Day 1 Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Beijing Hutong

09:00: Commence your day tour by meeting your friendly tour guide in the hotel lobby.

09:30: Your first sight would be Tiananmen Square, also called the Gate of Heavenly Peace. There is not much to see in the square itself, except that it’s the largest inner city square in the world. You are here because of several significant historic events that occurred here, the most important of which was Chairman Mao proudly announcing the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Following your guide, you will learn about the other significant events that took place here.

10:30 - 13:00: Bordering Tiananmen Square is the Forbidden City, the main sight of the day. It served as the home for imperial families for over 500 years and has survived both natural disasters and the artificial damages. Being the largest and best preserved palace compound in the world, it has symbolized the imperial power, simply because common people are prohibited access. Now, it’s more like a cultural symbol, telling the old stories.

13:00 - 14:00: Enjoy a local Beijing lunch at your own expense.

14:20 - 15:00: Filled with energy, you will set out for Jingshan Park which is also one of the Imperial Parks of old times. Nowadays, it’s just a place where local people enjoy their leisure time. The park presents a commanding view of the whole Forbidden City and if you happen to visit on an autumn day, the red maple forest presents a splendid scene fit for royalty.

15:30 - 17:00 p.m: Stroll in the old Beijing Hutongs where old Beijingers live. A few decades ago, almost all people in Beiijng lived in Siheyuan in Hutongs. There may be a couple of families in one yard who have been living together for a long time and they know each other well. You can imagine the hustle and bustle of old times. Nowadays, there are still some people living there, but  most Hutongs are vacant. You may be interested in joining some groups for activities like opera mask making, paper cutting, rickshaw riding, kite flying, calligraphy or learning to paint.

17:00p.m: Hotel drop-off at the end of your tour.




    

Day 2 Mutianyu Great Wall, Summer Palace

07:30 a.m: Start your day tour by meeting the tour guide in the hotel lobby.

09:00 - 12:00 p.m: Time to walk along the top of the Mutianyu Great Wall which has only recently become popular and attracts more visitors every day. Take a cable car up and enjoy the most breathtaking views. Walk along the Great Wall, while learning about the history and function of the towers and parapets. After walking for about 1-2 hours, take a thrilling toboggan ride down.

12:00 - 13:00: Enjoy an authentic rural lunch at one of the many local farms at the foot of the Great Wall.

14:30 - 16:00 p.m: After lunch, you will set out for the Summer Palace. It was a summer resort for royal families to escape from the heat in the capital. Like other palaces in Beijing, there are man-made hills, artificial lakes, bridges, pavilions, trees and beautiful gardens with various flowers blooming every season. If time permits, we recommend you take a boat ride on the lake. (This is an extra charge for your own account).

16:30 p.m:  Transfer back to your hotel.




    

Day 3 Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, head for Zhangjiajie

09:00 a.m: Meet your local guide and set off for the day tour.

09:30- 11:00 a.m: Head for the Temple of Heaven. Ringed by the lush vegetation, the Temple of Heaven was a sacred place where the ancient emperors prayed for a good harvest and offered sacrifices. The temple itself was built entirely of wood with no nails, which is a unique architectural achievement originating from China. Comprised of two parts, a rectangular foundation and a semi-circular top, the Temple represents the typical  Chinese concept of a circular heaven and rectangular ground. Nowadays, the grounds are a public park where you can see local people doing their morning exercise.

11:00 - 12:30: Visit the Yonghe Palace (Lama Temple) situated in northeast Beijing. Originally built as a palace for the fourth prince Yong by the Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, it became an Emperor’s Palace after the prince ascended the throne. During the rule of Emperor Qianlong (Emperor Yongzheng’s son), the palace was changed into a Buddhist temple, also called the Lama Temple with the objective of showing kindness to southwest minority groups such as the people of Tibet.

12:50 - 14:00: Have lunch in a local restaurant under the guidance of your tour guide.

