13 Days China Culture Tour with Shaolin Kung Fu:
Beijing-Datong-Pingyao-Xian-Luoyang
-Shaolin Temple-Shanghai
Tour Highlights
⦁ Explore three of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China:Beijing, Xian, Luoyang.
⦁ Visit iconic landmarks and must-sees in each destination.
⦁ Taste Chinese Cuisine, and learn about Chinese cuisine culture.
⦁ Discover the charming world of Chinese martial arts at Shaolin Temple.
Itinerary Overview
D1-D3 Beijing Arrival & Sightseeing
Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall.
D4-D5 Datong Sightseeing
Visit Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, Hanging Monastery, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Nine Dragon Screen.
D6-D7 Pingyao Sightseeing
Visit Pingyao Ancient Town, Zhangbi Ancient Castle, Wang’s Family Compound.
D8-D9 Xian Sightseeing
Visit Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum.
D10-D11 Luoyang Sightseeing
Visit Longmen Grottoes, Luoyang Museum, Luoyang Old Town, Shaolin Temple.
D12-D13 Shanghai Sightseeing & Departure
Visit Yu Garden, Former French Concession, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Bund.
Detailed Itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
D1 Beijing Arrival
Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon arrival, our professional tour guide will pick you up at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing Airport, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from the jet lag.
D2 Beijing (B,L)
After enjoying a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on an exploration of Beijing's rich historical heritage with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, which currently holds the distinction of being the largest city plaza in the world. The northern square is home to Tiananmen Gate, where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Upon entering Tiananmen, you will be greeted by one of the world's five most significant palaces – Forbidden City (Palace Museum), an immense complex comprising over 9,000 rooms that once served as residences for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Traverse through various gateways to marvel at its splendid architecture adorned with yellow glazed tile roofs, white marble foundations, and exquisite colorful paintings.
For lunch, you will taste Chinese cuisine. Take the chance to learn how to use chopsticks, also known as "kuaizi" in Chinese. Using chopsticks is not only practical but also an important part of table manners and cultural tradition in Asian cultures.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use chopsticks:
1. Hold the First Chopstick: Place the first chopstick between your thumb and index finger, about one-third of the way up from the bottom. Rest it on the base of your ring finger.
2. Position the Second Chopstick: Hold the second chopstick like you would hold a pencil, using your index finger and resting it on the top joint of your middle finger.
3. Adjust the Grip: Move the top chopstick (the one between your index and middle fingers) down so that it's slightly crossed over the first chopstick, creating a V-shape at the top.
4. Pick Up Food: Gently squeeze the chopsticks together, applying even pressure, to grasp the food securely. The bottom chopstick should remain relatively stationary, acting as a base. The movement comes mainly from the upper chopstick sliding up and down against the lower one.
In the afternoon, drive to Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Here you can leisurely stroll amidst ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges, and corridors. Take a leisure stroll on the rippling Kunming Lake to enjoy the verdant mountain view of Longevity Hill. You will visit the Long Corridor, boasting a total length of 728 meters and housing 273 rooms. Renowned for its exquisite architectural design, meandering layout, and vibrant color paintings, it has long been hailed as an epitome of artistic brilliance.
Optional activity: In the evening, you can watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at the Red Theater.
D3 Beijing (B,L)
After breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Heaven first. The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. It was the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvest.
After the visit, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit Mutianyu which is one of the best preserved yet less crowded sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Great Wall serves as a strategic link between the Juyongguan Great Wall to the west and Gubeikou to the east, effectively safeguarding Beijing throughout history. It has earned the moniker "Perilous Mountain and Mighty Pass". You will take a cable car up to the half way to enjoy some hiking. After that, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car.
Then dive back to Beijing downtown, and make a stop at Beijing Olympic Village to view Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional experience: For dinner, you can taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck. Followed by the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater.
D4 High speed train to Datong & Sightseeing (B,L)
This morning you will take a two-hour high speed train from Beijing North Railway Station to Datong. Upon arrival at Datong South Railway Station, your guide will pick you up and escort you to the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring over 51,000 Buddhist statues carved into caves and cliffs. Explore the intricate carvings and gain insight into the development of Buddhist art in China.
