Visiting China, which is made from a needle to a missile and a sprawling and ethnically diverse country, remains the dream of many tourists, and if this dream is not a matter of love, then it is a matter of exploration at the very least, and to satisfy the passion for getting to know this great nation.
“Al Jazeera Net” takes you within a narration of a 12-day travel journey into one of the most ancient civilizations known to man, a civilization that was able to combine historical power and modern renaissance, in a scene unlike any other place in the world.
China is not just a vast country or a rising economic power, but rather an entire world unto itself, extending from the imperial walls of Beijing to the legendary mountains of Zhangjiajie, and from there to the sparkling skyscrapers of Shanghai.
In this country you will find nature at its most exotic and wonderful, Asian history, and cities at their most modern.
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Start your journey by entering one of the most influential cities in Asia, where you arrive at Daxing International Airport, which is considered one of the most modern airports in the world with its giant, streamlined design. As you exit towards the city, you will notice how the wide roads and ancient buildings blend with modern technological touches that reflect the spirit of the contemporary Chinese capital.
After moving to your hotel, and before evening, head to the “Gong Yan Beijing” restaurant, which offers an unparalleled dinner experience unlike any other experience around the world. It offers a welcome dinner, interspersed with Chinese folkloric performances, introducing you to music and dance movements inspired by Chinese heritage, and presenting the most delicious and delicious dishes separately. Each meal is accompanied by an artistic show, then the next meal is presented, starting with appetizers, passing through the main dishes and ending with With sweets.
At the end of the day, you return to the hotel to enjoy your first night in Beijing and prepare to begin exploring its historical landmarks the next day, within a city that combines the depth of history and the complexity of modernity in one scene.
It is worth noting that this restaurant is pre-booked and is considered one of the finest restaurants in China, and it should make you love Chinese food because of its deliciousness.
Day Two: Landmarks of imperial rule
Start your day with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest urban square in the world, a site that has formed the political heart of China over many decades.
As you move into the vast square, you will notice the huge government buildings and national symbols surrounding you from every side, in a scene that sums up the importance of this place in the country’s history.
When you pass through the famous red gate that separates the square from the palace, you will enter directly into the Forbidden City, which was built in the fifteenth century as the seat of imperial rule for the Ming and Qing dynasties.
You will wander among the halls, stone courtyards, and internal gardens, where you will explore fine architectural details and learn about the political and cultural role that this city played during five continuous centuries.
In the afternoon, move to the historic Hutong neighborhoods on a rickshaw ride, where you will move through narrow streets that reflect traditional Chinese life. You will see old mud houses and feel the rhythm of daily life in the alleys as it was centuries ago.
You can also visit a local house to learn about the ancient way of living, participate in an artistic experiment by coloring “Peking Opera masks,” and try writing simple names in traditional Chinese calligraphy, which is a nice opportunity to interact with one of the most important elements of Chinese culture.
At the end of the day, enjoy the famous acrobatics show at the Red Theater, one of the most popular shows in the capital. You will witness a mixture of aerial movements and precise jumps that showcase the prowess of traditional Chinese performance, concluding a day that balances ancient history and vibrant popular culture.
Day 3: The Great Wall of China and the Summer Palace
Start your morning with a trip to the Great Wall of China in the Mutianyu area, one of the most beautiful and quiet areas for walking and photography. When you take the cable car to the top of the mountain, you will find in front of you a long stone corridor that flows over the mountain peaks and gives you amazing panoramic views.
The wide path helps you enjoy walking and exploring while learning about the military role the wall played for centuries in protecting the country.
After the tour, stop at a specialty store to learn about jade, a stone that is considered a symbol of luck and purity in Chinese culture. Then he moved to the Summer Palace, one of the most prominent imperial landmarks in Beijing.
You’ll wander through the expansive gardens surrounding Kunming Lake, viewing stone bridges and ornate walkways that reflect the precision of traditional Chinese architecture.
At the end of the tour, return to the hotel with a day that combines nature and imperial beauty.
Day 4: From Beijing Zhangjiajie
Start your day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a massive circular edifice that was dedicated to the imperial ritual of harvest prayer. You will see the gardens surrounding the temple where residents practice Tai Chi and enjoy folk games in group sessions that reflect an important aspect of daily life in Beijing.
After your visit, head to Qianmen Street and Dashilan Street, two of the oldest shopping streets in the capital, where traditional shops intersect with ancient landmarks in an authentic Chinese atmosphere. Then head to the 798 Art District, a vast cultural space that houses modern studios and galleries inside former industrial buildings, making it an important destination for lovers of contemporary arts.
