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 and passport procedures, we depart for Beijing on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Our journey will continue throughout the night, with overnight stay on the aircraft.

Upon arrival in Beijing, we complete passport and baggage procedures, meet our private vehicle waiting at the airport and begin exploring Beijing, where thousands of years of history meet modern architecture. During the first part of our panoramic city tour, we see the Lama Temple, also known as Yonghe Temple, from the outside. Considered one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism, this structure dating from the Qing Dynasty 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 from the Yuan Dynasty. A symbol of the Beijing skyline, this historic building draws attention with its white tower and elegant architecture. As we follow the city’s story from past to present, we also enjoy panoramic views of the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube, symbols of modern China built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. These structures reflecting Beijing’s contemporary character are followed by views of the city’s broad boulevards, traditional neighborhoods and urban scenery.

After breakfast, we begin exploring Beijing’s thousands of years of history and cultural heritage. During our full-day tour covering the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square, we discover a city where ancient Chinese culture and modern life coexist. Our first stop is Tiananmen Square, an important symbol of both China and the world. As we explore the expansive sections of this site, considered one of the world’s largest squares, and the monumental buildings surrounding it, we gain insight into its important place in modern Chinese history. We then visit the impressive Forbidden City, where Chinese emperors lived and ruled the country for centuries. As we explore the palaces, spacious courtyards and architecture of one of the world’s largest palace complexes, we see traces of China’s rich imperial past. We continue our tour with a visit to the Pearl Factory, where we gain a closer understanding of traditional Chinese handicrafts and culture. Here, we observe how freshwater pearls are formed, processed and transformed into elegant jewelry. We then visit the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s important religious and cultural landmarks.

PEKIN – XI’AN After breakfast, we complete the hotel check-out procedures and set off for our Great Wall & Juyong Pass & Jade Factory & Traditional Chinese Foot Massage Experience tour. Our first stop will be Juyongguan (Juyong) Pass, one of the best-kept and most important passes of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant part of the colossal defence system stretching for approximately 21,000 kilometres, was built and reinforced by different dynasties over the centuries. On our walk 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 visit the Jade Factory, where we will get to know China's thousands-of-years-old tradition of jade craftsmanship up close. Here, we will be able to examine precious jade pieces and watch master artisans apply traditional carving techniques. Then we make a special visit to learn about the deep-rooted history of traditional Chinese medicine.

After breakfast, we depart for Xi’an for our programme covering the Terracotta Army, Clay Factory, Xi’an City Wall and Muslim Quarter. Upon arrival, we visit the Terracotta Army, one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Chinese history. We learn that this UNESCO World Heritage Site, regarded as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” was built to protect the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor. Hidden underground for approximately 2,200 years, this army of thousands of soldiers, horses and chariots reflects ancient China’s military power and artistic skill. After visiting the Terracotta Army, we continue to the Clay Factory to learn about the region’s traditional handicrafts. Here, we discover the details of traditional Chinese ceramic art while learning how the Terracotta soldiers are made. We then visit the City Wall, one of Xi’an’s major symbols. During our walk along the walls, which date from the Ming Dynasty and are considered among the world’s best-preserved urban defense systems, we see views of historic Xi’an alongside the modern city. Later, we explore the Muslim Quarter, one of the districts reflecting Xi’an’s cultural character.

XI'AN – CHONGQING After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we transfer to the train station. We depart from Xi'an to Chongqing by high-speed train. After our pleasant train journey, we arrive in Chongqing. Upon arrival, we begin our enjoyable tour covering Hongya Cave & Ciqikou Ancient Town & Liziba Light Rail Station (the wonder of a train passing through a building). First, we visit Ciqikou Ancient Town, one of the important sites in Chongqing that has preserved its historical texture to the present day. This traditional district, with a history of approximately one thousand years, brings the atmosphere of old China to life with its stone-paved streets, historic structures, traditional tea houses, local shops, and regional flavors. Once an important trade center, Ciqikou is one of the ideal places to closely experience Chongqing's traditional lifestyle. Afterwards, we visit Liziba Light Rail Station, one of Chongqing's most fascinating engineering wonders. At this world-famous spot, we will witness the light rail train passing through an apartment building.

