The Middle Kingdom

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing

  Transfer to your hotel.

• Day 2: Beijing

  Begin your capital exploration with the key sights, including the impressive Forbidden City, tranquil Temple of Heaven and iconic Tiananmen Square. B, L

• Day 3: Beijing

  Begin with a drive out of the city to the Badaling section of the Great Wall followed by the regal Ming Tombs. This evening enjoy the most famous specialty dish of Beijing – Peking Duck. B, L, D.

• Day 4: Beijing – Zhengzhou

  Your touring starts with a transfer to the station for your scenic train ride to Zhengzhou. Once the ancient capital over 3500 years ago, Zhengzhou offers a rich culture and important historical sites. Enjoy the mutton braised noodles for dinner in the evening. D.

• Day 5: Zhengzhou – Shaolin

  Morning visit to the informative Henan Museum and the Shang city ruins covering an area of over 2000 square metres. In the afternoon visit the renowned Shaolin Temple for a kung fu demonstration and to learn all about this ancient martial art. B, L.

• Day 6: Shaolin – Wenxian – Luoyang

  Journey this morning to Gongyi and visit the Grand Manor, now a museum of architecture. Also visit the grottoes which hold over 7000 Buddhist statues. Lunch is at a farmer's home where you can learn to make local noodles and taste your wares. In the afternoon continue to Wenxian, the birthplace of Taiji Quan (Tai Chi). Visit some historical sites and watch the Taiji demonstration and have the chance to exchange with a Taiji Master to feel its magic, including a two-hour lesson. Afterwards transfer to Luoyang where you can indulge in the local fl avours of a special soup banquet. B, L, D.

• Day 7: Luoyang – Xian

  Visit the awe-inspiring Longmen Grottoes, a tour highlight. The caves are a vast complex of more than 2100 grottoes housing over 100,000 statues and 3,600 stone tablet inscriptions. After lunch board the bullet train to Xian. B, L.

• Day 8: Xian

  The day is filled with sightseeing thrills including the famed Terracotta Warriors, with three pits laden with ancient statues. Observe closely how each statues has different facial features and looks. Afterwards visit Qin Tomb for the first Chinese emperor who ordered to build the army of warriors and horses. The final stop is the Neolithic village Banpo. B, L.

• Day 9: Xian

  Your tour ends today with a transfer to the airport. B.

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.