Fantanstic China Private Tours with Water Towns

1

Place & Transport:  Arrive in Beijing, Airport-hotel transfer

Today's Activities:  Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven (1.5 hours):

Temple of Heaven is situated in Beijing City, the capital of China. It covers an area of about 2,700,000 square meters. That Temple was originally built in the year of 1420, the Ming dynasty. It was built to serve as the place to pray. The emperors prayed for the Heaven and God for good harvests and peace. UNESCO listed the Temple of Heaven in the World Cultural Heritage in the year of 1998. And it was included in the China World Records Association in the year of 2009. As an ancient construction of China, Temple of Heaven has high value of research and visiting. It consists of two main parts: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar.

 

2

Place & Transport:  Beijing

Today's Activities:  Tiananmen Square,Forbidden City,Summer Palace,Beijing Opera

Breakfast,Chinese Lunch

Tiananmen Square (50 minutes):

In the middle of capital Beijing, there lies Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square is not only the largest city square in China, but also the second largest city square in the world. It is 880 meters long and 500 meters wide with an area of 440,000 square meters. It is also a representative place in the long development of China. In Tiananmen Square, there stand many constructions. Great Hall of the People connects the Tiananmen Square to the west. The National Museum connects the Tiananmen Square to the east. The Tiananmen Tower stands in the northern part of the Tiananmen Square. The capacity of the square is up to 1 million people at the same time.

Forbidden City (4-5 Hours):

The Forbidden City is located at the heart of Beijing City, the capital of the People’s Republic of China. In history, there were 24 emperors living in the Forbidden City. During the year between 1420 and 1911, the Forbidden City reached the most prosperous position. It was a product of Chinese feudal society. In the year of 1987, the Forbidden City was included in the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. At the same time, it is the best-preserved royal palace in China. It represents the history and culture of ancient China. What’s more, it is not a single scenic spot. Around the Forbidden City, there are Maozedong Memorial Hall, the Monument of People’s Heroes, Tiananmen Square and so on.

Summer Palace (3 hours):

The Summer Palace is located in the Haidian district. Haidian lies in the northwestern of capital Beijing. It is a little long away from the middle of Beijing, nearly 10 kilometers. It is the famous tourist attraction all over the world with an area of 3,000,000 square meters. The Summer Palace is composed of two main parts: the Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace is an imperial garden. It is still preserved well after many years. It beautiful scenery and history attract many tours and views at home and abroad. And on the Kunming Lake, you can take a ferry boat to enjoy the scenery. It is wonderful.

Beijing Opera (30 minutes):

Beijing Opera is a kind of art performance mixing dancing, singing, dialogue and fighting together. Beijing Opera has a little long history. It was the art from folk at the beginning. And then it became popular with the rich people and imperial families. The contents of Beijing Opera are mainly about the historical novels and tales and fiction stories. Mei Lanfang is one of the masters of Beijing Opera. His magnum opus is “the Drunken Beauty”. Nowadays, there are a few theaters having the classic opera performances.

3

Place & Transport:  Beijing

Today's Activities:  Badaling Great Wall,Ming Tombs

Breakfast,Chinese Lunch

Badaling Great Wall (2 hours):

Badaling Great Wall is the best preserved section of Ming Great Wall. And it is also the most representative section of Ming Great Wall. It is located in the northwestern part of the Beijing city, about 60 kilometers long. The height of the Badaling Great Wall is up to 1015 meters. As the essence of Ming Great Wall, it plays an very important part in protecting the nation. Badaling Great Wall is the first section of Great Wall open to the tourists. It is also included in the World Heritage List. It is well known for the splendid landscape, complex construction and the long culture. In addition, transportations there are quite convenient.

