24 Days Ancient Architecture Tour—Beijing/ Shanxi/ Shanghai/ Suzhou/ Huangshan/ Fujian

Today, arrive and settle into centrally located hotel. Your private guide and driver will drive you from the airport to the hotel. Spend rest of the day adjust to jet lag or stroll the city on your own.

• Hotels: Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel, Beijing Aman Summer Palace, Four Seasons Hotel Beijing

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We’ll begin the day with a visit to Ancient Architecture Museum in Beijing. This museum is the former site of Temple of Agriculture, located besides Temple of Heaven. Follow your guide through this museum, learn about ancient Chinese structures and their different functions. Then, move on to Tian’anmen Square where daily flag raising and lowering ceremonies are held. Moving on to Forbidden City, one of the most recognisable locations in China, was once the exclusive estate of Ming and Qing ruling classes. Discover some of the most important collections of ornamental treasures at Treasure Gallery. After an authentic dim sum lunch, stroll Jingshan Park where the only hill in city area locates, for a panorama view of the surrounding area and Forbidden City from above. From here, enjoy dinner on your own, perhaps spending the night to watch kung fu show at Red Theatre or Peking Opera performance at Liyuan Theatre.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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We’ll begin the day with a visit to Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the most well-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China. A section that provides splendid surrounding landscape and majestic view of wall snaking through mountains. You will take cable car up and down the wall. Later, return to city area. Take a look at two famous modern structures in Beijing—Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. These two architectures are the spectacular icons of 2008 Olympics Games. Up the Bird’s Nest to take a look of its interior from above. From here, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel or you can drop off somewhere.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Take your leisurely breakfast before visiting a supreme Chinese architecture complex. Temple of Heaven was where emperors performed vital rites in praying for good harvest or worshipping the god. Stroll this area to study the layout and characteristic of these architectures. Encounter groups of elderly exercising and performing some stunning athleticism. Then, tour Lama Temple, once a princely residence converted to a Tibetan Buddhist temple. Admire its architectures, prayer wheels and temple relics along your way as you wander through halls and courtyards. In the afternoon, explore Summer Palace, a royal garden for emperors to escape the summer heat during olden days. Explore Garden of Virtue and Harmony and admire the antique timber structure of an opera stage. It was built for Empress Dowager Cixi for entertainment purposes. Today’s tour ends here. Enjoy rest of the time to dine or tour the night streets on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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This morning, we’ll join a one hour mortise and tenon structure lesson in the hutong area. Gain insights on the history of mortise and tenon joint in China and some of the common designs. Then, try our hand at building simple wood structures that are combined using the technique of mortise and tenon. Later, catch your train to Pingyao. Arrives in Pingyao and settle into your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Pingyao Yunjincheng Hotel, Pingyao Yide Hotel, Pingyao Hongshanyi Hotel

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Today, we’ll drive southwest into a magnificent ancient residential complex. Wang Family Courtyard is more like a castle than cosy home. This grand Qing dynasty former merchant’s residence is still beautifully maintained. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant before wander through Zhangbi Ancient Castle and explore its network of defence tunnels stretching underground for 10km. These tunnels are estimated to be 1,400 years old, and today, only 1,500 metres of tunnels on three levels have been restored. Return to your hotel and have the night on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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After your leisurely breakfast, we’ll spend the day exploring Pingyao Ancient Town. It is the best-preserved ancient walled town in China. Climb the imposing city wall for a panorama view of the entire town. Stroll the red-lantern-hung Mingqing Street where shops and mansions here retain the patterns of Ming and Qing dynasties. Find Rishengchang Bank, the earliest notes bank in China on the street before visiting Pingyao Confucian Temple and mesmerise at those Jin and Tang dynasties architectures. From here, take the rest of the day to explore the still living and breathing community in this old town and appreciate its age-old charms. A one hour Jin Opera performance is available as an option for you to spend the night.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Wutai Mountain Marriott Hotel, Wutaishan Qixiange Guest Hotel

