China Historical Photography Tour

After arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and then you will be sent to your hotel. You can have a good rest here. If you want to walk around the city, you can check Option Two below.

Option One: Do you want to get a VIP airport pick-up service? Please tell us in advance. We can arrange the luxury cars for you. If you need a wheelchair, please also let us know. Maybe you are travel with your wife or husband, we are more than happy to help you prepare some flowers, wine or chocolate in your hotel room. It will be a surprise for him or her. 

Option Two: Silk Street is a famous shopping market in Beijing. It mainly sells silk products, clothing, pearl, accessories, and various Chinese handicrafts. Because of the proper price and excellent quality, Silk Street has also attracted many foreign leaders to shop. Former US President Bush and his daughter bought silk pajamas here, the wife of the Czech president bought handbags and pearls and other items here, and the wife of the President of Turkey bought 51 items at the Silk Market in less than an hour and a half. It can be seen that the goods here are very attractive.

Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China. Your amazing Beijing tour will start here. 

In the morning, we will take you to visit Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tiananmen Square is the center of Beijing. It is also the venue for many major events in China. Taking pictures in front of Tiananmen Square has always been a must-do for tourists in Beijing. And then we will visit the Forbidden City (It is closed each Monday). The Forbidden City is the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It occupies an area of 720,000 square meters and has a huge construction scale. Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe Hall) is the most famous hall in the Forbidden City. Grand ceremonies are held here for the emperor’s enthronement, wedding, canonization, marching, etc. The Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Hall) is the place where emperors have rest before the ceremony.

After lunch, you will visit the Lama Temple. It was the highest standard Buddhist temple in the middle and late Qing Dynasty. In fact, it was originally the palace for a prince. And then the prince who was born here became the emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, it owns the same yellow tiles and red walls as the Forbidden City. After that, we will visit the Hutong. Hutongs are small alleys in Beijing. There are countless Hutongs in Beijing. They are like the veins of Beijing city. Here are the history and culture of Beijing. There are also many stories that only those who live here know. Taking a rickshaw and passing through the hutongs, you will feel the traditional culture of Beijing more deeply.

Option: If you are interested in Chinese cooking, we can arrange a cooking class for you. Dumplings are traditional Chinese food. You will have a chance to learn how to make dumplings. Follow the guidance of your culinary teacher, start with kneading dough, and then choose your favorite fillings. Finally, we make the dumplings in the shape of gold ingots. Your dinner today can be the dumplings cooked by yourself.

Option: Have you ever heard of Chinese Foot Massage? Do you want to experience it by yourself? We can arrange it for you. China is the country with the earliest origin of foot massage. Chinese foot massage comes from traditional Chinese medicine. In the theory of Chinese medicine, the soles of human feet gather a lot of acupuncture points. Stimulating the acupuncture points on the feet through different techniques of foot therapy can promote the blood circulation of the human body and achieve the effects of relaxing the body, linking fatigue and health care. It takes about 1 hour for the foot massage, but please note that it is not suitable for a foot massage before and within half an hour after meals. If you want to get this message, we will make an appointment for you in advance.

Tian’anmen Square

Forbidden City

After breakfast, we will drive about 1.5 hours (50 KM) to visit the Ming Tombs. The Ming Tombs are the tombs of 13 emperors in the Ming Dynasty. At the same time, some cultural relics unearthed from the underground palace of the tomb are also exhibited here. Such as crowns, jade, etc. Today, you will visit the Ding Tomb. It is the tomb of the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Also buried with him are his two empresses. Ding Tomb is the only imperial tomb that has been excavated. From the underground palace of Ding Tomb, we can see that the emperor’s tomb has a huge amount of work. In the underground palace, there is not only the main hall where the coffins are parked but also the side halls on the left and right. A large number of funerary objects such as jewelry, porcelain, and other things were once placed there. Most ancient Chinese emperors sought luxury. They believe that they have the supreme right to use when they are alive, and they should be buried with valuable things after they die. Only in this way can they show their identity and status.

