12-day Historic Discovery of China by Speed Train

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel at downtown. If time permits, go to the Bund, a waterfront area in central Shanghai, it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

In the morning, explore Yu Garden, which has a total area of 20,000 square meters with an exquisite layout and beautiful scenery. Then go to the Jade Buddha Temple, which is the most popular Buddhist temple in Shanghai boasting 2 precious jade Buddha sculptures from Burma. After a visit to Shanghai History Museum and learn the knowledge and history of the city, transfer to visit Tianzifang old city quarter. At night, you can enjoy the optional acrobatic show.

Drive to visit Zhujiajiao water town, a small ancient town near Shanghai featured with the traditional lifestyle of Yangtze Delta. Then transfer to the train station to take a speed train to Zhengzhou (7 hours).

Drive to visit Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng County. It is known in and outside of China for Shaolin martial arts. The temple was built in 495, the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Dagoba Forest and Sanhuang Village Scenic Resort are also in the plan. Drive back to Zhengzhou.

After breakfast, transfer to take a speed train to Xian (2.5 hours). In the afternoon, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built between 707-709, the pagoda has a brick frame built around a hollow interior, and its square base and shape reflect the building style of other pagodas from the era; then to Xian Museum, as many as 130, 000 fine cultural relics are preserved here, most of which were unearthed in the ancient tombs from different dynasties before Tang Dynasty (618-907).

After breakfast, go out to visit Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, which is one of the highlight attractions in China. It is so significant because of the hundreds of detailed life-size models. Later, enjoy a walk at old Muslim quarter and get close to Chinese Muslim people and their life. 

Take a speed train to Taiyuan (3.5 hours). Upon arrival, be picked up and transferred to Pingyao Old Town. This ancient town sets in the middle of Shanxi Province and covers an area of 2.25 sq kilometers, 90km southward from the provincial capital Taiyuan, which is one of the four best-preserved ancient towns in China. 

Drive to visit Qiao Courtyard House which has its outstanding architecture style with historical culture. Then go to the Double Forest Temple, 6km southwest from Pingyao is famous for its colorful sculpture. Later, enjoy a in-depth tour around Pingyao Old Town. The most brilliant spot of this ancient town is its city wall which was originally built during 827-782 B.C. Another recommendation is Rishengchang, the first private banking unit in China. <br /

Drive to visit Jinci Temple, it was founded about 1,400 years ago and expanded during the following centuries, resulting in a diverse collection of more than 100 sculptures, buildings, terraces, and bridges. Have lunch in Taiyuan. Then board the speed train to Beijing (3 hours). Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Private escorted tour to over 500-year-old Temple of Heaven. It is basically a huge communication terminal which the Emperor used to communicate directly with Heaven, and it was included in the World Heritage List in 1998. Secondly, go to the Tiananmen Square, located at the heart of Beijing, is the world's largest city center square. Then enter the Forbidden City. It was nominated as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987 and recognized as one of the most important five palaces in the world. At night, a delicious Peking duck dinner is prepared.

Private escorted tour to Mutianyu Great Wall by round-way cable car. Mutianyu, meaning 'Admiring Fields Valley', is the longest fully-restored Great Wall section open to tourists and about 2.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing. Next, visit the Summer Palace. The Chinese call it Yihe Yuan, and the landscaped gardens, temples, and pavilions were designed to achieve harmony with nature. It was listed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO in 1998. If weather permits, enjoy boating at Kunming Lake.

In the morning,have a pedicab tour to Hutong, namely Beijing’s traditional alleyways, represents Beijing's origin, location or history. It is in these gray-tiled long lanes that families play, buy goods, gossip, and connect. Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.

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