14:00 - 15:30:  Head for the Confucius Temple. As we all know Confucius was one of the greatest philosophers and ideologists in China. His philosophy has dominated Chinese people’s lives for centuries and continues to this day. This temple was built during the Yuan Dynasty (1306) and it became a place for people to worship Confucius. Here, you can still see the sacrificial vessels and musical instruments placed in position as the ancient people would place them. You may imagine the grand scenes of sacrificial rituals in the old times. In other pavilions, there are hundreds of priceless steles, which played an important role in the study of Imperial Examination System of China.

16:30: Drop-off at the Beijing airport for transfer to Zhangjiajie on flight CA1359, 18:55 - 21:40.

21:40: Your Zhangjiajie driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival holding a sign with your name. You will be transferred to your Zhangjiajie hotel. We strongly suggest you book a hotel in Wulingyuan area.




    

Day 4 Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Golden Whip Stream, Ten-mile Gallery, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve

09:00: Meet your tour guide at your hotel lobby and head for the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area.

09:30 - 11:00: Visit Yuanjiajie National Forest Park. As part of the first forest park (Zhangjiajie Forest Park) in China, Yuanjiajie is geographically located within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Adjacent to the Golden Whip Stream, it is bordered by the Suoxiyu Nature Reserve to the east, the Yaozizhai Scenic area to the south, the Huangshizhai Village to the, west and the Tianzi Mountain to the north and spans an area of about 1,200 km2. With the guidance of your tour guide, you will discover a lot of hidden natural beauties.

11:00-12:00: You will see the Golden Whip Stream. Narrowed by the towering peaks, the Golden Whip Stream flows quietly. Walking along the stream is like wandering in a picture. On either side large rock formations create a fascinating landscape and towering up into the sky you will see the Golden Whip Stone. Clusters of wild monkeys jump here and there over the formations and have no fear of humans, instead sometimes they may beg for food!

12:00 - 13:00: Lunch will be arranged at your own cost, your tour guide will give you some recommendations.

13:00 - 14:30: After lunch, you will leave for the Ten-mile Gallery. The name comes from the fact that this scenic area offers so many diversified views that it is just like wandering in a gallery. Like any other natural scenic area, many of the mountains, peaks and stones here are personalized and have their own stories. A small train in site offers the option of sightseeing without walking which can save a lot of time and energy. You are most welcome to try!

14:50 - 17:00: You will continue on to the Tianzi Mountain. It’s said that a leader named Xiang Dakun in Song Dynasty led a peasant uprising here and he called himself Tianzi. That’s why the mountain is named Tianzi Mountain. You may feel concerned about climbing mountains, but Tianzi Mountain offers many breaks by providing rich natural views spread along the way. You will be amazed by the natural landscape here.

17:00: Your tour today comes to an end and you will be transferred back to your hotel.




    

Day 5 Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with the Glass Bridge, Boat ride on Baofeng Lake. Airport transfer to

09:00: Meet your tour guide to start the day of the most breathtaking tour.

09:30 - 12:30: First, you will head for the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Like many other sites in Zhangjiajie, the grand Canyon is filled with natural views. You will continue to immerse yourselves in the nature. The next stop the magnificent glass bridge connecting two mountains. You will have a chance to walk along the bridge. Despite the many tourists walking on the bridge taking photos or viewing the distant mountains, you will probably feel terrified if you suffer from acrophobia. The secret is not to look downward.

12:30 - 13:30: Lunch will be served at your own cost after visiting the bridge.

14:10 - 16:30: After lunch, you will enjoy a boat ride on Baofeng Lake. A few years ago, this place was a deep canyon. The local people established a 72-meter-high reservoir to reserve water for irrigation and an unexpectedly beautiful lake was created. You will take the boat to enjoy the lake. Surrounded by the mountains, you will hear the sound of rushing water before you could see the waterfall. Then suddenly, a song will begin. The folk song of a local girl of Tu nationality singing to welcome you. Then, you will hear a male voice echoing her singing. Your tour guide will share many stories of the Tu People with you.

17:00: In the evening, you will be dropped off at your Zhangjiajie hotel or any other place you request.