Ancient China

Ancient China Tour – 18 Days

Overview

Journey through China’s imperial past, exploring its sacred mountains, ancient capitals, and timeless traditions. From the majestic Great Wall to the Shaolin Temple, and the stunning Hanging Temple, experience a side of China that few get to see.

What’s Included

✔ Accommodation – 16 nights in 4-star hotels
✔ Meals – 44 meals (16 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners)
✔ Flights – International & domestic flights with current taxes
✔ Transport – High-speed bullet trains, private transfers, and boat cruises
✔ Guided Tours – English-speaking guides for all sightseeing experiences
✔ Entry Fees – Admission to all included attractions
✔ Cultural Experiences – Traditional calligraphy, paper-cutting workshop, and Shaolin kung fu demonstration
✔ Boat Cruises – Huangpu River in Shanghai

Tour Itinerary

Days 1-2: Fly Overnight to Beijing

• Arrive in Beijing, China’s historic capital.
• Rest of the day at leisure to start exploring.

Day 3: Imperial Beijing

• Visit:
  • Tiananmen Square
  • Forbidden City – home to China’s emperors
• Take a rickshaw ride through the hutongs, Beijing’s traditional alleyways.
• Enjoy Peking Duck for dinner.

Day 4: The Great Wall & Summer Palace

• Walk along the iconic Great Wall.
• Visit a jade factory to learn about its cultural significance.
• Stroll through the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace.

Day 5: Temple of Heaven & Panjiayuan Market

• Visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO-listed complex.
• Observe locals practicing Tai Chi, dancing, or playing cards.
• Explore Panjiayuan Market, Beijing’s largest antique and arts market.

Day 6: Train to Datong

• Travel by train to Datong, a city rich in history.
• Enjoy a local dinner on arrival.

Day 7: Hanging Temple & Yungang Caves

• Visit:
  • Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO-listed Buddhist cave complex.
  • Hanging Temple, an ancient wooden monastery built into a cliff face.
• Travel to Wutaishan, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains.

Day 8: Wutaishan Buddhist Temples

• Explore:
  • Bodhisattva Summit Temple
  • Xiantong Buddhist Temple
• Continue to Taiyuan, Shanxi’s provincial capital.
• Visit the Twin Pagoda Temple, built during the Ming Dynasty.

Day 9: Taiyuan & Pingyao

• Explore Jinci Temple, known for its stunning wooden architecture.
• Travel to Pingyao, a well-preserved ancient town.
• Try traditional Chinese paper-cutting.

Day 10: Pingyao Old Town & Bullet Train to Xian

• Explore:
  • City Walls
  • Rishengchang Financial House Museum
  • Yamen (Qing Dynasty Government Office)
• Take a bullet train to Xian.

Day 11: Terracotta Warriors

• Visit the Terracotta Army, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Explore Xian Art Ceramics & Lacquer Workshop.
• Walk along the ancient city walls.
• Enjoy a Tang Dynasty dancing show with a Shui Jiao dumpling banquet.

Day 12: Xian Sightseeing

• Visit:
  • Xian Museum
  • Little Wild Goose Pagoda
• Take a calligraphy lesson.
• Explore the Muslim Quarter.

Day 13: Bullet Train to Luoyang & Longmen Grottoes

• Travel by bullet train to Luoyang.
• Visit the Longmen Grottoes, home to thousands of Buddha sculptures.

Day 14: Shaolin Temple & Kung Fu Demonstration

• Visit the Shaolin Temple, birthplace of kung fu.
• Walk through the Pagoda Forest, featuring 228 ancient pagodas.
• Watch a Shaolin kung fu demonstration.
• Continue to Zhengzhou.

Day 15: Fly to Shanghai & Huangpu River Cruise

• Fly to Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city.
• Enjoy a scenic evening cruise on the Huangpu River.

Day 16: Explore Shanghai

• Visit:
  • Yu Garden – a stunning classical garden
  • Shanghai’s Old Town
  • The Bund – colonial waterfront district
• Watch the ERA Acrobatic Show.

Day 17: Shanghai Highlights & Traditional Cuisine

• Wander through the Xintiandi district, famous for its 1920s architecture.
• Visit:
  • Shanghai Museum – home to priceless Chinese artifacts
  • Silk Factory – see traditional silk-making techniques
• Enjoy a Shanghainese dinner.

Day 18: Fly Shanghai to UK

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Why Choose This Tour?

✅ Unique Historical Sites – Visit UNESCO-listed temples, caves, and ancient capitals
✅ Great Wall & Shaolin Temple – Walk the Great Wall and see Shaolin monks perform kung fu
✅ Cultural Immersion – Calligraphy, paper-cutting, and a traditional dumpling banquet
✅ Scenic Bullet Train Journeys – Travel across China’s modern high-speed rail network
✅ Authentic Experiences – Rickshaw rides, Tai Chi in the park, Buddhist temples

This 18-day journey is perfect for history lovers, offering a deep dive into China’s ancient wonders, imperial treasures, and cultural traditions.