15 Days Jewish Heritage Tour of China
Tour Route: Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo, Yantze River, Shanghai
Winding about 3,964 miles, Yangtze River is the largest in China and the third largest in the world after the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. Known as the cradle of life of the southern China, Yangtze River with its numerous tributaries including Min River, Han River, Jialing River, Gan River and Huangpu River etc., form the map of life and the related scenery, economics, culture and folk customs. Beautiful river scenery with Five-star Cruise ship experience definitely highlight your tour.
JCT-05
Daily
Private Tour
Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Day 2 Beijing
Day 3 Beijing
Day 4 Beijing
Day 5 Beijing to Xian
Day 6 Xian
Day 7 Xian to Guilin
Day 8 Guilin to Yangshuo
Day 9 Guilin to Chongqing
Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise
Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise
Day 12 Yichang to Shanghai
Day 13 Shanghai
Day 14 Shanghai
Day 15 Departure
Our local professional guide and experienced driver will expect you at the airport after your baggage reclaim and customs clearance, and then escort you to check in the hotel in downtown area. Relax during the rest time of the day to recover from the jet leg.
Meals: No meals Day 2 Beijing
Tiananmen Square
First stop, Tiananmen Square. It is the third largest city square in the world. It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several important events in Chinese history. (30 minutes)
Forbidden City
Beijing Forbidden City was the imperial palace for twenty-four emperors during the Ming(1368-1644) and Qing dynasties(1644-1911). Lying to the north of Tiananmen Square it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat and a 10-meter-high wall are more than 8,700 rooms. It is the right place to know the China's glorious past and imperial culture.
Summer Palace
The original Summer Palace was built for celebrtaing the birthday of Emperor Qianlongs' in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) but burnt down by Anglo-French allied forces in 1860. Rebuilt in 1888 by Empress Dowager Cixi but destroyed by the Eight Power Allied Forces in 1900. What you can see was rebuilt since 1903 though some architectures are destroyed forever. It is the largest preserved imperial garden and a former summer retreat for emperors. the 726.5 acres' area and three quarters water, Summer Palace is a perfect example of refined craftwork with finest materials, Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake etc with over 3,000 structures: pavilions, towers, bridges, corridors etc.
Free-time Ideas(Optional): Chinese Acrobatics Show is highly recommended in Beijing. Your guide can help you get tickets.
Meals: B+L Day 3 Beijing
Badaling Section Great Wall
Being the ancient military defence project, Great Wall is symbol and proud of China. Badaling Great Wall is the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall partly because it is close to Beijing city and connected with urban area by expressway. This section of wall is the first section opened to tourists (in 1957) after reconstructed. Badaling Great Wall shows the Great Wall as it would have looked originally, and it does not look too new. That is another reason of why most travelers choose Badaling Great Wall.
Changling Tomb
Among these tombs, the largest one is Changling Tomb, which was built in 1413 and is the burial place of Zhu Di, the third Ming emperor and the chief of Ming Tombs. It is not only the largest one, but the best-preserved one among the thirteen tombs. It holds Emperor Yongle and his wife's tomb. Except for the Yongle Emperor Zhu Di, the Empress Xu was buried here too.
On the way back to the downtown area, while passing by the Bird's Nest, also called the Olympic National Stadium, we will make a brief stop for you to take some pictures of the huge nest.
Meals: B+L Day 4 Beijing
Panda House in Beijing Zoo
Beijing Zoo is the famous Panda House, You can see lovely Giant Panda and lesser panda. Lakes and gardens abound in the zoo complex which is a weekend destination for families.
Lama Temple
The Lama Temple, northeast of downtown Beijing, is the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet and was visited by past Dalai and Panchen Lamas (as well as one current-day Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama).
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven was built in the 15th century, a sacred site for ancient Beijing. This was where the emperor and his 1000 member entourage would retreat to for religious rituals twice a year. It is considered as the most supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture.
Hutong Tour by Rickshaw
Rickshaws are actually three wheeled bicycles often driven by old, retired men. There are fleets of them circling around the TianAnMen square area, and they are always willing to take passengers. It is nice to take a ride around the square in the evening.
Meals: B+L Day 5 Beijing to Xian
Transfer to Xian in the morning.
Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport to board the flight to Xi'an in Western China.
Muslim Quarter
Located to the north of the West Street in the city center, as the hub of the Muslim community in Xian City, the Muslim Quarter covers several blocks inhabitated by over 20,000 Muslims. There are about ten mosques in this area, among which the Great Mosque in the Huajue Lane is the most famous and popular.
