China and Legendary Avatar Mountains Tour

3 hours before the flight departure at Istanbul Airport, we meet with our guide and complete our check-in procedures. We set off for China's capital, Beijing, with Turkish Airlines' flight TK 196. Night flight journey.

Following our arrival in Beijing, we are welcomed by our local guide at the airport and start our program. We set off to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Wall of China, which fascinates with its historical depth and grandeur. We reach Mutianyu gate, one of the best-preserved and longest sections of the Great Wall, and you will encounter unique landscapes that will fascinate you. This massive structure stretching as far as the eye can see has passed into history as an indicator of China's both architectural and military genius, and we are witnessing this history. We explore this magnificent structure by using a round-trip cable car and get to know one of the most important symbols of Chinese history closely. After our lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to our hotel. We complete our hotel check-in procedures and have free time to rest.

After breakfast at the hotel, we start our Beijing city tour. Within the scope of our tour, we visit Beijing's most important historical symbols. At the beginning of our route is Tiananmen Square. This is a massive and magnificent square known as the heart of Beijing, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China in 1949 and which hosted the June 4 events in 1989. While taking our steps in this iconic square full of history, we will embark on a deep journey into China's past. Afterwards, we visit the fascinating Forbidden City, one of the world's largest and most magnificent palace complexes, used as the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This palace is not just a structure; it is a living witness of Chinese imperial history with the rich works of art, elegant furniture, and unique architecture it houses. While strolling through the impressive gardens of this structure reflecting a millennia-old heritage, you will closely feel the palace splendor of old times. We have our lunch, where we will experience local flavors, at a local restaurant. In the continuation of the day, we visit the Temple of Heaven, one of the elegant examples of classical Chinese architecture, where emperors held ceremonies for bountiful harvests. This sacred area, where emperors offered sacrifices to the sky and held ceremonies for bountiful harvests, is one of Beijing's most special historical heritages with its circular temple structure, blue-tiled roof, and wide park area. After a full day, we return to our hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, we transfer to the train station and depart for Xian by high-speed train. Following our arrival in Xian, we proceed to the city center with our vehicle waiting for us. Within the scope of our program, we visit the Muslim Quarter, one of the most colorful regions of the city. We closely get to know Xian's cultural diversity with its narrow streets, local flavors, traditional shops, and lively atmosphere. We have our dinner at a local restaurant and transfer to our hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, we visit the world-famous Terracotta Army and Horses Museum, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This magnificent army built to protect the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, is one of the most impressive discoveries of Chinese archaeology with thousands of life-sized soldier and horse statues. We have our lunch at a local restaurant around the museum. In the afternoon, we return to the city center and visit the Xian square and region where the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is located. In the evening hours, we transfer to the airport to fly to Zhangjiajie. Following our arrival, we transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our journey will begin to the nature wonder UNESCO Global Geopark Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which inspired the movie Avatar. Here, we use the Hundred Dragons Elevator (Bailong Elevator), known as the world's highest and heaviest outdoor elevator, to watch the unique landscapes of the region and explore the famous Avatar Mountains, which are accepted to have inspired the movie Avatar. We will see spots such as the Back Garden, Mihun Stage, the world's first natural bridge, and the famous Hallelujah Mountains in the park. In this park entering the UNESCO World Heritage List, an exciting and magnificent journey awaits us as we descend downwards by cable car. We will also explore fascinating places such as the natural area of Tianzi Mountain, the Gathering Herbs Old Man, Three Sisters Peak, and Helong Park. After our lunch at the local restaurant, we return to our hotel.

After breakfast, we set off towards the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Known as a natural open-air museum, our first stop in this fascinating canyon will be the world's highest and longest glass-bottom bridge. We will try walking on this bridge connecting two cliffs. The bridge is 6 meters wide, 360 meters high, and 430 meters long. This impressive experience will provide moments full of adrenaline! After our tour, we depart for the ancient town of Furong, which draws attention with its historical texture. Built on cliffs, with traditional wooden houses, stone streets, and an impressive waterfall flowing through the city, Furong is one of the most characteristic settlements of the region. During our walk in the ancient town, we both observe local life and closely experience this historical atmosphere intertwined with nature. In the afternoon, we transfer to Fenghuang, known as China's most romantic and beautiful ancient town. We have our dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, we start our tour of the ancient town of Fenghuang. In this fascinating town, we will see traditional wooden houses, bridges, and old city walls reflecting the Miao and Tujia cultures. Afterwards, with the boat tour we will take, we will have the opportunity to see the magnificent landscapes of the region up close. After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to Zhangjiajie. Overnight stay at our hotel in Zhangjiajie.