CHONGQING – FENGHUANG After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we complete the check-out procedures and transfer to the train station. We depart from Chongqing to Fenghuang Ancient Town by high-speed train. Following our pleasant train journey, we begin our discovery with the Fenghuang Ancient Town & Tuojiang River Boat Tour & Thousand-Year-Old Wooden Houses & Journey Through Time in Traditional Chinese Culture tour, one of China's most captivating historical settlements. Upon arrival, we first explore the traditional Diaojiaolou (stilt houses) area stretching along the river. These unique structures, rising in harmony with the mountains and water, are among the most important architectural examples of the region's Tujia and Miao cultures. Then, walking through the historic streets, we have the opportunity to closely experience the traditional shops, local handicrafts, and Fenghuang's distinctive cultural texture.

After breakfast at the hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and transfer to the train station. We depart from Fenghuang for Zhangjiajie by high-speed train. After an enjoyable train journey, we arrive in Zhangjiajie and set out to explore Tianmen Mountain, also known as Heaven’s Gate Mountain, Tianmen Cave and the Glass Bridge. As we ascend by the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car, considered one of the world’s longest cable-car routes, we enjoy panoramic views of Zhangjiajie’s mountain scenery, deep valleys and peaks rising through the clouds. Upon reaching the summit, we walk through landscapes shaped by natural forces over thousands of years. We visit Tianmen Cave, one of the main stops on our tour. Known as the “Gate of Heaven,” this natural formation is considered one of the world’s most unusual geological features, with its enormous opening through the mountain and striking appearance. With its atmospheric setting and impressive views, Tianmen Cave is one of Zhangjiajie’s most memorable sites. Guests who wish may also take part in the optional Glass Bridge experience, built along the mountainside.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Avatar Mountains Discovery tour, covering Zhangjiajie National Park, the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, the Bailong Elevator, Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain. We first enter the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its geological formations shaped over thousands of years, rock pillars rising through the mist and lush forests, the area is home to one of China’s most impressive landscapes. As part of our tour, we experience the Bailong Elevator. Considered one of the world’s tallest outdoor glass elevators, it takes us to the mountaintop while offering views of the surrounding rock formations and valley scenery. We then explore the Yuanjiajie Region. In this area, which inspired the fantastical mountain landscapes in the world-famous film Avatar, we visit distinctive rock pillars reaching toward the sky and scenic viewpoints. Hallelujah Mountain, one of the region’s iconic stops, offers memorable photo opportunities with its distinctive appearance. Later in the day, we continue to the Tianzi Mountain region.

ZHANGJIAJIE – SHANGHAI After breakfast, we transfer to Zhangjiajie Airport and depart for Shanghai on a domestic flight operated by local airlines. 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 the Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, one of Shanghai's most enchanting and best-preserved historical settlements. With around 1,700 years of history, this unique settlement, with its canals, stone bridges and traditional architecture, is known as the "Venice of Shanghai." The historic buildings lined along the narrow stone streets, traditional houses decorated with wooden carvings and waterside tea houses make visitors feel as if they are travelling back in time. The traditional boats gliding along the town's quiet canals, the streets adorned with red lanterns and the unchanged atmosphere of centuries transform Zhujiajiao into a world entirely different from Shanghai's modern skyline.

SHANGHAI - ISTANBUL After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures at the hotel and begin our city tour covering Yu Garden & Jade Buddha Temple & Nanjing Road & The Bund, among the most iconic 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 visitors a tranquil atmosphere with its elegant pavilions, stone bridges, ponds and carefully arranged landscaping. We enjoy a pleasant time in this unique spot, where we will get up close to China's classic garden architecture. Next, we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai's most important religious structures. Named after the precious Buddha statues carved from a single piece of jade brought from Myanmar, this temple is considered one of the city's most significant Buddhist centres of worship. We will have the chance to discover the temple's striking architecture and spiritual ambience. Continuing our tour, we head to Nanjing Road, Shanghai's most famous shopping and lifestyle street.