Dreaming of China

I arrive at the Shanghai airport. Group transfer to the hotel. (Check-in is expected after 2 PM). Free time to adjust to the time zone. Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, a walk along the Bund, the avenue that showcases the Shanghai of the early 1930s. Guided tour of Shanghai starting from the old city with the bazaar, where the Yu Garden, the Mandarin's Garden, is centrally located. Lunch with typical Dim Sum at a restaurant. In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. A stop in the Xintiandi district, a corner of the old colonial Shanghai that has been renovated in recent years, while maintaining the typical architectural style of the past, becoming a trendy pedestrian neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, museums, art installations, galleries, workshops, and attractive shops. Free time along Nanjing Road for shopping. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at 12 PM. Transfer to the train station, departure by high-speed train to Beijing (about 4.5 hours). Arrival and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning guided tour of the city of Beijing, starting with the famous Forbidden City, which with its 9,999 rooms extends over an area of about 7 square kilometers, is the ultimate example of classical Chinese architecture. Climb up Coal Hill to admire the view of old Beijing. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to the northwest outskirts of Beijing, visit to the Summer Palace, the imperial summer residence since 1135. Dinner featuring Peking duck at a local restaurant. After dinner, transfer back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure by car for the visit to the Mutianyu Great Wall (cable car included). Simple lunch during the excursions. In the afternoon, return to the city, visit to Tian’anmen Square, located in the heart of Beijing, it is one of the largest squares in the world and an icon of China. Also known as the Gate of Heavenly Peace Square, it is a place of great historical and cultural importance. The tour continues to the Qianmen pedestrian district. Walking along Qianmen Street, one can admire traditional Chinese architecture mixed with Western influences. The historic buildings feature colorful facades and traditional ornaments, creating a charming and picturesque atmosphere. There are also numerous shops selling traditional Chinese items, such as clothing, crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs. Return to the hotel, dinner on your own, and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, check-out from the hotel. Departure for a visit to the Temple of Heaven, originally a vast park for solemn religious and divinatory rites performed by the Son of Heaven since 1420. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the railway station, departure by high-speed train for Xi'an (about 4.5 hours). Arrival in Xi'an, transfer to the hotel passing by the illuminated city walls of Xi'an by car. Western set menu dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. The morning begins with a journey through the countryside to visit the majestic Terracotta Army, standing guard over the emperor's burial site and consisting of over 8,000 life-size statues. Lunch featuring typical dumplings at a restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Great Mosque in the old city of Xi'an, the only mosque in the world with a Chinese garden style. Stroll through the Muslim quarter's bazaar, where various snack restaurants and souvenir stalls abound. During the transfer to the hotel, one can view the majestic Bell Tower from the car.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, transfer to the railway station, departure by high-speed train to Chengdu (about 3.5 hours). Arrival and meeting with the local English-speaking guide, a walk in the Jiinli district, which dates back to the Qin dynasty, more than 2,000 years ago, and has been one of the most important commercial streets in Chengdu. Along the street, there are numerous shops, restaurants, theaters, and stalls selling traditional products, souvenirs, local food, and art objects. Lunch at a local restaurant. After the visit, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at a Chinese set menu in a restaurant and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, an excursion to the base of the Giant Panda Research, a conservation and research center dedicated to the protection and breeding of giant pandas, one of the world's most iconic and endangered species. It is located near Chengdu, surrounded by a beautiful natural environment. Lunch at a restaurant during the excursion. In the afternoon, visit the Sanxingdui Museum, which is dedicated to the display and study of the incredible archaeological finds discovered at the Sanxingdui site, dating back to a very ancient civilization. This ancient civilization flourished in the Sichuan region of western China between 1200 BC and 1000 BC, but remained unknown until its discovery in 1986. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Leshan (150 km) to visit the Giant Buddha Statue, a colossal Buddha carved into the rock standing about 71 meters tall, representing Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. It was carved into the side of a mountain at the foot of the Minjiang River. Its construction began in the 7th century during the Tang dynasty and took over 90 years to complete. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Chengdu, a walk in the People's Park. The rest of the time is free for individual visits and shopping. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport in time for the return flight. Room available until 12:00 PM.