11 Days Historical China Tour (Deluxe)

Day 01 Beijing arrival

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. You are greeted by your guide at the airport outside the luggage claim area with your name displayed and then transferred to the 5-star Raffles Beijing Hotel.

Day 02 Beijing (B, L)

Today’s highlight is a visit to Forbidden City, which was served as the home of the Emperor and his household, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government for almost five centuries. Our expert will guide you to appreciate the history and beauty of Forbidden City. Afternoon features Summer Palace, once served as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi. In December 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List. It declared the Summer Palace an "outstanding expression of the creative art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole." Lunch will be arranged at Jiangnanfu Restaurant which is famous for its Hangzhou style cuisine.

Day 03 Beijing (B, L)

Morning program takes you to the Mutianyu Great Wall, which stands as a monument to both the strength and the weakness of the Chinese Ming Dynasty. You will learn, touch, and explore the history of a wall built over 300 years ago, yet which remains largely intact as it snakes endlessly across the mountain ridgelines. You will have lunch at Xiaolumian local restaurants. And then drive to enjoy the 798 Art Zone, which houses a thriving artist community, among 50-year old decommissioned military factory buildings of unique architectural style. It is often compared with New York's Greenwich Village.

Day 04 Beijing (B, L)

Today you will be dazzled by the murals in Fahai Temple, which are represented by the mural painting the auspicious clouds behind the three-life Buddha, the mural painting the Buddhists attending a meeting, the mural behind the shrine painting the three Masters and the mural on the back wall depicting Brahma worshiping the Buddha. They all adopt the traditional Chinese realistic painting method characterized by fine brush work and close attention in detail. Fine, delicate strokes, meticulous painting and exquisite coloring have made the murals distinguished among murals found in Beijing. Spend the afternoon exploring the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, a highlight of Peking University's verdant campus. It offers not only a wealth of treasures but also well-cured exhibits. With over 10,000 objects, it presents many collections as they were excavated. Lunch today will be booked at Lulu's Restaurant, a Shanghai cuisine popular restaurant for local Beijing people.

Day 05 Beijing / Luoyang (B)

You will feel at leisure to further explore this city by yourself. In the afternoon, fly to Luoyang. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and check into the 5-star Huayang Plaza to rest up before beginning your explorations.

Day 06 Luoyang (B, L)

Full day program takes you to Shaolin Temple, a holy place of Buddhism in China and renowned in the world for its important position in Buddhist Chan Sect and its Shaolin Boxing. It is composed of the Yard for Permanent Residence, the Forest of Pagodas, the Ancestor's House, Dharma Cave and etc. You will watch the Shaolin Kung Fu show and get a general understanding of Chinese Kung Fu and its culture. Today you will have your lunch at the local best Shaolin International Hotel.

Day 07 Luoyang (B, L)

Visit the Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple. Together with Mogao Caves, Yungang Caves, Longmen Caves is known as the three great sculpture treasure houses of China. Lunch will be arranged at local best Danguixuan Restaurant. Then continue to visit White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple built by the government in China. In the evening, take a soft-seat train to Xian, the capital of 13 dynasties. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Shangri-la Xian.

Day 08 Xian (B, L)

A full day of sightseeing features one of tour highlights, the army of Terra-cotta soldiers, created 2,200 years ago to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Pay a short visit to the local family to experience their daily life. Today you will have your lunch at the Old Xian Restaurant, a famous one for its Shaanxi local cuisine. After lunch drive back to the city and visit the Great Mosque, one of the oldest and most renowned mosques in China. It is really well worth a trip to see the Great Mosque, not only for its centuries-old history but also for its particular design of mixed architecture - traditional Muslim and Chinese styles.

Day 09 Xian (B, L)

Today is the museum day. First you will visit the Shaanxi History Museum, the first huge state museum with modern facilities in China. It has been called the "bright pearl of ancient city, treasure house of China". You will have your lunch at the luxury decorated Chinese Restaurant: True Love Restaurant, which serves the Shaanxi local cuisine. And then enjoy the white-glove activity in museum of Small Pagoda to further exposure to cultural relics and have a close touch with these exhibitions.

Day 10 Xian / Beijing (B)

Fly to Beijing in the morning. Check into the 5-star Raffles Beijing Hotel. The remainder of the day is free at your own pace, or you can choose some suggested programs from our ready-made option menu to make your stay in Beijing more memorable.

Day 11 Beijing (B)

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flighty back home.