Days 1 | Beijing - Hutongs Food Market

Upon arrival, we'll head directly to the heart of the city, exploring the renovated Hutongs neighborhoods, known for their traditional charm. Riding local bicycles, guided by resilient riders, we'll discover the small delights of the neighborhoods that once served government officials, military ministers, and world leaders. Today, these areas house numerous well-designed shops, galleries, and cafes. After a walking tour, we'll return to the city center for a visit to Wangfujing's unique food market, showcasing extraordinary dishes from all corners of China. 

Day 2 | Beijing - Forbidden City - Silk Market

In the morning, we'll venture into the heart of the capital: the Forbidden City. Starting at Tiananmen Square, we'll explore the square named "Gate of Heavenly Purity," leading to the Forbidden City. Covering an immense area of 440 square meters, the square is known for various historical events. We'll first view the mausoleum dedicated to the heroes of the revolution, including the preserved body of Chairman Mao Zedong. We'll acquaint ourselves with the People's Hall, the Chinese Parliament building, the National Museum, and enter through the gate, where a statue of Chairman Mao proudly stands. Here, we'll visit among the different halls that now serve as an open museum but were previously accessible only to the emperor, his concubines, and eunuchs, as this place once served as his palace. From the Forbidden City, we'll continue our journey to the Silk Market, experiencing Chinese selling culture and bargaining. After completing the initial purchases, we'll gather for an evening meal. 

Day 3 | Beijing - Olympic Avenue, the Great Wall, Wind Road, Ao Market

This morning, we'll head to the suburbs surrounding Beijing, visiting one section of the Great Wall of China, considered one of the architectural wonders of the world, stretching for over 6,300 kilometers. Arriving at the Juyongguan section, located near the Chinese capital, we'll climb the wall and explore its fascinating history. Following the Great Wall visit, we'll head to the "Wind Road," the entrance gate to the tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors. Here, we'll discover the mythical and more realistic sculptures that continue to guard the ancient tombs. Later in the evening, we'll enjoy a Kung Fu show, depicting the fascinating art of Chinese martial arts based on classical principles. After the performance, we'll return to the hotel for an overnight stay. 

Day 4 | Beijing - Temple of Heaven - Xi'an

At dawn, we'll join the city's camel herds, heading south of Beijing to visit the Temple of Heaven. This area, which in ancient times was used by Ming and Qing emperors for annual religious ceremonies, now serves as a leisure site for the city's camel herders. The masses gather in the park surrounding the Temple of Heaven, engaging in Tai Chi exercises, ball games, dances, singing in choirs, and various other vibrant activities. After the visit to the Temple of Heaven, we'll take a flight to Xi'an, the classic ancient capital of China. Upon settling into the hotel, we'll attend a folklore show depicting the cultural performances witnessed by the emperors of China during the golden age of the city, the Tang Dynasty. 

Day 5 | Xi'an – Terracotta Army Site

This morning we will leave the ancient city walls of Xi'an and embark on a journey to one of the most fascinating archaeological discoveries of the past century worldwide: the Terracotta Army site. This site features over six thousand life-sized soldiers and horses made of terracotta, arranged in battle formation. These were specially created to guard the tomb of the father of the Chinese nation and the founder of the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who successfully unified the vast land of China in the third century BCE. We will explore various pits at the site and visit a museum that explains the life of the emperor. 

Day 6 | Xi'an

This morning will begin with a leisurely walk through the central streets of Xi'an, marveling at the Drum Tower and Bell Tower that crown the city center. We will then visit the Great Mosque of Xi'an, a structure that has served as a place of worship for hundreds of thousands of Muslims in the city for centuries, symbolizing the religious tolerance that has existed in the city from the sixth to the ninth centuries.