Ming Tombs :

The Ming Tombs is situated in the Changping district, the northwestern part of Beijing city. It is about 50 kilometers away from the Beijing city. The Ming Tombs is actually a group of mausoleums of royal families of dynasty Ming. Changling Tomb was the first mausoleum to be built in the year of 1409. The Ming Tombs was finished till the time when the last emperor was buried in the mausoleum. The process lasted over 230 years. There are 13 mausoleums for emperors, 7 mausoleums for imperial concubines and 1 mausoleum for eunuchs. The Ming Tombs covers an area of 400,000 square meters. It is the largest and existing imperial mausoleums in china, even in the world.

 

4

Place & Transport:  Beijing to Shanghai, Flight to Shanghai

Today's Activities:  Hutong Tour in Xicheng District

Breakfast,Chinese Lunch

Hutong Tour in Xicheng District (50 minutes):

Hutong is a typical place in the Beijing City. It is also named lane or alley. The history of Hutong can be traced back to the dynasty Yuan. Its initial meaning was a well with water in Mongolian. In the period of Yuan Mongolia, water was very important and precious, like gasoline or gas oil to the cars. In the year of 1949, the People’s Republic of China was founded in Beijing city. And the government decided to develop the Beijing into a modern city. Many old Hutongs disappeared. The wide streets and avenues became the main parts of transportation instead of old Hutongs. Fortunately, there are a few Hutongs existing in Beijing. The Hutongs represent the development and culture of ancient Beijing.

5

Place & Transport:  Shanghai, Suzhou, Shanghai

Today's Activities:  Garden of the Master of the Nets,Humble Administrator Garden,Grand Canal ,Silk Museum

Breakfast,Chinese Lunch

Garden of the Master of the Nets (1.5 hours):

Though the smallest among all Suzhou residential gardens, it is perhaps the most impressive one for the wonderful arrange of space. Noted for the wonderful architectural achievement as well as a tranquil mood and harmony the garden embodies, it is also well-known.

The origin of the garden can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), later in the Qing Dynasty, it was restored by a government official. The garden can be divided into three sections: the central main garden, an inner garden and a residential section. There is a large pond and large quatity of constructions, like the Pavillion for the advent of the Moon and Wind and the Ribbon Washing Pavillion in the central main garden. It is strange that those there dotted with so many buildings, there is never a sense of crowding, but always of spaciousness.

Humble Administrator Garden (2 hours):

The Humble Administrator's Garden occupies an area of about 12.85 acres, making it the largest and most well-known one among all gardens in Suzhou, featured for its exquisite design and delicacy.

In 1997, it was put on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site list, together with the Summer Palace in Beijing, Mountain Resort in Chengde and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou, it is ranked as the top four gardens in China.

The construction of the garden can be traced back to the early 16th century. And the garden can be divided into Central, Eastern, Western sections and residences of the former owners. The construction style of in the garden resemble much like those in watertowns, such as Zhouzhuang, etc, now a museum is exclusively built for collecting and displaying the residential styles.

Grand Canal (2-3 hours):

The Grand Canal, also known as Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in China, at a length of 1,776 km (1,103 miles), is the longest canal or also can be ranked as the artificial river in the world. The starting point of which lies in Beijing, the river winding through Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang from north to south. In the whole course, the oldest parts can be traced back to the 5th century BC, and later in Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE), other sections were finally combined.

The period in Suzhou is featured for its wide surface, abundant and crystal water, has always been regarded as the best part of the Canal for shipping. From Hushu Pass to Wujiang City is about 35km long, on the banks, white walls and black tiles contrasted with the open green views in the countryside. The 53-hole Belt Bridge initially constructed in Tang Dynasty lies across the old canal resembling a rainbow floating on the wave. The ancient ferries, towing tie paths, ancient bridges along the canal are all witnesses of rising and declining of this area.

 

Silk Museum (1 hour):

Suzhou, known as one paradise on the earth, while far beyond this, is also the silk capital of China. Early in the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasty, it has already become the hub for silk produce; during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Suzhou grows to a well-known center to produce high-grade silk for the royal families.