After breakfast, we transfer to the train station and depart for Chongqing by high-speed train. After our arrival in Chongqing, we begin exploring the city's most well-known spots. First, we visit the Hongya Cave area, which has become one of the symbols of Chongqing with its traditional architecture, layered wooden structures, and night lighting. Then, we take a pleasant walk in the Ciqikou Ancient Village, which stands out with its historical texture and streets reflecting local life. Later in the day, we experience Chongqing's traditional and modern faces together by seeing the CBD area, which reflects modern skyscrapers, shopping areas, and city life. In the afternoon, we transfer to our ship for our 4-day 3-night cruise journey on the Yangtze River. We complete our boarding and cabin settlement procedures. Throughout our journey on the Yangtze, China's longest river, we will have the opportunity to discover river views, rising mountains around, and the natural beauties of the region in the comfort of our ship. In the evening hours, we attend the cruise briefing meeting to be held by the ship staff. Afterwards, our ship departs from Chongqing and our journey on the Yangtze River begins. We have our dinner on the cruise ship. Overnight stay on the Yangtze River cruise ship.

In the early morning, guests who wish can participate in the morning coffee and Tai Chi exercise to be organized depending on the ship's activity schedule. Afterwards, we have our open buffet breakfast on our ship. Following breakfast, we carry out our Fengdu Ghost City tour. Associated with life after death in Chinese mythology and traditional beliefs, Fengdu is one of the most striking cultural stops on the Yangtze River with its temples, statues, and legends told for centuries. Here, we find the opportunity to closely get to know the beliefs regarding the underworld and the journey of souls in Chinese culture. After our tour, we return to our ship and have our open buffet lunch. In the afternoon, we participate in the Captain's Welcome Party to be held on our ship. We have our open buffet dinner after the Captain's Welcome Party. Overnight stay on the Yangtze River cruise ship.

We have our open buffet breakfast on our ship in the morning. After breakfast, our ship reaches the world-famous Three Gorges region of the Yangtze River. First, we proceed along the Qutang Gorge. Being one of the shortest yet most impressive sections of the Three Gorges, Qutang Gorge offers one of the most special moments of our journey with its steep cliffs rising on both sides of the river, narrow passages, and magnificent mountain views. After the open buffet lunch we will have on our ship, we continue our journey along the Wu Gorge. Wu Gorge, with its mountains rising through the mists, lush green slopes, and impressive nature surrounding the Yangtze River, is considered one of the most beautiful river landscapes in China. In the afternoon, we carry out our Shennong Stream tour. As we progress among steep cliffs, narrow valleys, and lush green mountains with small boats, we discover the untouched natural beauties of the region. Throughout the tour, we find the opportunity to closely get to know ancient hanging coffins, traditional settlement traces, and the unique culture of the Tujia people. After our tour, we return to our ship and continue our navigation on the Yangtze River. After our tour, we return to our ship and have our open buffet dinner. Overnight stay on the Yangtze River cruise ship.

In the early morning, we perform our check-out procedures from our cabins and have our open buffet breakfast. After breakfast, we leave our ship at Maoping Pier and carry out our Three Gorges Dam tour. Located on the Yangtze River, the Three Gorges Dam is considered one of the biggest symbols of China's modernization process, not only being one of the world's most important hydroelectric energy projects but also one of the most striking structures of China's modern engineering history. Here, we see up close the impressive structure of the dam and its strategic importance on the Yangtze River. After our Three Gorges Dam visit, we depart for Yichang. Continuing our tour, we visit the Yichang Museum to get to know the history, cultural heritage of the region, and life around the Yangtze River more closely. Afterwards, we give free time at the Wanda Shopping Mall, offering our guests the opportunity to shop, rest, and observe local city life. After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to the airport to fly to Shanghai in the evening hours. After our arrival in Shanghai, we transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we start our Shanghai city tour. Within the scope of our tour, we visit Yu Garden, one of the finest examples of classical Chinese gardening. Bearing traces from the Ming Dynasty period, this elegant garden is one of the special points reflecting the historical atmosphere of Shanghai with its traditional pavilions, stone decorations, small ponds, and balanced landscape layout. Afterwards, we give free time in the Cheng Huang Miao Bazaar located around Yu Garden. With its structures having traditional Chinese architecture, souvenir shops, tea houses, and local flavors, this region is one of the most lively and colorful spots in Shanghai. Continuing our tour, we visit the silk workshop to closely get to know China's silk production tradition, which has been world-famous for centuries. After getting information about the production process extending from cocoon to fabric, we move to the Bund region extending along the Huangpu River. With its European-style historical buildings and the modern Pudong skyline rising on the opposite shore, the Bund is one of the most impressive regions bringing Shanghai's past and future together in the same view. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to explore Shanghai's historical and modern face. After a long day, we return to our hotel to rest.

Free time until our flight time after breakfast. At noon, we perform our check-out procedures from the hotel. Afterwards, we move to Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai's liveliest shopping streets. With its modern stores, illuminated signs, crowded atmosphere, and structure reflecting city life, this street is one of the ideal spots to feel the energy of Shanghai. Afterwards, we give free time for shopping at AP Plaza. In this region, which stands out with souvenirs, textile products, accessories, and local shopping options, our guests will find the opportunity to do their last shopping. After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to the airport in the late afternoon. After our check-in, passport, and baggage procedures, our return journey to Istanbul begins with Turkish Airlines flight TK27.

With our arrival in Istanbul, we come to the end of our tour.