Side Trips from Beijing to Shandong & Shanghai

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing, Arrival

  When your flight lands in Beijing, your local guide will welcome you and escort you to your hotel. If you want, spend the rest of the day doing a short exploration on your own.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Beijing, Forbidden City

  In the morning, head for Tiananmen Square, which is surrounded by traditional communist era massive buildings. Continue your tour to the Forbidden City, which used to be the emperor's home for around 600 years. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, and then stroll through the hutongs. Here, you will also enjoy painting facial make-up of Peking Opera on a paper mask.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Beijing, Temple of Heaven & Great Wall

  Head to the Temple of Heaven to see or join the locals to do morning exercise, and then drive 1.5 hours to the magnificent Great Wall (Mutianyu section, including round-trip cable car). The panoramic views from the top will amaze you.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Summer Palace, High-speed Train to Tai'an

  In the morning, escape from the busy city to the quiet Summer Palace, where you can enjoy a 15-minute boat ride on Kunming Lake. Followed by a pearl store and then head to the railway station for your high-speed train to Tai'an City. On arrival, be met and escorted to the hotel via a private transfer.

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  • Tai'an

• Day 5: Tai'an, Mount Tai

  Today, you will visit the famous Dai Temple, the largest and most complete ancient building complex located on the foot of Mount Tai. Later, continue to Mount Tai to feel its historical and cultural significance, including Puzhao Temple and Bixia Temple. Before driving to the hotel, stand on the top of the mountain to immerse yourself in the wonderful landscape (cable car is available).

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  • Tai'an

• Day 6: Drive to Qufu, High-speed Train to Shanghai

  After breakfast, your guide will drive you to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius. After arriving, the Family Kong's Mansion is your first stop, which will show you the Confucian principle of order and hierarchy from the spatial distribution of these buildings. Later, pay a visit to the Temple of Confucius that was used to worship and offer sacrifice to Confucius. The Cemetery of Confucius is your last stop. Among these tombs, the original one was erected here in memory of Confucius on the bank of the Sishui River.

  After that, be transferred to the railway station for your high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon your arrival in Shanghai, your local guide will welcome you and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 7: Shanghai, City Highlights

  In the morning, explore the metropolis of Shanghai from Yu Garden, one of the best combinations of ancient Chinese buildings and natural scenery. Outside the garden is a bustling market named Yuyuan Market. After visiting a silk workshop, you will ascend to the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center for a panoramic view of the city.

  Later, walk around the former French Concession with beautiful French style villas, a variety of cafes and antique stores. Finally, finish the tour with a relaxing stroll along the Bund.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 8: Shanghai, Departure

  Today, you will enjoy some leisure time until your guide transfers you to the airport for your flight back home.

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