6 Days Shanghai & Xian Culture Tour by Flight

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   When arriving to Shanghai airport, you will be greeted by the local driver at arrival hall who will hold a welcome sign with your name and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is on your own disposal.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Shanghai

2. Day 2: Shanghai
   Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, the Bund (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: Our local tour guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby and then start the one day tour with the hundred-year-old Jade Buddha Temple. The temple was built to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. Then move on to visit Yuyuan Garden, a famous classical garden which was originally built for Pan’s parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: At last you will be escorted to take a walk in Nanjing Road to see the earliest and most bustling business street in Shanghai. Then continue to walk to the Bund, one of the best places to see the contrast of old Shanghai and modern Shanghai and also western and oriental buildings.

   Finally, you will be transferred back to the hotel for rest.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Shanghai

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai
   Net Master Garden, Zhouzhuang Water Town (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: Meet your guide at your hotel lobby and then drive to Suzhou, a city renowned for its elegant gardens, stone bridges, its network of rivers and canals. You will visit one of the most famous gardens built in the Ming Dynasty in Suzhou, the Net Master Garden. Although it’s the smallest garden in Suzhou, you will be impressed by its compact layout. Its name means Fisherman’s Garden in Chinese, implying that the owner wanted to leave political life. Your guide will lead you to explore Sedan Chair Hall, Ten Thousand Volumes Hall, Hall of Ascending Cloud, Five Peaks Library, Hall of Mind Concentration, Hall of Viewing Pines and Paintings, etc. one by one.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, drive to the ancient water town – Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water towns in China. It is noted for its breathtaking natural beauty, the profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, and the strong local traditions and customs. One must-visit site is Former Residence of Shen Wansan. Shen Wansan was the richest businessman in Jiangnan during the later Yuan and early Ming dynasty. Your guide will tell you the stories of this legendary person. You can optionally take a boat cruise if interested (cost on your own). After saying goodbye to the water town, you will get back to your Shanghai Hotel.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Shanghai

   

4. Day 4: Shanghai – Xian by Flight
   Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian Museum (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM: In the early morning, you will meet the local driver at your hotel lobby and then board the private car to Shanghai airport to catch the flight to Xian.

   When arrive to Xian, please meet your local guide and driver at the exit of arrival hall of Xian airport. Your first stop in Xian will be Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was originally built to hold Buddhist sutra and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought back from India in Tang Dyansty, 652 A.D. Now there is a big square divided into North Square and South Square, surrounding the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The design of the buidlings and statues is in Tang style, showing people the ever glory of that great time. It’s busier in the evening when many activities with Tang elements held by local amateur.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then pay a visit to Small Wilde Goose Pagoda, which is the twin of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Both the two pagodas are important witnesses for the history of Great Tang Dynasty. Same as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda was also built to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from Ancient India by the master monk Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty. Different from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda attracts visitors with its special charms that it keeps quiet and peaceful in the bustling downtown area, has precious value on architecture and Chinese garden aesthetics. Inside the scenic area you will also visit Xian Museum to learn about the City’s history and layout changes in past.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Xian

   

5. Day 5: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, City Wall, Muslim Quarter (Breakfast + Lunch)

   AM:After hotel pickup you will head to visit Terracotta Warriors and Horses which is known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World” with a surprisingly high level in sculpture. It is located 30 km east of the Xi’an City and the original site was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and history of their owner: First Emperor of Qin who is also the first emperor of China.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, continuing visiting Xian Ancient City Wall which is the most completely preserved and the largest city wall in China. It was built for the military defense in the Ming Dynasty, 1370 A.D. Since it is cycling the Xian city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall which is optional (cost on your own, CNY45p.p).  The last stop today is Muslim Quarter, the best known food street in Xian. You will meet lots of local snacks and specialties. It would be a good chance to record the local food with your camera.

   Accommodation: City center hotel in Xian

   

6. Day 6: Xian Departure

   Our driver will pick you up from your hotel according to your flight time (Usually 3-4 hours in advance). Service ends here.