China Tour

Istanbul - Beijing We meet our valued guests at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal approximately 3 hours before the flight time. After completing baggage drop-off and passport control procedures, we depart for Beijing on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Our journey continues throughout the night, and the overnight stay will be on the aircraft.

After arriving in Beijing, we complete passport and baggage procedures and meet our private vehicle waiting for us at the airport. We begin discovering Beijing, where thousands of years of history meet modern architecture, on our panoramic city tour. First, we view the Lama Temple, also known as Yonghe Temple, from the outside. Considered one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism, this Qing Dynasty structure is a notable example of traditional Chinese architecture. We then continue to the White Stupa Temple, also known as Miaoying Temple, an important religious structure dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. After seeing this historic building, whose white tower and refined architecture make it an important symbol of Beijing’s skyline, we enjoy panoramic views of the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube, both symbols of modern China. Built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, these structures reflect Beijing’s contemporary character. As we travel along the city’s broad boulevards and through its traditional neighborhoods and urban scenery, we discover Beijing’s story from past to present.

After breakfast, we begin exploring Beijing’s thousands of years of history and cultural heritage. The first stop on our full-day tour covering the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square is Tiananmen Square. As we explore this area, considered one of the world’s largest squares, and the monumental buildings surrounding it, we gain a closer insight into modern Chinese history. We then visit the Forbidden City, where Chinese emperors lived and ruled the country for centuries. One of the world’s largest palace complexes, the Forbidden City reflects China’s rich imperial history through its palaces, expansive courtyards and architecture. We continue with a visit to a pearl factory, where we observe how freshwater pearls are formed, processed and transformed into refined jewelry. We then visit the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s important religious and cultural landmarks. This complex, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, served as a sacred site where emperors prayed for abundant harvests during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Beijing - LUOYANG After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures at the hotel and set off for our Great Wall & Juyong Pass & Luoyi Ancient City tour. Our first stop will be Juyongguan (Juyong) Pass, one of the best-preserved and most important passes of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and forms an important part of an enormous defence system stretching approximately 21,000 kilometres, was built and reinforced by different dynasties over the centuries. During our visit along this unique structure winding between mountains and valleys, we will closely feel the grandeur of Chinese civilisation and its strategic importance throughout history. Afterwards, we make a special visit where we will learn about the deep-rooted history of traditional Chinese medicine. Here, while gaining information about the health and life philosophies practised in China for centuries, we will have the opportunity to relieve the tiredness of the day with a traditional foot massage experience. In the evening hours, we travel by high-speed train to Luoyang, one of the ancient capitals of China.

LUOYANG – ZHENGZHOU After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures at the hotel and set off on an unforgettable discovery programme covering the Longmen Grottoes & Shaolin Temple & Shaolin Kung Fu Show & Zhengzhou route. Our first stop will be the Longmen Grottoes, one of China's most important historical and artistic heritages. This unique Buddhist complex, masterfully carved into the steep cliffs along the banks of the Yi River, is one of the most significant works of the period when Buddhist art in China reached its peak between the 5th and 10th centuries. It houses more than 100,000 Buddha statues, reflecting the world of faith and artistic refinement of the era in a fascinating way. The giant seated Buddha statue, especially the one standing 17 metres tall, offers visitors a deep sense of serenity and admiration with its peaceful expression. Our tour continues with a visit to the Shaolin Temple, one of China's most important spiritual centres.

After breakfast, we complete check-out procedures at the hotel and depart for Zhengzhou Railway Station. We travel to Xi’an for our program covering the Terracotta Army, the Clay Factory, the Xi’an City Wall and the Muslim Quarter. Upon arrival, we visit the Terracotta Army, one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Chinese history. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and regarded as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the site was built to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. This underground army of thousands of soldiers, horses and chariots, buried for approximately 2,200 years, reveals the military power and artistic traditions of ancient China. We then visit the Clay Factory to learn about the region’s traditional handicrafts. As we learn about the techniques used to make the Terracotta soldiers, we discover the finer points of traditional Chinese ceramic art. We then continue to the Xi’an City Wall, one of the city’s major symbols. During our walk along the walls, which date back to the Ming Dynasty and are considered one of the world’s best-preserved urban defense systems, we see historic Xi’an alongside the modern city.

XI'AN - CHENGDU After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures at the hotel and head to Xi'an Train Station to begin our pleasant journey to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and one of the most colourful cities in China. We set off for our programme of the Charming Giant Panda Conservation and Living Park & Kuanzhai Alley & Chunxi Road. First, we visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Conservation Centre, one of the most important symbols of Chengdu and even of China. This world-famous research and conservation centre was established with the aim of preserving, breeding, and sustaining the natural lives of the endangered giant pandas. Within the lush bamboo gardens and natural habitats, we will have the opportunity to closely observe these charming creatures, considered China's national treasure. The playful moments and natural behaviour of the baby pandas in particular will be one of the most unforgettable parts of our visit. After our Panda Centre visit, we visit Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys), one of the most vibrant districts of Chengdu.

CHENGDU - SHANGHAI After breakfast, we transfer to Chengdu Airport and depart for Shanghai on a domestic flight with a local airline. Upon arrival in Shanghai, one of China's most modern and cosmopolitan cities, we set off for our Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town & Silk Factory & AP Plaza Shopping Tour programme. Our first stop will be Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, one of Shanghai's most enchanting and best-preserved historic settlements. With a history spanning approximately 1,700 years, this unique settlement is known as the "Venice of Shanghai" thanks to its canals, stone bridges and traditional architecture. The historic buildings lining the narrow stone streets, traditional houses adorned with wooden carvings, and waterside tea houses make visitors feel as if they are travelling back in time. Traditional boats gliding along the town's tranquil canals, streets decorated with red lanterns and an atmosphere unchanged for centuries transform Zhujiajiao into a world entirely different from Shanghai's modern skyline. As we cross the historic bridges, we will feel the traces of ancient Chinese life and have the opportunity to capture unique photo frames of this fairytale-like town.

SHANGHAI – ISTANBUL After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures and begin our city tour covering Yu Garden & Jade Buddha Temple & Nanjing Road & The Bund, among the most important landmarks of Shanghai. Our first stop is Yu Garden, one of the finest examples of traditional Chinese garden art. Built during the Ming Dynasty, this enchanting garden offers a peaceful atmosphere to its visitors with its elegant pavilions, stone bridges, ponds and carefully designed landscaping. We enjoy a pleasant time in this unique place where we get to closely experience classical Chinese garden architecture. Next, we visit Jade Buddha Temple, one of the most important religious structures in Shanghai. Named after the precious Buddha statues carved from a single piece of jade brought from Myanmar, this temple is considered one of the most important Buddhist worship centres in the city. We will have the opportunity to discover the impressive architecture and spiritual atmosphere of the temple. Continuing our tour, we head to Nanjing Road, Shanghai's most famous shopping and lifestyle street.