20 days China Ancient Civilization Tour

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1  Beijing / Datong
Transfer via: Soft-sleeper train on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: On The Train
Sites visited: Datong
Our local guide escorts you to railway station for your train to your next destination--Datong, Shanxi Province.

Day 2  Datong
Accommodatoins: Yungang International hotel
Sites visited: Yungang Grottoes, Nine Dragon Screen, Huayan Temple
Upon you arrive at Datong railway station in the morning, our local guide meet you and escort you to the hotel. After a rest, you will have a city tour to the Yungang Grottoes, the Nine-Dragon Screen, the Huayan Temple and the Steam Lomotive Factory.

The Yungang Grottoes, with 252 caves and 51,000 statues, show the significent achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in ancient time.

The Huayan Temple is the biggest and best preserved temple of the Liao(916-1125) and Jin(1115-1234) dynasties in China.

Day 3  Datong / Wutaishan (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Yinhai Hotel
Sites visited: Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian County
Drive to the Wutai Mountain. On the way, visit the Hanging Temple and the Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian County.

Day 4  Wutai shan / Taiyuan (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Shanxi Hotel
Sites visited: Wutai Mountain
Today you will visit a cluster of temples at Mt. Wutai, drive to Taiyuan later. Overnight at Taiyuan.

Day 5  Taiyuan / Pingyao (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Lizeyuan International Hotel
Sites visited: Jin Ancestral Temple, Qiao Family's Compound, Shuanglin Temple, Pingyao
Full day trip to the Jin Ancestral Temple, the Qiao's Grand Courtyard, the Shuanglin Temple. Arrive at Pingyao ancient town and check in your hotel.

Of the four well-known Buddhist Mountains in China, the Wutai Mountain has the longest history and wins the best reputation.

Built in 1756 during the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911), the Qiao Family Compound is a well-preserved mansion whose owner is a prestigious banker.

Day 6  Pingyao/Taiyuan/ Xian (B,L)
Transfer via: Soft-sleeper train on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: On The Train
Sites visited: Ming and Qing Street, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Pingyao Ancient City Wall
Visit the Ancient City Wall, the Rishengchang Draft Bank, the Mingqing Street.after the tour in Pingyao then drive back to Taiyuan. Take evening train to next destination-Xian.the rest of the time is free by your own on the train.

Day 7  Xian (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Hotel Royal Garden
Sites visited: Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have city tour to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Day 8  Xian (B,L,D)
Accommodatoins: Hotel Royal Garden
Sites visited: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Walls, Bell Tower
Special Dinner: Dumpling Dinner
Unique Cultural Performance: Tang Dynasty Show
Today, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors and Horses, after lunch, the Ancient City Walls and the Bell Tower. Complete the day with a savory dumpling dinner and the Tang Dynasty show both at Shaanxi Grand Opera Theatre.

First built in 827 BC, with exquisite design and intensive construction, the Pingyao City Wall is an important defensive system in ancient time.

The amazing Terracotta Warriors and Horses are buried with the Mausoleum of Chi Shi Huang, and they are the eighth wonder in the world.

Day 9  Xian / Chongqing / Embarking (B)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Be free until our guide meets and helps you transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon your arrival in Chongqing, you will be met and escorted to board Regal China.

Day 10  Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Fengdu Ghost City
Departs Chongqing at 08:00AM. Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City.

Day 11  Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Shennong Stream
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream by smaller vessels.

By taking the luxurious ship, tourists may enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Yangtze River.

The Shennong Stream is a typical canyon stream, with steep cliffs on the two banks.

Day 12  Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Three Gorges
Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site.

Day 13  Disbarking / Wuhan / Shanghai (B)
Accommodatoins: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Disembark the ship in Wuhan at 11:30AM and then you will be escorted Disembark the ship in Wuhan at 11:30 am and then you will be escort to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Day 14  Shanghai / Huangshan (B,L)
Transfer via: Soft-sleeper train on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: On The Train
Sites visited: Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Market, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple
Today, your full-day excursion of incredible Shanghai will include: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market and the Jade Buddha Temple. you will be escorted to take overnight train to Huangshan.

