7-DAY BEIJING AND XIAN

Our guide will pick you up at Beijing airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax during the remainder of the afternoon and evening to recover from the jet lag.

- Tiananmen Square: This vast iconic space that has retained a symbol of China’s enduring nationalism covers 40.5 hectares (100 acres) close to the geographical center of Beijing.  In the center of the world’s largest square stands Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, and the periphery is surrounded by imposing governmental buildings including the National Museum of China and the Heavenly Gate, the entrance to the Forbidden City.

- The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also fascinating. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.

-Heaven and Earth (TianDiYiJia): Hidden behind the walls of a beautifully restored courtyard mansion nearby the Imperial Palace you will find TianDiYiJia.  Known as ‘Heaven and Earth’ in English, this luxurious Chinese restaurant boasts stylishly ornate traditional designs, serving refreshingly unique fusion cuisine.

Learning a Taiji Ball from local people: Here we specially arrange you a Taiji Ball, which is a new activity that combines the Taiji Movements with dancing rhythm. It makes more fun to practice.

- Temple of Heaven: One of the purest examples of Ming architecture, the Temple of Heaven is a truly symbolic, beautifully balanced structural masterpiece, holding great significance in the historic evolution of China’s enduring civilization.  Magnificent gardens filled with Beijing residents enjoying morning Tai Chi or relaxing under shaded trees surround the temple.

- Dinner at Dadong Duck Restaurant: With a reputation as one of Beijing’s finest dining establishments, the Dadong Duck Restaurant is the perfect place to experience a traditional Peking duck dinner in a uniquely modern style.

- Great Wall at Mutianyu: Located just 80 kilometers from Beijing’s city center in Huairu County is the longest restored, accessible section of the Great Wall.  Mutianyu stretches 22 kilometers and is composed of solid slabs of granite, gravel, and earth reaching 8 meters at its highest point and 5 meters at its widest span.  A series of 22 watchtowers spaced approximately 1-kilometer apart mark this run of the Great Wall.  Constructed first in the Qi Dynasty (550-577), Mutianyu was rebuilt in 1568 and remains in that condition today.  Stunning views in all directions make it a perfect location to experience the Great Wall.

Lunch at School House: First built as a school in Huairou, the School House restaurant now operates as family run outfit serving up quality home style Beijing food.  After a morning hike enjoy a delicious lunch with a scenic view of the Great Wall in the background.

In the afternoon, choose one of the Options:
- Foot Massage: Follow a long morning of walking the Great Wall with an indulgent foot massage, relaxing in the traditional Chinese fashion.

-Olympic Stadium: Some of the world’s most internationally renound architects helped to create a new identity for Beijing to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games.  Structures such as the National Stadium, commonly known as the 'Birds Nest’, and the Olympic Swim Stadium, or ‘Water Cube’, have become iconic structures that represent a turning point in China’s modern history.  Venture through both of these intriguingly fascinating complexes that speak to the exciting future of a rapidly changing Beijing.

Summer Palace:  Spend the morning basking in the peaceful elegance of the Summer Palace.  First erected during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) as a retreat for royal courts, the Summer Palace is widely regarded as one of the world’s most noted classical gardens.  Covering 294 hectares, ¾ of which is water, the Summer Palace is seen as the quintessential Chinese garden, achieving a purely seamless unity with nature.

- Summer Palace by boat: For a truly unique experience, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the royal gardens of the Summer Palace by ferry boat.

- Bai Family Garden Restaurant: Originally a prince’s mansion and now a garden restaurant, Bai serves good food in a beautiful environment.

- Hutongs: Explore the traditional courtyard homes and alleys that once characterized Beijing’s urban fabric. Although Beijing’s hutongs are rapidly disappearing, some districts of the city have managed to maintain their traditional identity.  Within the maze of alleys can be found lots of interesting little shops, markets and tea houses, as well as the Drum and Bell towers. You will even have the opportunity to visit with a local family to learn more about the fascinating history of Beijing's traditional neighborhoods.

Calligraphy class: Chinese calligraphy is one of the four basic skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati -Shu (calligraphy), Hua (painting), Qin (music), and Qi (strategy). Regarded as the most abstract and sublime form of art in Chinese culture, “Shu Fa” (calligraphy) is often thought to be most revealing of one’s personality. We will learn from a calligraphy master who will teach you to understand this form of art by writing pictographic Chinese, which was an early form of Chinese characters used over 3,500 years ago. Through this experience you also will learn how to hold the brush properly and write beautiful characters on your own.

Or

Biking: First we will pass by Jinshan, which is located in the north part of Forbidden City; if you like we could climb up this man-made mountain and get a bird’s-eye view of the Forbidden City. Then we cycle past the Forbidden City, stopping to take photos in a corner of the moat which has a very good view. After that we will pass by Tiananmen Square; the biggest outdoor urban square in the world. If you want we could walk around here and take some pictures. From there we will bike around the Grand National Theatre, a very modern building designed by the famous French architect Paul Andrew.

Shanxi Historical Museum: As the birthplace of ancient China, the history represented at the Shaanxi Historical Museum in southern Xian portrays the enduring history of Chinese civilization. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection of beautifully displayed relics.  You will find that most exhibitions have been presented in both English and Chinese, but our guide will happily help you translate if necessary.

- Big Wild Goose Pagoda:  The clean, simple lines of this Pagoda stands five stories tall on the grounds of the Da Ci’en Temple in a southwestern suburb of Xian.  A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang brought back from his epic journey to India. Composed of several large halls, the Pagoda houses magnificent statues and murals depicting Buddhist figures.

- Evening Show at Tang Yuegong: Experience traditional dancing and singing as it was performed during Xian’s reign as China’s capital in the Tang Dynasty.
 

- Terracotta Warriors: An accidental discovery in 1974 revealed the guarded tomb of Emperor Qin.  Dating back to 210BC, the Emperors tomb was securely guarded by an army of 7,000 terracotta warriors and archers with horses and chariots in full battle dress.  Each figure is unique, and their painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 sites, which are protected inside enormous hangars. Just an hour and a half from Xian, there is also an excellent museum, which hosts a film about the history of the vaults. In order to preserve the historical discovery, no flash photography is allowed inside the hangars.

- Banpo Museum: The museum was established in 1958 on the site of an ancient clan commune dating back more than 6,000 years. Today 2 exhibition halls display items from the site such as stone tools, spinning wheels, pottery and daily living utensils. Just over an acre of land is dedicated to the third exhibition space, demonstrating traditional methods of pottery making, shelter construction, and burial practices.

This morning, after the breakfast transfer to the airport to catch your flight.