The famous parts of this area should be the Muslim food and souvenir market where you can enjoy decent Muslim dishes and buy numerous, dazzling souvenirs.
Great Mosque
Located at 30 Huajue (Change Feeling) Lane in the center of the city, The Xian Great Mosque was built and renovated in later periods (especially during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty). He remains a popular tourist attraction in Xi’an, and is still used by Chinese Muslims (mainly Hui) today, as a place of worship. Unlike most mosques in the Middle East and Arab countries, the Great Mosque of Xi’an is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style, except for some letters of the Arabic and decorations for the mosque has neither domes nor minarets of traditional style.
Ancient City Wall
Moat, drawbridge bridges, gate buildings, watch towers, storied buildings on gates, turrets, enemy towerss, parapets and battlements form a complete military defense system. With a history of over 600 years, Xian City Wall is one of the most famous wall constructions during China's history. Besides, it is also the best preserved and most complete wall construction, which means it has great value in learning feudal China's city construction, history, military and architectural art.
Meals: B Day 6 Xian
Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum
Terra Cotta Warriors, thousands of life-size ceramic soldiers and horses “guarding” the tomb of China's first emperor. The ancient burial site was discovered when Chinese peasants dug a well in 1974. Each soldier has a unique face, and there are more than 8,000 of them spread throughout the site. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century as a cultural and history symbol of China.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
See the Buddhist Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Originally built in 652 with five stories, and rebuilt in 704, one of its main purposes was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang.
Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with a Dumpling Dinner
A mustsee! As an art form, the show has its roots in folk fetes, when dances were first performed by people as part of rituals of prayer for a good harvest or a better life. Over thousands of years, the dances developed from a few simple postures or gestures to become delicate and artistic reaching a peak during the Tang Dynasty. The show presented today is a recreation of a traditional entertainment attributable to a great variety of historical records and relics and has now become a classic entertainment that has been warmly appreciated by audiences running into hundreds of thousands for more than twenty years.
Meals: B+L Day 7 Xian to Guilin
Shaanxi History Museum
A large State-grade Museum with an area of seven hectares introduces the visitor to area rich culture, from Emperor Qin Shi Huang to the present day in this walled city with an enormous collection of 113,000 historic and cultural relics including Bronze Ware, Frescoes, Figurines, Pottery and Porcelain. And today, besides the ancient Chinese collections are displayed, this museum also provides a platform to exhibit relics from overseas cities including Japan, France, the United States and Germany.
Transfer to airport for your flight to Guilin.
Check in hotel.
Meals: B+L Day 8 Guilin to Yangshuo
Li River Cruise
From Guilin to Yangshuo, the Li River gracefully flows over 83 kilometers and the banks of the river offer the most beautiful scenery. This section of the Li River appears like a classic Chinese ink painting with its green hills, crystal water, verdant bamboo and clear water reflection. The great Tang Dynasty poet Han Yu vividly described the landscape as "the river winds like a green silk ribbon, while the hills are like jade hairpins". The comfortable Li River cruise will take approximately 4 hours from the bustle of city life and into a peaceful and relaxing world. The only thing you need to do is bring your imagination, a camera, and keep your eyes open, as the stunning Karst landscape will give you a surprise around each bend of the Li River flows under the clear blue sky.
West Street
"Global Street", ancient and local architectures, Chinese and western style restaurants and coffee bars, various and memorable tourist souvenirs, special and tasty snacks and beautiful night scene with exotic styles, sounds weird, but it's West Street Yangshuo. Meanwhile, it is very modern and fashionable, nearly every store has bilingual shop signs, and more than 20 stores are opened by foreigners who have settled here. On the other hand, It is the best place for Chinese people to learn foreign languages and for foreigners to study Chinese. There are dozens of foreign language schools, training centers, training camps and computer training courses along West Street.
Impression Sanjie Liu
It is a main production with 500 singers, dancers, bamboo rafts and cormorants. Impression Liu Sanjie in China is much too famous for its live-action show with the picturesque beauty of Mountains and waters in Yangshuo. However, the stand out performer is definitely the background scenery. The lighting of the karst peaks is truly amazing and is extremely highlighted. Today, since the completion of this large-scale performance, the travel of Yangshuo becomes more colorful. At daytime, travelers get visit to the natural beauty of mountains and waters as well as the local strong custom, and at nighttime, to enjoy the dreamlike show of Impression Liu Sanjie is the must.
Meals: B+L Day 9 Guilin to Chongqing
Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave is a marvelous cave with a stunning world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition since 180 million years ago. And illuminated by colored lighting, this fantastic world of stunning sceneries is found in many variations along 240 meters long cave. Walking through the serried stone pillars on changing spots, a feeling of here is the paradise Gods live. This natural limestone cave with multicolored lighting has been one of the Guilin's "Must see" marvelous attractions for over 1,200 years, and got the name from the type of reed growing outside, which could be made into melodious flutes.
