China Tour – from cosmopolitan Shanghai to Beijing’s centuries-old history

27.10.2024/ ISTANBUL - SHANGHAI / Dinner
Flight from Istanbul at 01:30 and landing in Shanghai at 16:45. Welcome by a representative of the partner company. Dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer and accommodation at 5* China Grain Hotel or similar. Overnight.

28.10.2024/ SHANGHAI / Breakfast and dinner
Breakfast. We start our tour with the Yuyuan Gardens - there are many picturesque courtyards decorated with baroque rockeries, pools, and plants that are all connected by corridors and passageways. A tea ceremony follows in the programme here. A visit to the Silk Factory follows. We will visit Jing Mao, one of the tallest skyscrapers in Asia. We will visit the French Concession, which was established on April 6, 1849. Shopping along Nanjing Road - starting from the artificial pier (the Bund) in the center of Shanghai and continuing westward. In the middle of it is the peaceful People's Square. Known for its vibrancy and modernization, Nanjing Road is earning its reputation as "China's First Shopping Boulevard," which is the best place to shop, just like Fifth Avenue in New York and the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Some of Shanghai's traditional food and handicrafts can be found here. The walk along this boulevard ends at the Bund, a famous waterfront district and the city's most famous landmark. The word "Bund" is of Anglo-Indian origin and means embankment on the front line. This is also the most popular place to enjoy the evening view of the city. Dinner in a western restaurant with pizza. Additional excursion: acrobatic show (50 euro/98 BGN). Overnight.

29.10.2024/ SHANGHAI - XIAN / Breakfast and dinner
Breakfast. Hotel check-out. Visit the Temple of the Jade Buddha. Its name comes from the two white jade Buddhas. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the seated jade Buddha statues are translucent with a solemn expression, showing the excellent skill and extraordinary artistry of the Chinese people. Shanghai - Xi'an flight. Accommodation at 4* Mercure Xian Dayan Pagoda Hotel or similar. Dinner. Overnight.

30.10.2024/ SIYAN / Breakfast and dinner
Breakfast. Xi'an is one of China's oldest cities and is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals, having been the capital (under various names) under the rule of some of the most important dynasties such as the Zhou, Qing, Han, Sui and Tang. We will see the well-preserved old city walls (UNESCO) - dating back to 124 AD. BC. Today the tour starts with a visit to one of the New Wonders of the World - the Terracotta Army Tomb (UNESCO). The construction of the unique army of over 7,000 figures lined up for march began in 246 and lasted 36 years. This unique creation of human thought remained hidden underground for centuries when it was accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. We will also visit the Museum of the Terracotta Army. In the afternoon we drive back into town to visit the Bell and Drum Tower Square, one built in the 14th century and basically fulfilling the role of marking the start of the day for the townspeople, the other built in 1380 with the opposite purpose of marking the end of the day beating the drum, hence its name. We will also visit the adjacent commercial street Muslim street, which is lined with fast food restaurants. The Tang Dynasty Dinner Dance show at the Tang Palace Theatre. Overnight.

31.10.2024/ SIYAN - BEIJING / Breakfast and dinner
Breakfast. Hotel check-out. We visit the Great Pagoda of the Great Goose, a repository of precious Buddhist manuscripts, and the ever-bright Tang Dynasty Square. Transfer to the railway station and depart by high-speed train to Beijing at 14:26. Arrive in Beijing at 18:37 ( times subject to reconfirmation ). Dinner - Peking roast duck at Da Ya Li (Big Pearl) restaurant. Transfer and accommodation at 4* Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel or similar. Overnight.

01.11.2024/ Beijing/ Breakfast and dinner
Breakfast. Visit the Great Wall of China (UNESCO) - one of the wonders of the world and a symbol of China. Like the tail of a giant dragon 8 metres high, it winds through mountains, valleys and forests for more than 9,000 kilometres. This unique architectural creation, which is clearly visible from space, is an unmistakable testament to the greatness of ancient China. The Great Wall of China is the symbol of China and the wisdom of the Chinese people. It is unbelievable how the Chinese managed to build such a great architecture with simple tools in ancient times. Near the Wall - an opportunity for professional photos in imperial dress.
Next, visit the Jade Factory and stop for a short photo break at Beijing Olympic Park, where you can see the outside of the National Bird's Nest Stadium (shaped like a bird's nest) and the National Water Cube Swimming Center, where the 2008 Olympic Games were held. Dinner at the Rose Garden BBQ buffet restaurant.
Visit the spectacular show "The Dynasty of the Golden Mask" - a stunning combination of water, light, music and dance. Overnight.

02.11.2024/ Beijing / Breakfast and dinner
Breakfast. A day for Beijing, a city with over three thousand years of history and the administrative centre of China for more than 850 years. Visit the world's largest open square - Tian an Meng (Square of Heavenly Peace), where one of the important sights is the famous mausoleum of the prominent Chinese politician Mao Zedong. Next, visit the Forbidden City, also known as the Gugong Winter Imperial Palace, where the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled the country for almost 400 years. With its 980 buildings and 9,999 rooms, the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour continues with a visit to the Summer Palace, one of the most impressive and grandest palaces in the world, with the largest and best maintained park in China, famous for its gardens and lakes. Dinner in a restaurant. Transfer to the airport.

03.11.2024/ BEIJING - ISTANBUL - SOFIA
Flight Beijing - Istanbul at 00:50. Arrival in Istanbul at 06:23. Flight to Sofia at 08:45h and landing at Sofia airport at 09:00h.