Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival (No Meal)

   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: Comfortable 3* hotel booked by us

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Mutianyu Great Wall, Dingling (B + L + D)

   AM: After breakfast, get collected from your hotel and begin today’s exploration from the underground palace of Dingling (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.

   

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, it’s time for the highlight today: the famous world’s heritage – Mutianyu Great Wall. It is the most scenic part of Chinese Great Wall. It was built in the early Ming Dynasty at 1368 and stretches 5400 meters. 90% of the Mutianyu Great Wall is covered by vegetation. So in each season this part of the Great Wall will treat visitors with its unique scenery. The usual suggested hiking time is 2 hours on the wall. Cable car is available and optional (cost on your own).

   Ending hiking on the Great Wall, get on the private car to return hotel. On the way, we will make a stop at Water Cube and Bird's Nest where you can pay an outer visit to the gyms which were especially built for 2008 Beijing Olympics.

   After dinner, return to hotel.

   Accommodation: Comfortable 3* hotel booked by us

   

3. Day 3: Beijing
   Beijing Foreign Studies University, Niujie Mosque, Muslim Supermarket, Summer Palace (B + L + D)

   AM: Please be ready at hotel lobby after breakfast and expect today’s journey. The first stop is Beijing Foreign Studies University, the highest level of foreign language studies university in China. Stroll on the campus with guide, listen to the ever developing history of it and talk with students to get more ideas about Chinese youth and Chinese education condition.

   The next stop is Niujie Mosque which 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.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, come to the Muslim Supermarket to closely observe the local muslim life. You will find all kinds of Muslim snacks and some goods in Muslim style in this largest muslim market in Beijing.

   The last site to visit 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.

   After dinner, return to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Comfortable 3* hotel booked by us

   

4. Day 4: Beijing
   Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, 798 Art District, Wangfujing Snack Street (B + L + D)

   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: After a Chinese style lunch, we will go to 798 Art District. Most buildings here are transformed from the former state-owned factories. These Bauhaus style buildings attract many artists from all over the world. Today it is the center of Beijing urben culture. You will meet art galleries, cultural companies, bars, artwork shops, etc. in 798 Art Zone. Some unique niche exhibitions are held here now and then.

   The last stop is Wangfujing Snack Street where you can enjoy lots of Beijing local foods and snacks. After the dinner, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Comfortable 3* hotel booked by us

   

5. Day 5: Beijing - Xian by Bullet Train (B)

   In the morning you will enjoy free time.

   At around 12:00, you driver will pick you up at noon and send you to the Beijing Train Station to catch your high speed train to Xian (Suggested: G87/14:00-18:20 or train with similar schedule).

   Upon your arrival in Xian, your driver will meet you at the train station and transfer to your Xian hotel.

   Accommodation: Comfortable 3* hotel booked by us

6. Day 6: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Banquet (B + L + D)

   AM: Meet the guide at hotel lobby and then go to visit the famous Terracotta Warriors.Known as “the Eighth Wonder of the World” and one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the 20th century, the museum shows a surprisingly high level in sculpture. The splendid battle formation will leave you an impressive memory. Before visiting the museum, stop at a Terracotta Figurine Factory to specialize in the reproduction of the clay warriors, and watch the artisans craft the miniature statues.

   

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After the lunch, head to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It was built to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang.

   Evening: In the evening, you will enjoy a Chinese Dumpling Banquet. It serves with nearly 20 varieties of dumplings, stuffed with delicious vegetables, meats and seafood. Please leave a note to request if you are a vegetarian while booking. Next, you will experience the local colorful and splendid Tang Dynasty Dance Show, a performance of music and dance that imitate the Tang Dynasty over one thousand years ago.

   After the show ends, go back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Comfortable 3* hotel booked by us

   

7. Day 7: Xian
   Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Museum, Bell and Drum Tower Square, Muslim Quarter, City Wall, Great Mosque (B + L + D)

   AM: Today’s first stop is Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It is also a landmark of Xian, built in Tang Dynasty to store Buddhist sculptures brought by Xuanzang, together with Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Walking into the deeper garden of the Pagoda, Xian Museum stands before you. You can appreciate some priceless exhibition to learn history and culture of ancient Xian and even China.

   

   Next, go to  Xian City Wall. It 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.

   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.

   After dinner, you will be dropped off at the airport or train station for your departure. Your 7-day Beijing Xian Muslim tour ends here.