China Ancient Architecture Tour
Overview
The 17-day tour will bring you an eyes-opening experience by introducing traditional Chinese architecture including palaces, homes, temples, and gardens: the characteristic of Chinese traditional architectures, and their historical and cultural backgrounds. During the trip, you have a general idea of infrastructure systems, construction materials, foundations and structural forms of Chinese traditional engineering. At the same time, you will take a close look to those some man-made architectural feats in ancient China like Great Wall, Forbidden City, Earthen Building, etc.
Duration: 17 days & 16 nights
Destinations: Beijing - Pingyao - Xi'an - Guilin - Yangshuo - Longji - Xiamen - Huangshan - Shanghai
Travel style: Private tour
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Itinerary Expand All
After breakfast, go to the Temple of Heaven, which is one of Beijing's most impressive sites in terms of architecture, color and significance and was used by Emperor to communicate directly with Heaven. After visiting it, visit the Forbidden City, nominated as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987, is the largest ancient palatial structure in the world and the best-preserved imperial palace in China. Later, go to Jingshan Park, covers an area of more than 230,000 m², Jingshan is immediately north of the Forbidden City on the central axis of Beijing. Peking duck dinner at night.
Meal: B, L, D
Private escorted tour by round-way cable car to Mutianyu Great Wall is planned in the morning. As the old saying goes, "One who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a hero". Therefore, it is the must-see site during your Beijing tour. After climbing the Great Wall, we'll lead you to have a pedicab tour to Hutong (Beijing's traditional alleyways) to see the local people's life and the traditional Siheyuan-style courtyard houses of Beijing.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to the train station to board a fast train to Pingyao (4 hours). After arrival, explore the old town of Pingyao, where there was a well-preserved old town wall and many hundred-years-old buildings for different uses. Overnight at a local featured guesthouse.
Meal: B
After breakfast, drive 45km to visit Qiao Family Compound, a masterpiece of civil residential architecture of Qing Dynasty in North China, and then to the local cave dwellings, which used to be quite popular residence in the north of Shanxi and Shaanxi Province. Later, go to Double Forest Temple (Shuangli Si), a well-protected Buddhist temple dating back to 1400 years ago.
Meal: B, L
Visit Pingyao old town (UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site), ancient city wall, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Ming Qing Street. After lunch, take an express train to Xian, Be met at the train station and transfer to the hotel.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, drive to visit Banpo Museum, where houses artifacts from the archaeological site of Banpo. There you will see the reconstructed shelters designed to resemble the Neolithic settlement. Then proceed to the world famous Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Later, drive back to the city, and stroll at the old Muslim quarter.
Meal: B, L
Go and visit the Small Goose Pagoda and Xian Museum, then explore the Gao’s Grand Courtyard, a typical residential house in Northwest China. It was assigned as the teaching base for graduate students of architectural departments of both Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Truncheon. Later in the afternoon, fly to Guilin. Transfer to your hotel at city downtown.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, transfer to take a boat cruise down Li River, disembark at Yangshuo, transfer to stay at a featured hotel transformed from old houses of local farmers at Jiuxian village. Bike to the countryside to enjoy the stunning landscape and have a home visit to a farmer’s house.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, drive to Guilin and visit Reed Flute Cave, stroll around the lakes at city downtown. After lunch, drive to Longji, explore the ethnic Zhuang Village and their traditional stilted houses. Overnight stay at a guesthouse.
Meal: B, L
Further explore the area and view the amazing rice terraces built since 800 years ago. After lunch, drive to the airport and fly to Xiamen. Transfer to the hotel.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, drive 3 hours to Nanjing County, where is a major habitat for Hakka people. Visit Tianluokeng Earth Towers (Tulou), Yuchang Earth Buiding, and Taxia Village. Tulou is a traditional communal residence usually occupied by clan groups. Transfer back to Xiamen.
Meal: B, L
13 Day 13 Visit Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Buddhist Temple and Coastal Road. Take flight to Huangshan
Go and explore Gulangyu Island- Sunlight Rock, Shuzhuang Garden, Piano Museum. After lunch tour Nanputuo Buddhist Temple, Coastal Road for sightseeing. Take a late afternoon flight to Huangshan. Transfer to stay at a featured hotel of Anhui architecture style.
Meal: B, L
Start in the early morning, and have a full day trip to Yellow Mountain. Take a cable car up to the mountain and visit Grand Canyon of West Sea (Xihai) and other major sites. Later explore the Chengkan old village with less tourist flows and old street of Tunxi. Transfer to take an evening flight to Shanghai.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, visit Yu Garden to have a glimpse of the ancient residence of the Chinese officials 300-500 years ago. Then drive to Pudong area to see the modern skyscrapers. In the afternoon, visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition and Tianzifang old city quarters.
Meal: B, L
Free day for your own exploration.
Meal: B
Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.
Meal: B
End of service.