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Following your breakfast, climb the Wutai Mountain, one of the four holy mountains sacred to Chinese Buddhism. Shuttle bus is available in the scenic area. This mountain is still a thriving Buddhist centre topped with many famous temples and monasteries. We’ll up Spirit Vulture Peak. Visit Tayuan Temple located at the base of Spirit Vulture Peak, and spin the prayer wheels for good fortune. Then, head to the largest temple on this peak, Xiantong Temple, that has more than 100 halls and rooms. Find a number of remarkable statues of Buddhist here. Later we’ll also up Bodhisattva Peak for a group of ancient temple halls.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Enjoy your breakfast at your leisure before we kick off the day with a visit to Foguang Temple. This well-preserved Northern-Wei dynasty temple is famous for its antique temple halls, colourful statues and historic frescoes of arhat. Then, drive to Yinxian Wooden Pagoda which is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha. This pagoda is the oldest existent timber pagoda structure still standing in China. Continue driving, before we reach a gravity defiant temple, Hanging Temple. This temple clinging to a cliff of Hengshan Mountain was built during the late Northern Wei dynasty (386-534AD). Walk the dizzying maze of walkways linking those Buddhist caves. Arrives in Datong and settle into your centrally hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Datong Xinyu Crown Hotel , Howard Johnson Jindi Plaza Datong, Yunzhong Inn

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Hit the road early and head west from the city to Yungang Grottoes. This massive series of caves and ancient Buddhist statues carved from cliff sides is one of China’s most magnificent Buddhist cave art. Admire these exquisite art works as you learn about their history from your guide. Then, drive to Huayan Temple in the ancient city of Datong. This temple was built during Liao dynasty, separated into Upper Temple (now active monastery) and Lower Temple (now a museum). Discover the oldest building in Datong here with impressive antique wooden statues. Not far from Huayan temple, we’ll visit Nine Dragon Screen, the largest spirit wall in China adorned with nine vibrantly coloured dragon paved using glazed tiles. This nine dragon screen is older and larger than the one in Forbidden City. From here, enjoy the rest of the day on your own. You can explore this ancient city and its many Buddhist temples.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Following your breakfast, catch your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, meet your local guide and driver at the airport before heading to your hotel. Check in at the hotel. Spend rest of the time to explore the city on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Pudong Shanghai, Hotel Indigo Shanghai on The Bund, Grand Central Hotel Shanghai

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Start the day with a stroll down Gaochang Road and Changge Road for a glance of decade old housings of different styles of western bungalows. Later, walk the former Shanghai French Concession and find a group of European architectures mixes with Chinese icons throughout this area. Then, visit the arts and crafts district, Tianzifang, where its narrow lanes are occupied with shops, restaurant and art studios. While at Shikumen, the old residential area of Shanghainese, walk the grey alleyway. We’ll ‘travel back in time’ and learn about the life of locals in the early 1900s. In the afternoon, we’ll take a look at the glitzing skyscrapers in Lujiajiao CBD, the financial district of Shanghai. Later, up second tallest building in Shanghai, Shanghai World Financial Centre (to 94th, 97th and 100th floor) for a panorama view of the cityscape. At the end of today’s tour, amble along Huangpu River down promenade of The Bund for a view of colonial colossi. At night, you can choose to watch Shanghai acrobatic show ERA: Intersection of Time, or SPIRAL (optional).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Spend the whole of today on your own to explore every nook and cranny of this metropolis. In the evening, catch your train to Suzhou. Meet your local guide and driver at the train station before driving to your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Suzhou Marriott Hotel, Tonino Lamborghini Hotel Suzhou, W Suzhou

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Following your breakfast, drive to Panmen Scenic Area located at southwest corner of the city which is surrounded by city moat. This tranquil part of the city is dotted with bell towers, pavilions, ancient temple and Ruiguang Pagoda, far less crowded than those Chinese gardens at central area, a place for a leisure stroll. Then, visit Humble Administrator’s Garden, largest classical Chinese garden in Suzhou. First built in 1509, this garden of impressive scenery is filled with different style of bridges, pavilions, lotus ponds and bonsais. Next, follow your guide through exhibition halls in Suzhou Museum for a better understanding of Suzhou’s history and to appreciate a number of significant Chinese cultural relics. This is a museum with unique architectural design. In the late afternoon, stroll down Pingjiang Road, a historic road with a history of more than 2,000 years, even though the housings you see now are no longer their original form. At night, we’ll watch fascinating shows at Master of Nets Garden, which includes Kun Opera and some traditional Chinese performances. Stroll around the garden and encounter a series of mini shows.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Hit the road early and head to Tongli Water Town. Tongli is one of the most famous water towns, with classic whitewashed houses, arched stone bridges and bustling canal-side streets. This water town was founded more than 1,000 years ago during Song dynasty. Stroll the shop and residence lined streets and cruise the town down those winding water canals. Later, take bullet train to Huangshan. Meet your private guide and driver at the train station before drive to your hotel in Tunxi.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Banyan Tree Huangshan, Pig's Heaven Inn, Pig's Heaven Inn Bishan

