Treasures of China and Pandas and Legendary Empires Tour

We meet at the International Departures Terminal at Istanbul Airport approximately 3 hours before departure. After completing baggage drop-off and passport control, we depart for Doha on a scheduled Qatar Airways flight. Upon arrival in Doha, we transfer to our flight to Beijing. Our journey to Beijing continues through the night. We spend the night on board.

After arriving in Beijing, we complete passport formalities and collect our luggage before boarding our private vehicle waiting at the airport. We begin exploring Beijing on a panoramic city tour, taking in its ancient buildings and modern architecture. First, we view the Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), considered one of the important centres of Tibetan Buddhism, from the outside. Dating from the Qing Dynasty, the building is an example of traditional Chinese architecture. We then head to the White Stupa Temple (Miaoying Temple), a religious building dating from the Yuan Dynasty. Known for its white tower, this historic building is a landmark on Beijing’s skyline. During the tour, we also view the Bird’s Nest Stadium (Bird's Nest) and the Water Cube, built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. These buildings are symbols of modern China and Beijing’s contemporary architecture. As we pass along the city’s wide boulevards and through traditional neighbourhoods, we discover Beijing’s history and present-day life. At the end of this day introducing us to Chinese culture, we have dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast, we begin our full-day tour to explore Beijing’s thousands of years of history and cultural heritage. Our tour includes the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square, taking us through a city where traditional Chinese culture and modern life exist side by side. Our first stop is Tiananmen Square. Considered one of the largest squares in the world, it has been the setting for many important events in modern Chinese history. As we explore the square and its surrounding monuments, we learn about China’s recent history. We then visit the Forbidden City, where Chinese emperors lived and ruled the country for centuries. One of the largest palace complexes in the world, its palaces, spacious courtyards and architecture reflect China’s imperial history. The Forbidden City is one of Beijing’s main cultural heritage sites. We continue with a visit to the Pearl Factory. While learning about traditional Chinese crafts and culture, we see how freshwater pearls form, how they are processed and how they are made into jewellery. Our next stop is the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s important religious and cultural sites.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and set off on our Great Wall of China & Juyong Pass & Luoyi Ancient City tour. First, we visit Juyongguan (Juyong) Pass, one of the best-preserved and most important passes along the Great Wall of China. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Wall of China forms a significant part of a defence system spanning approximately 21.000 kilometres. As we explore the section stretching through mountains and valleys, built and reinforced by different dynasties over centuries, we learn about its role in Chinese civilisation and its strategic importance throughout history. We then make a visit to learn about the history of traditional Chinese medicine. Here, we learn about approaches to health and daily life practised in China for centuries and have the opportunity to experience a traditional foot massage. In the evening, we travel by high-speed train to Luoyang, one of China’s former capitals. On arrival, we head to Luoyi Ancient City, which reflects the city’s history and traditional way of life. In this restored and revived area, we see narrow streets decorated with red lanterns and wooden buildings.

After breakfast in LUOYANG, we check out of the hotel and begin our itinerary covering Longmen Caves, Shaolin Temple, Shaolin Kung Fu Show and Zhengzhou. Our first stop is Longmen Caves, part of China’s historical and artistic heritage. Carved into steep cliffs along the Yi River, this Buddhist complex reflects the development of Buddhist art in China between the 5th and 10th centuries. The complex contains more than 100,000 Buddha statues, offering insight into the beliefs and art of the period. These include a seated Buddha statue standing 17 metres tall. We then visit Shaolin Temple, one of China’s spiritual centres. Built in AD 495, it is considered the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. We explore the stone courtyards and historic buildings of the temple, where monks have trained through spiritual and physical discipline for centuries. After visiting the temple, we watch the Shaolin Kung Fu Show. Performed by traditional Shaolin masters, the show demonstrates harmony between body, mind and spirit through martial arts techniques and acrobatic movements. We then visit the diamond factory to observe gemstone processing and modern production techniques.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Zhengzhou Train Station. We begin our journey to Xi’an to visit the Terracotta Army, the Clay Factory, Xi’an City Wall and the Muslim Quarter. Upon arrival, we visit the Terracotta Army, one of the major archaeological discoveries in Chinese history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World, was built to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Buried for approximately 2.200 years, this underground army of thousands of soldiers, horses and chariots reflects the military strength and artistic traditions of ancient China. Next, we visit the Clay Factory to learn about the region’s traditional crafts. Here, we learn about the techniques used to make the Terracotta soldiers and the traditional art of Chinese ceramics. We then visit the City Wall, one of Xi’an’s landmarks. Dating from the Ming Dynasty, it is considered one of the world’s best-preserved city defence systems. During our walk along the walls, we see both the historic and modern parts of Xi’an. Later in the day, we explore the Muslim Quarter.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to X’i’An Train Station. From here, we begin our journey to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. As part of our Adorable Giant Panda Conservation and Wildlife Park & Kuanzhai Alley & Chunxi Road program, we first visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Conservation Center, one of the symbols of Chengdu and China. This research and conservation center was established to protect endangered giant pandas, support their breeding, and help them maintain their natural way of life. In the bamboo gardens and natural habitats, we have the opportunity to observe giant pandas, considered a national treasure of China, up close. During the visit, we can also watch panda cubs playing and displaying their natural behavior. We then visit Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys), one of Chengdu’s lively areas. We walk through the streets of this historic district, where traditional architecture meets modern life, and observe local daily life. Later in the day, we visit Chunxi Road, one of Chengdu’s busy shopping and leisure streets. Here, we have free time. At the end of the day, after dinner at a local restaurant, we transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast, we transfer to Chengdu Airport and take a domestic flight to Shanghai with a local airline. Upon arrival in Shanghai, one of China’s modern and cosmopolitan cities, we begin our Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town & Silk Factory & AP Plaza Shopping Tour. Our first stop is Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, one of Shanghai’s well-preserved historic settlements. With a history of approximately 1.700 years, the town is known as the Venice of Shanghai for its canals, stone bridges and traditional architecture. Along its narrow stone streets, we see historic buildings, traditional houses decorated with wood carvings and waterside tea houses. Traditional boats on the canals and streets decorated with red lanterns add to the town’s historic character. We cross historic bridges, observe traces of life in old China and have opportunities to take photographs. After our tour of the town, we visit the Silk Factory. Here, we learn about the stages of silk production and silk’s important place in China’s cultural heritage. We take a close look at the process from silkworm cocoon to fabric and learn in detail about this centuries-old craft.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and begin our city tour, which includes visits to YU Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Nanjing Road and The Bund. First, we visit Yu Garden, an example of traditional Chinese garden design. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the garden features pavilions, stone bridges, ponds and landscaped areas. Here, we get a closer look at classical Chinese garden architecture. Next, we visit Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai’s main religious buildings. The temple takes its name from the Buddha statues brought from Myanmar, each carved from a single piece of jade. As we explore this important Buddhist place of worship, we observe its architecture and the setting in which worship takes place. We then head to Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai’s main shopping streets. We have free time in this lively area, home to modern shops and historic buildings. Our final stop is The Bund, on the banks of the Huangpu River. Here, we see historic buildings from the colonial period alongside views of modern skyscrapers across the river. During our walk, we have the opportunity to photograph the city skyline.

Our tour ends upon arrival in Istanbul, local time. We hope to see you again on another tour.