9 Days Beijing Shandong Tour (INSD0801)

Fly to Beijing, the capital of China.

You will be greeted by our Beijing tour guide and transferred to check in at your luxurious hotel where you are at your leisure to relax and enjoy the evening.

In the morning, you will sight-see in Tiananmen Square, which is the largest public square in the world, and then the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.

Later stop is at a Pearl Factory to gain a little knowledge of fresh pearls. In the afternoon, visit Summer Palace, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world and is definitely the focal point of China.

You will hike along the Great Wall (Juyongguan Pass), before stopping at a Jade Museum to learn the history of Jade. In Chinese, jade is pronounced ‘Yu’, and it has a history in China of at least 4,000 years.

Later, visit Traditional Chinese Medicine Center.

In the morning you will transfer to the train station for a high-speed train to Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province.

The history of Jinan can be traced back to more than 5,000 years ago. You will visit Baotu Spring, a culturally significant artesian karst spring. It was declared the “Number One Spring under Heaven” by the Qianlong Emperor during the Qing dynasty.

Then visit the Black Tiger Spring, ranked the second-most significant among the 72 named springs in Jinan (after the Baotu Spring).

Later tour Daming Lake, the largest lake in the city and one of city’s main natural and cultural landmarks. Enjoy the picturesque scenery.

After breakfast, take a coach to Taian.

Tai’an is located at the southern foot of Mount Tai. Mount Tai is known as the eastern of the Five Great Mountains of China. It is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, and is often regarded the foremost of the five.

It may take 1.5 hours to hike to the top of the Mt. Taishan (or you may take the optional one-way cable car to South Heavenly Gate at your own cost: $30/person).

On the top, visit South Heavenly Gate, Heavenly Street, Jade Emperor Peak, Inscription on the Cliff, Sun Rising Peak and more.

Later you will return to the hotel in Taian.

In the morning, drive to Qufu, best known as the hometown of Confucius.

The city contains numerous historic palaces, temples and cemeteries. You will visit the three most famous cultural sites of the city, collectively known as San Kong, i.e. “The Three Confucian,” the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion.

Formed during the Han Dynasty, Taierzhuang began its ascendance during the Yuan Dynasty before its blossoming during the Ming and the Qing Dynasty.

The ancient city is referred to as the living history of the canal culture and the museum of traditional Chinese dwellings, featuring 8 architectural styles and 72 temples. The only remaining 3 kilometers of the Grand Canal became known as the “living history of the ancient canal.” In this ancient water town there are 18 pools and 15 kilometers of waterways where boats travel across the town.

Our tour guide and driver will see you off at the airport after breakfast. Finish your spectacular China tour today.