After lunch, we will visit the Great Wall. As a symbol of the Chinese nation, the Great Wall has stood for thousands of years. The Chinese regard climbing on the Great Wall as a symbol of heroes. In ancient times, the Great Wall was the most important military defense system. Now the Great Wall has no military function, but a representative of Chinese culture. You can choose to take the cable car to the Great Wall. Standing on the Great Wall, you will get different scenery. If you are physically strong, you can also walk on the Great Wall and reach a much higher part. After that, we will drive back to the city center. 

Option: The Bird's Nest is the National Stadium of China. It has a construction area of 258,000 square meters and can accommodate 91,000 spectators. In 2008, the Bird's Nest was the main venue for the Beijing Olympics. Its unique shape has attracted countless tourists to come to take pictures. The Water Cube is the national swimming center. Compared with the bird's nest with distinct lines, the water cube looks very gentle. The Water Cube is a square building measuring 177 meters by 177 meters and 31 meters in height. The shape of the Water Cube looks like a blue water box. Because of the use of special materials, its wall is like a group of irregular bubbles. Both the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube are on the way back to the city center. If you want to get a photo stop, we can arrange it in advance. 

Ming Tombs

Ding Tomb

After breakfast, we will take you to visit the Temple of Heaven. Ancient China is the age of agriculture. Therefore, people's greatest expectation is that there will be sufficient rain so that farmers can have a good harvest. The Temple of Heaven is a dedicated altar for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship heaven and pray for rain. A simple visit may not have a deep understanding of the ancient rituals. You can also see the development and changes of Chinese rites of worship in the exhibition hall. You will know more about the procedures of offering worship and the equipment needed for offering worship to the heavens.

After lunch, you will be transferred to the train station and take an estimated train G2513 14:00/16:06 to Datong. Your guide will meet you at the train station and then you will be transferred to your hotel.

Option: Do you want to see the giant panda, the national treasure of China? You can see it in the Beijing Zoo. If you come in the morning, you will see giant pandas eating breakfast. The favorite food of giant pandas is bamboo, but for the pandas in the zoo to live a healthy life, the breeders will also make nutritious special “cakes” for them. If they have finished their breakfast when you come, then you will see pandas playing on the tree or in the pool. It is also possible that the sleepy panda has fallen asleep on the trunk. Take out your camera and record this lovely moment.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Today, we will drive from Datong to Pingyao. And then you will enjoy a one-day Pingyao Ancient Town Tour. The Pingyao Ancient Town has a history of more than 2,700 years. It is one of the four well-preserved ancient cities in China. The Pingyao Ancient Town completely preserves the layout of the county at that time. There are scattered streets, temples, county offices, and so on. Most of the city walls have also been preserved intact. More importantly, the Rishengchang Draft Bank in the Pingyao Ancient Town was the beginning of China National Bank. It opened more than 40 branches in China at that time and has influenced China's finance for a century. Its influence has even reached some countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, and America. The County Office is more than 600 years old. It covers an area of 26,000 square meters. Different areas have different functions which include prisons, barracks, etc. Besides these attractions, you can also do some shopping or taste some delicious food on Mingqing Street in the town. If you want to have an overview of the Pingyao Ancient Town, you can stand on the city wall. It is also a good place for you to take photos of this old town. 

Option: Hulless oatmeal roll is a very popular local delicacy in Pingyao. Unlike normal wheaten food, this dish is made with hulless oat flour. Divide the hulless oat flour dough into small pieces, then roll it into thin slices, and make it into a shape similar to an egg roll. Finally, put it on the steamer to steam. After about ten minutes, pour the special soup on the steamed hulless oatmeal roll and you are ready to eat. Pingyao beef is also a delicacy worth trying. Because of its unique taste and rich nutrition, Pingyao beef was already a specialty food in the Qing Dynasty. Now people in Pingyao retain its traditional craftsmanship to cook the beef, and the taste is still delicious. If you want to bring some to your family and friends, you can choose vacuum-packed Pingyao beef.