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We’ll spend the whole of today visit three classic Huizhou style villages. Start the day with a visit to Hongcun Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient village is filled with housings adorned with fabulous wood and stone carvings, with Chengzhi Hall as a representation. Then, drive to nearby Xidi Village, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This village is occupied with labyrinth lanes, dark tiles roofs and creamy white walls residences topped with horse-head gables. These buildings are decorated with exquisite carvings. Find the similarity and differences of Hongcun and Xidi with your guide. In the afternoon, we’ll spend half of the day to experience Chinese rural life in Nanping Village. Enjoy your dinner at the host’s home before return to the hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

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Following your breakfast, we’ll drive to Huangshan Scenic Area. Take cable car up the mountain. Appreciate those bizarre stone formations and mist filled valleys from above. Then, hike some distance to your hotel on the summit. Enjoy your buffet lunch in your hotel before we hike to West Sea Grand Canyon. Encounter wild animals and strange rock formations in this often fogged canyon. Have your dinner back in the hotel and enjoy rest of the time of your own. Please take note that you need to save your heavy baggage at the entrance. Bring along your valuables and belongings needed for a night on the mountain.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
• Hotels: Huangshan Beihai Hotel, Xihai Hotel

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Wake up early and catch the first ray of sunlight at either Cloud Dispelling Pavilion or Refreshing Terrace depending on the hotel you are staying. Return to your hotel for breakfast and take cable car down the mountain. Stroll Tunxi Ancient Street in the city area, where the street is lined with Ming and Qing dynasties buildings. Join a bamboo carving class in one of the stores on the street. Later, take bullet train to Quanzhou. Arrive in Quanzhou and settle in your centrally hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: InterContinental Quanzhou Taihe

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We’ll kick off the day with a visit to Chongwu Ancient City, one of the well preserved city wall in China. The city wall was built during Ming dynasty to defence against marauding Japanese pirates. Next, head to Luoyang Bridge. Follow your guide to learn about the history of this Song dynasty stone bridge. Later, admire the exquisite architectures of Guanyue Temple which the roofs are adorned with intricate sculptures. Later of the day, drive to Xiamen. Check in at your hotel and spend the night to explore the city on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Pan Pacific Xiamen, Shangri-La Xiamen hotel, Hyatt Regency Xiamen Wuyuanwan

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There are a few dozens of Tulou or earthen houses settle among lush fields in Southeastern region of China. We’ll begin the day with a visit to Tianluokeng Scenic Area, focusing on Tianluokeng Tulou, Yuchang Tulou and Taxia Village. These unique circular or quadrangular housing complexes once house hundreds of families. Amaze by these centuries old colossal structures and learn about their history from your guide. On the way to hotel in Yongding, visit Chengqilou, the largest Tulou in the province that can house more than 800 people. Later, check in at your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Yongding Huanxing Inn

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Spend the day visiting Chuxi Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou earthen houses. Find both square and circular shape houses here. Interact with the locals and examine these timber and earth structures with your tour guide. Some of these earth buildings are nearly 600 years old. Later of the day, drive back to your hotel in Xiamen.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Take the ferry to visit the Gulangyu Island. Take a relaxing stroll through the colonial buildings built after the Opium War. Wander along the winding paths and find some interesting souvenirs at shops. Pay visit to Shuzhuang Garden and Piano Museum on this island.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Following your breakfast, we’ll visit the Eighth Seafood Market. Walk the market, watch locals bargain with the vendors and how they start their day. Move on to South Putuo Temple, one of the most famous temples in south Fujian. Find out the differences and similarities of Buddhist temples in northern and southern China. Then, visit Hulishan Fortress, once an important coastal defence against invasion from the later 1800s to the early 1900s. Later, stroll Island Ring Road for a glance of the soothing coastal area. At the end of the day, tour Shapowei, a historic area that used to be an important port in Xiamen. From here, dine and explore the city on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Today, catch your flight home or onto your next destination. Until next time!

• Meals: Breakfast,

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