| 3.
Beijing (B,L,D)
Beijing is the Capital of China, once served as the
Capital City for 5 dynasties over a period of 800 years.
We start today’s tour from the Tiananmen Square – the
largest square in the world. The present Tiananmen Square
has an area of 440,000 square meters and has become
a relaxing place for the common people to fly kites
and walk. Behind the Tiananmen Gate Tower is the Palace
Museum, also known as the Forbidden City. The Forbidden
City was built between 1406 and 1420 and served as the
Imperial Palace for 24 Emperors of the Ming and Qing
Dynasties. This complex, being the world largest Imperial
Palace, features more than 800 buildings with resplendent
golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion
walls. In the afternoon we will tour the Temple of Heaven
where the Ming and Qing Emperors worshipped the God
of Heaven and prayed for a good harvest. You can visit
the most brilliant buildings there, the Circular Mound
Altar (Yuanqiutan), Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu)
and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) from
south to north. What’s more, you can have a chance to
experience the magnificent atmosphere of the Echo Wall
around the Imperial Vault of Heaven.
We will enjoy the famous Beijing Duck banquet for dinner,
with Chinese traditional folk dancing entertainment.
4. Beijing - Steppe (Grassland) (B,L,D)
After breakfast in the hotel, we will take our coach
to the Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The Wall is about six thousand kilometers in length
from east to west across the country, and the only manmade
structure visible with the naked eyes from the Moon.
In the afternoon we will marvel at the incredible Ming
Tombs, where 13 of the 16 Emperors of the Ming Dynasty
were buried.
Take a night train on soft sleeper to Inner-Mongolia.
5. Grassland (B,L,D)
We arrive in Hohhot early in the morning and proceed
directly to the Steppe (Grassland). From today on, we
will stay at the Mongolia Yurt (also called Tent, usually
no shower available in the tents).
The routing of the tour is moving forward in a big circle
in the endless grassland, and eventually arrives at
the starting point after a week long horseback travel.
Our trip in the grassland is specially designed and
operated. You---the “troupers” in the group are supported
by a professional logistic team comprised of an English
speaking escort, a local herdsman who is feeding and
looking after the horses round the clock, and a 15-passenger
van packed with the group’s personal belongings, bottled
spring water, and all kinds of food for daily picnics
/ barbecues.
The first day travel will see the grassland simply a
“steppe”, because the grass may look yellowish and short.
As the horses carrying our “troopers” deeper into the
vast grassland, the grass will become greener and longer,
and some hares and pheasants may run into us. We will
be riding on horseback from Xilamuren Grassland to the
Xirihada Grassland, about 20 kilometers in direct distance.
Picnic for lunch, and stay at a local Yurt.
6. Grassland (B,L,D)
Horseback riding from Xirihada Grassland to Suji Grassland,
about 25 kilometers in direct distance. Picnic for lunch,
and stay at a local Yurt.
7. Grassland (B,L,D)
Horseback riding from Suji Grassland to Chaolutu Grassland,
about 25 kilometers in direct distance. Picnic for lunch,
and stay at a local Yurt.
8. Grassland (B,L,D)
Horseback riding from Chaolutu Grassland to Honggeer
Grassland, about 30 kilometers in direct distance. Picnic
for lunch, and stay at a local Yurt.
9. Grassland (B,L,D)
Horseback riding from Honggeer Grassland to Xilamuren
Grassland, about 30 kilometers in direct distance. Picnic
for lunch, and stay at a local Yurt.
10. Steppe - Beijing (B,L,D)
Today, our experience as a local herdsman is over. Say
farewell to the beautiful grassland and proceed to the
city of Hohhot. After a relaxing city tour, we will
take a night train on soft sleeper back to Beijing.
11. Beijing - Shanghai (B,L,D)
We arrive in Beijing early in the morning and transfer
to the International Airport for our flight to Shanghai.
Shanghai, nestled in the fertile Yangtze River Valley,
is the largest commercial and financial center of China,
also the largest city in Asia. We will visit Yuyuan
Garden, a finely designed maze of elegant pavilions
and ponds in the old part of the city. We will also
see the famous Bund by the Huangpu River, and the unique
hustle and bustle downtown street – Nanjing Road.
12. Shanghai - Hangzhou (B,L,D)
We will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, which is famous
for its two huge Jade Buddhas, each of them was carved
out of a single piece of Jade and was transported all
the way from Burma. After lunch we will take a train
to Hangzhou.
13. Hangzhou - Overnight Boat on Canal (B,L,D)
Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, was praised
in an ancient Chinese poem as a “Paradise on Earth”.
Today, visit the majestic Lin Yin Temple, which is known
as the Temple of Inspired Seclusion. Afterwards we will
go to see the mysterious Fei Lai Feng (Peak Flown From
Afar). In the afternoon we will visit the Willow Garden
of Listening to Orioles. After an early dinner, we are
ready for our adventurous overnight boating on the Grand
Canal. Taking overnight boat is a kind of adventure,
because most of the passengers on the boat are local
farmers and merchants, who are heading to Suzhou for
their business adventures. It is a passenger ship rather
than a sightseeing boat. There are 4—6 hard sleepers
in each cabin, and there are public toilets on board.
The whole sailing time is 14 hours.
14. Suzhou (B,L,D)
Early in the morning we arrive in Suzhou. Suzhou and
Hangzhou are equally considered a Paradise on Earth
due to its beautiful scenery. Resting in the arms of
the ancient Grand Canal, Suzhou is well known for its
old delicate gardens, such as the Tiger Hill, the Lingering
Gardens and the Han Shan Temple. As Suzhou is the centre
of textile industry in China, today you have a chance
to visit a Silk Factory. There you will witness the
born of world-famous Suzhou silk and silk embroidery.
15. Suzhou – Shanghai - USA (B,L)
This morning’s visit will include the Zhuo Zheng Garden
and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. After an early
lunch, we will say farewell to Suzhou and take the coach
to Shanghai Airport for our flight back to the USA.
Land Only Cost: $1190
Single Room Supplement: $430 |
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