Option: The guesthouse in Pingyao is very distinctive. Most of them are in ancient town. So it is very convenient. Unlike hotels in other cities, the guesthouse here is generally shaped like ancient buildings. Entering your room, there will be a feeling of traveling back to 1000 years ago. And you can choose to stay in a room with Kang (a heatable brick bed). Kang is unique to northern China. Because the winter in northern China is relatively cold, and the Kang can be heated by connecting with the stove. In this way, people cook on the stove in the kitchen during the day, and the Kang will be warm at night.

Pingyao Ancient Town

Rishengchang Draft Bank

After breakfast, we will take you to visit the Shuanglin Temple. Shuanglin Temple has a history of more than 1700 years. And nowadays there are still many tourists. There are many colorful Buddha statues enshrined in the main halls, such as the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara statue, and the four heavenly kings statue. There are also ancient murals on the walls of the hall, which tell the story of Shakyamuni from birth to Buddhahood. You can also see a bronze bell in the bell tower in the temple. When the bell is ringed, the sound can travel for miles. After lunch, you will be transferred to the train station and then you will take an estimated train D1903 15:14/18:15 to Xi’an. Your guide will pick you up from the train station and then you will be transferred to your hotel.

Option: If you plan to walk around the city in the evening by yourself, we will recommend the Great Tang All Day Mall. Xi'an was once the capital of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty was the most prosperous and civilized dynasty in ancient China. The culture of the Tang Dynasty spread to the West, and the Chinese civilization influenced the world. And the capital, Chang'an (now we call it Xi’an), attracts many foreigners at that time. Great Tang All Day Mall is the largest sculpture landscape block in Asia. Its central axis is a sculpture landscaped pedestrian street that traverses north and south at 2,100 meters. There are statues of famous historical figures such as emperors of the Tang Dynasty and Master Xuanzang. Besides this, you can also see many performances. The actors performed in the streets wearing Tang Dynasty costumes. If you are lucky enough, you can interact with them.

Shuanglin Temple

Shuanglin Temple

In the morning, you will visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. In 1974, farmers in Xi’an found fragments of terracotta warriors while drilling a well. Since then, this terracotta army, known as the eighth wonder of the world, has gradually been shown to the world. Through years of excavation, thousands of terra-cotta warriors, war horses, and chariots were discovered. They are exquisitely crafted, from hair to facial expressions, costumes and poses are vivid. So people also say that to visit the Terracotta Warriors is to have a conversation with people and history 2000 years ago. After that, we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. With the prosperity of the ancient China Silk Road, Indian Buddhism was introduced to China, and the architectural form of Indian Buddhism Pagoda was also introduced to China. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an is a typical Indian Buddhism Pagoda. The Buddhist scriptures bought from India by Xuzang were stored here. And there are also two precious Buddha sarira bones.

After that, you will visit the Great Mosque that is built in the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the four largest mosques in China, the largest mosque in Xi'an, and the main place for religious activities of more than 60,000 Muslims in Xi'an. It is also one of the earliest, largest, and well-preserved mosques in China. There are four courtyards in the whole mosque, covering an area of more than 12,000 square meters. Its buildings are symmetrical on the left and right, which is a traditional Chinese architectural layout. Chinese architecture combined with Arabic carvings and patterns makes this mosque extraordinary. After that, you will visit Muslim Street. It is the most famous shopping street in Xi’an. The street is about 500 meters long. On both sides of the street are buildings imitating the Ming and Qing Dynasties architecture. Because this is a gathering area for Muslims, there are many buildings with a strong Muslim style. There will be a night market in the evening. Vendors are selling different food or souvenirs. You can try the sour plum juice or the Chinese hamburger. They are all authentic Xi'an snacks. And you can get some kind of souvenirs here. 

