8 Days Beijing & Xian Muslim Tour By Overnight Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   When your arrival to Beijing airport or train station, our driver will greet you at the exit by holding a welcome sign with your name. Please board the private car to the local hotel for check-in. The rest of day is free with your disposal.

   Accommodation: Hotel booked by your own

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Niujie Mosque, Temple of Heaven（Halal Lunch)

   AM: It’s the Beijing downtown highlights discovery day today. The schedule starts with Tiananmen Square, the heart and symbol of Beijing and the largest city square in the world. The spacious square has been used for many public celebrations, ceremonies, and demonstrations for over a hundred years.

   Next we will pay a visit to Forbidden City, one of the largest and most completely preserved palace complex built of wood. It functioned as the imperial palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). 24 emperors of the two dynasties once lived here.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then come to Niujie Mosque to perform prayer. It is the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing, built in 966. It is regarded as a visiting site for delegations coming from Islamic countries. While non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the prayer hall, people working at the mosque are quite friendly to talk about their beliefs with those who can speak Chinese.

   The last site today is  head to Temple of Heaven. Located at southern part of Beijing, it served as a complex of sacrificial building where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest.

   Finally, return to hotel.

   Accommodation: Hotel booked by your own

   

3. Day 3: Beijing
   Dingling Tomb, Mutianyu Great Wall (Halal Lunch)

   AM: Begin today’s trip with the famous world’s heritage, Mutianyu Great Wall which enjoys the best scenery among all Great Wall sections in Beijing. If you want to reach the highest point, your guide will help you to buy the cable car tickets on spot (Cost for cable car on your own).

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch we will pay a visit to Dingling Tomb, (one of the 13 Ming Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums). Dingling is the tomb of Emperor Shenzong, Zhuyijun, who reigned the nation for 48 years as the longest-serving monarch among all Ming emperors. Following the expert guide to enter the undergound palace, you will learn not only the story of the tomb host, Ming Dynasty but also the mausoleum culture and “Feng Shui” culture.

   After the whole tour, come back to hotel.

   Accommodation: Hotel booked by your own

   

4. Day 4: Beijing – Xian by Overnight Train
   Summer Palace, Capital Museum, Yonghe Palace, Olympic Park (Halal Lunch)

   AM: Please be ready at hotel lobby after breakfast and expect today’s journey. The first stop is Summer Palace. It is located at the west skirt of Beijing and covers an area of 290 hectares. During the Qianlong Era of the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace was built by imitating the layout of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Now it is the largest and most completely preserved imperial garden in China.

   Then head to Capital Museum(close on each Monday). It was built on site of Beijing Confucius Temple. Through the 5000+ exhibition relics, you will learn about the city’s history and development, Chinese folk culture, Chinese traditional ceramic artworks, etc. That would be a great visual and spiritual feast.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, visit Yonghe Palace where two emperors of the Qing Dynasty was born. Yonghe Palace is also called The Lama Temple because it was converted into the largest Buddhist temple in Beijing in Mid and Late Qing Dynasty.

   Lastly, have an outer visit for Water Cube and Bird's Nest. During 2008 Beijing Olympics, they served as the major place for many sports items.

   After the tour, transfer to train station for overnight train to Xian.

   Accommodation: On the train (4 people in one cabin)

   

5. Day 5: Xian
   City Wall, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter, The Bell and Drum Tower Square (Halal Lunch)

   AM: When your arriavl to Xian in the morning, our tour guide and driver will greet you at exit of Xian train station. If you would like to have breakfast firstly, please feel free to ask tour guide to bring you to a restaurant around (cost on your own).

   Your adventure begins with Xian City Wall. On the way to the attraction spot, your guide will introduce the history and culture of this ancient city for you to catch a glimpse of reason why so many well-known relics were discovered on this land.

   Xian City Wall is the most complete preserved and the largest city wall in China. It was built for the military defense in the ancient time. You can take an optional activity by riding a bike around the city wall (cost on your own, CNY45 p.p)

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then, you will continue to explore the graceful Bell and Drum Tower Square & Muslim Quarter to find authentic local snacks and handmade crafts.

   In the hidden lanes of Muslim Quarter locates the  Great Mosque, a major spot for religious activities among the Muslims in Xi’an. It possesses much traditional Chinese architectural elements in its design. For example, you will see Chinese pavilions with painted beams and engraved ridgepoles.

   At last you will be escorted to hotel.

   Accommodation: Hotel booked by your own

   

6. Day 6: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Dongxinjie Mosque, North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Halal Lunch)

   AM: After breakfast, get picked up from hotel and transferred to visit Terracotta Figures Factory (three-color Ceramic Factory) where you will meet lots of typical Chinese styled furniture and see reproduction of Terracotta Figures. Then visit Terracotta Warriors and Horses, located 30 km east of the Xi’an City. Known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”, it was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it has turned into one of the most important attractions in China and the No.1 attractive site in Xi’an. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and history of their owner: First Emperor of Qin who is also the first emperor of China.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Afterward drive back to city area to perform prayer at Dongxinjie Mosque and then have lunch in a Muslim restaurant.

   After lunch, take a walk on the North and South Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The design of the buildings and statues on the squares is in Tang style, showing people the ever glory of that great time.

   After the whole day’s tour, you will be escorted back to hotel.

   Accommodation: Hotel booked by your own

   

7. Day 7: Xian
   Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Museum, Dapiyuan Mosque, Luomashi Shopping Street (Halal Lunch)

   AM: The first site to visit today is visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda Scenic Area, twin of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Both the two pagodas are important witnesses for the history of Great Tang Dynasty. Same as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda was also built to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from Ancient India by the master monk Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty. Different from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda attracts visitors with its special charms that it keeps quiet and peaceful in the bustling downtown area, has precious value on architecture and Chinese garden aesthetics. Inside of Small Wild Goose Pagoda, you will pay a visit to Xian Museum to learn about the city’s history and appreciate some exquisite relics unearthed in local area.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, do prayer at Dapiyuan Mosque.

   The afternoon is free for shopping. You can buy some souvenirs for families and firends at the popular local shopping streets before your departure. We suggest Luomashi Shopping Street for some free shopping(or you can choose to go back to Muslim Street again to purchase some souvenir).

   Around 17:30, return to hotel.

   Accommodation: Hotel booked by your own

   

8. Day 8: Xian Departure

   At appointed time, our driver will meet your in hotel lobby and transfer you to airport/ train station for departure.