At the end of the day, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon your arrival, you will head directly to the Wulingyuan area to check into your hotel, and prepare to discover the nature of China in its most beautiful images.
Day 5: Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie
Start your day inside Zhangjiajie National Park, famous for its vertical rock formations that became the inspiration for the movie Avatar. Then you will ascend the Bailong Elevator, one of the highest outdoor elevators in the world, to find yourself on a platform overlooking a group of mountains that appear to be suspended in the air.
Then move to the Yuanjiajie area, where you can enjoy unique views of rocks rising vertically amidst light clouds that give the place a legendary character. When you reach Tianzi Mountain via cable car, you will see more open views that combine dense forests with sharp peaks. At the end of the day, you can relax on the tourist train that crosses the valley and gives you a relaxing tour among nature.
Day 6: Yellow Dragon Cave and Glass Bridge
Start today by visiting the Yellow Dragon Cave, a huge cave with high stone halls and stunning limestone formations. You will walk through illuminated paths and board a small boat that will take you across a river that passes between natural cavities that are millions of years old.
Then head to the Grand Canyon of Zhangjiajie to experience the experience of walking on the glass bridge, which extends over a deep valley and is one of the most famous glass bridges in the world. You will see the nature of the valley directly under your feet in an experience that combines excitement and splendor of the natural landscape. After finishing, return to your hotel to rest.
Day 7: Baofeng Lake and Tianmen Mountain, then travel to Shanghai
Start your day with a nice tour of Baofeng Lake, where you will enjoy a boat ride that passes between mountains and rock formations in a peaceful natural setting. The lake gives you an ideal opportunity to photograph and enjoy the scene of the mountains reflected on the surface of the water.
In the afternoon, head to Tianmen Mountain, where you will ascend via one of the longest cable cars in the world, where you will visit the Gate of Heaven, and experience the experience of walking on the glass walkway attached to the towering rocks. At the end of the tour, you will head to the airport to fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will check into the hotel in preparation for the start of a new stage of the journey.
Day 8: The magic of Shanghai between modernity and history
Start your day with a visit to Yuyuan Garden, one of the most beautiful traditional gardens in China, where arcades, bridges and ponds are arranged in an elaborate design that reflects the Chinese philosophy of harmony. Then head to the French Quarter, a historical neighborhood that combines old European buildings, modern cafes and tree-shaded streets.
In the afternoon, climb to the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower, the second tallest tower in the world, where you can view the city skyline from a soaring height. Then head to Nanjing Road, one of the busiest shopping streets in China. At the end of the day, enjoy a night tour on the banks of the Huangpu River in The Bund, where the lights of modern towers are reflected on the surface of the water in an enchanting view.
Day 9: A full day at Disneyland
Dedicate this day to visiting Shanghai Disneyland, one of the newest Disney cities in the world. Start your tour from Mickey Street, where you will find shops and cafes designed in a traditional Disney theme. Then head to the famous game areas such as Adventure Island, Treasure Bay, and World of Tomorrow.
Throughout the day, you will move between interactive games, live performances and colorful parades. Don’t miss the big night show in front of the castle, where lighting, music and fireworks combine into a fantasy scene that ends your day in a dazzling way.
Day 10: Hangzhou and the beauty of West Lake
On this day, you move to Hangzhou, the city that Chinese poets have always sung about over the centuries. Your tour begins with a short cruise inside West Lake, a famous natural site in China, where stone bridges, gardens and temples are scattered on the edges of the lake, in a scene that combines nature and architecture.
After the visit, you will move to the Mejiao Tea Village to learn about the cultivation of the famous “Longjin” tea, with the opportunity to taste it and watch the stages of its preparation. In the evening, attend the “Impressions of the Lake” show, which is a water theatrical show that takes place on the surface of the lake in stunning light scenes.
Day 11: Adventures and recreation at OMG Park
This day was dedicated to entertainment at OMG Heartbeat Park, an entertainment complex that combines water games, exciting experiences, and interactive areas. You can navigate between high-speed games, relax in the quiet spaces, or enjoy the restaurants and cafes available in the place. The day is open to enjoy as you please before returning to the hotel in the evening.
Day 12: Return to Shanghai
On the last day of the trip, return to Shanghai for free time to shop or visit any sites you wanted to see previously. You can stroll along the world’s longest shopping street, Nanjing Road, or go to the Bund to take one last photo before you prepare for your return trip.
