Beijing Tianjin Harbin Kaifeng Xian and Shanghai Jewish Culture 12 Days

Your Beijing exploration will begin with a visit to Tiananmen Square this morning. As the largest public square in the world, Tiananmen Square can hold over one million people. This famous monument with its historical significance is often considered as a national symbol of China.

Next you will proceed to visit the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is the best preserved imperial palace in China and the largest ancient palatial structure in the world. You will appreciate its magnificence and royal architecturesand numerous imperial treasures when visiting.

Later on in the day you will visit the historical Hutongs where you will take a Rickshaw Ride around the Siheyuan (Ancient Courtyards) which make up the Hutongs. The classic architecture of residential housing of Beijing’s citizens dates back to the Ming Dynasty. The narrow streets between the Siheyuan are called Hutongs. A rickshaw ride around the Hutongs and Siheyuan will take you to into the ancient alleys to discover and experience the local ancient Beijing life and culture.

After the rickshaw ride you will proceed to the ancient Yandaixiejie, a famous ancient street in Beijing. There are numerous stores and shops lining both sides of the street selling various kinds of collections of souvenirs and gifts.

The Drum Tower is the next attraction you will visit today, the Drum Tower was built in the Yuan Dynasty and remains one of the prominent constructions in Beijing. As the symbol of old Beijing, the Drum Tower is a great site to experience the ancient atmosphere of the city.

At night you will be able to enjoy the wonderful Kungfu Show at the Red Theater. 

After breakfast at the hotel your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Mutianyu Great Wall. Mutianyu has a unique construction with densely located Watch Towers and important mountain passes. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Badaling Great Wall is the most well-preserved and the most visited section of the Great Wall of China. The winding wall on the steep mountain range with its solid construction and beautiful natural environment will have you amazed.

On the way back to downtown Beijing, your guide will drop you off at Beijing Olympic Stadium. You will be able to appreciate the unique design and architecture of the stadium. 

At night your guide will transfer you back to your hotel where you can have a good rest.

After your hotel breakfast you will take a 2 hours coach ride to Tianjin where you will take a Tianjin sightseeing tour. You will firstly visit the Five Great Avenues located in Heping District of Tianjin. There are more than 230 buildings of different European architectural styles located amongst the five avenues. 

Touring the Five Great Avenues you will take a trip to the Former Tianjin Synagogue which is located at the intersection of Zhengzhou Road and Nanjing Road. The Former Tianjin Synagogue was built in 1940 and is known for its gothic style architecture. Once you have finished touring the synagogue you will make your way to the Former Jewish District. 

After breakfast at your hotel you will continue your tour of Jewish heritage in Harbin. Today you will visit Central Street and St. Sophia Cathedral both sites are the symbol of Harbin. The history of Central Street dates back to 1898 and has now become the most prosperous shopping street in Harbin. St. Sophia Cathedral is one of the few remaining Russian Orthodox Churches in Harbin. The cathedral was built in 1907 and was out of use by the 1990’s, today the cathedral is an art gallery. 

Later you will visit the Former Jewish Neighbourhood, Old Jewish Quarter and Unit 731 Museum. The 731 Unit Museum is the former Japanese germ warfare unit. The museum documents the experiments conducted by the Japanese during the occupation of Harbin. 

This evening you will take an evening flight to Zhengzhou. Once you arrive in Zhengzhou your English speaking tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel to check in. 

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Luoyang by car which will take 2 hours. You will visit the world famous Shaolin Temple where you will take a tour of the Forest of Pagodas. You will also enjoy a marvelous Kung Fu performance. 

Initially built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Shaolin Temple is the cradle of Chinese Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Martial Arts. The Temple embraces many exciting attractions, such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Dharma Cave and Shaolin Temple Martial Art Training Center. 

Later on in the day you will take the high-speed train to Xian. Once you arrive in Xian your guide and driver will meet you at the train station and then transfer you to your hotel.

This morning after your hotel breakfast you will tour Xian’s top attractions which include the Terracotta Warriors, Bell Tower Square, Shaanxi History Museum and the Tang Dynasty Show. The symbolic Terracotta Warriors are a must visit site for any tourists to Xian, the amazing Terracotta Army who guard the tomb of China’s first emperor is magnificent in scale and size.

After you will continue your tour to Xian Bell Tower Square, the Bell Tower was constructed in 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty and it is one of the grandest of its kind in China. You will then proceed to Shaanxi History Museum which displays the history, culture, and civilization of both Shaanxi Province and ancient China. 

Later you will enjoy a performance of the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show. The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is based upon the Tang Palace and show that blends various ancient Chinese instruments and inspiring dances and is dedicated to telling famous and interesting historical stories. 

After your hotel breakfast you will be transferred to visit Xian Ancient City Wall. Xian Ancient City Wall was constructed during the reign of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). As one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world, the Ancient City Wall has very complex design and structure.

Later you will be transferred to the airport to take a flight to Shanghai. Once you arrive in Shanghai you will check-in to your hotel.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will begin your tour of Shanghai. The first destination is Ohel Moishe Synagogue. Ohel Rachel Synagogue is located on No. 500 Shaanxi North Road, is the venue of former Shanghai Jewish Diaspora associations Laxi Er synagogue.

Next you will continue to The Bund. As the most famous sightseeing destination in Shanghai, The Bund has become a symbol of Shanghai and a must go attractions for tourists. You will enjoy the fascinating views of Huangpu River and groups of architectures and skyscrapers.

The next scheduled attraction to see will be the Former HSBC Building. The HSBC Building is a six-floor neo-classical building in the Bund area of Shanghai. It was the headquarters of the Shanghai branch of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation from 1923 to 1955.

You will then proceed to Peace Hotel. The Peace Hotel is located on the corner of East Nanjing Road. It is also named as The Sassoon House, because it was built by the famous Sassoon Family in 1926. Mr. Sassoon was a wealthy Jew, he had been running many businesses in Shanghai for a long period of time and at that time he was the wealthiest business tycoon in Shanghai Bund.

After you will tour Shanghai Children's Palace . Shanghai Municipal Children’s Palace, also called China Welfare Society Children’s Palace, was founded in the year of 1963 by Song Qingling, Madam Sun Yat-sen and was the first Children’s palace in China.

You will then continue to Moller Villa. Shanghai Moller Villa Hotel, also known as Moller Villa, is a famous and popular hotel in Shanghai. This hotel is famed for its fantasy and exquisite architectures, beautiful environment, excellent services, complete and convenient facilities. You will also make a visit to Ruijin Hotel. Shanghai Ruijin Hotel is not only a popular hotel but also a famous attraction that enjoys great reputation in Shanghai for its elegant architecture and excellent services.

Later you will be transferred to visit the Former Jewish Ghetto. In February 1943 the Japanese forced nearly 20,000 Jewish refugees to live in small area in the overcrowded Hong Kou District. The place became a ghetto where both Jews and Chinese shared years of hardship.

Once the tour ends you will be transferred back to your hotel.