Along the Silk Road

On your arrival day, your guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area at the Beijing Capital Airport with a sign and then take you to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore this amazing city.

Today you will begin your explorations by paying a visit first to the largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square, which is one of the most beloved sites among Chinese citizens, especially for the flag raising and lowering ritual held here at dawn and dusk.

Opposite to the square across the road is the magnificent Forbidden City, one of the most recognizable landmarks and cultural symbols of China as the former royal residence for five centuries. You will continue your day with a visit to Summer Palace, the vast garden and summer resort for royal members during the imperial times. Breakfast included.

Your day will begin with the stunning Temple of Heaven, where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvest and blessing on the country.

Afterwards, you will be taken to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a part of the ancient fortification system. A  comfortable round trip cable car transfer over the evocative scenery is included. The sightseeing will end with a stopover at the Bird's Nest and Water Cube on your way back to the hotel. Breakfast included.

After breakfast, you will jump on a rickshaw for a Hutong Tour through the most characteristic, maze-like neighborhood. Then you will be taken to the railway station for the high speed rail train to Xian.

The journey takes approximately 5 hours, and along the way you will admire a total different scenery, that of the countryside. Upon arriving at the Xian North Station, the tour guide will pick you up and escort you to the hotel. Breakfast is included.

Today the highlight of the tour is definitely the world-renowned Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. It is reputed as the largest underground military base in the world. Afterwards, visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the two most significant Buddhist pagodas in Xian, built around the early 8th century. Breakfast included.

After breakfast at the hotel, the tour guide will take you to Shaanxi History Museum, the biggest museum of Shaanxi area, with 370,000 artifacts. You will then have the chance to explore the ancient Xian City Wall, the largest and best-preserved wall in China, 13.75km long, enclosing the old capital.

In the middle of the old block of Xian stands the Great Mosque, the oldest and biggest Islamic mosque in the country, built in the mid-7th century. Around the mosque is the Muslim Street, every day bustling with fine eateries and souvenirs shops.  You will also stop at the nearby Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square for some great photo opportunities.  Breakfast included.

Today you'll haver free time till your guide picks you up at the hotel and drives you to the airport for the flight to Dunhuang. You'll then be transferred to the hotel.

Upon arrival, you'll immediately experience the desolated desert scene along the Echoing-Sand Dune to Crescent Lake by riding a camel. The dunes are known for the unique humming they make when the wind blows and the Crescent Lake is an oasis in the middle of the desert. Breakfast included.

Mogao Grottoes are waiting for you this morning: they are one of the four most prominent grottoes in China, consisting of over 700 caves, 2,000 statues and tens of thousands square meters of mural paintings.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Your guide will meet you upon arrival and escort you to the hotel. Breakfast included.

This morning you'll begin your tour of Shanghai with a visit to Shanghai Museum, housing over 140,000 artifacts, displaying the history and culture of Shanghai. Later you will take a walk at The Bund, the most prestigious landmark and best-preserved demonstration of the glamour of the old Shanghai, and Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping area in the metropolis.

You'll then visit Yuyuan Garden and stroll around the nearby Chenghuang Miao bazaars and New Spot (XinTianDi). Breakfast included.

Your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight.  Breakfast included.