Comprehensive Ancient China Route Tour

We meet at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, and after ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures, we depart for Beijing with a scheduled flight of Turkish Airlines. Following our arrival in Shanghai in the evening, we transfer to our hotel to rest. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we depart for the Great Wall & Summer Palace Tour with Lunch. Our first stop on the tour is the Great Wall, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and whose construction began in 220 BC to prevent invasions by Central Asian Turks from the north. After visiting the Great Wall, we will have our lunch and visit the magnificent Summer Palace located on the shores of Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace is the best-preserved imperial garden and palace complex in China, located northwest of Beijing. The history of the palace dates back to the Jin Dynasty in the 12th century, but its current form was shaped by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. The emperor had this place built to escape the intense atmosphere of the main palace and to rest in touch with nature. The palace was damaged during the second opium war in 1860, and then restored by Cixi with funds allocated from the state's navy budget. Although it is known as a controversial anecdote, the current elegance of the palace is the work of the detailed restorations made at that time. Afterward, we will see the Beijing Olympic Stadium, which is likened to a bird's nest, from the outside and transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we depart for the Grand Beijing Tour with Lunch. We will visit Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong declared the People's Republic of China and which is remembered for the protests that shook the world in 1989. This area, which is one of the largest city squares in the world, is one of the important symbols of China. Important buildings such as the Monument to the People's Heroes, Mao Zedong Mausoleum, the Parliament Building, and the National Museum are located around the square. After our square visit, we depart for our "Forbidden City" trip. This magnificent imperial palace, located in the center of Beijing, was the home of Chinese emperors for about 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most magnificent examples of traditional Chinese architecture. This giant complex, consisting of approximately 980 buildings and more than 8,000 rooms, is a symbol of the power of the Chinese empire with its red walls, golden-roofed halls, stone courtyards, and elegant gardens. After our Forbidden City trip, we depart for our Temple of Heaven tour. The Temple of Heaven, a sacred temple where emperors prayed to the god of heaven for a good harvest during the Ming and Qing dynasties, was designed in accordance with the "heaven is round, earth is square" understanding according to the Chinese cosmological belief system. Circular structures decorated with blue tiles, wood carvings, and large green areas offer a fascinating atmosphere to its visitors. After our trip, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we transfer to Luoyang by high-speed train (transfer will be by plane or train depending on availability). After our arrival, we will visit the Longmen Grottoes. The Longmen Grottoes, a magnificent archaeological complex consisting of thousands of Buddha statues, niches, and temples carved into the rocks along the Yi River, are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The construction of this structure began in the 5th century and reached its peak during the Tang dynasty. As a result of this giant project that lasted for 1,400 years, more than 100,000 Buddha statues, more than 2,000 niches, more than 60 Pagodas, and 2,800 inscriptions were created. After our visit, we transfer to Dengfeng. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we depart for the Ancient Shaolin Temple (130 USD) Tour with Lunch. Located at the foot of Mount Song and one of the most famous temples of Chinese Buddhism, this temple, built in the 5th century, is known not only as a religious center but also as the birthplace of Kung Fu. Founded 1500 years ago during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the temple soon became one of the most important temples of Buddhism. Over the centuries, monks developed a special system combining meditation and physical endurance, making martial arts a part of a spiritual discipline. The temple also houses sacred structures such as the Mahavira Hall and the Bronze Statue Hall. In addition, there is a Pagoda Forest in the back containing more than 240 specially constructed stones. Each of these stones is the grave of a monk, and each stone was erected in the name of an important monk who lived here. Today, the Shaolin temple is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list and reveals the depth of Chinese culture. After our trip, we go to Luoyang to transfer to Xi'An. Upon our arrival in Luoyang, we arrive in Xi'An by high-speed train and move to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we depart for the Terra Cotta Museum & Muslim Quarter tour with Lunch. We will visit the "Underground Sculpture Army" museum, known as the Terra Cotta Warriors, one of the most important archaeological excavations unearthed in the 20th century, built to protect the tomb of Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Discovered by chance by a farmer in 1974, this army is home to 8,000 "Terra Cotta," meaning "Baked Earth," soldiers, each with a different facial expression and stance. These statues were prepared as a "spirit army" in the belief that they would protect the emperor even after his death. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to see the power of the Emperor and the level of craftsmanship he possessed in his period. After our trip, we return to Xi'An. Before transferring to our hotel, we will visit the Muslim Quarter, established by Muslim merchants according to their own traditions and customs. We observe cultural fusion and separation with its lively bazaar, local shops, and restaurants. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel to rest. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, we will take a delightful boat tour on the West Lake, which has become a symbol of love and loyalty with its scenery and legends, such as a love story that took place thousands of years ago. Following our tour, we visit the Longjing Tea Fields, where one of China's most famous green teas is grown. We will learn about the tea-making process and observe the lush green fields. Afterward, we will head to the Hefang Cultural Street. There will be free time in the area where our guests can purchase various handicraft products. Then, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we transfer to Shanghai. The first stop of our tour will be Zhujiajiao, known as the "Water Town of Shanghai" and also referred to as the "Venice of China." In this ancient town, which has managed to preserve its traditional architecture to the present day, we will take a walk through streets and canals dating back 1700 years. We will explore stone bridges, historical houses, and local market areas while feeling the peaceful atmosphere of old China. After our enchanting boat tour on the canals, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we depart for the Grand Shanghai Tour with Lunch. The first stop of our tour is the Yu Garden. A traditional Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, the Yu Garden reflects traditional Chinese architecture with its ponds, stone bridges, and pavilions. While visiting the Yu Garden, we will also have the opportunity to participate in a Tea Ceremony, where we will delve into the depths of Chinese culture. Afterward, we will explore the Cheng Huang Miao area, known for its narrow streets, street food, and handicraft stalls that reflect the atmosphere of old Shanghai. Our next stop on the tour is The Bund, located on the banks of the Huangpu River, which turns into a light show in the evening. Then, we will have free time in Xintiandi, where modern and traditional textures combine, and on Nanjing Road, the most famous shopping street in Shanghai. After our trip, we transfer to Shanghai airport for our flight to Istanbul. After baggage, ticket, and customs procedures, our flight to Istanbul takes place via Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. We spend the night on the plane.

With our arrival at Istanbul Airport in the early hours of the morning, our tour and services come to an end.