Civilisation Beyond Time: China (GüldenZivane Group)

Day 1 — Istanbul - Beijing

Following our meeting at Istanbul Airport at 13:00 and the completion of baggage and passport control procedures, departure for Beijing at 16:00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 196. Overnight on board.

Day 2 — Beijing

Breakfast included

Following our arrival at 05:50 local time, we begin our panoramic city tour in our private vehicle waiting at the airport. At Tiananmen Square, we will closely observe one of the world's largest squares and an important historical and political symbol of China. Surrounded by monumental architecture and national institutions, the square offers a vast open space reflecting the scale and symbolism of Beijing's imperial and modern identity. Afterwards, our tour will continue to the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and one of the world's most significant cultural heritage sites. As you pass through its grand gates, courtyards, and meticulously preserved halls, you will gain insights into centuries of imperial history, traditional Chinese architecture, and palace life. Following our visit to the Forbidden City, departure for Wangfujing Street, one of Beijing's most famous commercial districts. The street is known for a blend of modern shopping malls, traditional snacks, and a vibrant urban atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll and casual dining after a day of travel and sightseeing. Following the tour, we proceed to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, departure for our hotel. Following check-in to our rooms, free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 3 — Beijing

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at the time designated by our guide and set off for our tour. During the journey, you will experience a gradual transition from the modern city skyline to suburban landscapes and distant mountain ranges. After an enjoyable journey, arrival at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall of China, one of Ancient China's most strategically important mountain passes. Known as the "Jade Pass", this section is surrounded by steep valleys and fortifications that once protected the capital region. You will walk along restored stone pathways and enjoy panoramic views of the Great Wall stretching across the mountains, while your guide explains its military importance during the Ming Dynasty, including its role in defending against attacks. Following our Great Wall visit, departure for a local restaurant to have our lunch, followed by free time after the meal. After our free time, we depart Juyongguan and head towards the Summer Palace in north-west Beijing. As China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden and a masterpiece of classical landscape design, the Summer Palace combines imperial architecture with natural scenery set around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. You will walk along the Long Corridor adorned with thousands of traditional paintings and explore key highlights such as the Marble Boat and Seventeen-Arch Bridge. Your guide will share stories of Empress Dowager Cixi and the palace's role as a summer retreat for the royal family. Following our Summer Palace visit, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 4 — Beijing - Shanghai

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at a time designated by our tour guide and begin our journey to Shanghai. We will make our journey from Beijing to Shanghai by high-speed train. Upon your arrival in Shanghai, our private vehicle will meet us at the railway station. Following the transfer to our hotel, we arrive and collect our room keys. Free time after settling into our rooms. Following your free time, we meet in the lobby at a time designated by our guide and begin exploring the city of Shanghai. During our tour, we will head to the Bund, one of Shanghai's most iconic waterfront areas along the Huangpu River. At the Bund, we will enjoy a walk along the promenade lined with historic colonial-era buildings on one side of the river, while the modern skyline of Lujiazui rises dramatically on the opposite bank. The illuminated skyscrapers as night falls create a magnificent cityscape offering one of Asia's most recognisable night views. You can take time to photograph landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower from across the river, or simply enjoy the vibrant waterfront atmosphere. Following dinner at a local restaurant in the area, free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 5 — Shanghai

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel, free time. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at the time designated by our guide and begin our second day exploring Shanghai. We start our tour at Yu Garden, a classical private garden of the Ming Dynasty renowned for its elegant design composed of rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and winding corridors that represent traditional Chinese landscape aesthetics. As we stroll through the meticulously arranged grounds where each view is framed like a living painting, we also receive information on history and art from our guide. Following the visit to Yu Garden, free time to explore the surrounding old street area to experience traditional Shanghai architecture and local handicraft shops reflecting the city's historical roots. After our free time, we will head to the City God Temple, a vibrant cultural district clustered around a historic Taoist temple. The temple complex is filled with incense, ornate altars, and traditional rituals reflecting local religious life. The surrounding streets outside the temple are packed with traditional snacks, teahouses, and souvenir shops, offering a lively contrast between spiritual heritage and daily local life. This is also a wonderful opportunity to experience Shanghai-style street food culture in its most authentic setting. Following lunch at a local restaurant, free time. After our free time, departure for the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai's most significant Buddhist temples. The temple is famous for its sacred Buddha statues and peaceful atmosphere that form a strong contrast to the bustling city centre. Following our visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, departure for Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Shanghai's most famous commercial thoroughfare. We will mingle with the crowds along this lively boulevard lined with international brands and historic buildings. Following our tour, free time. After our free time, transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 6 — Shanghai - Zhangjiajie

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at a time designated by our tour guide and depart from our hotel. We will visit Zhujiajiao Water Town, one of the most famous ancient water towns in the Shanghai region. Renowned for its well-preserved canals, stone bridges, and traditional white-walled houses, in Zhujiajiao you will stroll along town streets, explore local courtyards and small traditional shops, and experience the charm of the slow pace of life along the waterways. During your visit, you will also enjoy a private boat tour along the Zhujiajiao canals; a traditional wooden gondola will take you through narrow waterways flanked by ancient residences, arched bridges, and weeping willows. This peaceful boat ride offers a unique perspective on the town and underscores its reputation as the "Venice of Shanghai". Following the Zhujiajiao Water Town experience, departure to a local restaurant for lunch and free time. You may use this free time to stroll around or purchase souvenirs. Following the free time, we return to Shanghai and transfer to Shanghai Airport for our domestic flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival at Zhangjiajie Airport, we transfer to our hotel by private vehicle. Free time after settling into our rooms.

