7-Night In-Depth Ancient China Tour Itinerary

Tour details

EXAMPLE (ETC.) HOTELS

SHANGHAI

Pagoda Baixia Hotel 5* etc.

XI’AN

Jian Guo Hotel 4* etc.

DENGFENG

4* Zhongzhou Intermega Hotel etc.

BEIJING

4* Howard Johnson Paragon etc.

Participation Requirement

This trip is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 30 people.  If sufficient participation cannot be achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days before the start of the tour. The tour canceled due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agency.

Visa

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Our VISA PROCEDURE regarding our CHINA tours is as follows.

Documents to be submitted to us

WE KINDLY REQUEST THAT THESE BE REQUESTED DIRECTLY FROM OUR GUESTS AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION AND FORWARDED TO US.

- You must scan the passengers' passports in full-page format and send them to us. There must be no reflections, glare, cuts on the edges, etc.

- An up-to-date Multilingual Criminal Record Certificate must be obtained (Guests with any criminal record cannot obtain a Chinese visa.)

After these 2 documents are delivered to us, we request an invitation document from our local agency in China. It takes approximately 7 days to arrive.

After the invitation document reaches us, we send the passenger's passport, criminal record certificate, invitation letter and several documents concerning us to Ligarba Turizm, together with the passenger's contact details.

Then, Ligarba Turizm calls the passengers one by one to obtain the documents from our guests. (Including the passport) and applies for the group visa. It takes approximately 3 weeks to finalize and costs 200 USD per person. The visa fee is paid directly to Ligarba Turizm by the guests.

Passengers who will apply for a Chinese visa cannot use their passports to travel to another country during the visa application process; their passports will remain at the consulate throughout the application period. After the visa is finalized, they may collect it from Ligarba Turizm themselves, or Ligarba Turizm may courier it to our guests.

We need to start the procedures at least 65 days before the tour departure; otherwise, the visas may be at risk.

Ordinary Passport                -            Visa required                         

People's Republic of China; holders of Ordinary Passports (Burgundy Passports) are subject to visa requirements. Holders of Special Passports (Green Passports), Service Passports and Diplomatic Passports are exempt from visas for trips with a stay of up to 30 days without obtaining a Chinese visa.

Health

Those who regularly take medication should carry more medication than they need. Not all types of medication are available. In addition, if you have a serious health condition (heart, blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), it would be useful to carry a signed document with you. We also recommend that you do not drink tap water and that you drink water from a sealed bottle that you open yourself for the first time.

Flight Durations

Istanbul - Shanghai               10 hr 30 min

Beijing - Istanbul                10 hr 25 min

Optional Tours & Activities

Optional tours and activities are organized by the local agency serving the destination, subject to a minimum request of 10 participants, and participation may not be possible. If sufficient participation cannot be achieved, the excursions may not take place, or the prices and content of a tour / activity may vary depending on changes to the vehicle used. In addition, the dates and times of the annual tours / activities may be changed by the guide according to the opening/closing status of museums, archaeological sites or venues at the destination and weather conditions.

Meals

During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events and sports tournaments, distances exceeding several kilometers may be involved. Accommodation may be provided for 3 people, but the bed offered to the third person may be smaller than standard beds. A triple room consists of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Extra beds may be folding beds or sofa beds. In reservations for a third person and/or child, it is deemed that the local conditions and bed type that may be encountered have been accepted and declared. Child discounts are valid for one (1) child staying with 2 adults and falling within the age groups specified in the accommodation section. Breakfasts included in the tour program are served in accordance with the breakfast fee and generally as a continental breakfast, with a limited menu consisting of cereal, bread, tea or coffee, and may be served in a separate room allocated to the group.

Currency

The currency of the People's Republic of China is the Yuan. It is recommended that you bring USD and its smaller denominations.

Time Zone

 There is a 5-hour time difference between Türkiye and China. When it is 12:00 in Türkiye, it is 17:00 in China.

Clothing and Necessary Items

It is recommended that you bring T-shirts that are easy to put on and take off, short- and long-sleeved shirts, various cotton trousers, comfortable walking clothes and something to use in the evenings throughout the month. In addition, you may bring an umbrella, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs against possible noise, a camera, video cameras, their chargers and spare memory cards. Although the climate varies significantly by region in China, which has a very large land area, it is generally possible to say that it is a country with four seasons. Summers in the country are extremely humid, so temperatures are felt more intensely. Spring and autumn are characterized by mild weather.

Food Culture

Chinese cuisine is an extremely rich cuisine reflecting the regional characteristics of China's geography. Peking Duck, pastries prepared in different styles and eaten with sauces, “mantı” and sweet mustard sauces are features of the country's cuisine. Please remember that it is a cuisine different from Turkish cuisine.

