11 days Beijing Xian Hangzhou Suzhou Shanghai Culture Tour

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing

Itinerary:
1.Our tour guide will wait you at the exit of the airport holding a brand with your name before your landing.
2.Then transfer you to your hotel by private car or van.Our experienced tour guide would like to introduce you city summary and some tips on the way. You could have a rest  to recover from jet lag after arrive at your hotel or to explore by yourself.

Day 2 Beijing Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Visit Places:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Meals:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Itinerary: 
1.Full day trip to the Great Wall and Ming Tomb,Olympic Stadium, bird's nest and water cube.
2.In the evening (7:15~8:30PM), enjoy Beijing Roast duck dinner and the Chinese Acrobatic, or Chinese Kongfu show, choose one show from these three options, depending on your interest.
Badaling Great Wall Introduction:
Badaling is located at Yanqing County, more than 70 kilometers northwest from the center of Beijing City. The wall of Badaling has a total length of 3, 741 meters with an average height of 8 meters The highest part is 15 meters. The total area for a tour is 19, 000 square meters. The top of the wall can permit five horses to be ridden abreast.Badaling was the earliest section to be open to the tourists among all the parts of the whole Great Wall. 130 million tourists from China and abroad have visited Badaling; 370 foreign leaders and very important persons have come to climb Badaling successively. Since the traffic is nice,  so it is called Badaling (Eight Prominent Peaks) Cable car is optional to get the top to have a bird view of the wall.
Ming Tombs Introduction:
The tombs of 13 Ming dynasty emperors and their consorts are scattered in the southern foothills of Yianshou Mountain northwest of Beijing. Two of the 13, Changling and Dingling, are excavated open to the public.In front of Changling, the largest of the 13 Tombs, is the marble-based 1,956 square meters Ling En Hall built 570 years ago. It is built of very precious wood and is China's largest wooden structure. Dingling is the tomb of Zhu Yijun, the 13th Ming emperor. It consists of similar surface structure and a Underground Palace. The whole palace is built compeletely with stone, and not a single piece of wood is used. There are no beams and the ceiling is arched.he unearthed relics, including porcelains, jade carvings, silk, woman's head-dresses decorated with golden phoenixes and jewels, wooden seals, and other precious article, are now on display in the Dingling museum

Day 3 Beijing Breakfast,Lunch

Meals:Breakfast,Lunch
Visit Places:The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, The Tian'anmen Square 
Itinerary:
Full day trip to the Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace.
Afer lunch, go to visit pearl factory to enjoy pearl history in china, teach you how to distinguish real pearl with fake pearl.
transfer you back to your hotel.
Tiananmen Square Introduction:
Tiananmen Square occupies an area of 44 hectares (440,000 square meters),big enough to hold (half) a million people. Mao climbed atop the 'gate of Heavenly Peace' to proclaim the foundation of the People's Republic of China On October 1st.1949. On the square's north end is the Gate of Heavenly Peace, which towards to the Forbidden City. In the centre of the square is the 40m-high Monument to the People's Heroes. South of the monument is the Chairman Mao's Mausoleum, where you can peer at the embalmed figure of the Great Helmsman in his glass casket.  On the square's east side house is Chinese history and revolution Museum, and on the west is the Great Hall of the People.
Forbidden City Introduction:
The Forbidden City  was built in 1420. It is the abode of total 24 Ming and Qing emperors of the Celestial Empire. Enclosed behind its moat and 9.9m high walls are 980 buildings, vast courtyards and long corridors that occupy a total area of 720,000 square meters. Besides its massive scale and historical significance, the Forbidden City strikes the imagination by its design. Its dramatic color scheme of vermilion wallls, white marble terraces and staircases and brilliant yellowtiled roofs create one of the world's most beautiful architectural complexes.The last emperor Puyi left the Forbidden city in 1924, 11 years after his abdication and the establishment of the Republic of China, after Puyi's departure, the Forbidden city, which had long been off-limits to most mortals, was opened to the public.
Summer Palace Introduction:
Summer Palace was built in the reign of Emperor Qianglong of Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in reign of Emperor Guangxu and was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 1998. Summer palace is a wonderful place to explore, as long ago as the Yuan dynasty, officials set up their private gardens in the scenic area, but the summer palace didn’t take on its present appearance until the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty. He deepened the park’s manmade lake and added building to serve as a 'country home' for his mother, though it would be the Empress Dowager Cixi who would have the biggest impact on the palace's appearance.