Outside the Yu Garden is the Yuyuan Market, a thriving place with a lot of restaurants and stores.

Yu Garden is a typical, traditional southern Chinese garden built in Ming Dynasty(1368-1644).

Day 15  Huangshan (L)
Accommodatoins: Huangshan Media Hotel
Sites visited: Hongcun, Xidi
Upon your arrival at city of Huangshan (Tunxi), our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The tour in the afternoon will bring you to Yixian County, 54km away from the city of Huangshan (about 1-hour drive), where you are going to visit two ancient villages--Hongcun and Xidi. Drive back to the city of Huangshan after the visit.

Day 16  Huangshan (B)
Accommodatoins: Beihai Hotel
Sites visited: Mt. Huangshan
After breakfast, drive 80 kilometers (1.5 hour-drive) to Huangshan Scenic Area and take cable car at Yungu Station to the top of the mountain. After check-in and lunch, you will view Brush Pen Peak, tour Lion Peak and Xihai Grand Canyon, enjoy the sunset glow at the Cloud Dispelling Pavilion, etc. Stay overnight at the summit.

Day 17  Huangshan / Shanghai (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Internal flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Try to get up early in the morning to catch the magical sunrise, after breakfast, descend first by foot down the western side of the mountain, along the way you will see Flying Rock, climb over the Brightness Apex--the second highest peak on Huangshan and Turtle Peak, pass Lotus Peak(climb it only when you feel energetic and strong enough)--Huangshan's highest peak, on the top of which offers panoramic views of Huangshan. After all the strenuous exercise, take the cable car at Yuping Station down to the foot of the Mt. Huangshan,our local guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

Hongcun is a village near the Mt.Huangshan in Anhui province. It is renowned for its well-preserved ancient houses with beautiful surroundings.

As one of the greatest symbols of China, the Mt.Huangshan is unique owing to its abundant natural resources and various zoological species.

Day 18  Shanghai / Zhouzhuang / Shanghai (B)
Accommodatoins: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Zhouzhuang, Hall of Shen's Residence, Quanfu Temple, Twin Bridge, Ancient Memorial Archway
In the morning, drive to Zhouzhuang there you will pay a visit to the Ancient Memorial Archway, Quanfu Temple, the Hall of Shen's Residence and the Twin Bridge. Drive back to Shanghai the afternoon (about one-hour drive).

Day 19  Shanghai (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Children's palace, The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Nanjing Road
After breakfast, you will tour the Bund and the Nanjing Road, and then visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Children's palace.Enjoy a wonderful Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre tonight.

Day 20  Shanghai / Final departure (B)
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your sweet home.

Built in 1742, the Hall of Shen's Residence is one of the most interesting private houses in Zhouzhuang. It consists of exquisite buildings of Qing style.

The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years.

Price & Included Features

• China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
• Accommodations: for 12 nights at four star hotels and 4 nights at five star cruise in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with twin-beds, a private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar
• 36 meals: 17 full breakfasts, 13 lunches and 6 dinners(included Dumpling Dinner)
• 1 unique cultural performance--  Tang Dynasty Show in Xian
• Round-trip transfers between airports, hotels, and scenic spots in each city by private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced licensed drivers
• A local English-speaking guide in each city
• Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotels
• China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
• Government taxes and service charges except tips for tour guides and drivers

Accommodation

- On The Train

Express train in China. You could meet local people directelly on board and enjoy the real communicate with comment Chinese people.

