half and half with beautiful lotus around. Moreover, the lake is not only known for its scenery, but also its history and culture. In the ancient times, the spot attracted many scholars and educated people around. Besides, it is hard-won for a city to have a large natural lake in the center. The water resource of the lake come from many springs. Therefore Daming has never suffered from the flood and drought.
Day 05 Jinan- -Mt.Taishan (B/L)
Drive to visit Mt.Taishan, the perfect example of mountain resort that embodies natural scenery and cultural heritages. Stay overnight in Tai'an city.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Today, you will have a chance to visit one of World Heritage Sites- Mt. Taishan in Tai'an City. Mt. Taishan, crowned as the most famous of China¡¯s five great mountains. It is a perfect example of mountain resort that embodies natural scenery and cultural heritage, boasting numerous grotesque rock formations, clear waterfalls, age-old pine trees, stone bridges, temples, pavilions, pagodas, vast number of stone inscriptions left by famous ancient writers, scholars and calligraphers of various dynasties. Mt. Taishan¡¯s highest peak stand in north of t Tai¡¯an city, rising to 1,545 meters above the sea level. This mountain is impresses visitors with its majestic and precipitous appeal. Its summit Yuhuangding is surrounded by valleys and perilous peaks. To reach Yuhuangding, you will take a cable car firstly and then follow some zigzag and tortuous paths, along which you will feast your eyes on the charming scenery and appreciate the ancient architectural works of various styles. Then you will trudge along a staircase that leads to Heavenly Southern Gate. When you reach Riguan Peak, literally means the sun watching peak, and look around in the distance, you will find yourselves carried away in involuntary admiration by the overpowering endless vistas of mountain beyond mountains and scenery beyond scenery. Go down to the bottom of Mt. Taishan and stay overnight in Tai'an city. Simple but clean enough for your requirement.
Day 06 Mt. Taishan -- Qufu -- Jinan (B/L)
Continue your trip to Qufu by visiting Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and Confucius Family Mansion, these are the ideal place to know the Chinese traditional culture. Drive back to Jinan.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Located in Qufu, Temple and Cemetery of Confucius, and Confucius Family Mansion are three important sites in Confucianism. Together with the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Mountain Resort of Chengde, the Temple of Confucius in Qufu is one of the three largest ancient architectural complexes in China. In the east of the Temple of Confucius, is Confucius Family Mansion. Kong is the family surname of Confucius and his descendants. The temple, family mansion and cemetery of Confucius are conveniently lined up after each other and share one entry ticket. You will find many traditional Chinese culture items in those architectures: door studs, scenic openings, stone turtles burdened with stone tablets, zoom orphic ornaments, glazed tiles and a strange ornament that might be Taihu rockery. The best sight of them all is at the rear of the Confucian Temple. The 18th century Dacheng Hall has ten wonderfully decorated columns, ornamented with dragons.
Day 07 Jinan-- Zhengzhou (B/L)
Fly to Zhengzhou in the morning. Upon arrival, visit Yellow River Museum to gain the insight of Chinese civilization along the river.
[ Itinerary Description ]
As a capital of 5 dynasties, Zhengzhou was an important city as early as 3,500 years ago. The long history and brilliant civilization have made Zhengzhou rich in humanistic scenery, where there are 137 key protective units at national or provincial level. Many places of interest with their unique charms are dawning interests and attentions of tourists from all over the world ,such as Yellow River Scenic Spot.
As a mother river of Chinese people, Yellow River is the cradle of the ancient Chinese history and culture. The so-called Yellow River Civilization also originated from this area. Yellow River Museum is set for show the formation and historical changes of Yellow River and the evolution process of Chinese civilization along the river.
Day 08 Zhengzhou--Dengfeng--Luoyang (B/L)
Drive to Luoyang in the morning via Dengfeng, where it is the origination of Chinese Kungfu. You will visit the Shaolin Temple and Pagoda Forest in Dengfeng. Water Feast from the Tang Dynasty is available for your optional dinner in Luoyang.
