Classic China with Ningxia Muslim Culture Tour - 15 Days

Stand in the heart of modern China at the world’s largest public square, a site of profound historical significance and grand architectural scale. Walk into or drive through (sedan/minivan) Tian'anmen Square to marvel at its iconic surroundings, including the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.
Constructed from 1406 at the very centre of Beijing, the Palace Museum is more widely known as the Forbidden City. Previously home to 24 different emperors, it is the largest palace complex in the world at approximately 720,000 square metres. Note: Closed on Mondays. In case of closure or ticket unavailability, the itinerary adjusts to Jingshan Park for a premier panoramic view overlooking the entire Forbidden City.
Completed in 1420, the Temple of Heaven is the largest complex of sacrificial buildings in China that still stands to this day. The temple was visited by Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) emperors on an annual basis to pray to the heavens for a good harvest. The subtle employment of acoustic principles used in the construction of the Echo Wall, Triple Sound Stone and Dialogue Stone reflects the advanced architectural technology in use in ancient China.

Good to know: Usually the guide service for a full day tour is about from 9:00 to 17:00, and the evening time is on your own. If needed, your guide is happy to offer some tips or help you buy tickets for evening entertainment.

Ideas for leisure time: If you are interested in Chinese Kung Fu, the Legend of Kung Fu is a good choice for tonight. It is stunning Kung Fu show with a great story line and martial arts skills.

The Great Wall is the largest ancient defensive project ever undertaken in China and even the world. Built continuously over 2,000 years starting in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC), the Great Wall now snakes its way across vast areas of northern and central China and has a total length of more than 20,000 km. The wall is a physical illustration of the Chinese philosophy of defending and tolerating rather than expanding and invading.
This Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) imperial palace and garden (1636-1912) is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Modelled on the West Lake in Hangzhou and borrowing design techniques and artistic ideas from the gardens of Jiangnan south of the Yangtze River, this landscaped park offers the perfect summer retreat.

Ideas for leisure time:

1. Enjoy the Peking Duck dinner at time-honored restaurant - Quanjude or Bianyifang. The duck is characteristic with its crispy skin, tender meat and the fragrance from the fruit-wood.

2. Watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theater or Tiandi Theater.

Unearth the secrets of the world’s most significant archaeological discovery. Face the silent ranks of over 6,000 life-sized warriors, archers, and bronze chariots that have guarded the tomb of China’s First Emperor for over 2,200 years.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark, is a seven-story pagoda initially constructed in 652 AD. One of the pagoda's many functions is to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler - Xuanzang.

Ideas for leisure time: Enjoy a tasteful Dumpling Banquet followed by an exquisite traditional Tang Dynasty Show.

Good to know: If you have an extra day in Xi’an, you could explore the Mount Hua and get impressed of its unique natural beauty. Or to take a day trip to Luoyang by bullet train and visit the Longmen Grottoes, one of the Three Most Famous Buddhist Grottoes in China.

Take morning flight from Xi’an to Yichuan. After lunch, visit the Shuidonggou Ruins and the Yinchuan Ming Great Wall. Shuidonggou Ruins, with a history of 30,000 years, is an archaeological site among the earliest excavated Chinese ruins of Ancient Stone Age. Abundant materials in the late Paleolithic age were found here, such as fossils of animals and stone tools. The Yinchuan Ming Great Wall is less-explored by visitors compared to its counterparts in Beijing. Tourists may admire the landscape of both the Great Wall and the magnificent Helan Mountain in the background.

Visit the Rock Art of the Helan Mountains and Baisikou Twin Pagodas in the morning. Rock Art of the Helan Mountains is a national cultural relic in China. It was created by northern ethnic minorities to record their daily lives and express their pursuit of a better future. Baisikou Twin Pagodas are a pair of pagodas that were built at the east foot of the Helan Mountain about a millennium ago. Earthquakes in the Ming and Qing Dynasties destroyed other buildings in this region. Only the twin pagodas survived.

In the afternoon, visit the Western Xia Imperial Tombs. Western Xia Imperial Tombs are the royal mausoleums of the emperors in the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227). The Tombs represent the Tangut civilization at the largest scale and in the highest rank.

Take the car to the town of Bayanhot, Alxa Left Banner. Visit Dingyuan Fortress in the morning and have lunch near the Fortress. Dingyuan Fortress was completed in 1733. It served as the political, military, and economic center of Alxa Left Banner for over two centuries.

After lunch, take the off-road vehicle to the Moon Lake of Tengger Desert. Moon Lake is located in the hinterland of Tengger Desert. The lake is a beautiful and magic natural freshwater lake with a shape similar to the map of China.

In the morning, head for Qingtongxia City, where you will visit A Hundred and Eight Dagobas and the Yellow River Tower. A Hundred and Eight Dagobas, with a history of about 1,000 years, is an array of one hundred and eight Buddhist stupas on a hillside on the western bank of the Yellow River. Yellow River Tower, standing on the western bank of the Yellow River, was completed in 2012 and now serves as a museum to showcase the Yellow River civilization.

After the tour in Qingtongxia, take the car to Zhongwei and overnight. 

In the morning, head for Jingtai Town. Have lunch at Longwan Village in the Yellow River Stone Forrest. In the afternoon, visit the Yellow River Stone Forrest. Yellow River Stone Forrest is composed of many sand stalagmites and stone pillars in various sizes and shapes. It was formed by the rising of the Earth’s crust.

After the visit, return to Zhongwei by car and overnight.

In the morning, visit the Shapotou Scenic Area in Zhongwei. Shapotou Scenic Area is a government-granted 5A level scenic spot. Here tourists can admire the landscape of desert, the Yellow River, mountains, and oases. This scenic area is not just about sight-seeing. People can slide on the slope, ride camels and experience sitting on the sheepskin raft to cross the Yellow River.

Take the car to Guyuan and overnight.

In the morning, visit the Xumishan Grottoes in Guyuan. Xumishan Grottoes, on the eastern edge of Mount Xumi, are a collection of more than 130 Buddhist cave temples. The grottoes were built between the fifth century and the tenth century.

After lunch, visit the Huoshizhai Geological National Park. Huoshizhai Geological National Park houses the largest Danxia landforms in northern China. Danxia landform is formed from red-colored sandstones and conglomerates of largely Cretaceous age.

Take the car to Yinchuan and overnight.

Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Yu Garden is a classic example of a Jiangnan region garden and the most famous of five classical gardens in Shanghai. The Yu Garden compound consists of more than 30 halls and is divided into six sections by "dragon walls", tall white walls with undulating grey tiled ridges each terminating in a dragon’s head. Next to the garden is Yuyuan Bazaar, a labyrinth of small streets and lanes where you can find a large number of restaurants, tea houses and shops. The most popular restaurants are NanxiangMantou Restaurant, famous for its xiaolongbao, Lubolang Restaurant and Old Shanghai Restaurant.
The Jade Buddha Temple is famous for its two precious jade Buddha statues brought from Burma, which are not only rare cultural relics but also exquisite artworks.
The Shanghai Museum has a collection of 120,000 pieces of Chinese ancient treasures. Optional tour: Top of the Pyramid - The Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization is on display from July 19th, 2024 to August 17th, 2025.
One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and the pride of Shanghai for over one hundred years, the Bund is a mile-long stretch of waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River. On the west side of the road stand 52 buildings of various architectural styles, including Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical styles. It is often called an outdoor museum of buildings.

Ideas for leisure time:

1. Acrobatic Shows in Shanghai are known as the best in China. You can never imagine how exciting the show is.

2. Or you could take a Huangpu River Night Cruise which is the perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous night view of Shanghai.