8-day China Express

 Welcome to China and the beginning of your vacation, Huang ying! You will be taken to your hotel to check in when you arrive at Beijing Capital Airport. You have the day to visit Beijing, the fascinating capital of China, which is well-known for its combination of modern buildings, history, and famous cultural landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. To begin your thrilling tour, a welcome meeting will be held in the hotel lobby in the evening.

Our first destination for the day will be the famous Tiananmen Square, which is home to several monuments to the people as well as Chairman Mao’s mausoleum, after breakfast. We will be able to see the outside of the tomb, but not the inside. The *Forbidden City, a spectacular palace complex that was the seat of power for Chinese emperors for five centuries, will be our next stop. This is one of the best-preserved historical relics in China, with more than 800 buildings and 9,000 chambers. Limited tickets are available for the Forbidden City; for further details, refer to the tour notes. Explore Beijing’s hutongs, a labyrinthine system of mediaeval lanes that make up the city’s historic centre, in the afternoon.Explore these quaint roads, which have been inhabited by families for many centuries, and come across little homes and classic courtyards. After that, you’ll stroll slowly down Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, a well-known retail district in the centre of the city. Savour a Peking roast duck meal in the evening, which is usually served with hoisin sauce and spring onions wrapped in thin pancakes, to get a taste of Beijing cuisine!

Get ready for an amazing trip to the famous Great Wall of China today. The Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a timeless representation of Chinese creativity and civilisation. It was first built for defence and stretches 6,700 kilometres via a variety of landscapes and high mountains. We’ll be going to the Great Wall’s Huanghuacheng section, also referred to as the “Yellow Flower Great Wall.” The bright yellow wildflowers that bloom along the wall during certain seasons are the source of its name. One feature that distinguishes Huanghuacheng is that part of the wall is underwater. We’ll go on a beautiful walk around the wall, which will provide us with both amazing vistas and a better appreciation of the historical value of the building.Attending a Chinese acrobatic show this evening promises to be an enthralling spectacle. You will be mesmerised by these talented performers’ gravity-defying performances.

Greetings from Luoyang
Luoyang and Beijing. After breakfast this morning, we’ll go to the train station for a relaxing 4- to 4.5-hour ride in second class on a high-speed train to Luoyang. One of the four historic Chinese capitals, Luoyang is well-known for the heavenly Longmen Caves and its exquisite peony blossoms. Get ready to be enthralled by the Longmen Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, following your meeting with our local guide and lunch at a neighbourhood eatery. These amazing caves, which are crammed into the cliffs that border the Yi River, are home to the greatest collection of celestial art treasures in the world, including the widest variety of statues anywhere on the planet.In addition to having endured the test of time, this timeless art form carved into the stone has seen more than ten dynasties rule over a period of 1,400 years. We’ll wander down Old City Shizi Street, one of Luoyang’s famous culinary streets, in the evening. You will be able to follow enticing scents and taste a wide range of regional cuisines here.

We’ll start the day by touring the lively Xiyuan Park. Residents congregate here to sing and dance, bringing a vibrant burst of morning energy to the park. It’s a great chance to see and maybe even participate in the happy morning events that capture the essence of the neighbourhood. After that, get ready for an exciting journey as we travel to the fabled Shaolin Monastery, which is known as the purported birthplace of Chinese martial arts. This revered temple is the centre of Kung Fu skill in addition to being a place of spiritual refuge. Watch a captivating performance that is sure to amaze and amuse.These martial artists’ abilities and self-control are certain to make an impression. We’ll have dinner at a nearby restaurant as the day draws to a close, so you may savour the flavours of Luoyang cuisine.

Xi’an and Luoyang. Get up and shine! We’re going to take an early train to Xi’an today. When we get there, we’ll begin the day with a leisurely stroll or a bike ride around the Xi’an City Wall, which is among the oldest and best-preserved city walls in China. This amazing building, which combines modern and old design, gives breathtaking panoramic views of the city and a once-in-a-lifetime look into the past. Then prepare yourself for the sensual pleasures of the Muslim Quarter, a vibrant district in the centre of Xi’an. From the food vendors that line the small lanes, the air is filled with the tantalising scents of sizzling lamb skewers and aromatic spices.Talk to the friendly and hospitable inhabitants, observe their expert workmanship in action, and allow the variety of flavours to entice your palate. Explore the magnificent Gao Family courtyard, which is close to the Muslim Quarter. A unique spectacle—a 15-minute shadow puppetry show, an art form thought to have originated in this province—awaits you within these sacred walls. These performances give basic yet colourful leather or paper figurines life, creating captivating stories that have enthralled audiences for many years. After that, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which is a calm alternative to the busy Big Wild Goose Pagoda, to pay your respects. The Xi’an Museum has fascinating exhibits within this serene Buddhist complex.Get your hands dirty tonight and attempt creating dumplings, a regional speciality that is also a genuine culinary art form. Savour the mouthwatering dumplings you have made and a cool beverage.

We start the day by touring the magnificent Terracotta Army and Warriors, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The soldiers of Qin Shi Huang, the first Chinese Emperor, are portrayed in this amazing collection of terracotta statues. With amazing attention to detail, these life-sized statues were painstakingly modelled after real Qin Army troops. Each figure in the army is unique and includes an incredible 8,000 life-size troops, 100 chariots, and 600 horses. This enormous army was sent to protect Emperor Qin Shihuang’s remains, which were interred in a huge mausoleum complex.You will then have the chance to tour a Terracotta Warrior Factory. You may learn more about the complex production process here, which hasn’t changed since the Qin Dynasty. Learn about the methods used to create these fascinating pieces of art, which will enhance your appreciation of these priceless antiques. We’ll head back to the hotel after lunch at a nearby eatery. Enjoy some free time to explore Xi’an at your own speed after this.

Your incredible journey through China, filled with culinary delights and cultural surprises, comes to an end today. Go to the airport on your own to catch your next flight after breakfast and hotel check-out at 12 p.m.