[ Itinerary Description ]
First built in 495 AD, Shaolin Temple is famous for Chinese Kungfu or Martial Arts and the Zen Buddhism wide-spread in East Asia. Shaolin Temple is one of China's most famous ancient temples. Shaolin Temple once had many monks on its premises. Those monks of the lower level mostly came from the secular society and some of them knew some martial arts before entering the temple. Those who knew martial arts taught and helped each other to improve their skills. They also absorbed the experience of their predecessors and gradually developed their martial arts into the unique Shaolin school. You can enjoy a Chinese Kungfu show (about 40 minutes) before you approach on the mountain. Pagoda Forest in Shaolin Temple was a concentration of tomb pagodas for eminent monks, abbots and ranking monks at the temple. A rough count shows more than two hundred fifty tomb pagodas of various sizes, making it the biggest pagoda forest in China.
A trip of Luoyang would be incomplete without a taste of Water Feast from Tang Dynasty. There are two reasons it got its name. One is for its top soup flavor among all dishes and the other is for the incessant dishes which has a similarity with the flowing water. Innovated by common people, Water Feast was favored by the only Empress in Tang Dynasty and became a kind of royal cuisine. Water Feast is distinguished for being ¡®spicy and sour.' Their uniquely flavor is created by a mixture of spices and condiments. Even Chinese former Premier Mr. Zhou Enlai and Canadian former Premier Mr. Pierre Elliott Trudeau had highly appraised the Water Feast when they visited Luoyang in 1972.
Day 09 Luoyang--Xi'an (B/L)
In the morning, you will visit Longmen Grottoes and then be transferred to railway station for the soft-seated train to Xi'an. Upon arrival be transferred to hotel to have a rest.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Suited 12 kilometers south of Luoyang, Longmen Grottoes is one of three main treasure houses of stone inscription art in China. Longmen Grottoes is a complex of some 2,100 caves with more than 100,000 statues and 3,600 inscriptions carved on stone tablets. In Chinese, Longmen means ¡® Dragon Gate¡¯. In this amazing display of art and craftsmanship, you¡¯ll find Buddha that range in size from tall (17.14 meters) to small (2 centimeters) and everything in between. Strolling along the rock path built on the cliff, you will see Guyang Cave, Binyang Cave and Cave of Ten Thousand Buddha, each with its own legend .
Xi 'an is a city with time-honored history. It is the city can bring you back in time to ancient Chinese civilization. During its 3,100 years development, 13 dynasties have occupied the region. Besides, the city was the start point of the famous Silk Road. You'll find Xi 'an a large city with a much more relaxed atmosphere than that of Beijing. There are lots of cars but without the traffic pace of Shanghai. One of the important reason for no subway in the city is that there is large part of the wealth of ancient treasures buried here.
Day 10 Xi'an (B/L)
Arrive in Xi'an in the morning. Ample time will be provided for the visits of those famous spots in Xi'an after your check-in. The tour includes Qin Terror-cotta Army Museum, one of the world's most important archaeological finds with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum. You could choose Jiaozi Banquet or Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner as your optional dinner.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Being a capital of 13 dynasties, Xi¡¯an has so much to offer. Today¡¯s attractions are the best of the best. From your hotel, your local guide directs you to the site where local farmers drilling a series of wells in search of water found excavations of Qin Terror-cotta Army Museum by accident in 1974. It has been regarded as the '8th Wonder of the World.' It was created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb that's to protect him in his afterlife in the mind of ancient Chinese. Three excavation pits have been opened to the public with a fourth underway. During his visit to China, US former President Clinton came to visit the dig. The fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation are ancient art treasure and complete illustration of the history of Qin Dynasty.
Then set forth to Banpo Neolithic Village Museum located east Xi'an. It is one of the most important sites of the Neolithic culture that existed 6,000-7,000 years ago. Archeologists have uncovered a residential area, a pottery workshop and a cemetery in an area that covers some 50,000 square meters of ancient ruins.