Elephant Trunk Hill
It is regarded the symbol of Guilin and it is named after its shape, just like and elephant drink the water of Li River by its Trunk.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. After dinner, board the 5 star deluxe cruise ship for a memorable voyage down the mighty Yangtze River.
Meals: B+L+D Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise
Shibaozhai
07:30-09:30, disembark for an excursion to Shibaozhai. Shibaozhai was first built in Qing Dynasty in 1750, the mountain looks like a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs, and the wooden architecture that is built by catch upon the cliff with a height of 56 meters and 12 stories, standing on the riverside. Back to the ship and continue the cruise. The Captain’s Welcome Party will be held in the evening.
Meals: B+L+D Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise
Three Gorges
07:00-07:30: Sail through the Qutang Gorge,
08:00-09:00: Pass the second gorge - Wu Gorge, The guides will talk about legend of historic sites: Ancient Plank Road, Mengliang Stairway and the suspended coffins on the sheer cliffs.
10:00-13:30: Disembark at Badong and take a sampan tour to the picturesque Shennong Stream. Back to the ship and continue the cruise.
16:00-17:00: Pass the Xiling Gorge.
20:00, pass the 5-stage shiplock. Dock overnight at Sandouping.
Meals: B+L+D Day 12 Yichang to Shanghai
Three Gorges Dam
08:00-10:00, shore excursion to visit the Three Gorges Dam, it is planned to be by far the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Back to the ship and continue the cruise. Disembarkation in Yichang at about 13:00. Transfer to the airport for flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Meals: B+L Day 13 Shanghai
Walking tour through Shanghai's Hongkou District, which became a Jewish ghetto during World War II. Visit the Ohel Rachel Synagogue and the Ohel Moshe Synagogue, now serving as a museum devoted to the history of the Jews in Shanghai, known as Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum.
Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
It is the former site of Moses Hall which was a private house. It was renamed the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum in 1992 and has received many celebrities. It is the most important site to commemorate Jewish history in Shanghai.
Before and during World War 2, many Jewish refugees fled to Shanghai and gathered in Hongkou Area. An estimated 15,000 people lived there. In 1927 the house was converted for use in worship and meetings for Russian Jews and Central European Jews who lived in the area.
Huo Shan Park
Huoshan Park, built in 1917, was used as a burial ground for Jews during World War 2. The parents of Mr Labin, premier of Israel, are buried in the park. During World War 2, many Jews lived in Shanghai often gathered in this place. A house used for Jewish refugees is maintained in the park. The park is free to the public and there are many vendors selling street food at the gate.
Yu Garden
A traditional Chinese park decorated by beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rockeries. Yu Garden is not only a famous classical garden in South China, but also a major historic and cultural site under state protection.
Meals: B+L Day 14 Shanghai
Visit the Bund, with its buildings and wharves on the waterfront, followed by a walk down Nanjing Road(Fairmont Peace Hotel Exterior tour), Shanghai's main shopping street as well as one of the world's busiest shopping streets.
The Bund
also called the Zhongshan Road, is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years, winding a 1500 meters (less than one mile) length. Walking along the Bund, which is at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen on the opposite side and also the Jin Mao Tower. Being one of the Top Ten Shanghai Attractions, the Bund is a really beautiful and special place which is worth visiting
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower (468m) is the highest TV and radio tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world. It was built in 1994 and soon became Shanghai's landmark.
Visit the Jade Buddha Temple.
Located at 170 Anyuan Road, the Jade Buddha Temple is the most famous Buddhist temple in Shanghai. Established in 1918 with the style of the Song Dynasty, it is an active temple with over 70 monks. Although the history of the Jade Buddha Temple is not very long, the old-time and classical architectural style makes it unique and inimitable in this modern city.The Jade Buddha Temple is a good place to go whether you are a Buddhist or not, the peaceful and transcendent atmosphere adds a kind of richness to our busy modern society.
Xintiandi
Xintiandi, an arts and crafts enclave in the French concession of Shanghai, is a new area based on Shikumen Buildings, which were present in the old Shanghai style buildings now house clubs, bars, shops, cafes and restaurant. A highlight could be Wu Li Xiang which is a display showing the daily life of the Shanghai people in the old days. 2-3 hour is recommended.
Shanghai Museum
Located in the center of Shanghai in People's Square, Shanghai Museum is a large museum of ancient Chinese art. Its style and presentation surround visitors with artifacts demonstrating ancient wisdom and philosophy. The exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land.