The design of the museum is dignified and elegant - yet unconventional, it is a good model in combining ancient civilization with modern style, which can be divided into several parts: the Introductory Hall, the Ancient Exhibit Hall, the Silkworm-Rearing Room, the Silk Weaving Workshop, the Neoteric (1840 - 1919) Exhibit Hall, and the Modern (1919 - 1949) Exhibit Hall. There are also retail stores for purchasing silk. By applying white as the dominant color, representing the purity of silk and also present a world of peace and tranquility.

6

Place & Transport:  Shanghai, Zhouzhuang, Shanghai

Today's Activities:  Zhouzhuang,Shen House,Mi Tower

Breakfast,Chinese Lunch

Zhouzhuang (1 day):

Lying at the middle between Shanghai and Suzhou, Zhouzhuang is an ancient town of Kunshan city, Jiangsu province. It is surrounded by rivers and lakes, so, it is renowned by many as the best waterside town in China. The history of this ancient town can date back to 900 years ago. In fact, many houses were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Different from the houses in today, about 100 houses have courtyards, and 60 of them have arch gateways made by carved bricks. In other words, they have witnessed the changes of history. Zhouzhuang has lakes on four sides, and the beauty of Zhouzhuang is specially to be found along the waterside lanes and around a number of the stone bridges.

Shen House (1 hour):

Shen House was built in 1742, which was located at the southeast side of Fuan Bridge. It was the private property of the descendant of Shen Wansan. Have you ever heard about him? In fact, he was the first millionaire of Jiangnan (South of Yangtze River) in the early Ming Dynasty. So, the whole architectural complex is of the Ming's style and occupies an area of more than 2,000 square meters (half an acre). There are over 100 rooms of the house, which are divided into three sections. They are connected by arcades and aisles. The first part is the water gate and the wharf, where Shen's family moored boats and washed clothes. The middle part is the main section of the house, which includes the gate tower, the tearoom and the main hall. The decorations of the house are very elaborate, for example, bricky gate tower are carved with lively and ingenious figures which tell the historic stories or show the good wishes. It is a rare artwork recently and seldom seen in other places.

Mi Tower (0.5 Hour):

Located beside Zhenfeng Bridge in Zhouzhuang, the Mi Tower(the enchanted tower) was originally known as Deji Restaurant, a family based restaurant. Since the business ran so well, then the restaurant was hailed as Mi Lou(the enchanted tower). This tower is a traditional Chinese restaurant with charming ancient looks, such as the carved wooden windows, the painted doors and the interesting counter.

7

Place & Transport:  Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shanghai

Today's Activities:  Lingyin Temple,West Lake,Six Harmonies Pagoda,Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum

Breakfast,Chinese Lunch

Lingyin Temple (1 hour):

Lingyin Temple, also called Temple of Soul’s Retreat, is located in the northwest of the West Lake in Hangzhou city of Zhejiang Province. It is close to the Beigao Peak and Feilai Peak. It is a famous Buddhist temple with lots of old trees and groves of bamboo. Lingyin Temple is a premier showpiece of the West Lake Scenic Spot. It gives you a deep impression with the quiet surroundings, special architectural style, stone carvings and the plants.

West Lake (4 hours):

Hangzhou West Lake is located in the west of Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province with a total area of over 5.68 square kilometers. As a well-known tourist attraction all over the world, it is famous for the landscape of lakes and mountains and many places of interests. There are palaces, temples, towers, causeways and pavilions around the lake. West Lake has the reputation of paradise on earth or heaven on earth. It is a wonderful place deserving your time. The tale of White Snake adds the romantic atmosphere to the West Lake.

Six Harmonies Pagoda (1 Hour):

 Six Harmonies Pagoda is located on the Yuelun Hill besides Qiantang River, which was built by King of Wuyu to ward off Qiantang bore. It is about 59.89 meters in height, and it has 7 sides and 8 stories. Seen from the top, the scenery of Qiantang River is so beautiful. There are more than 100 pagodas and towers in various dynasties constructed to show Chines pagida culture. The pagoda was named accordingly to signify the harmony of heaven, earth, and the four directions of east, west, south and north. It includes the good wish of ancient people.

Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum :

Situated on No.1200 Cailun Road of Pudong District of Shanghai, the Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum is made up of TCM history museum shared by Shanghai TCM Institue, the Chinese medicine specimen museum and the instituted history museum. Inside the museum, you can find the exhibitions on the ancient art of TCM and pungent displays showing how little traditiona medicine has changed in China over the past 4,000 years.

8

Place & Transport:  Shanghai

Today's Activities:  Oriental Pearl TV Tower,Shanghai Museum,Nanjing Road,The Bund,Shanghai Circus

Breakfast,Chinese Lunch

Oriental Pearl TV Tower (1 hour):

Situated in Pudong Park in Lujiazui, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, creates the view of "twin dragons playing with pearls".

The tower is at a height of 468 meters (1,536 feet), rated as the third tallest TV in the world. What's more, besides it height, the more charming of the tower lies on the unique design: the base of the tower is propped by three seven-meter wide slanting stanchions. The entire structure rests on rich green grassland and gives the appearance of pearls shining on a jade plate.

Shanghai Museum (2 hours):

Shanghai Museum, situated in People's Square--the heart of Shanghai, is a large museum preserving ancient Chinese art. The exterior design of the round dome and the square base demonstrates the Chinese philosophy of a round heaven and a square land. There are eleven galleries and three exhibition halls, covering most of the major categories of Chinese art, including Ancient Ceramics, Ancient Bronze, Paintings, Calligraphy, Ancient Sculpture, Ancient Jade, Coins, Ming and Qing Furniture, etc, the highlight of the museum collections are ancient ceramics: over 500 pieces artwork from different dynasties, from the Neolithic time to modern ages.

Nanjing Road (1.5 hours):

Nanjing Road, long been regarded as China's premier shopping street, is at a length of 3.4-mile, starts at the Bund in the east and ends at the junction of Jing'an Temple and Yan'an West Street in the west.

Due to historical reasons and advantageous location of Shanghai, Nanjing Road has always known for large quantities of foreign goods. During the time of its developing, Nanjing Road has been restructured, undergoing significant change for several times. For shopping convenience, its eastern end has an all-weather pedestrian arcade. There you can find countless famous brands, superior quality, and new fashions as well as restaurants serving delicious food lining on both sides of the street. Open-air bars, abstract sculptures, and lingering sounds from street musicians enhance evening strolls.

The Bund (2 hours):

The Bund is a well-known waterfront in Shanghai, situated at the west bank of Huangpu River from the Waibaidu Bridge to Nanpu Bridge, it has been regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years, winding 1500 meters (0.93 mile) in length.

The highlight of the Bund lies at the west side, namely, 26 various buildings of different architectural styles including the Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque and Classicism. The flood-control wall, at a length of 1,700-meters (1,859 yards), known as "the lovers' wall", once was the most romantic corner in Shanghai. After renovation, it has been improved into hollowed-out railings peculiarly known for romantic atmosphere. Standing by the railings, you can enjoy a "snap-shot" view of Pudong Area and Huangpu River.

Shanghai Circus (1.5 hours):

Shanghai Cirus World, encompasses an area of 22,500 square meters, the main body of which is Acrobatics Field, with 1,638 seats set up. Shanghai Circus World is situated in a very stylish building, reputed as "the best circus world of China". There equipped large quantity of HQ facilities, help making a good circus performance or even multimedia show. Shanghai Circus is noted for the agile moves and strength-defying agility. The stage is built to go in accordance with these great acrobats as they perform tricks, making audiences appreciate the aerial ballet and flying trapeze acts better.

9

Place & Transport:  Hotel-airport transfer, Depart Shanghai

Breakfast