Day 7 — Zhangjiajie

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at a time designated by our tour guide. We then depart for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. En route, your guide will introduce the unique landscape of "floating mountains" that inspired the scenery in the film Avatar. Upon arrival at the park, we enter the most iconic highlight, the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. We will walk along viewing platforms overlooking the iconic Hallelujah Mountains, dramatic pillar formations, and deep, mist-filled valleys. We will tour key scenic spots such as the First Bridge Under Heaven and Mihun Stage (Enchanting Stage). Here, vertical cliffs and stone pinnacles create a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere. Our guide will explain how millions of years of erosion sculpted these quartz-sandstone towers. Following our visit to the National Forest Park, we depart for a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, as we travel along winding forest roads from Yuanjiajie, we will listen to stories about the local Tujia culture and the history of Tianzi Mountain amidst the scenery. Following our journey, we arrive at Tianzi Mountain. We will visit key observation points including Helong Park and the Imperial Brush Peaks. After our tour, we will descend via the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car, gliding over deep valleys and forested cliffs. As we descend by cable car, we will enjoy the peaks and the scenery. Have your cameras ready! Following our descent by cable car, we return to our hotel. Free time upon arrival at our hotel.

Day 8 — Zhangjiajie - Fenghuang

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. After your free time, we meet our guide in the lobby and proceed towards the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. During the journey, our guide will explain the geological formation of Zhangjiajie's quartz sandstone landscape and how it developed the region's deep valleys, waterfalls, and karst-like cliffs. Following our entrance to the canyon, we will observe lush, narrow valley paths surrounded by steep cliffs and flowing streams, walking along wooden pathways as we pass waterfalls, stone bridges, and misty forest corridors. Next, we will head to the world-famous Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. While our guide highlights the bridge's engineering design and safety structure, guests will enjoy panoramic views and photography opportunities over vertical cliffs and the forested chasm. Following our tour, departure for a local restaurant to have lunch. After our lunch, we carry out our transfer to the Baofeng Lake Area. Upon our arrival at Baofeng Lake, we board our boat for a peaceful cruise on emerald-green waters. Following our boat tour, we will take a short walk along designated viewpoints overlooking the lake. During our walk, our guide will share local legends and stories about Baofeng Lake, including the region's culture and its spiritual significance for ethnic communities. Following our tour, we depart the Baofeng Lake area for Fenghuang Ancient Town. Passing through winding mountain roads, rural valleys, and small ethnic villages, our journey offers a gradual transition from Zhangjiajie's landscapes to the gentler river valley scenery of western Hunan. Upon arrival in Fenghuang Ancient Town, we check in to our hotel. After settling into our hotel, free time. Following your free time, you may take an evening walk along the Tuo River if you wish. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 9 — Fenghuang - Beijing

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. After your free time, at a time designated by our tour guide, our tour begins in the captivating Fenghuang Ancient Town, one of China's best-preserved historic water towns. Stretching along the winding Tuo River, the old town presents a vibrant tableau of wooden stilt houses, cobbled streets, ancient city walls, and stone bridges reflecting centuries of Miao and Tujia ethnic heritage. As we stroll along the riverside alleys, our guide will explain the town's history as a frontier trading hub and its cultural significance in the region. Next, we will take our Tuo River boat cruise. Drifting gently along the tranquil waters, we will observe traditional wooden houses rising along the riverbanks, arched stone bridges, and areas where local residents still wash, fish, and gather by the water's edge. Our guide will share local legends and stories of the town's poet Shen Congwen, who once captured the spirit of Fenghuang in his literature. Following our boat tour, we transfer to Zhangjiajie International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, after completing our check-in procedures for our flight, we depart for Beijing. Transfer to our hotel upon arrival in Beijing. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 10 — Beijing - Istanbul

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, a full day at leisure. Following your free time, we meet at our hotel and transfer to Beijing Capital International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, following check-in procedures, baggage drop-off, and passport control, departure for Istanbul at 23:59 aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK89. Overnight on board the aircraft.

Day 11 — Istanbul

Breakfast included

Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05:30 local time. End of our tour.

Included services

• Return economy class flight ticket between Istanbul and Beijing on Turkish Airlines direct services
• Economy class flight tickets between Shanghai – Zhangjiajie – Beijing with local airlines
• High-speed train ticket between Beijing – Shanghai
• Bed and breakfast accommodation at Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven or similar hotel in Beijing
• Bed and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Shanghai Zhenping or similar hotel in Shanghai
• Bed and breakfast accommodation at Wulingyuan Hotel or similar in Zhangjiajie
• Bed and breakfast accommodation in Fenghuang at Orange Hotel or similar
• 4 lunches, 2 dinners
• All tours specified in the itinerary
• Admission Fees for Museums and Archaeological Sites
• Turkish-speaking tour leader service
• All transfers specified in the itinerary
• Compulsory professional liability insurance

Not included

• Drinks to be taken with included meals
• Optional tours and meals not specified as included in the itinerary
• International departure tax
• China Visa
• Travel & Health Insurance