Then you will visit Huayan Temple, one of China's largest and best-preserved wooden structures from the Liao Dynasty. It contains numerous murals, sculptures, and inscriptions that reflect the sophistication of Liao Dynasty art and the development of Buddhism in China.
After the tour, transfer to your hotel and check in.
D5 Datong (B,L)
After breakfast, drive about 1.5hours to the Hanging Monastery. As the name suggests, the monastery is suspended approximately 75 meters above ground, supported by wooden stilts and beams inserted into holes chiseled into the cliff face. This unique positioning protects the structure from floods and provides a serene atmosphere for spiritual pursuits. You will navigate narrow paths and steep stairs to explore the different levels of the monastery, which include pavilions, halls, and corridors.
Afterwards, keep driving about 1 hour to the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. Constructed during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125 AD), it stands as the oldest and tallest existing wooden pagoda in the world, showcasing the incredible architectural prowess of its time. Unlike many pagodas that incorporate brick or stone elements, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is made entirely of wood, using techniques such as interlocking brackets without nails, demonstrating the mastery of carpentry and structural engineering during the Liao Dynasty.
Drive back to Datong city and pay a visit to the Nine Dragon Screen, an impressive ceramic mural depicting nine dragons amidst clouds and waves, considered one of China's finest examples of screen wall art.
D6 High speed train to Pingyao & Sightseeing (B,L
This morning you will take a 3-hour high speed train to Pingyao city. On arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel inside Pingyao Ancient Town.
This afternoon you will visit Pingyao Ancient Town. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, it offers a fascinating insight into the architectural styles, urban planning, and cultural traditions of imperial China, particularly from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Visit Pingyao's city walls that built during the Ming Dynasty, and you can have a panorama view of the layout of this town. Then stop at the Rishengchang Draft Bank Museum, the first draft bank in China, to learn about the city's role as a financial center in ancient times.
Don't miss the Confucius Temple and the City Tower, both significant landmarks. Later, wander the lantern-lit streets and you can try some local cuisine.
D7 Pingyao & high speed train to Xian(B,L)
In the morning, drive about 1 hour to visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle, situated near Jiexiu City, is a unique underground fortress that dates back over 1,400 years to the Northern Wei Dynasty. The most intriguing feature is the extensive network of tunnels beneath the castle, stretching over 10 kilometers, which were used for defense, storage, and communication during wartime. These tunnels are divided into multiple levels and include living quarters, horse stables, traps, and ventilation systems.
After that, move to Wang's Family Compound. Spanning an area of 250,000 square meters, the compound is known for its grandeur. This vast complex was built by the wealthy Wang family over several generations, showcasing their prosperity and status.
Then drive back to Pingyao for the high speed train to Xian(abt 3 hrs). On arrival, your guide will pick you up and escort you to check in the hotel.
D8 Xian (B,L)
After breakfast, you will visit Terracotta Warriors Museum which is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in human history. There are more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses made to protect the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang in this afterlife. The Terracotta Warriors and horses are all life-sized, and the warriors carry real bronze battle weapons. Orderly arrayed in rows and lines, these figures of warriors and horses make up a great underground army consisting of war chariots, infantrymen, cavalrymen and other armed servicemen. You will also learn to make a miniature Terracotta Warrior on your own under the instruction of a local potter.
Then drive back to downtown area and pay a visit to the Ancient City Wall. The wall was built for defensive purposes, enclosing and protecting the city from invading forces, constructed initially during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). You will get up to the wall to get panoramic views of the city. If you like, you can also enjoy a relaxing bike riding on the Wall(optional). Leave the City Wall, head to Muslim Quarter, where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.
Then you will head to visit the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City. The entire area is designed to resemble the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, with beautifully reconstructed buildings, ornate gateways, and traditional Chinese lanterns hanging overhead. Stroll along the wide pedestrian streets and enjoy the amazing night view.