Day 4 Beijing to Xian Breakfast,Lunch

Meals:Breakfast,Lunch
Main Activity:
Pick up you from hotel in Beijing to airport, take flight to Xian 
transfer from airport to hotel in Xian.

 

Day 5 Xian Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Meals:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Visit Places: Xian  Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses,Huaqing hot spring,
Activities: enjoy Tang dynasty show and dumpling dinner
Itinerary:
1.Be picked up from your hotelin the morning.
2.Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum
3.Move on to Huaqing Hot Spring.
4.Enjoy Tang dynasty show.Dumpling dinner.
Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Introduction:
The terracotta warriors were created by the first Emperor of China. The Terracotta Army has lain underground for more than 2000 years. However, in 1974, farmers digging a well uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. The first part of the Terracotta Army site to be discovered was named Vault One. In 1976, two other vaults were uncovered 20-25 meters from Vault One, and were named Vault Two and Vault Three. The Terracotta Army figures supply abundant and detailed artifacts for the study of the military, cultural and economic history of that period.
Huaqing Hot Spring Introduction:
Located at the northern foot of Mt. Lishan in Lindong County of Shaanxi Province, 30 kilometers from Xian, Huaqing Hot Springs is a state place of interest as well as scenic spot. The hot springs are famous because of Yang Guifei, a regular guest and the central character in one of China's most enduring legends of ill-fated love.The spring water contains limes, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, and other materials, which makes it suitable for bathing and the treatment of quite a few diseases such as dermatosis, rheumatism arthritis, and muscular pain.

Day 6 Xian to Hangzhou Breakfast,Lunch

Meals:Breakfast,Lunch
Visit Places:Lingyin Temple,Monastery of the Hidden Souls, Meijiawu Tea Plantation
Itinerary:
1.Pick up you from hotel in Xian to airport, take flight to Hangzhou, transfer from airport to hotel in Hangzhou.
2.Visit Temple/ Monastery of the Hidden Souls, Meijiawu Tea Plantation. 
Lingyin Temple Introduction: a Buddhist temple, which was founded in 328 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty by Indian monk Huili.Today the temple is thriving as a destination for both pilgrims and tourists. It is regarded as one of the wealthiest monasteries in China and regular pilgrims have included former paramount leader Deng xiaoping.
Meijiawu Tea Plantation Introduction:
Tea village is seated at the hinterland of West Lake Park and it boasts the most important tea production basis. Here you are in an original natural environment, just relax your feelings and enjoy the special tea culture, taste the fragrant tea while appreciating the beautiful village scenery.

Day 7 Hangzhou Breakfast,Lunch

Meals:Breakfast,Lunch
Visit Places:Cruise on the West Lake, LeiFeng Tower
Itinerary:
1.Pick up you from hotel.
2.Cruise on the West Lake, LeiFeng Tower.
3.Transfer to your hotel after the tour.
West Lake Introduction: West Lake is a famous fresh water lake located in the historic center of Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province.It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with an area of around 6.5 square kilometers. West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape, it is also associated with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs, thus embracing many aspects of Chinese culture. In addition, many ancient buildings, stone caves and engraved tablets in surrounding areas are among the most cherished national treasures of China, with significant artistic value.
LeiFeng Tower Introduction:
LeiFeng Tower is a five story tall tower with eight sides, located on Sunset Hill south of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Originally constructed in the year AD 975, it collapsed in 1924 but was rebuilt in 2002, since when it has been a popular tourist attraction. The original pagoda was built in 975 AD, during Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, at the order of King Qianchu(born Qian Hongchu) of Wuyue. It was built to celebrate the birth of Qian Chu's son, born to Huang Fei, one of his favorite concubines. The Leifeng Pagoda was an octagonal, five-story structure built of brick and wood and with a base built out of bricks.

