Essence of China Tour

Arrive in Beijing
Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts - an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites and a bustling modern metropolis that successfully hosted the 2008 Olympics. After arriving in Beijing, you will be met and transferred you to your Hotel. The guide will give you tips on local restaurants that we recommend and shopping in streets nearby. The rest of the day is free to rest to recreation from jetlag or explore Beijing by yourself.

Beijing
After breakfast visit Tian'anmen Square, the symbol of Beijing and one of highlights of any Essence of China Tour. A walk in the Square will help discover the many points of interest. There is much to see. The Forbidden City is the destination of the afternoon. Forbidden City, where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties resided. Located in the center of the central axial line of Beijing, the Palace Museum was firstly constructed in 1406. It has more than 9,000 halls and rooms, and contains a large number of valuable cultural relics. Lunch is at Courtyard 7 Restaurant near the Hutong area. Its rustic Chinese design gives it real charm. This serves restaurant provides new modern French dishes as well as Chinese cuisine.

Beijing Place
Today's Activities: Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall (with round way cable car), Cloisonne Factory Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner at Roasted Duck at Fangzhuang First visit Temple of Heaven. Constructed in 1420, the Temple of Heaven was the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvests. It has been included into the UNSCO World Heritage List. Well known for its precise outlay, unusual architectural decorations, it is the largest temple complex for praying in China. Lunch is at Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant near Mutianyu Great Wall. This garden style restaurant serves farmhouse dishes, specializing in rainbow trout, sturgeon and salmon.

Beijing to Xian Place
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian), Summer Palace Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch The Summer Palace is equally famous as the Forbidden City. It is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. A much-loved summer retreat of the Imperial families, the beautifully landscaped gardens, halls, pavilions and corridors are designed to be in harmony with the lake and rivers in which they are set. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi'an after lunch. Upon arrival in Xi'an, transfer to hotel.

Xian Place
Today's Activities: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Handmade Pottery Factory Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch After breakfast in the hotel, set off to the incredible 2000 year-old Terra Cotta Warriors. The Warriors are part of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. There are well over 7000 figures in full battle array and battle formation in several large pits. Many of the figures - soldiers, archers, horses and chariots have been restored. The repairs and excavations continue at the site where you can see both repaired and broken warriors in a truly impressive display.

Xian to Shanghai
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai), Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Xian City Wall with Bicycle, Muslim Street Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch Spend the morning at one of the best museums in China - the Shaanxi Historical Museum. Among the 400,000 items on display are treasures from many Dynasties including magnificent bronzes and porcelain, many of which have never been on permanent display before. . After the lunch, drive to the After lunch visit the Ancient City Wall. As the only part of ancient city wall in existence constructied in the Ming Synasty in urban Shanghai, it was built in the 32nd year of the reign of Jiajing in Ming Dynasty (1553) in order to resist the aggression of Japanese pirates. The oval city wall of Shanghai County that time was completed in three months by the local people with a circumference of 4.5 KM and an average height of 8 meters. When the wall was torn down in 1912, a part of about 50 meters long was preserved.

Shanghai Place
Today's Activities: Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, The Shanghai World Financial Center, Yuyuan Market, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund, Shanghai Hua Ling Silk Exhibition Hall Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch Start the day by visiting Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall which is much more interesting and impressive than its sounds. It tells the story of growth of the metropolis, explains her foundation, development and future in 1 to 2 hours. Then head to the Shanghai World Financial Center, which is the tallest structure in China with a height of about 490 meters. It gives a panoramic view of Shanghai. Lunch is at the Old Shanghai Restaurant which is an old famous local restaurant. It serves traditional Shanghai Food as well as different flavors from other parts of China. In the afternoon, take a relaxing walk to the lovely old Yuyuan Garden, the most famous garden in Shanghai which is decorated by beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rock formations. You will pass the Yuyuan Market. It is also a shopper's paradise with many small shops, often housed in authentic historic structures and selling everything from furniture to porcelain.

Depart Shanghai
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai) Meals: Breakfast Transfer to the airport ready for your departure. We wish you have a pleasant journey home and thank you for using with Century Holiday – Enjoy your tour.