This evening you could choose Jiaozi Banquet which covers over 10 kinds of Jiaozi in China as your dinner. The shapes of Jiaozi various from one to another, such as rabbit, duck, shrimp, peanuts and so on. Or you can enjoy Tang Dynasty Show with Dinnerthat was made for emperors only in ancient China. You'll enjoy the sumptuous dinner while watching a fabulous dancing and singing performance of Tang Dynasty. This is not only a performance of Chinese traditional dancing and singing but also a recurrence of Chinese ancient society and culture.
Day 11 Xi'an--Shanghai (B/L)
In the morning, you will visit the Shaanxi History Museum and Ancient City Wall, one of the oldest and best-preserved walls in China. Be transferred to airport for your flight to Shanghai in the afternoon.
[ Itinerary Description ]
In the ancient city like Xi 'an, the museum should be an indispensable part of your visit. Shaanxi History Museum is a showcase of the civilization from Emperor Qin Shihuang to the present day. The museum is housed in a striking Tang Dynasty-style pavilion and features an enormous collection of 113,000 historic and cultural relics. You continue the trip to the nearby Ancient City Wall. It is the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
Although Shanghai is a busy city lined up by tall buildings and one of the most populated city in the country, it still has scenic ancient sites reminding the rich history of old Shanghai.
Day 12 Shanghai (B/L)
Depart from hotel in the morning to have a whole-day trip of Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, the Old Street, Oriental TV Tower and the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade. Traditional Dim-sum Banquet and Acrobatics are available for your optional lunch and night entertainment.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Today you'll find a Buddhism shrine - Jade Buddha Temple, located in a crowd of Shanghai City. It was first built in 1882 in Jiangwan on the southern outskirts of Shanghai. In order to make it convenient for the adherents to visit , it was bodily moved to Shanghai City at the present sire in 1918. It is named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha. It receives thousands of visitors and worshipers everyday while keeps its sanctity and charming. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the sitting jade Buddha statue is translucent with a solemn expression, displaying the excellent skill and extraordinary art of Chinese people. Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19 th century and was restored in 1961. This garden was first built in the 16th century by provincial governor, Pan Yunduan, in honor of his father who was the then government minister. It has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools, and flora that are all connected by corridors and passageways. The delicate design and exquisite layout of the whole garden reveals a strong impression of 'garden in the garden, whole in the part.' Coming back from the nature, the shopping trip will begin in Nanjing Road which is starts at the Bund and runs westward, with People's Square in the middle. Renown for its bustling and modernization, Nanjing Road earns its reputation as the 'First Commercial Road in China', which is the good shopping heaven for your trip as the same as the Fifth Avenue in New York and Avenue des Champs-Elys¨¦es in Paris. Some of the traditional food and handicrafts of Shanghai can be found here. Then we comes to the Bund, the showcase with the old buildings of colonial-era leftover along Huangpu River. The renowned waterfront district is the city's most famous landmark. The word BUND is of Anglo-India origin meaning embankment on the waterfront. It is also the popular site to enjoy the night view of the city. Standing at Pudong New Area at the east side of Huangpu River, Oriental TV Tower was completed on October 1, 1994. The tower has a height of 468 meters. With multi-functions of sightseeing, catering, shopping, amusement and accommodations, this tower has become the symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction in Shanghai.
Shanghai offers colorful recreations with rich contents and creative form. Your night may be filled with an interactive old form of art known as the Acrobatics. Those professional performers have been trained of as early as age six or seven so that they can play so well and excellent. It definitely will be an unforgettable night in your memory.
Day 13 Departure, Shanghai(B)
Your China tour is over all too soon as you transfer to the airport and board the homebound International flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.
