Day 1
Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)
Day 2
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: The Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, Treasure Houses, Temple of Heaven
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Tian'anmen Square: The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
- Treasure Houses: Treasure house has undergone 4 time renovations, the present one takes up almost 220 square metres, more than 440 treasures on display belonged to Qing dynasty royalty, half of which have not never been on display in the old one. It's worthy of visiting.
- Temple of Heaven: Situated in the southern part of the city, the temple of heaven covers the total area of 2,700,000 square meters. The temple was built in 1420A.D. It is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. The main buildings of the temple including the Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activities, particularly weekend mornings.
Day 3
Place & Transport: Beijing to Shanghai, Hainan Airlines HU7603 (Beijing Capital Airport - Shanghai Hongqiao Airport) Dep 7:05PM - Arr 8:50PM
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai), Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car), Beijing Olympic Green(exterior visit of Bird Nest and Water Cube)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car): This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. Walk along the wall on your own interest and return by cable car. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Beijing Olympic Green(exterior visit of Bird Nest and Water Cube): Located at the north end of the central axis of Beijing City, Olympic Green hosts 50% of the competitions in the Olympic Games. With a large area of 1215 hectares, it contains a 760 hectares green forest, National museum, exhibition area, Olympic Village and Olympic competition avenues. Approximately 31 venues are used in Beijing Olympics, including National Stadium, the Bird's Nest and National Aquatics Center.
Day 4
Place & Transport: Shanghai to Suzhou to Shanghai, Train No. D5412 (Shanghai Railway Station - Suzhou Railway Station) Dep 9:09AM - Arr 9:48AM, connect Train No. D5475 (Suzhou Railway Station - Shanghai Railway Station) Dep 7:20PM - Arr 7:59PM
Today's Activities: Hotel to Train station Transfer (Shanghai), Train station to Hotel Transfer (Suzhou), Train station to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai), Rickshaw ride, The Grand Canal, Tiger Hill, Humble Administrator's Garden
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Rickshaw ride: Through the old streets & Hutongs in Suzhou, you will see local people's life.
- The Grand Canal: The Grand Canal ranks alongside the Great Wall of China as the country's greatest engineering achievement and it is the longest man-made waterway in the world. Cruising on the Canal, you can see the local peoples' life.
Known as the land of rice and fish, Suzhou city has a network of picturesque lakes and canals both large and small, which all link in eventually to the Grand Canal. The view from the little boats that ply the smaller canals is enchanting, whilst the traffic on the Grand Canal reminds you of Suzhou that it was the original source of the 'sea' silk road.
- Tiger Hill: Tiger Hill, known also as Surging Sea Hill, is a large hillock, standing 36 meters high and covering an area of some 14,100 square meters. Going up to the hill, you will find a number of historical sites, including some from 2,500 years ago, which are as old as the Suzhou city.
It is a beautiful park around the hillock where, according to legend, King Wu was buried in 514BC, guarded by a white tiger. A gentle climb passes attractive historic spots, each with own tale such as Sword Testing Rock, Miss Wu’s Tomb, Sword Spring, 1000 People Rock, to the leaning pagoda at the top. Tourists may walk down past tea bushes to the pretty canal and wooden boats. Horse-drawn or electric carts may travel some of the paths.
- Humble Administrator's Garden: The garden is the best representative of Chinese classical gardens, constructed in the Ming dynasty,which focuses on a central pond with pavilions, terraces, chambers, and towers located nearby, the garden is divided into three parts: the eastern, middle and western parts.
At 5 hectares the largest of these beautiful gardens, it is one of the most famous one. It provides everyone with pleasure. Don't miss the Garden Museum - actually don't miss any of this lovely place. Tourists may wear comfortable shoes, as there's a lot of walking here.
Day 5
Place & Transport: Shanghai to Beijing, Hainan Airlines HU7602 (Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Beijing Capital Airport) Dep 6:15PM - Arr 8:35PM
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai), Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, The Shanghai World Financial Center, Yuyuan Market, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
- Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall: A short walk across Renmin Square from the Shanghai Museum, this is a fascinating insight into Shanghai's future. The 2nd floor has a giant walkaround model of the city, and other floors have great displays, interactive exhibitions and walkthroughs of aspects such as the ports, greening, leisure etc.
- The Shanghai World Financial Center : The Shanghai World Financial Center is a super tall skyscraper. It is a mixed use skyscraper, which will consist of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls on the lower floors. The hotel component has 175 rooms and suites and goes by the name: The Park Hyatt, Shanghai. On September 14, 2007, the skyscraper reached 492.3 meters (1,615.2 ft) and became the tallest structure on mainland China, including Hong Kong, as well as the world's third tallest building (including unfinished ones), after the Burj Dubai and Taipei 101.
- Yuyuan Market : Located at a very busy marketplace in a complex of traditional-style buildings, backing onto Yuyuan Gardens.You can find everything there from popular local snacks and food, crafts, antiques and souvenirs to Starbucks, tea-houses and some great restaurants. There is a small (reconstructed) Temple (Chenhuang: Temple of the City Gods) in there as well.
- Yuyuan Garden: Located at a very busy marketplace in a complex of traditional-style buildings, backing onto Yu Gardens, you can find everything there from popular local snacks and food, crafts, antiques and souvenirs to Starbucks, teahouses and some great restaurants. There is a small (reconstructed) Temple (Chenghuang: Temple of the City Gods) in there as well.
- The Bund: Once the home of the foreign traders and major banks, the embankment has taken on a new vitality; lovely old European-style buildings mix with futuristic developments, chic restaurants, top end shops and bars offer plenty to see and do – and by night it's magic!