D9 Xian&High speed train to Luoyang (B,L)
In the morning, you will visit Da Cien Temple, where the Big Wild Goose Pagoda stands as a renowned architectural masterpiece. Soaring to a height of 64.5 meters, this pagoda was constructed by the esteemed Buddhist master Xuanzang during the early Tang Dynasty to safeguard invaluable scriptures he acquired from India. Notably, Xuanzang served as the inspiration for Tang Seng in the celebrated Chinese novel Journey to the West. (Note: An additional fee of 30 RMB is required for ascending the Big Wild Goose Pagoda).
Followed by a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum. It is one of the first large-scale modern museums in China and is particularly known for its extensive collection of ancient Chinese artifacts. The diverse range of artifacts are of high quality and great historical values.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the railway station for a high speed train to Luoyang (abt 1.5hrs). Welcome to Luoyang, One of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals! On arrival, you will be greeted by the local guide, and escorted to your hotel for rest.
D10 Luoyang(B,L)
In the morning, you will visit the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for their exquisite Buddhist sculptures and carvings dating back to the Northern Wei and Tang Dynasties (493 AD – 907 AD). The site spans over 1 km along the banks of the Yi River, featuring more than 2,300 caves, 100,000+ statues of Buddha, and numerous inscriptions.
Then you will pay a visit to the Luoyang Museum. The museum houses an extensive collection of over 1.5 million cultural relics, including pottery, bronze ware, jade, calligraphy, paintings, and Buddhist artifacts. Some highlights include the Shang and Zhou Dynasty bronzeware, Tang Dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery, and relics from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods that demonstrate early Chinese civilization.
After that, take a stroll around the city center, and visit the old town area. The Old City is a great place to find authentic local cuisine.
Transfer back to your hotel after the tour.
D11 Shaolin Temple & Flight to Shanghai (B,L)
This morning we will drive 1.5hrs from Luoyang to the Shaolin Temple. Nestled at the foot of Songshan Mountain, Shaolin Temple is not only a renowned Buddhist monastery but also the cradle of Chinese martial arts, particularly Shaolin Kung Fu.
Explore the Pagoda Forest, the largest pagoda cluster in China. Walk through this unique cemetery where generations of eminent monks have been laid to rest. The pagodas vary in size and style, reflecting the monk's rank and achievements. A highlight for today is watching a live Kung Fu demonstration by the temple's resident monks or students from the nearby martial arts schools. These shows display the discipline, agility, and strength cultivated through years of practice. If you like, you can also participate in a one-hour Kung Fu Training Class (optional).
After the exciting visit, keep driving 1.5hrs to Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport for a flight to Shanghai(abt 2 hrs). On arrival, your guide will pick you up and escort you to the hotel in downtown area.
D12 Shanghai (B,L)
Start today with an exploration of Yu Garden - an iconic classical garden nestled within bustling Shanghai's core. Situated northeast of Huangpu District's Old Town area, you will see the stylish Chinese pavilion and authentic old architectures in Yu Garden. Surrounding the garden is a bustling marketplace filled with shops selling traditional Chinese crafts, souvenirs. Enjoy shopping time at Yuyuan Bazaar, and you can try snacks and local delicacies like xiao long bao (steamed dumplings).
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Former French Concession to explore the city's unique history, architecture, and modern lifestyle. The city walk starts from Tianzifang, a place filled with artsy shops, studios, galleries, and cozy cafes. Here you can appreciate traditional Shanghai shikumen architecture. Continue north to Sinan Mansions, an upscale residential and commercial complex that exemplifies the elegance of the French Concession era.
Next highlight for today is Shanghai Tower. Stands in the heart of the Lujiazui Financial Zone, Shanghai Tower(632 meters) is the tallest building in China, and the third tallest in the world. You will take a high-speed elevator ride that swiftly takes you up to the observation deck(118F), reaching speeds of up to 46 miles per hour (73 km/h). Enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai from the observation deck, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, and the sprawling cityscape stretching to the horizon.
To conclude your day filled with exploration and discovery, take a leisurely stroll down Nanjing Road to the Bund and enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.
Optional activity: You can also take a relaxing Huangpu River cruise to enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.
D13 Shanghai Departure(B)
Today comes to the end of your China tour. Your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to next destination.
Tour ends
