Mt. Putuo (Putuo shan)

Yellow Mountain...

Mount Wuyi, located in northern Fujian Province, nominated as a biosphere reserve of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program in 1987. The cliffs and waters of Mt. Wuyi are outstanding. The workings of Nature of a typical Danxia landform have left behind 36 peaks, 72 caves, 99 prominent rocks and 108 scenic spots. The Stream with Nine Turnings is emerald green and crystal clear. The beauty of the mountain and its waters has made Wuyi known as the most attractive mountain in southeast China.

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. (D)

Begin the day’s activity with a visit to Tian’anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. Tian’anmen was built in 1417 and served as the entrance gate to the Imperial Palace. Move on to visit the Imperial Palace, well-known as Forbidden City which is the large scale construction of the palace extended from 1406 to 1420. It was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. 24 emperors lived and ruled China from here. In the afternoon, visit Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D., which was originally the platform to offer sacrifices to Heaven during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The buildings and parklands reflect an ancient Chinese thought of “the Heaven is round and the earth is square”. Enjoy Peking Duck for Dinner. (B,L,D)

Today’s highlight is the visit to the Great Wall, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” and a symbol of Chinese civilization. Then, drive to visit the statue-lined Shenlu (Spirit Road) leading to the Ming Tombs, here you can see some marvelous stone sculptures. The Ming Tombs area is for 13 deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Visit the Changling Tomb which is the largest of the 13 as you can imagine it is quite impressive. (B,L,D)

Visit the enchanting Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. As a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, it integrates the natural landscape of hills and open water with manmade features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges into a harmonious and aesthetically exceptional whole. In the afternoon, you will visit the Yonghe Lama Temple, the largest and most perfectly preserved Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple outside Tibet. It was built in 1649 as the residence of Prince Yong of Qing Dynasty, and was converted to a temple after he became Emperor moving to Forbidden City. Take an overnight train to Xi’an with soft sleeper (the 1st class in China, 4 persons sharing one cabin). (B,L,D)

Arrive in Xi’an, a city with incredible history, as well as a prosperous modern city. Transfer to the hotel on arrival and have breakfast. Climb the ancient City Wall , actually built on the fortifications of Tang Forbidden City, standing 12 meters high, 12-14 meters across the top, 15-18 meters thick at the bottom, 13.7 meter in length with a deep moat surrounding it. It is the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Then, visit Forest of Steles Museum, with 900 years of history, it 3,000 pieces of the earliest stone steles of different periods, from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. You will also pay a visit to the Great Mosque, built primarily in the Ming Dynasty when Chinese architectural elements were synthesized into mosque architecture, and it is the largest and best-preserved one of the early mosques of China. Enjoy a characteristic Dumpling Dinner in local restaurant. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, visit Shannxi History Museum, the first huge state museum with modern facilities in China, and given the reputation of "bright pearl of ancient city, treasure house of China". Then, visit once-in-a-lifetime viewing of the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors and Horses, 2,200-year-old underground army of he first feudal Emperor, Qin Shihuang. Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. Stop to visit a mountain village on the back way. Then, pay a visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built in 652 A.D. in Tang Dynasty (618-907A.D.), it functioned to collect large volume of Buddhist scriptures that were taken from India by the eminent monk of Xuanzang. (B,L,D)

Take a morning flight to Shanghai, known as “Paris in the East”. Visit the Bund, at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the splendid row of early 20th century Europe buildings remains the quintessential Shanghai sight. Pay a visit to Yuyuan Garden, a well-restored Suzhou-style garden, which was specially built for Pan’s parents as a place to enjoy themselves a tranquil and happy time in their old age. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters are unique characteristic. And also take a walk through Chenghuangmiao (known as Yuyuan Garden Market) built in the fifteenth century during the Ming Dynasty. It filled with antique markets and specialty stores. Enjoy a fabulous Acrobatic Show in the evening. (B,L,D)

This morning, you will visit Shanghai Museum, a leading attraction of the city since it opened in 1994, containing some priceless collections of paintings, porcelains and bronzes. Then, move on to visit Xujiahui Cathedral (St. Ignatius Cathedral), Shanghai's great cathedral, opened by the Jesuits who'd had a church here as early as 1608 (today's structure dates to 1910). Proceed to visit Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1882 to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The two precious jade Buddha statues, one sitting Buddha and one Recumbent Buddha, are carved with whole white jade. Take a train to Mt. Wuyi with soft sleeper (the 1st class in China, 4 persons sharing one cabin). (B,L,D)

Pick up from the railway station. Mount Wuyi, located in northern Fujian Province, with an area of 70 sq. km, the area has what is probably the largest, most typical and best-preserved humid subtropical native forest in the world. The Wuyi mountain range, usually called Greater Mt. Wuyi, straddles the border of Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, stretching over 500 km. The average height of the peaks is over 1,000 m above sea level. Today’s sightseeing included Zhu Xi’s Garden, Clouds and Mist Nest, Floating Top Scenic Area and Roaring Tiger Peak Scenic Area. (B,L,D)

The cliffs and waters of Mt. Wuyi are outstanding. The workings of Nature of a typical Danxia landform have left behind 36 peaks, 72 caves, 99 prominent rocks and 108 scenic spots. The Stream with Nine Turnings is emerald green and crystal clear. The beauty of the mountain and its waters has made Wuyi known as the most attractive mountain in southeast China. Take a bamboo raft sightseeing of the Stream with Nine Turnings for the whole morning. Then, move on to visit Dahongpao (Big Red Robe) Park and Shuilian (Water Curtain) Cave. Also visit the Dahongpao Tea Factory. Mt. Wuyi has a long cultural history, pay a visit to the site of the Wuyi Palace built in the seventh century for emperors to conduct sacrificial activities remains today. Walk around Song Dynasty Ancient Street. (B,L,D)

Take a morning fight to Guangzhou, known in the West as Canton, is the capital city of the huge province of Guangdong. Begin today’s tour with visiting to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which is the most symbolized building of Guangzhou, and a key venue for the large-scale meetings and performances as well. Then visit the Memorial Hall of the Chen Family, also known as Guangdong Folk Art Museum, the largest and best preserved and decorated ancient architecture existing in Guangdong province. (B,L,D)