12 Days Chinese culture discovery
0 
Visiting:Beijing/Xi'an/Guilin/Shanghai
Brief Introduction:
China, a vast country with long history and splendid culture is waiting for you and your clients. Follow us from the majestic Great Wall in Beijing to the mysterious Terra-Cotta Warriors in Xi'an, from the stunning beautiful Li River in Guilin to the dynamic Bund in Shanghai.
And there are more cultural focuses we offer in this special tour: Chinese kite and Chinese food – jiaozi, traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, traditional Chinese paper-cut and martial art—Tai Chi.
Come and join us, use your own eyes and feel to explore this old country in depth.
Day 1 Beijing
Arrive at capital city of Beijing, our local guide will meet and escort you to your hotel.
Day 2 Beijing
Beijing has long been China's political and cultural center. Today we will bring you to explore some of Beijing's greatest sights: first to the massive Tiananmen Square, where Chairman Mao declared the founding of People's Republic of China before 3 million onlookers in 1949. Next, stroll through the magnificent Forbidden City- the grandest integral imperial palace with a history of around 600 years. In the afternoon, you will marvel at another Beijing's landmark - splendid Temple of Heaven built in 15th century, where you will learn how to fly kites as well.
Today's culture focus: kite
-- The kite, a Chinese invention, has been praised as the forerunner of the modern aero plane. In the pavilion of aircraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Museum, Washington D.C., a plaque says, “the earliest aircraft are the kites and missiles of China.
Day 3 Beijing
A full-day excursion will take you to the majestic Great Wall, which was built over 2,000 years ago and stretching about 4000 miles, you will have enough time to linger at this world wonder and contemplate how ancient Chinese people built the wall entirely by hand. Also visit the Sacred Road before returning to the city.
Day 4 Beijing / Xian
Panda--the National Treasure, one of the rare animals. Today we will take you to visit the Beijing Zoo in the morning, where you will see very cute Giant Pandas only existing in China. In the afternoon, you will have a lesson to learn Chinese painting or Chinese calligraphy. After this, you will be transferred to the train station for your onward train to Xian. You will stay overnight on the train (soft sleeper, 4 people in one compartment).
Today's culture focus: Chinese traditional painting or Chinese calligraphy
--Calligraphy is understood in china as the art of writing a good hand with the brush or the study of the rules and techniques of this art. It is peculiar to china and a few countries have been influenced by this ancient Chinese culture.
--Traditional Chinese painting --- an important part of the country's cultural heritage, the traditional Chinese painting is distinguished from Western art in that it is executed on rice paper (or silk) with the Chinese brush, Chinese ink, and mineral and vegetable pigments.
Day 5 Xian
With Chinese traditional vehicle – bicycle you will start your Xian exploration. We will guide you to ride bicycle along the Ancient Wall. After lunch you will visit the incredible 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and Horses arranged in battle formation to protect the mausoleum of the first emperor in Chinese history—Emperor QinShihuang since 2,200 years ago.
Today's culture focus: bicycle ride on the Ancient Wall
-- Bicycle is the most popular transportation method in China. Cycling on the ancient walls while enjoying the beautiful scenery must be your unforgettable experience in your life. The ancient walls are the largest and best-preserved ancient fortress in the world. It is wide enough to permit 10 horses to walk on it side by side at the same time. It will take you about 2 hours to complete your cycling journey on the wall.
Day 6 Xian
Today you will go to Hu County (about 2 hours' drive from the downtown) and visit the local farmer's home. After your arrival, the local people will teach you how to make dumplings and you can enjoy the dumplings you made for the lunch. In the afternoon, you can go to visit some old and new villages or go out to pick some fruits in the local people's garden. Enjoy the performances directed by the local people. Take overnight in the local people's home.
Culture focus: jiaozi
--Jiaozi, several Chinese snacks have been known in English as “dumplings". Of these, jiaozi is taken by the northern Chinese as a symbol of festivity and served as the main dish for the Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival).
Day 7 Xian / Guilin
After breakfast, you will go to one of the local people's home to learn paper-cut. After lunch, you will fly to Guilin.
Culture focus: paper-cut
--The paper-cut is a popular folk art in China. A piece of paper can be turned in the hands of an artisan, with the help of a knife or a pair of scissors, into any of a wide variety of patterns—landscapes, flowers, birds, animals and human figures. These simple works of art may be displayed in wall frames or pressed under glass table-tops to grace the room with their elegant lines and pleasing images.
Day 8 Guilin / Yangshuo
Enjoy a full-day of scenic cruising on the tranquil Li River. Along the river, you will be inspired by breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and reflections in the water together with the serene pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffalos. You are certainly walking into a traditional Chinese painting by cruising on it. In the afternoon, cycling along the countryside road in Yangshuo County will bring you an exciting feeling.
Culture focus: traditional farming in southern China
-- You will appreciate farming picture in the countryside of Guilin: green paddy fields in spring and bumper harvest in autumn. If you are lucky enough, you can see diligent farmers ploughing with water buffaloes in spring and summer.
Day 9 Yangshuo/Guilin / Shanghai
This morning you will have a chance to practise Taichi in the Yangshuo Park. Then we will bring you back to the city of Guilin to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin and the Reed Flute Cave, filled with stalactites & stalagmites illuminated by the lights of different colors.
Culture focus: Tai Chi
The term Taichi ("great ultimate") signifies the origin and ground of Heaven and Earth and of all beings. It is the Great Ultimate that is said to engender or produce yin and yang, the twin cosmic forces, which in turn give rise to the symbols, patterns, and ideas that are, indeed, forms of yin and yang.
Day 10 Shanghai
Shanghai is China's financial capital. A thrilling day of sightseeing presents Shanghai's uniqueness. Stroll the waterfront Bund and the crowded Nanjing Road, the beautiful Yu Garden and the bustling Yuyuan Market. Your thrilling day will be completed with tonight's wonderful Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre.llllllllllu
Culture focus: Chinese Acrobatic –
As early as 475 BC, the art of acrobatics made its debut in China. The first type of acrobatics developed was strength acrobatics, with warriors whirling heavy wheels with their hands. Ancient acrobatics was handed down from generation to generation in China. After the founding of the PRC in 1949, acrobatics developed rapidly, with the encouragement of the Chinese government. Now, there are nearly 100 acrobatic troupes above the county level, and thousands of non-governmental acrobatic troupes.
Day 11 Shanghai
Today you will take The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel to arrive at The Oriental Pearl TV Tower and pay a visit there. Then go to see the Pudong New City and French Concession.
Day 12 Shanghai
Say “zai jian" (goodbye) to ancient China today. You will be escorted to the airport for your flight back to your sweet home.
