| 9 Days Historical China w/ Pingyao Tour (Tour code: GECH9-3) | |
| Themes:History, culture | |
| Destinations: Shaanxi Xian - Shanxi Pingyao - Beijing | |
| please contact us for group price |  |
| Destination | Xi'an |
| Activities | We arrive in Xi'an and begin our China experience immediately at the Qianling Spirit Way and Princess Yongtai's tomb. As Xi'an was the capital of China for more than 1000 years and home to many different dynasties, the area around Xi'an is rich in imperial burial sites. Princess Yongtai's tomb dates back to the Tang Dynasty, which ruled China in 618-907 AD. Later we visit the Han Yangling Terracotta Army. It may not be as big as its Qin Army counterpart, but is an excellent sight as the see-through floor allows us to get very close to the clay figures. After getting our first glimpse of Chinese history we drive into central Xi'an and check in at our hotel. |
| Attractions | Qianling Spirit Way, Princess Yongtai's Tomb, Han Yangling Terracotta Army |
| Meals | Lunch |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Xi'an |
| Activities | Today we see more of Xi'ans remarkable historic sights. We start at the City Wall, a well preserved ancient wall dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The wall runs around the entire center of Xi'an. Then we continue to a terracotta pottery shop before reaching the aweinspiring Terracotta Army itself. Here we spend a few hours taking in this massive clay army, built more than 2000 years ago, and totalling more than 7000 lifesized clay soldiers and horses. This is truly a stunning sight. In the afternoon we return to our hotel. |
| Attractions | City Wall, Terracotta Army |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Xi'an |
| Activities | Today we leave Xi'an and head for Fengyukou Valley and the impressive Three-Faced Buddha. The Buddha stands on a platform, surrounded by lush vegetation on the mountain slopes. Out here in the countryside we also learn how to make dumplings at a local house, before visiting the local museum and see a short performance of arts from the local area. In the afternoon we return to our hotel. |
| Attractions | Fengyukou Valley, Three-Faced Buddha, cooking class, local museum and performance |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Xi'an - night train |
| Activities | Tonight we board an overnight train to go to Pingyao in Shanxi Province. Before we leave Xi'an we visit the impressive Shaanxi History Museum, where an incredible collection of ancient artefacts are on display. Then we visit a jade shop, before going to the Stone Steele Forest Museum to learn about Chinese calligraphy art. The museum lies close to one of the sections of the City Wall in a quiet and charming old quarter with famous Book Street nearby. After dinner we go to the train station and prepare to leave historic Xi'an. |
| Attractions | Shaanxi History Museum, Stone Steele Forest Museum |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Accommodation | Night train, soft sleeper berths |
| Destination | Pingyao |
| Activities | In the morning we arrive in Pingyao. We have breakfast at a nearby hotel, then drive to Pingyao Ancient Town and store our luggage at our hotel inside the old quarter, before we take a walk around old Pingyao. We will pass the Confucian Temple, City God Temple and China's first bank on our way through the streets. Later we check in and rest, and you can spend the rest of the day as you wish. At dusk red lanterns are lit along the streets of the old quarter, turning Pingyao into a dreamscape of Ancient China. Seek out one of the many traditional restaurants for a fantastic meal of local delicacies or maybe one of the coffee shops with outdoor seating, where you can watch night settle over China of the 17th century. |
| Attractions | Pingyao Ancient Town, Confucian Temple, City God Temple, China's first bank |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Accommodation | 4* Priority Hotel |
| Destination | Pingyao - Beijing |
| Activities | After breakfast we leave wonderful Pingyao behind and drive to Taiyuan train station to take a high speed train to Beijing. The trip takes about four hours through the North China Plains. After arrival in Beijing we visit the White Cloud Temple to learn more about ancient Chinese belief systems. Later we go to the Temple of Heaven, formerly a place of worship and sacrifice and now a Beijing landmark. We then visit a pearl shop, before we check in at our hotel and rest. |
| Attractions | White Cloud Temple, Temple of Heaven |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Beijing |
| Activities | We begin the day on Tian’anmen Square, the heart of Beijing and China. As we walk across the enormous square we can see some of the most important buildings in the country all around us. We continue to the Forbidden City, an enormous building complex where the emperors used to live. The Forbidden City was built in 1403-1420 AD and is showcase of Chinese belief systems. We also visit Jingshan Park just behind the Forbidden City, before we visit a silk shop on our way back to the hotel. |
| Attractions | Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park |
| Meals | Breakfast and lunch |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Beijing |
| Activities | After breakfast we take a Hutong tour in rickshaws. The Hutongs are the original Beijing-style houses, which we get a chance to see from the inside when we visit a family in here. Then we drive out of the city and north to the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. Here we go by cable car to reach the top, where we will have excellent views of the majestic wall as it snakes its way across the hills. Back in Beijing we enjoy our farewell dinner of the famous Peking Duck. |
| Attractions | Hutong Rickshaw Tour, Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, Peking Duck |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Accommodation | 4* hotel |
| Destination | Beijing - home |
| Activities | The morning is free until we depart for the airport and begin our journey home. Your guide will bring you to Beijing Capital Airport and assist with check in formalities, and then you board your flight with memories of a great trip to China in your mind. Bon voyage! |
| Attractions | None |
| Meals | Breakfast |
| Accommodation | Not incl. |
| Price information | |
Please contact us for group price.
Luxury upgrade: available |
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| Price including |
| International tour leader for duration of the tour
Local English-speaking guides at all destinations Train travel as in itinerary All ground transportation in bus All entrances, cruises and shows as listed in itinerary Tips for guides and drivers Travel agency responsibility insurance All government taxes |
| Price not including |
Flights to/from China Personal expenses Anything not listed in itinerary |
| Important tour information |
Detailed tour information will be sent upon request. Please note that the more information you can give us about the group(s) you plan, the more accurate can we make the quotation and detailed tour information. We offer a wide range of services at all prices, but all of them bear our quality touch. Please get in touch with one of our expert tour designers with any questions you have - We know. We've been. Luxury Upgrade Policy: A luxury upgrade option is available with many of our tours. In accordance with our quality benchmark, upgrade options are divided into four categories: 1. Available - upgrade possible at all destinations in tour itinerary. 2. Partially available - upgrade not possible at one or more destnations in tour itinerary. 3. Not recommended - available or partially available, but not recommended (see Hotel Policy). 4. Not available - luxury upgrades are not possible on many of our trademark specialty tours to remote or developing regions. These tours are deeply genuine and authentic.
Keeping our guests' comfort in mind, we prefer to stay in a 2* or 3* hotel in or close to the attraction, rather than a 4* or 5* hotel much further away. Genuine China Tours' all-encompassing hotel policy is that we will never pick a hotel only because of its price. All our partner hotels must live up to a strict quality test that includes: 1. Geographical location - the location of our chosen hotel is of great importantce, both in large cities, where traffic congestion can play a vital role in the handling of the tour, and also on tours to remote villages, where the right choice of village or hotel can mean a world of difference to the tour. 2. Quality of hotel - including room size and cleanliness, quality of breakfast, ease of getting in/out and more. 3. Local environment - local environment should include local sights (when possible), be in the vicinity of local markets/night markets (if any) and have access to shops and convenience stores (if any). 4. Design and layout of hotel - we prefer hotels with history and atmosphere, especially if these have relevance with the sight(s) at the destination. 5. Value for money - any hotel must pass requirements 1-3 and 5. If a hotel passes all five requirements it becomes a Priority Hotel.
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