15 Days China Architecture Tour

After you arrive in Beijing, our local guide will pick you up and then drive to hotel for a good rest.

Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. If you desire, enjoy Peking Opera tonight as your optional activity.

In the morning, you will first have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. Then take a short visit to Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb). This evening, Peking Roasted Duck will be your optional dinner.

In the morning, take a visit to 'the most beautiful garden in China' - Summer Palace. After lunch, enjoy a leisure visiting to the Hutong by rickshaw. It will give you an insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people and reveal their social culture in today's Beijing City.

Be transferred to the railway station for your express train to Datong, which will cost you about 6 hours.

According to historical records, Datong was founded as Pingcheng in 200BC during the Han Dynasty. It then prospered and became a stop-off for camel caravans moving into Mongolia and beyond. To the South-west, there is a site evident of the long history of Datong. It is called Yungang Grottoes and it is composed of 252 grottoes which contain 51,000 Buddhist statues. Today it is considered one of the best examples of rock-cut architecture which is a collection of cave art that combines traditional Chinese art with Greek and Indian influences. Returning to the city proper, we'll pass by the Nine Dragon Screen.

Today, leave Datong you will first take 1hour driving to Hunyuan County for a visit to the Hanging Temple, the masterpiece of ancient wooden constructions. And then continue your driving to Pingyao to appreciate the ancient Chinese architects as Pingyao be considered a treasure house of Chinese architecture. Enjoy a peaceful night in this ancient town.

After a night rest in Pingyao, riding for Wang's Courtyard in Lingshi County, which consisting of 54 courtyards and 1,052 rooms, the epitome of Oriental domestic architecture. Then be transferred back to Pingyao for an overnight train to Xian.

Today is all about Xian. After getting off the train, your first destination is the Terracotta Warriors. It has been regarded as the 8th wonder of the world and the most significant excavations of the 20th century. Then get back to city for the Ancient City Wall. Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner is available for your optional meal this evening.

This morning you will take the flight to Shanghai. In this modern but still rich in ancient cultures city, you'll have time to 'unwind' in the exquisite beauty of Yuyuan Garden, an expression of filial piety by a Ming Dynasty official, Pan Yunduan, who spent his life savings ensuring his parents would live out their lives in magnificent comfort. In the evening, enjoy the nightlife of Xintiandi, bars and nightclubs in converted 19th century European style houses.

After a photo stop at People's Square, the picturesque green space surrounded by buildings on all sides, visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to see the vision for the new Shanghai, complete with exhibits and an impressive scale model of the city planned for the future. Next take a nice walk along the Bund of different architectural styles that include Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. Have a bird-eye view of the city after ascending Shanghai's new landmark - Shanghai World Financial Centre in the new and developing Lujiazui area. After that, be transferred to Wuzhen, the small water village.

After breakfast, tour around Wuzhen Water Town, one of the six existing old-time water towns in Yangtze River delta. Then be transferred back to Shanghai for the flight to Xiamen.

In the morning, drive from Xiamen City to Nanjing County to visit the famous Tuluo in Snail Pit as well as Huaiyuan Building and Hegui Building - the representatives of the round building and square building in the area. After the tour, be transferred back to Xiamen.

After breakfast, you will have a relaxing tour to visit Gulang Island off the coast of Xiamen. Gulang is a colonial period heritage site where almost all major architecture styles in the world can be found. Gulang Island is also famous for being home to China's largest piano museum. Feel at peace while savoring the fresh aroma of the island.

Free at leisure until be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong.