The Treasures of China
Beijing's Great Wall and Chengdu's Giant Panda are two of the most famous China icons. The rapidly growth of international flights from Chengdu to many global cities, such as Paris, San Francisco, Amsterdam, London, Singapore, etc., makes it possible to travel both Beijing and Chengdu in a brief week with Beijing flying in and Chengdu flying out. This tour starts from Beijing where you will stay 3 days to visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, etc., then take a high speed train to Chengdu (about 8~10hours). In Chengdu, you will not only see the adorable Giant Pandas, but also take a visit to the world-famous Giant Buddha.
Highlights of this tour
Ni Hao! welcome to Beijing, the iconic city and capital of China! You will be met by our local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Airport and escorted to your downtown hotel by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of the day is your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby areas, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.
Arrival Ideals: At present, there are many international and domestic flights to Beijing. Besides, you can take a high speed train to this capital city from Shanghai (5-6 hrs), Xian (5.5 hrs), Guangzhou (8-9.5 hrs), etc.
After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern side of the square was the site where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s five most important palaces – the Forbidden City, a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived. Pass through various doorways in this magnificent structure to admire the beautiful and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow-glazed tile roofs, white marble bases and splendid colorful paintings.
After lunch, you will go to hop on a rickshaw to experience the Beijing Hutongs - small alleys made by neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to get a feel of the old Beijing life style, visit various antique shops and small boutiques, and truly feel the historical changes of Beijing, also pay a visit to a local family's home in the traditional Hutongs. After Hutong visit, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors while feasting your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colorful paintings in the Long Corridor.
Optional activities: 1) You can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30; 2) Enjoy the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater between 19:30-21:00.
After breakfast, drive to the imperial site - Temple of Heaven. It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc.
After the Temple of Heaven visit, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit the Mutianyu, a less crowded yet well-preserved segment of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty. It will more than live up to all of your expectations! This great wall, linking Gubeikou in the east and Juyongguan in the west, was served as the vital military strategic point in the ancient time. Moreover, Mutianyu section is the “longest great wall in China” so far and since protection work is well done here, tourists can now see its original appearance and enjoy the real ancient culture of great wall. Also, spectacular natural scenery in Mutianyu Great Wall always impresses visitors here for its abundant vegetation. You’ll take a cable car to ascend the Great Wall, then hike the most beautiful and interesting part of Mutianyu. It's a wonderful experience to climb up its rising towers to enjoy scenic views and take brag-worthy photos of the wall wriggling along mountain ridges. After the exciting time, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car. (Note: If energy permits, you can hike up or down which takes about 40 minutes to climb steps. Please tell your likes to your travel consultant.)
This early morning, your tour guide will see you off at the train station for your morning high speed train to Chengdu (about 8~10). The earliest train departs from Beijing West Railway Station at around 7am, and arrives at Chengdu East Railway Station at around 14:40. The bullet train will take you to traverse the vast land of China from north to southwest, you will see so many aspects of China - metropolis, rural village, tiny towns, farm lands, markets, rivers, mountains...What a scenic and interesting train journey!
Upon arrival at Chengdu East Railway Station, your local tour guide and driver will meet you, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to have fun on your own.
This morning you will make a stirring visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is not only the most important panda scientific research center, but also dwelling home for more than 100 Giant Pandas. Walk at leisure through the bamboo framed paths, and closely observe giant pandas of different ages eating bamboos, playing with each other, tumbling, climbing trees, etc. Don’t miss the chance to watch female pandas nursing their cubs in the nursery rooms. There is also a very informative Panda Museum for you to learn more scientific facts about Giant Pandas.
After lunch, drive about two hours from Chengdu to visit the World Heritage Site - Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest carved statue of Buddha in the world. Sitting at the confluence of three rivers, the Giant Buddha was carved on the cliff of Lingyun Mountain, used to suppress the flood. Enjoy spectacular view of the huge statue as you walking down through the narrow staircases to the foot of the Buddha.
The Giant Buddha was carved from the mountain rock, with its head reaching to the mountain top and its feet standing next to the river. The total height is 71 meters; while the head is 14.7meters high and 10 meters wide, ear is 7meters high, 28 meters between knees and insteps. Its insteps can hold over a hundred people. There are 1051 spiral coils on the Buddha head, and they were all inlayed onto the Buddha head.
After your sightseeing in Leshan, you will be transferred back to Chengdu.
This morning you will make a stirring visit to People's Park first. Chengdu is famous for its relaxing and leisure pace throughout China, which will be proved after a stay here. Sit down, order a pot of Chinese tea, make a casual chat with your friends and watching locals indulging themselves in different kinds of folk entertainment – napping in a lively teahouse, playing mahjong, disco dancing, neck massage, ear cleaning… Next is an impressive trip to the famous Jinli Old Street. Time steals away from you quietly while walking on the lively streets which are full of delicious local snacks, delicate artifacts, interesting folk shows, etc.
After the relaxing tour, be transferred to airport / train station for your flight or train to next destination. Tour end!
Beijing / Xian / Chengdu
Chengdu / Leshan / Emeishan / Xian / Beijing
Beijing / Xian / Lhasa / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
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