Datong - Yungang International hotel

Yungang International Hotel is a very nice hotel in Datong wich is located in the Daxi Street with convenient transportation and elegant environment. It is about 20 kilometers(12.4miles) from airport, 2.5 kilometer(1.5miles) from train station, and 18kilometers(11miles) from famous Yungang Grottoes-the national protection,also near to Huayansi Temple and Nine Dragons Screen.   Detail

Datong - Yinhai Hotel

Yinhai Hotel is located in the center of WuTaishan Mountain Scenery Area, which is one of the four biggest Buddhism Holy-lands in China. It is a three-star hotel of high standard. It stands near by the mountain and river, and faces the old temple built in Yuan Dynasty.

Taiyuan - Shanxi Hotel

Shanxi Grand Hotel is the first 4-star hotel in Shanxi province, located in the corner of the Yingze Street and Xinjian Road in Taiyuan, which is luxurious hotel accessible to international guests.  Detail

Pingyao - Lizeyuan International Hotel

Lizeyuan International Hotel is in the commercial and cultural center of the city. The hotel presents a modern philosophy with luxury facade, comfortable environment and cozy atmosphere. Inheriting the traditional culture, Lizeyuan International Hotel is the outstanding landmark of Pingyao.

Xian - Hotel Royal Garden

xi'an was called Chang'an in the Han Dynasty ,The connotation of "Chang'an"is "a place of permanent peace ".Xi'an was the starting point of the world-famous Silk Road , It can be well likened to history museum , moving around this old city is like going through thousands of years back in time. Hotel Royal Garden is located at east street of busy shopping centre. There is 5km(3miles) to railway station , 42km(26miles) to airport .and possess 429 guest rooms.   Detail

Yangtze Cruises - Ship of Yangtze Cruise

All the 5-star luxury liners, considered to be truly excellent, are equipped to a very high standard. With various cuisine, English-speaking service and luxurious decor among the finest, they pride themselves on providing the highest quality service especially for overseas guests. Besides standard rooms, deluxe suites are also available, with modern facilities to satisfy your need. During the Yangtze River cruise, you can not only appreciate the impressive landscape, but participate in the various interesting activities, such as the captain's welcome & farewell receptions and dinner, morning Tai Chi exercise, fun and informative Chinese tea tasting, practicing and learning Chinese calligraphy and painting. Moreover, the cruises will make stops in ancient and fascinating riverside towns. It is more than just a cruise tour. It is an experience of nature and culture on an amazing land.

Shanghai - Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown

The Four-star Holiday Inn Shanghai is strategically located with easy accessibility to shopping and tourist attractions. Combining a central location with excellent service and facilities, the Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai is an ideal choice for visitors to Shanghai.  Detail

Mt. Huangshan - Huangshan Media Hotel

Huangshan Meida Hotel HuangShan JianGuo Hotel) is a four-star hotel located in the highway to the airport, about 3 km(1.86mile) away, and is just 3km to the railway station, making it convenient for those who flying into the city on a weekend trip.   Detail

Mt. Huangshan - Beihai Hotel

A Four-Star Hotel, the Beihai Hotel, is located on the summit of the picturesque Huangshan Mountain. Located at an altitude of 1,630 meters, the views from the hotel's terrace are nothing short of spectacular. It is the primary hotel on Huangshan Mountain.  Detail

Meals

Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Breakfast - Each breakfast will be served in your hotel. Breakfast selections include both Chinese and Western dishes to meet every diner's taste.

Lunch - Lunches are normally arranged at the Chinese restaurants near the scenic spots. Your tour guides will order food according to your appetite. Most are Chinese dishes, and some are modified to fit westerners' tastes. A complimentary glass of beer or soft drink is served with lunch.

Dinner - Same as lunch. If you prefer to not eat Chinese food, China Odyssey Tours suggests you have dinner on your own. Your local tour guide can recommend some good western restaurants in the area.

Transfer and Transport Service

China Odyssey Tours has received wide recognition for its transfer service. With our on-time service, you will never feel alone while traveling through China. We work hard to live up to the slogan's promise "You are not alone in China".

With our private small group tours, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will enjoy flexible tour arrangements and you will have your own tour guide, car and driver in each destination, exclusive to your own group of friends or family.

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