Description

Day 1 Arrival Beijing Depends on your flight schedule Upon arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet you and lead you to the hotel. Meal included: None Day 2 Beijing In the morning, walk in the footsteps of emperors in the Forbidden City (closed on Mondays) and wander through Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public plaza Tiananmen Square Prepare to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of one of the world’s largest public squares, measuring in at 440,000 square meters (over 109 acres). As you walk from the southernmost part of the square all the way down its length, you will pass several monuments, including the mausoleum that houses Chairman Mao’s remains. The northern gate of the square features a portrait of the PRC’s founding father, and is also the gate through which you will enter the Forbidden City. After that, we will go to visit the Summer Palace, originally a birthday gift ordered by a Qing emperor to his mother and now the largest and best-preserved imperial garden left for the world. You’ll appreciate not only the quaint grace of the Long Corridor decorated by classical paintings amid natural beauties, but the imperial solemnity of its Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the other place for the ruling power late in Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911 AD) to handle state affairs apart from the Forbidden City. Finally, transfer you to the hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 3 Beijing Sightseeing today begins with a visit to the remarkable Temple of Heaven, where emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the country. There learn Taichi from a mater about 30-40 mins. Then visit the longest structure ever made by human hands, the Great Wall (Mutianyu, Includes Cable Car Ride) The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world. In fact, the length of all Chinese defense walls built over the last 2000 years is approximately 50,000 kilometres, while the Earth’s circumference is only 40,000 kilometres! Explore the much quieter Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which was first begun in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557) and finished in the 17th century. The 2.5kilometer stretch of the Wall allows you to walk along its storied length for over an hour and visit twenty-two watchtowers, should you so choose. Not only will you walk along this wonder of the world yourself, but you will also see it from above during a breathtaking cable car ride to the top. (Cable car tickets are included in cost of tour.) Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 4 Beijing The tour resumes to Beijing Zoo, which is a remarkable zoological park located in Xicheng District, Beijing. It is one of the oldest zoos in China, founded in 1906 during the late Qing Dynasty. Experience Chinese culture and folk arts by learning Chinese brush calligraphy, facial designs of the Beijing Opera, have a family visit and learn to make dumplings. Later, visit Qianmen Gate. It is the core of the old Beijing commercial district, and the area on both sides of the street is filled with numerous shops and historical buildings. Finally, transfer you to hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 5 Beijing-Luoyang Reference train:G655 09:40/14:01 You will be picked up from hotel and be transferred to the train station. Upon your arrival at Luoyang Longmen Railway Station, our guide will meet you and transfer you to the Longmen Grottoes. Your guide will share with you the thirteen-dynasty history of the ancient capital, Luoyang, and the background to the grottoes. An electric car will transfer you from arrival point to the majestic entrance to the sight-seeing area. Marvel at the sheer number and artistry of exquisite statues of Buddha scattered over thousands of large and small caves, covering an extensive area. The smallest one is tinier than a finger – the largest ten times human size. Hear from your guide the stories behind the development, destruction and conservation of the grottoes. Then, transfer you to hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 6 Luoyang-Xi’an Reference train:G3185 17:18/18:45 Drive about 60km, 1.5hr to Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng (round-way battery car included), a world-renowned Buddhist temple with a long history and rich cultural connotation. There you will enjoy a Kunfu Show about 30mins (VIP seats). One-hour kung-fu learning session inside Shaolin Temple. There, you will also have a chance to have a vegetarian lunch together with the monks, to keep a line for getting the meal ect, do the same as what they do, which would be a great experience. There are requirements for dining in the temple: the meal starts promptly at 11:20. Please do not be late. Special staff will give instructions to guests regarding the meal at that time. Finally, you will be transferred to the train station to take high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon your arrival at Xi’an North Railway Station, our guide will meet you and transfer you to hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 7 Xi’an The highlight in Xi’an must be the World Wonder Terracotta Warriors, and you are going to see it in flesh this morning. It is located in the east of Xi’an City, about 1 hour’s driving from the downtown. You will visit the 3 pits here one by one to explore it in depth. Later go to Terracotta Army Factory and make terracotta figures of the Terracotta Army. Later visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is a tall and elegant pagoda that was built in the Tang dynasty to house the Buddhist scriptures and relics that were brought from India. The pagoda has a square base and a round top, and is surrounded by a large and peaceful temple complex. Visitors can climb the pagoda to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the countryside, explore the temple to learn about the Buddhist culture and art, and participate in the various activities and events, such as the lantern festival and the water-sprinkling festival. Finally, transfer you to hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 8 Xi’an Today visit Xi'an Museum. Then Wear Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing of the Han ethnic group), learn Han etiquette, study Han culture and have a paper folding for a Hanfu. In the afternoon, you will visit the ancient City Wall, the best preserved city wall in China. Nowadays it has become a heritage and treasure of the nation. You may walk along the Wall to have a bird eye-view of the inner city and outer city or take a bike on the wall at your own expense if you like. After getting down the Wall, you will be introduced to the Muslim Quarter. The area is inhabited by Hui people, so you can find many Muslim food here. Souvenirs and local snacks are everywhere. If you are looking for a gift to take back home, this may be the perfect place. Visit Gao's Courtyard and enjoy the shadow puppetry there. The shadow puppetry performed here is a traditional art form with a long history. The delicate puppets, vivid storylines, and the unique performance techniques behind the screen bring the ancient tales to life. The combination of the visit to the Gao's