Day 7 | Xi'an – Guilin

This morning, we will head to the airport and board a direct flight from Xi'an to Guilin. Upon arrival, we will be captivated by the unique beauty of the karst hills surrounding the city visible from the airport. Our first stop in the Guilin region will be the Reed Flute Cave, also known as Ludi Yan, where we'll witness the unique geological formations of the area. After the cave tour, we will check into our hotel and later explore the illuminated and beautiful city of Guilin. 

Day 8 | Guilin – Longsheng – Yangshuo

This morning, we'll embark on a journey towards the Yao ethnic minority village. After a two-hour drive, we'll visit the Yao village, where women of the tribe traditionally cut their hair only once in their lives and attach the cut hair to their existing hair in a unique way, creating an impressive long hairstyle. After our visit to the village, we'll head to a vantage point offering a fascinating view of the rice terraces near the town of Longsheng. We'll then proceed to the town of Yangshuo, where we'll explore the city in the evening.

Day 9 | Yangshuo

This morning, we'll take a stroll around Yangshuo, enjoying the serene atmosphere, followed by a two-hour cruise along the Li River to the small town of Fuli, known for its traditional arts and crafts. After the cruise, we'll hike back through the Moon Hill area to Yangshuo, exploring the local markets, art shops, and numerous cafes. After dinner, we'll witness a performance directed by the renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, featuring hundreds of local performers showcasing their skills.

Day 10 | Guilin – Huangshan

This morning, we'll depart from Yangshuo and head to the airport for a flight to Huangshan. Upon arrival, we'll visit the unique Hongcun Village, known for its well-preserved ancient architecture and water canals. We'll explore the village and check into our hotel. In the evening, we'll take a stroll through the beautifully illuminated city of Huangshan. 

Day 11 | Huangshan – Yellow Mountain

This morning, we'll continue exploring Huangshan, and in the afternoon, we'll journey to Tunxi, a city located at the foot of the Yellow Mountain. Here, we'll have the opportunity to experience more traditional Chinese culture and visit a silk factory to learn about the silk industry's various production stages that originated thousands of years ago. Later, we'll explore the famous Yellow Mountain, taking a cable car to its peaks and wandering along its scenic trails. In the evening, we'll have dinner at the hotel. 

Day 12 | Yellow Mountain – Suzhou

This morning, we'll continue our exploration of the Yellow Mountain and, in the afternoon, travel to Tunxi, located at the foot of the mountain. From there, we'll head to the picturesque city of Suzhou. Upon arrival, we'll visit a traditional water village, one of the authentic settlements that emerged during a significant historical period nearly a thousand years ago. We'll stroll along the charming canals, take a boat ride, and explore the village. Afterward, we'll travel to Suzhou, where we'll check into our hotel.

Day 13 | Suzhou

After breakfast, we'll take a leisurely stroll through the city streets and visit one of Suzhou's oldest gardens, the Kangxi Garden, which has stood for nearly nine centuries. We'll attend a traditional Suzhou-style acrobatics performance in the Lingering Garden, one of Suzhou's famous classical Chinese gardens. Overnight stay in Suzhou. 

Day 14 | Suzhou – Shanghai

This morning, we'll depart Suzhou and head to Shanghai, one of the largest cities in the world. A modern, industrialized city, it has been greatly influenced by the external world. We'll start our visit with a stroll through Yuyuan Garden, a 400-year-old garden that impresses with its unique design, including decorated pavilions, ponds, and benches for relaxation near small water bodies. From the garden, we'll move on to the Old City, essentially a massive market for art, souvenirs, jewelry, and more. Later, we'll visit the synagogue located in the Jewish Ghetto of Shanghai, a place of refuge for European refugees during World War II. We'll also explore the museum in the synagogue courtyard, learning about the fascinating Jewish history. In the evening, we'll enjoy some free time for leisure activities.

Day 16 | Shanghai – Beijing – Airport

We'll dedicate the day to exploring Shanghai, situated at the delta of the mighty Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia. We'll begin with a panoramic view from one of the many towers that crown the city, offering a stunning panoramic view of the colossal metropolis. We'll then fly back to Beijing and conclude our journey.