BEIJING AND SHANGHAI – HISTORY AND DYNAMICS

Flight to Beijing After your guide meets you at the airport, you will head to the beautiful "Jingshan Park" (included in the price). The park is located at the top of the "Jing Shan" hill, the establishment of which began in 1416. At the same place they started to pile earth excavated during the construction of the Imperial Palace. From the top of the hill, you can see a spectacular panorama of the Forbidden City and Beijing. Overnight in Beijing area.

Beijing Breakfast. Free time or full-day excursion in the capital of China (package "Additional excursions"). Tiananmen Square is one of the most impressive squares in the world, located in the center of Beijing and accommodating over one million people. The square is named after the Tiananmen Gate (translated as the Gate of Heavenly Tranquility) built in the northern part of the square, which separates it from the Forbidden City. The mausoleum of the prominent Chinese politician Mao Zedong is located here. Next, visit the Forbidden City, where you will be impressed by the halls and gardens of the largest ancient palace structure in the world. This is the best preserved imperial palace in China and a place of great historical significance (closed every Monday). The city gets its name because the palace complex was inaccessible to ordinary Chinese. Anyone caught invading the Forbidden City without permission was subject to severe punishment, including execution. The exclusivity of the Forbidden City was meant to emphasize the divine and supreme status of the emperor as the son of heaven. The Temple of Heaven is a Taoist complex consisting of temple buildings. It is located on a marble terrace in the south of Beijing in Tiantian Park. Built on three floors surmounted by conical roofs made of over 50,000 dark blue glazed tiles, it is the best-preserved architectural monument of the Ming Dynasty. Emperors came here to pray to the gods for mercy and for a good harvest. The ceremony of worshipping heaven was the most special activity of the Ming and Qing emperors, something that ordinary people were not allowed to perform. Overnight in the Beijing area.

Beijing Breakfast. Free time or visit the Great Wall (optional excursions package). Juyongguan is one of the three most famous routes on the Great Wall, along with Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan. Located 75 km northwest of Beijing, it passes through unique mountainous scenery. Juyongguan was built in 770-475 BC and has a length of 2,484 miles. The climb to the top is incredible. This part of the wall consists of 14 tall and steep watchtowers that provide a magnificent view of the hills. On the way back, you will head to Olympia Park and the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird's Nest for its futuristic design - one of the most imposing structures in China, photo break opportunity. Overnight in the Beijing area.

Beijing Breakfast. Free time or visit the Summer Palace and Lama Temple "Yonghe Temple" (package "Additional excursions"). The buildings and courtyards of the Summer Palace are beautifully decorated and loaded with lots of history. On its grounds is the best preserved and largest imperial garden existing in China. You will take a boat trip to the Hill of Longevity (available on site). Next, visit the Yonghe Temple or Lama Temple, one of the most colorful and lively temples in Beijing. It is famous for its curved roofs, fabulous murals, magnificent decorative arches, tapestries, mirrors and tantric statues mingling in thick clouds of incense. It is the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet, having been built as a mansion for Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty when he was a prince. Return to the hotel, and for those who have the included (Dinner Package) they are to try the superb Peking Roast Duck. Overnight in the Beijing area.

Beijing - Shanghai Breakfast. Check out and transfer to the station. Departure by high-speed train to Shanghai. Moving at an average speed of 350 km/h, the Fuxing high-speed train is one of the fastest in the world. Arrive in Shanghai, the largest city in China and one of the most cosmopolitan places in the world. Located on the delta of the r. The city is often referred to as the "Paris of the East" or the "Pearl of the East". You'll stroll along the impressive Bund waterfront, a symbol of Shanghai's colonial past, as well as Nanjing Commercial Boulevard (included) Overnight in the Shanghai area.

Shanghai Breakfast. Free time or full-day excursion in Shanghai (package "Additional excursions"). First, you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple. This is a popular Buddhist shrine in the northwest of the actual city of Shanghai, famous for its amazing white, jade Buddha statue. Next, visit the Yu Yuan Garden (closed every Monday), which is located in the old city center. Built 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, possessing its characteristic architectural style. In the afternoon you will visit the former French Concession in Old Town, once famous for its gambling houses and opium smoking rooms. In the evening you can enjoy an acrobatic show (available on site) Overnight in Shanghai area.

Shanghai - Suzhou Breakfast. Free time or full-day excursion to Suzhou (package "Additional excursions"). Suzhou is known as the Venice of China because of the many beautiful canals that cut through it. Famous for its Southern Chinese-style gardens - the most impressive and exquisite are the "Lord of the Nets" and "Lion Grove", which change with a new landscape at every turn in the road and offer the perfect combination of rocks, water and greenery. Later, you will visit Shantang Antique Street, an ancient trading street along the Shantang River in northwestern Suzhou. It boasts a 1,000-year history, built during the Tang dynasty Bai Zhui. Ancient bridges span the river channels, and in the evening red street lamps reflect in the river, creating picturesque landscapes.

Shanghai Breakfast. You will have free time or visit Shanghai World Financial Center (available on site). You can take the elevator directly to the 100th floor, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai along the Huangpu River. Transfer to the airport.

Flight to Bulgaria Return flight to Sofia.