Meals: B+L Day 15 Departure
Transfer to Shanghai International Airport.
Departure flight to your sweet home.
Meals: B It is flexible to change the duration, attractions, starting and ending cities according to your interests. Also the tour can be extended or shorten as your preference, just let your trip consultant know.
All of the tour packages exclude the international airfares. We suggest you can book it one your own. You can compare the price between OTAs (Expedia, Priceline, Sky scanner...) and the airlines. When you have a confirmed date, set alarm and compare it always.
As the China Visa, we cannot apply for you as we are an China inbound travel company. However, we can send you our invitation letter with our company's official seal to you after you booked the tour from us, which could assist you to get China Visa from China embassy easily. Usually, we suggest you to apply the visa about one month or one month and a half before your travel date.
All of the tour packages exclude the international airfares. We suggest you can book it one your own. You can compare the price between OTAs (Expedia, Priceline, Sky scanner...) and the airlines. When you have a confirmed date, set alarm and compare it always.
As the China Visa, we cannot apply for you as we are an China inbound travel company. However, we can send you our invitation letter with our company's official seal to you after you booked the tour from us, which could assist you to get China Visa from China embassy easily. Usually, we suggest you to apply the visa about one month or one month and a half before your travel date.
For the breakfast, it is offered by the hotel you stay, usually Chinese and Western buffet breakfast. As for the lunch, we offer 80RMB per person for a standard Chinese meal at a nice tourist restaurant. If you want to order other kind of meals, such as vegetarian, Muslim meals, Indian Meals, please let your trip consultant know. Dinner usually will be left for you to choose the food you prefer. Our guide will help you to balance each meal such as your taboo, your preference and avoid repeated food. You have to pay for the extra cost if you want to take better or more. The meals on Yangtze Cruise are fixed Chinese and Western Buffet.
All the hotels can be replaced by your favorite ones or you can book your own hotels. And the hotel room we offered here usually is standard with twin beds. If you want to have king-size bed room or suite, please let your trip advisor know. Besides, all the accommodation are quoted on two persons sharing one room. The room supplement must be paid if you want to have a single room.
* Most hotels we offered in our tour package have WIFI in the lobby, and some of which have WIFI in hotel rooms. If you need the WIFI in your room, please make sure with your trip advisor.
* Most hotels we offered in our tour package have WIFI in the lobby, and some of which have WIFI in hotel rooms. If you need the WIFI in your room, please make sure with your trip advisor.
We have non-shopping private tour and tour with carefully selected shops. For tour with shops, the price will be lower, and you will enter one or two shops in every tourist city. The shops could be jade, silk, pearl, Chinese tea etc., all of which have strong China's character and is worthy to buy. Each shop will take you around 45 minutes. We promise there is no compulsory consumption at all. You get the situation in your hands.
* Department stores, supermarkets, boutiques, hotel and restaurants in most cities of China do accept the credit card with the sigh of MasterCard, VISA and JCB. However, it does generate commission charge. Please check the regulations with your bank manager.
* Department stores, supermarkets, boutiques, hotel and restaurants in most cities of China do accept the credit card with the sigh of MasterCard, VISA and JCB. However, it does generate commission charge. Please check the regulations with your bank manager.
All domestic flight we offered is the economic class, which you can carry one hand-on luggage no more than 5 kg for free. The total of free registered luggage is no more than 20kg. Excess luggage will charge you some extra fees, be aware of that. The free registered luggage allowance in China domestic train is 20kg.
The insurance provided by us is called Travel Agencies' Liability Insurance, which covers accidents occurring during the activities arranged by travel agency. It does not cover mishaps or physical problems occurring outside the guided tour period or caused by clients themsevles, so we highly suggest you purchase the full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin.
For group of 1-4 passengers, recommend US$ 4-8 per tourist per day for guide, and US$ 2-5 per tourist per day for guide; for group of 5 and above, recommend US$ 2-5 per tourist per day for guide, and US$2-4 per tourist per day for driver. Besides, we highly recommend you to tip every day to encourage better service from them in the next coming days. However, if you have genuine reason not to tip, don't.
Usually, the deposit of tour package accounts for 30% of the total quotation, and the balance should be paid 30 days before your tour date. Payment methods we accept include Bank Transfer and PayPal, Credit Card and so on. More details you can check the Payment Guide page. Moreover, Children who are less than 12 y/o have their own discounts, please contact with your trip advisor.
Any part of this itinerary can be altered to fit your need, e.g. accommodation, add/skip city, tour length... Click below to tell us what you're looking for:
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