There is a saying that goes: “If you want to see China as it was 2,000 years ago, you should visit Xi’an, if you want to see China as it was 1,000 years ago, you should visit Beijing, if you want to see China today are you going to visit Shanghai! ” On our tour of China, we visit these places and some more.
In Beijing we see the great events: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace with its beautiful landscape of hills, water, bridges and pavilions. The ancient city of Luoyang offers an overwhelming display of peonies. The beautiful Huaqing Garden with its hot springs was laid out outside Xi’an during the Tang Dynasty. Here is also the world-famous Terracotta Army. The city of Suzhou is known for its classic facilities with imaginative names such as the Gardener of the Webmaster or the Garden of the Humble Official. Shanghai finally offers additional classical garden art in Yu Garden and Chenshan Botanical Gardens.
A journey for all the senses, for both body and soul!
Day 1: Departure to Beijing
Departure to Beijing. Connecting flights from several Scandinavian locations. Meals are served on board.
Day 2: Beijing
Arrival in Beijing. We begin with a visit to Tiananmen Square. Around the square we see the Great Hall of the People, which is the Parliament of China, the National Museum and in the north the Gate of Heavenly Peace that marks the entrance to the Forbidden City. In the evening we gather for a welcome dinner. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 3: Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs
Today it will be a full day trip to the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs. The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s most famous buildings and is located about 80 km north of Beijing. Then we continue to the Ming Tombs, where 13 of 16 emperors from the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) are buried. Overnight in Beijing. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 4: The Forbidden City and Hutongs
In the morning it’s time to visit the Forbidden City or the Palace Museum as the area is now officially called. We walk around the area and get a detailed description of how the imperial family, the concubines and the eunuchs lived here.
In the afternoon we get to know the old part of Beijing – the hutongs. The houses there are several hundred years old. Overnight in Beijing. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 5: Summer Palace and Beijing Botanical Garden
Today we make an excursion to the outskirts of Beijing. We will visit the so-called Summer Palace. It is the largest imperial garden in China and covers an area of nearly three square kilometers. In the 13th century, a famous engineer managed to lead water from the north to an area that came to be called Yiheyuan, or the Garden of Good Health and Harmony. An artificial lake arose which is now called Kunming Lake. The lake is very shallow, and north of it is a hill called Longevity Hill, or the Long Life Hill. In the 18th century, the area began to be built on a larger scale. It was Emperor Qianlong who, for the value of 150,000 kg of silver, had a large entertainment area built around the lake, in connection with his mother’s 60th birthday. The imperial family also moved here in the summers, between May and October, when Beijing was too hot. In 1998, the Summer Palace was included in UNESCO:
After lunch we continue to Beijing’s botanical garden which is said to have the largest greenhouse in the world. Overnight in Beijing. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 6: Flower market
Early in the morning we visit a flower market and then the day is free for our own walks. Your local guide will be happy to give you tips and advice. Overnight in Beijing. (Breakfast)
Day 7: Beijing – Luoyang
After breakfast we take the express train to Luoyang. For today’s Chinese, Luoyang is better known as the city of peonies. We visit one of the peony gardens and marvel at all the beautiful varieties we will see. It is estimated that there are over 350 different kinds of peonies! Overnight in Luoyang. (Breakfast)
Day 8: Luoyang – Xi´an
In the morning we visit the Longmen Caves. These caves house many examples of the finest Buddhist art imaginable. In 2000, the Longmen Caves and Statues were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the grounds that they are “outstanding examples of human artistic creativity”. In the afternoon we board the train to Xi’an. Overnight in Xi´an. (Breakfast)
Day 9: Terracotta Army, Huaqing and Tangshow
This morning we visit the well-known terracotta army. Thousands of life-size soldiers, warriors, horsemen and horses have been excavated, all made of terracotta, and all with individual features. It is also estimated that there are another 8,000 figures underground, who stand as a perpetual guard over the first emperor of China’s tomb. In the afternoon we head to Huaqing Palace or Huaqing Pool / Old Bathing Resort, a royal garden with a history that stretches back 3,000 years. Later in the evening, while enjoying a dinner with jiaozi, among others, we get to experience small delicious dumplings with delicious fillings, experience a song – and dance performance dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Overnight in Xi’an. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 10: Xi’an-Shanghai
Today we fly to Shanghai. Shanghai, located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, serves as the most influential economic, financial and international trade center in eastern China. It is also a popular destination for visitors who feel the pulsating development in China. After arrival in Shanghai, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day free time. Overnight in Shanghai. (Breakfast)
Day 11: The Bund, Old Town and Yu Garden
We start by going up to the top of one of the big skyscrapers, Jinmao Tower, from where we get a fantastic panoramic view of Shanghai. Then we walk along the beach at The Bund and see the impressive stone houses from European times. Gradually we enter Nanjing Lu, the kilometer-long shopping street, where you can find all conceivable goods for sale. In the afternoon we go to Shanghai’s old city, with cramped neighborhoods, and another garden, Yu Garden. This was laid out in the 16th century by an official who had the garden built for his old parents so that they could enjoy peace and comfort. Yu can mean just peace and quiet. The Chinese beauty ideals can sometimes seem completely different compared to our Western aesthetic taste. In the garden there are constantly new views, and an important reason for this is that the spectator should be constantly surprised. Overnight in Shanghai. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 12: Shanghai – Suzhou
Today we leave Shanghai for Suzhou, which is best known for its gardens and canals. We visit the Humble Administrators’ Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest garden in Suzhou and is considered by some to be the finest garden in southern China. Then we come to The Master of Nets Garden, which is the smallest of Suzhou’s gardens, but it is the most impressive thanks to the use of space, creating the illusion of an area much larger than its actual size. Afterwards we do a boat trip along the canals in Suzhou. Overnight in Suzhou. (Breakfast and lunch)
Day 13: Chenshan Botanical Garden
Today we visit the Chenshan Botanical Garden, which combines a beautiful garden with scientific research. Designed by award-winning German landscape architects Valentien + Valentien, the Chenshan Botanical Garden covers 2 million m². There are more than 9000 species of all kinds, both rare and endangered. Overnight in Shanghai (Breakfast)
Day 14: Shanghai
All day for your own adventure to discover Shanghai on your own. The tour guide is happy to give you tips on different sights. Overnight in Shanghai. (Breakfast)
Day 15 Return to Sweden
In the morning we leave our hotel, father to the airport and leave China for this time. Meals are included on the long-haul flight. (Breakfast)