Courtyard and the enjoyment of the shadow puppetry provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the profound traditional culture of Xi'an. Finally, transfer you to hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 9 Xi’an-Chengdu Reference train:G2203 10:43/14:26 Pick you up from hotel, then transfer you to the airport to take high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon your arrival, meet you and transfer you to visit People's Park is a haven of tranquility in the bustling city. As you enter, you'll be greeted by lush greenery, beautiful flower beds, and serene ponds. Take a stroll along the paths and enjoy the fresh air. You can also visit the famous Teahouse in the park, where you can sit back, relax, and savor a cup of traditional Sichuan tea while observing the locals engaged in various activities such as playing mahjong or chatting. Then, go to visit Kuanzhai Alleys. These ancient alleys are a living testament to Chengdu's rich history and culture. The narrow lanes are lined with traditional Sichuan-style buildings, many of which have been converted into shops, restaurants, and cafes. Wander through the alleys and explore the unique handicrafts, local snacks, and souvenirs on offer. Don't miss the opportunity to try some delicious Sichuan cuisine in one of the many restaurants here. In the evening, enjoy the Face-Changing in Sichuan Opera (VIP seats) Finally, transfer you to hotel. . Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 Chengdu Today get up early, and set off from hotel around 07:00, about 80km, 1.5hrs to Dujiangyan Panda Base to work as a volunteer for one day. Project Content Experience part of the daily feeding work of giant pandas, learn popular science knowledge about giant pandas, and understand the cultural stories of giant pandas. Itinerary Arrangement Bring relevant materials to the Science Popularization Service Center to go through the formalities and receive pre-job training. Visit the museum / tour the park. Morning: Watch and learn how the keepers conduct behavioral training for giant pandas. Then continue to tour the park. Noon: Go to the cafeteria for lunch. Learn about the recipe of giant pandas' "steamed cornbread" and make it. Afternoon: Watch a documentary about giant pandas. Return the activity supplies, and then receive the certificate and souvenirs. The program ends around 14:00-15:00, then drive about 1.5 hrs back to Chengdu downtown. Stroll around at Chunxi Road, a bustling commercial street filled with numerous shops, department stores and restaurants. It is always crowded with people. IFS is a landmark building in Chengdu, featuring a unique design and modern architecture. It is a comprehensive urban complex that combines shopping, dining, entertainment, and office spaces. The most famous attraction in IFS is the giant panda sculpture climbing on the exterior wall. Finally, transfer you to hotel. (Note: The required age range for volunteers is between 8 and 70 years old.) . Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 Chengdu-Shanghai Reference flight:FM9544 13:30/16:30 Free time on your own, until you will be picked up from hotel and be transferred to the airport to fly to Shanghai. Upon your arrival at the airport in Shanghai, meet you and transfer you to the hotel. Meals: Breakfast at hotel Day 12 Shanghai Today a tour of Shanghai can take us to some of the most iconic and scenic spots of the city. The Shanghai Museum East (closed on Tuesday),is a world-class museum that houses over 120,000 cultural relics from ancient China, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings. We can admire the exquisite beauty and the historical significance of the artifacts and learn about the evolution and diversity of Chinese civilization. After that, we can go to the Yu Garden (closed on Monday), a classical Chinese garden that features rockeries, pavilions, and ponds, and reflects the harmony and balance of nature and culture. We can stroll through the winding paths, enjoy the tranquility and serenity of the garden, and shop for souvenirs or snacks in the nearby bazaar. Then go to the Town God's Temple. It is dedicated to the town god, a deity believed to protect the town and its people. The temple usually features traditional Chinese architecture with intricate carvings and colorful decorations. Inside, there are altars where people offer incense and make prayers for blessings, safety, and good fortune. Then, we can go to Shanghai Tower, which is a super-tall skyscraper and a remarkable landmark in Shanghai. In 2016, Shanghai Tower won the "Best Tall Building Award" from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. It has become an important symbol of Shanghai's modernization and a must-visit attraction for tourists Then, walk on Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping precinct in China. And to the Bund, also known as the Waitan, a waterfront promenade that showcases the colonial architecture and the modern skyline of Shanghai. We can take a leisurely walk, take some photos, and soak up the atmosphere of the bustling cityscape. In the evening, enjoy the Acrobatic Show (A class) (around 19:30-20:30). Finally, transfer you to hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 13 Shanghai This morning, driver to Zhujiajiao. There are nine long streets extending along the river, thousands of Ming and Qing buildings standing by the water, and 36 ancient-style stone bridges. It also has many places of interest such as the Yuanjin Buddhist Temple and the Fangsheng Bridge. The natural scenery here is well-preserved, showing the characteristics of the Jiangnan water town. You can take a boat ride on the river about 20-30 mins, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and experience the original flavor of the ancient town. You can also taste local delicacies and buy some unique souvenirs. Then, visit Shanghai Xintiandi, a unique and fashionable area that combines modern and traditional elements. It is divided into two parts: Nanli and Beili. Modern buildings are the main ones in South Lane, while in the northern part, the old buildings of Shikumen are mainly preserved, creating an interesting interaction between the old and the new. Stroll around at the nearby shopping malls. Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quieter streets of Dongping Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai captured in this historical retail and residential precinct. Wander past the former residences of famous Chinese politicians and artists and appreciate the architecture and gardens, the style of which date from the 1920s. Your day’s explorations concludes when you are returned to the hotel. Finally, transfer you to the hotel. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel Day 14 Shanghai departure Free time on your own until you will be picked up and be transferred to airport to take your homeward flight. Service ends here. Meal included: Breakfast at hotel (Note: In Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu train stations, the Red Cap Service is included. The Red Cap staff will help with carrying luggage. In Luoyang, the service is not available, but our guide and driver will be waiting outside of the station, and help the clients with luggage.)