Day 01 Arrive Beijing (D)
Arrive in Beijing. Met and transferred to hotel for a 2 nights stay, take a leisurely stroll on the Tiananmen Square in the afternoon, the biggest public square in the world, before attending the welcome dinner.
Day 02 Beijing (B/L/D)
Morning visit to the Forbidden City, which served as the imperial residence for Ming and Qing Dynasties and the largest ancient architectural structure in China today. Summit on the coal hill in Jingshan Park for the stunning panoramic views of the city. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors ended their ritual procession to worship and pray for good harvest.
Day 03 Beijing to Zhengzhou (B/L/D)
Morning flight to Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province. Though not as famous as its two neighbour cities – Luoyang and Kaifeng, the recent archaeological finds of Shang Dynasty ruins showed that its history even earlier than Anyang, where the Shang Dynasty oracles were unearthed a century ago. Zhengzhou also boasts for its province museum – Henan Museum, next to the Imperial Museum (Forbidden City), second largest in China. Transfer to hotel for a 2 nights stay.
Day 04 Zhengzhou to Kaifeng (B/L/D)
About 70 kilometres east to Zhengzhou is Kaifeng. Named “Bian” in ancient time after the river passing through, Kaifeng served as capital for 7 dynasties in Chinese history. The flourish of Kaifeng was presented vividly in the Song Dynasty painting “Qingming Shang He Tu” (Life along the Bian River at the Pure Brightness Festival). Now the views are for real in the Qingming Park, and also along the Song Dynasty’s Imperial Street. The floods of Yellow River in the history destroyed almost everything, only Iron Pagoda of Song Dynasty and Dragon Pavilion rebuilt in Qing Dynasty are still there. |
Day 05 Zhengzhou to Luoyang(B/L/D)
120 kilometres west of Zhengzhou, Luoyang served as capital for 12 dynasties in the Chinese history. En route, visit the world famous Shaolin Temple. Built in 495, the Temple lies at the northern foot of Shaoshi in Dengfeng County. Shaolin Temple gained its reputation for Shaolin Kongfu, or Chinese martial arts. The embodiment can be found in the Kongfu show by the monks. Continue the way to Luoyang, stop to visit the cave dwelling house, special local housing form in Central Plains of China. Transfer to hotel for a 2 nights stay.
Day 06 Luoyang (B/L/D)
The whole morning will be devoted to Longmen Grottoes. Located along the banks of Yishui River and stretching some 1 kilometre, carved about 1,500 years ago, Longmen Grottoes is among the 4 most famous Buddhist Grottoes in China, the rests are Dunhuang, Yungang and Maijishan. In the afternoon visit the Xiaolangdi Water Control Project on the second longest river in China – Yellow River, second of its kind to the Three Gorges Dam Project on China’s longest River – Yangtze River, also the world third.
Day 07 Luoyang to Xi’an (B/L/D)
Explore the Peony city Luoyang is the must. The old town and Luoyang Folklore Museum are the places to find more of both old and new. Go west, about 5 hours for 400 kilometres drive will reach the next ancient capital city – Xi’an. A chance to see the scenery of the Central Plains, passing Yellow River and Mt. Huashan. Transfer to hotel for a 2 nights stay. |
Day 08 Xi’an (B/L/D)
No city like Xi’an attracts the people all over the world to be there for its rich tourist resources. As capital for 11 dynasties, over 1,100 years, Xi’an witnessed the heyday of the Chinese feudal society. Drive out of the city to visit the remarkable Terra-Cotta Warriors with the Bronze Chariots & Horses, which were not unearthed until 1974 and acclaimed as the 8th wonder of the world. In the afternoon visit the Grand Mosque and the Muslim quarter, one of the largest Mosques in northwest China, characterized in Chinese style. Option of Tang era music and dance show with dinner in the evening.
Day 09 Xi’an to Beijing (B/L/D)
In the morning visit Ming Dynasty City Wall. This wall is the best preserved ancient martial fortress in China nowadays. Followed by Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Before heading to the airport to Beijing, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Transfer to hotel for a 2 nights stay.
Day 10 Beijing (B/L/D)
Drive north to visit the Great Wall at Badaling, the most famous section in Beijing. An afternoon tour to visit Dingling, one of the 13 Ming Tombs. It is the only emperor’s tomb excavated by the scientific way in the history. People now get a chance to see what the underground palace for the emperor is alike. Followed, a special arranged drive-around tour for CTI’s distinguished guests to have a close look of several other unopened tombs. By the year of 2008, all the 13 Ming Tombs will be repaired and opened to the public. Little time left to see them in the original status. In the evening, attending the famous Peking Duck banquet.
Day 11 Depart Beijing (B)
Transfer to the airport for flight back home. |