Service Ends
TCT Optional Local Specialties & Night Shows:
City
Local Specialties
Nights Shows
Beijing
Peking Roasted Duck
Peking Opera
Luoyang
Water Feast from the Tang Dynasty
-
Xi'an
Jiaozi Banquet
Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner
Shanghai
Traditional Dim-sum Banquet
Chinese Acrobatics
TCT Recommended Hotels:
City
Standard Hotels
First Class Hotels
Deluxe Hotels
Beijing
Dongfang Hotel
Holiday Inn Central Plaza
Crowne Plaza
Jinan
Shangdong East Hotel
Silver Plaze Quancheng Hotel
Sofitel Silver Plaze
Tai'an
Taishan Hotel
Taishan International Hotel
Ramada Plaza Taian
Zhengzhou
Longdu Hotel
Yuhuayuan Hotel
Hotel Sofitel Zhengzhou
Luoyang
Xinjianglong Hotel
Luoyang Grand Hotel
Yaxiang Jinling Hotel
Xi'an
New Henderson Hotel
Aurum International Hotel
Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza
Shanghai
Pacific Luck Hotel
Golden River View Hotel
Howard Johnson Shanghai
Price Details (per person in US$) :
Standard hotels
First Class hotels
Deluxe hotels
Standard Class Hotels
Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1286
255
1385
325
1425
365
6-9 pax
1767
363
1807
404
1842
438
2-5 pax
2220
363
2261
404
2295
438
1 pax
3508
3589
3657
First Class Hotels
Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1385
350
1494
430
1555
491
6-9 pax
1932
522
1984
573
2014
604
2-5 pax
2393
469
2444
573
2475
604
1 pax
3848
3950
4012
Deluxe Class Hotels
Low Season
Standard Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1585
549
1768
704
2032
968
6-9 pax
2320
909
2356
945
2541
1130
2-5 pax
2781
909
2817
945
3001
1130
1 pax
4623
4696
5065
* High season: April, May, Sep, Oct, & 1-15 Nov; Shoulder Season: Jun & Jul; Low Season: Jan, Feb, Mar, 16-30 Nov & Dec
* S.Supp: Single Supplement
TCT Member Price :
Remarks:
All the "0" in the above form indicate that the prices to be advised, and S.Supp(Single Supplement)means one client occupying one standard room.
Prices in USD are based on two sharing one twin-bed standard room,exclusive of the price for ONE passenger occupying one twin-bed room of his own.
The prices quoted here are only valid in 2008, period of 2008 Beijing Olympic excepted.
The availabilities of rooms, flights and so on are subject to change until the actual booking is being made. TCT reserves the right to adjust the prices of any portion of the tour due to the reasons beyond our control.
Prices are based on the current exchange rate and are subject to change without prior notice. For the most up to date prices, please contact with the sales.
Children under 12 have discount from above prices. Please advise all details about kids concerned with bookings.
Price includes:
Mentioned domestic air transportation in economy class with airport tax and fuel surcharge. The tax and surcharge are subject to change at any time.
Private transfers between airports/railway stations, hotels and all sightseeing spots. Separate arrivals and departures will incur extra charges.
Hotel or cruiser accommodation based on two adults sharing one standard twin-bed room/cabin; a client who travels alone or desires is required to pay a single supplement rate. A single room is subject to availability based on prior request at an additional cost; if the recommended hotel is not available, it will be substituted by a similar one.
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in the cruise fee as well as the cruise shore excursion in groups and daily activities. The arrangements are subject to the different cruiser companies and subject to change without prior notice.
One driver and one English-speaking guide on normal sightseeing activities in each destination.
All entrance fees to scenic spots as shown in the itinerary. The final arrangement will be determined by local tour guides based on the local circumstances which are beyond the control of TopChinaTravel. TCT will adhere to the original itinerary as accurately as possible.
Tibet Travel Permit application fee in the packages related to Tibet.
Price excludes:
Round International airfare or train tickets.
Visa fee, passport application or renewal fee.
Tips for guides, escort, drives, bellman, etc.
Personal expenses such as excess luggage fees, laundry, postage, communications and beverages.
Travel insurance.
Optional meals and shows mentioned in the itinerary, which will be added up if the clients desire to take the activities.
Applicable taxes or government fees.
Any other changes caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority orders, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or injury caused by accident beyond the control of TopChinaTravel and that has incurred due to the tourist action violating the laws.
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