11 Days China Shanxi Tour (Budget)

Day 01 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. You are greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the three-star Dongfang Hotel.

Day 02 Beijing (B, L)

Morning tour starts with the Gugong, also called the Forbidden City, in scripted as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 1987.Built between 1406-1420, it is the largest palace of the world complex covering 74 hectares. It has 9999 halls and rooms in which emperors lived for over 500 hundred years in Ming and Qing dynasties. After lunch we visit the biggest and most important imperial Temple of China, Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed annual rituals of sacrifice to ensure prosperity for future generations. Then we drive through the city for an overview of Beijing until we arrive for leisure tour to the Summer Palace which was built 800 years ago. It is the second largest and best-preserved royal garden in China, with 294 hectares including the beautiful and serene Kunming Lake. Before returning to the hotel, we will take a leisure walk around Tian An Men Square to admire the grandeur of the largest public squares in the world.

Day 03 Beijing / Datong (B, L)

Today you will visit the Badaling Great Wall, one of the eight ancient wonders of between 6000- 6500km long built over several centuries to keep out the invading northern tribes. After a hike along a portion of the Wall, we visit the Dingling, one of the Ming Tombs, a secluded valley housing 14 imperial burial mounds. Then proceed to the Cloisonné factory to appreciate the marvelous Chinese traditional handicrafts. In the evening board the overnight train to Datong, the second largest city in Shanxi province. Overnight in the soft sleeper train cabin

Day 04 Datong (B, L)

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the three-star Beichen Garden Hotel. After breakfast, travel to the Yungang Grottos which consists a series of 53 caves. They are completed during the Northern Wei Dynasty (460-494 AD) and in scripted in 2001 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in China officially. Afterwards, you will visit the Nine Dragon Wall that probably is the largest of its kind in China. Later you will visit the Upper Huayan Monastery which is considered to be one of the two biggest Buddhist halls existent in China. It was built under the Liao Dynasty in 1062.

Day 05 Datong / Taiyuan (B, L)

Today's tour will bring you to visit the Wooden Pagoda. It is the oldest wooden structure extant today in China, and also the tallest among ancient wooden buildings of the world. And then drive about 1 hour to visit the Hanging Monastery, situated at the foot of the Hengshan Mountain, 75 kilometers southeast of Datong. First built in the late Northern Wei dynasty in the 6th century and renovated three or four times since, the serried buildings look as though they are supported by a dozen or so slim wooden posts no more substantial than chopsticks. And then you will drive to Tai Yuan, the capital of Shanxi Province and check into three-star Hua Yuan Hotel.

Day 06 Taiyuan / Pingyao (B, L)

In the morning, you will drive to Ping Yao. On you way, you will visit the famous Qiao Family built in 1755 and the Jinci Temple with its ancient gardens and historical relics. Upon arrival, check into three-star Chang Feng Yi Hotel.

Day 07 Pingyao / Xian (B, L)

Paralleling Xian, Nanjing and Lijiang, Pingyao is one of time-honored cities that have survived with its ancient walls, a best example from the Ming Dynasty. In Nov. 1986, UNESCO subscribed the city into the World Heritage List in China. Today you will visit the Ping Yao Old Town and the Double Forest Temple that houses over 2,000 Buddhist terracotta sculptures. In the afternoon take overnight soft-sleeper train to Xian.

Day 08 Xian (B, L)

Arrive in Xian in the morning. You are greeted by your guide and transferred to the three-star City Hotel. After breakfast continue to visit the majestic Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Then visit Ancient City Wall, it's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Day 09 Xian (B, L)

You will spend full day to visit Terracotta Warriors. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. Return to Xian and continue your tour to visit Muslim area where you will have a chance to taste the Muslim snacks.

Day 10 Xian / Beijing (B)

Transfer to the airport and take the flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, transfer to the three-star Dongfang Hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own arrangement.

Day 11 Beijing (B)

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Service ends.