Day 1 | Beijing - Harbin

During our visit, we explore Tiananmen Square, known as the "Gate of Heavenly Peace," leading to the Forbidden City. We marvel at the Mausoleum dedicated to the heroes of the revolution, including the preserved body of Mao Zedong. We acquaint ourselves with the People's Hall, the Chinese Parliament building, and the National Museum before entering the Forbidden City through the gate that still proudly displays Mao's figure. We visit various halls that now serve as an open museum. We then proceed to the Summer Palace, stroll by the frozen lake, and appreciate the traditional Chinese architecture. At the end of our tour, we head to the train station to board a special overnight train to Harbin, the next highlight of our winter journey.

Day 2 | Harbin

Upon arrival, we enjoy breakfast and set out to explore the city of Harbin. We will visit St. Sophia Cathedral, the largest Orthodox cathedral in the Far East. Next, we head to the Siberian Tiger Park to observe these majestic creatures, facing the threat of extinction. The park, established in 1996 on the banks of the Songhua River, is the world's largest for the preservation and restoration of the Siberian tiger population. We then visit the highlight of our trip, the Sun Island, where the famous Harbin Ice Festival takes place annually. Ice sculptures from around the world gather for a spectacular show and a carving competition. The entire site is illuminated at night, attracting thousands of excited spectators from China and beyond. We stroll among the sculptures and witness the sculptors working on their creations. Overnight stay in Harbin.

Day 3 | Harbin - Jewish Quarter

Harbin is known to the Jewish people worldwide as a place that stood by the Jewish people in one of its difficult hours. Many Jews from Russia and Eastern Europe migrated to Harbin starting from the late 19th century when Harbin was a Russian stronghold on Chinese soil. They established a thriving community with schools and synagogues, living a Jewish way of life. We visit various Jewish sites in the city, including the Old and New Synagogues, the hospital, the school, and the Jewish cemetery. We continue to explore the mesmerizing ice sculptures and spend another night in Harbin.

Day 4 | Harbin - Xi'an

This morning, we will leave the frozen city of Harbin and take a flight to Xi'an, the classical ancient capital of China. After settling into our hotel, we explore the city's central streets, marveling at the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower crowning the city's center. We then visit the Great Mosque of Xi'an, a structure resembling a Chinese temple but serving as a place of worship for hundreds of thousands of Muslims residing in the city. The mosque symbolizes the religious tolerance that existed in the city between the 6th and 9th centuries. We continue to wander through the vibrant streets of the Muslim quarter and spend the night in Xi'an.

Day 5 | Xi'an - Shanghai

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. In this site, over six thousand life-sized soldiers and horses, made from terracotta material, stand in battle formation. They were specifically created to protect the tomb of the Father of the Chinese nation and the founder of the Qin Dynasty, which successfully unified the vast state of China in the third century BCE under Emperor Qin Shi Huang. We explore the various pits on the site and visit the museum that explains the life history of the emperor. From here, we transfer to the airport for a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in the city, we check into our hotel for our last night in Shanghai and head to the Bund, a waterfront promenade offering a stunning view of the illuminated skyscrapers of the city. Overnight stay and dinner in Shanghai.

Day 6 | Shanghai

We begin our visit to the city in Yuyuan Garden, established 400 years ago. Despite being relatively small, the garden impresses with its unique design, including decorated pavilions, rockeries, and benches by small fish-filled ponds. From the garden, we reach the Yuyuan Bazaar, a large market for art, souvenirs, jewelry, and more. We then move on to an observation point of one of the many towers adorning the city, providing a panoramic view of the enchanting skyline just before bidding farewell to amazing China.