Option: Defu Lane is a famous bar street in Xi'an. It turned out to be some old houses, which were dark and without lights at night. Local people said it looks like a black tiger in the evening. Therefore, this place was formerly known as Black Tiger Alley. In the early 1990s, teahouses, bars, and coffee shops gradually emerged. Here is gradually occupied by a variety of bars. Now Defu Lane has its own characteristics, it is romantic and gentle. It is a good place to relax at night.

Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

In the morning, you will take an estimated flight 9C6402 11:55/14:15 to Shanghai. You will meet your guide at the airport and then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a short break, you will visit the Bund. Some people say that the story of the Bund is the story of Shanghai. The buildings on the Bund are known as the World Architecture Exhibition. Because you can see the architectural styles of many countries here, including the classic Asian building, the British classical Shanghai General Assembly building, the European classical eclectic customs building, the Italian Renaissance style Huizhong Hotel building, etc. From buildings full of history to skyscrapers on the other side of the Huangpu River, we seem to have seen the development and changes in Shanghai over the past century.

Option: Do you want to get another way to explore the beauty of Shanghai? We can arrange the Huangpu River Cruise for you. Huangpu River is an artificial river, and it is the mother river of Shanghai. The most beautiful scenery of the Huangpu River is at night. That is why the Huangpu River Cruise tour has been selected as the most popular night activity in Shanghai. The charm of the Huangpu River Night Tour lies not only in the beauty of the Huangpu River but also in the beauty of both sides of the river. The Huangpu River lies in the middle of Shanghai like a giant dragon, dividing Shanghai into the east and the west. The east bank is Shanghai’s prosperous central city and the towering Oriental Pearl, and the west bank is where the buildings with different styles are located. With the magnificent landscape, the scenery of the night cruise on the Huangpu River is even more glamorous and becomes a unique scenery of Shanghai. If you happen to meet the light show, you will see a more different Shanghai.

the Bund

Huangpu River Cruise

In the morning, we will visit the Yu Garden (closed each Monday). Yu Garden is a famous garden in South China. From garden layout to architecture and decoration, it embodies the characteristics of Chinese classical gardens. Yu Garden was originally a private garden, and later opened to the public and become a famous tourist attraction in Shanghai. After being opened as a scenic spot, Yu Garden became popular all over the world, with an annual reception of more than 1.6 million tourists. Many dignitaries and celebrities such as former US President Clinton and British Queen Elizabeth II have visited the Garden. After that, we will visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Most of the Chinese people are Buddhism believers. That is why you see kind of Buddhist temples in China. Jade Buddha Temple is famous for the two jade Buddha statues. In the Qing Dynasty, an overseas Chinese in Burma and a master in China proposed to carve Buddha statues with the jade from Burma and transport them back to China. They totally carved five Buddha statues. And two of them are enshrined in the Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai.

After lunch, you will visit the Shanghai Tower which is the highest building in Shanghai. The Shanghai Center is equipped with the fastest elevator in the world. Its speed can reach 18 meters per second, and it can reach the sightseeing platform on the 119th floor of Shanghai Center in 55 seconds. After that, you will go to Nanjing Road. This is the most prosperous shopping street in Shanghai. Nanjing Road is mainly divided into Nanjing East Road and Nanjing West Road. The shops on Nanjing East Road are mostly affordable shops, with many souvenir shops, small restaurants, and so on. Nanjing West Road is the highest rented place in Shanghai. The shops here are all international brands that are focus on luxury goods and high-end consumption.

Option: Pan Fried Pork Bun is famous Chinese food. Unlike steamed buns in other cities of China, Shanghai's Pan Fried Pork Buns are not steamed in a steamer but fried in a pan. Put the buns in a pan, pour a little water, and fried until the bottom of the bun is golden brown. And then sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onion. This Pan Fried Pork Bun is done! If you want to taste it, we can arrange it for your dinner. 

Yu Garden

Shanghai Tower

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and then fly back to your sweet home. 

I am sure you have spent a nice holiday in China. We will be more than happy if you can choose us as your travel partner for your next time travel.

Editor: Betsy He