Great China Tour with Turkish Airlines for 11 Days 2027

1st DAY: ISTANBUL – BEIJING | First Step in the Sky Our journey begins by meeting the Tourism officials at Istanbul Airport International Terminal. We take off at 17:05 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 196 bound for Beijing, the ancient capital of China. During our comfortable direct flight, we spend the night onboard, accompanied by THY’s world-class catering. 2nd DAY: ARRIVAL IN BEIJING AND IMPERIAL SPLENDOR In the morning, we arrive at Beijing Airport at 07:15 local time. After customs procedures, we transfer by our private vehicle to Tiananmen Square, the political heart of China. Then we explore the Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex, which hosted 24 emperors for 500 years. With its thousands of rooms and golden-roofed palaces, this immense structure will fascinate you. Dinner: A selection of Beijing cuisine at a local restaurant. Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4* or similar. 3rd DAY: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA AND THE ELEGANCE OF THE SUMMER PALACE After breakfast, we head to the Great Wall of China (Juyongguan Section), one of the seven wonders of the world. As we walk along this massive defensive line stretching over the mountain peaks, we will feel the breath of thousands of years of history. In the afternoon, we visit the Summer Palace, where emperors retreated to cool off during the summer, famous for its artificial lake and artistic bridges. Lunch: A rich menu at a local restaurant after the Great Wall tour. Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4* or similar. 4th DAY: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN AND LIFE IN THE HUTONG STREETS Today we see one of Beijing’s most aesthetic structures, the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for a good harvest. Then we go to the Hutong district, famous for its narrow labyrinthine streets that preserve traditional Beijing life. Here, on a tour with traditional “rickshaw” vehicles, we discover the true spirit behind modern Beijing. Dinner: One of the highlights of our tour; the famous Peking Duck banquet. Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4* or similar. 5th DAY: BEIJING – XI'AN | Journey to the Ancient Capital on Modern Rails After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Beijing Railway Station and take the High-Speed Train, reaching speeds of 300 km/h, for a comfortable approximately 5-hour journey to Xi'an, the former capital of China. Upon arrival, we panoramicly view the Ancient City Walls, among the best-preserved in the world, which protect the city and on which bicycles can be ridden. Dinner: Set menu prepared with local flavors of Xi'an. Accommodation: Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel 4* or similar. 6th DAY: TERRACOTTA ARMY AND THE MUSLIM QUARTER We start the day with one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in world history: the Terracotta Army. We see on site the thousands of soldiers, each with a different facial expression, made to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in his tomb. In the afternoon, we explore Xi'an’s colorful Muslim Quarter and exotic market, formed because of the city’s role as a stop on the Silk Road. Lunch: Regional specialties after the museum visit. Accommodation: Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel 4* or similar. 7th DAY: XI'AN – SHANGHAI | Hello to the "Paris of the East" After breakfast, we once again take the high-speed train and head to Shanghai, China’s financial and modernism capital. In the evening, we arrive in this giant metropolis and our first stop is The Bund waterfront, which preserves its historical texture with colonial buildings, and the magnificent silhouette created by the giant skyscrapers (Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower) on the opposite bank of the river. Dinner: Dinner at one of Shanghai’s modern restaurants. Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai 4* or similar. 8th DAY: THE SOUL OF SHANGHAI: YU GARDEN AND NANJING ROAD In the morning, we visit Yu Garden, one of the most elegant examples of Chinese garden art, featuring temples and ponds. Then we enjoy free time on Nanjing Road, the heart of Shanghai and one of the world’s largest shopping streets. In the evening, we continue exploring Shanghai’s sparkling streets. Lunch: Shanghai-style seafood and vegetable-focused delicacies. Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai 4* or similar. 9th DAY: ZHUJIAJIAO WATER VILLAGE AND A LIGHTED FAREWELL ON THE RIVER In the first half of the day, we go to Zhujiajiao, the historic water village known as “China’s Venice.” During our boat tour among the canals, we will photograph the old stone bridges and traditional houses along the river. In the evening, we return to Shanghai and crown our tour with a special farewell boat trip on the Huangpu River. Dinner: A special menu as the farewell dinner of the tour. Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai 4* or similar. 10th DAY: FINAL DAY IN SHANGHAI AND RETURN JOURNEY After our final breakfast at the hotel, we will have plenty of free time today for personal exploration or last-minute shopping in Shanghai. In the evening, we transfer to Pudong Airport with our guide. We depart for Istanbul at 23:05 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 027. 11th DAY: ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL We arrive at Istanbul Airport at 06:05 in the morning, Turkish time. We say goodbye, hoping to meet again on another Tourism journey.