Day 8 Hangzhou to Suzhou Breakfast,Lunch

Meals:Breakfast,Lunch
Visit Places:No.1 Silk Factory, Humble Administrator's Garden, The Grand Canal in Suzhou
Itinerary:
1.Pick up you from hotel in Hangzhou to railway station, take train to Guilin, transfer from railway station to hotel in Suzhou.
2.Arrive in Suzhou on noon,about 3 hours on the way.
3.Visit  the No.1 Silk Factory, Humble Administrator's Garden, The Grand Canal in Suzhou.
Humble Administrator's Garden Introduction:
The Humble Administrator's Garden, first laid out in 1509 AD, the garden's scenery is focused on a central pond with various buildings of pavilions,terraces,chambers and towers located by the water or on hillocks in a natural, unsophisticated,and appropriate composition. The garden is most representative of Chinese classical gardens in the Ming Dynasty.  It is the largest garden of the city and a typical example of the art of horticulture south of the Changjiang river. This garden was built by the imperial inspector. He was tired of official life and wanted a garden to retire to. He got the name for the garden from an essay called "To cultivate my garden and sell my vegetable crop is the policy of humble man".
The Grand Canal in Suzhou Introduction:
The Grand Canal of China, also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, is the longest ancient canal in the world. It was first built in Sui Dynasty. The Grand Canal communicates the north and the south in ancient times. It plays an important role on increasing the economic, politic, and cultural communication between the north and the south. It is an architectural wonder in the world!

Day 9 Suzhou to Shanghai Breakfast,Lunch

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Visit Places:Hanshan Temple, Cruise in Zhouzhuang
Itinerary:
1.Pick up from hotel in Suzhou.
2.Visit  Hanshan Temple, Cruise in Zhouzhuang,
3.Transfer to hotel in Shanghai for check in.
Hanshan Temple Introduction:
The Buddhist Hanshan Temple in Suzhou is not only a charming historic temple, but a place of deep cultural resonance for people not only in China, but throughout Asia and especially in Japan.  The temple is located on the edge of the modern city center, alongside the ancient Grand Canal and several ancient bridges which cross it.  The temple was founded over 1,500 years ago, but owes it fame to a a poem written in the Tang dynasty by Zhang Ji, a poet who traveling by boat through SuzhouAlongside the temple lies the Grand Canal and several more historic sights.  An ancient bridge arched like a half moon crosses the canal opposite the temple's gate, while nearby sits a massive and imposing fortified gate and bridge.  Raids by Japanese pirates were endemic in the 17th century, and to defend themselves the residents of Suzhou constructed a bridge/fortress to keep the pirates at bay. 
Zhouzhuang Introduction:
Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou. It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC), Zhouzhuang was a part of the fief Yaocheng and called Zhenfengli. After being donated to Full Fortune (Quanfu) Temple by Zhou Digong, a very devout Buddhist, in 1086 during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127), Zhouzhuang got its present name as a memorial of the donor.

Day 10 Shanghai Breakfast,Lunch

Visit Places: Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden,Shanghai Museum,the bund
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Yu Garden Introduction:Yuyuan is a 400 year old classical Chinese garden in the Old Town of Shanghai, not far from the Bund.Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.Yuyuan Garden is believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty.
The bund Introduction:Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River, was the financial center of the Far East. It is considered the city's symbol since the 1920s. It is often referred to as "the museum of buildings", as many different styles of European buildings can be found here.
Shanghai Pearl Tower Introduction: 
Standing by the Huangpu River with 468 meters high, Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the highest TV Tower in Asia.
Shanghai Museum Introduction: The museum is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy. with a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics.

Day 11 Departure from Shanghai Breakfast

Pick up you from hotel to airport in Shanghai.