Shopping

 China is a true shopping paradise. You can find every product you are looking for across a very wide range, from electronics to textiles.

Important Notes

Having a passport and/or obtaining a visa (that is, for the required destination/passport) does not mean that entry into the country is guaranteed. Passport control officers have the authority to refuse you entry into the country. Papua Tur is not responsible for this situation; responsibility belongs to the passenger. Papua Tur is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delays on scheduled and charter flights, or the times before the existing tour and flight may change. Papua Tur ensures that such changes are reported as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour acknowledging that their flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 do not pay the seat allocation and seat service fees. Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are organized for the general introduction of cities and are panoramic tours conducted with the guide's commentary from inside the vehicle, with visits to archaeological sites lasting at most 2-3 hours. If, including the other tours specified in the program, the local authorities do not permit visiting or entering a place on the day and at the location corresponding to the tour, or if roads are closed for any reason, and if the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions, Papua Tur is not responsible for arranging the performance of the aforementioned tours. Some tours may be conducted using public transportation or on foot at locations with closed roads or where vehicle entry is not permitted.

What's included
  • Round-trip economy class flight ticket with Turkish Airlines on the Istanbul (IST) – Shanghai (PVG) // Beijing (PEK) – Istanbul (IST) routes
  • Airport taxes
  • 1 night bed and breakfast accommodation at a 5-star hotel in Shanghai
  • 2 nights in Xi’an, 1 night in Dengfeng, and 3 nights in Beijing with bed and breakfast accommodation at 4-star hotels
  • Flight between Shanghai and Xi’an on a scheduled local airline service and airport taxes
  • High-speed train journey from Xi’an to Luoyang
  • High-speed train journey from Luoyang to Beijing
  • 1 dinner
  • Xi’an City Tour
  • Shanghai Tour with Lunch worth USD 100
  • Terra Cotta Museum & Muslim Quarter with Lunch worth USD 100
  • Great Wall of China & Summer Palace Tour with Lunch worth USD 110
  • Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Tour with Lunch worth USD 140
  • Ancient Shaolin Temple Tour worth USD 130
  • Longmen Grottoes Tour worth USD 90
  • Airport – Hotel – Airport transfers
  • All transfers required for the program
  • Professional Turkish-speaking guiding and assistance services
  • Hotel and tourist city taxes
  • Travel and health insurance (a surcharge applies for passengers over 65)
Not included
  • Fees for personal and official items such as international departure taxes, visas, etc.
  • All personal expenses and hotel extras
  • All services not explicitly stated in the program and included services
  • Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites not explicitly stated as “visited” in the program
  • Optional excursions and activities, if included in the program
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages consumed with included meals, if included in the program
  • Domestic connecting flights and domestic transportation costs
  • Tips and driver gratuities
Tour Program
Istanbul - Shanghai
We meet at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Airport, and after completing the ticketing, baggage check-in, and boarding procedures, we depart for Shanghai on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. We will spend the night on the plane.
Shanghai - Yu Garden - Chenghuang Temple - The Bund - Xintiandi - Shanghai
Upon our arrival in Shanghai in the early morning, we will meet our private vehicle and have breakfast at a local restaurant before transferring to our hotel. Afterwards, we will depart for the Shanghai City Tour with lunch. Our first stop will be Yu Garden. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, Yu Garden reflects traditional Chinese architecture with its pond, stone bridges, and pavilions. After exploring Yu Garden, we will leave this wonderful garden and take part in a Tea Ceremony, where we will delve deeper into Chinese culture. Our next stop will be Cheng Huang Miao, the City God Temple of Shanghai, located in the city’s historic old town. According to Chinese beliefs, it was built in honor of Cheng Huang, the “City God” and protector of the city. Cheng Huang is believed to protect the city’s residents and is regarded as the patron of justice and peace. Our next stop will be The Bund, located along the Huangpu River and transformed into a spectacular light show in the evening. We will then have free time in Xintiandi, where modern and traditional textures blend, and on Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s most famous shopping street. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant during the tour. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel and have free time. Overnight at our hotel.
Shanghai – Xi’an
After having our packed breakfast, we transfer to Shanghai Airport. Following the ticketing, baggage drop-off, and security procedures at the airport, we take a scheduled flight operated by a local airline to Xi’an, one of China’s most important historical capitals. Upon arrival in Xi’an, we meet our private vehicle and guide and begin our Xi’an city tour. Our first stop is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi’an’s most iconic landmarks, built during the Tang Dynasty to house the sacred scriptures brought from India by the renowned Buddhist monk Xuanzang. We then continue to Sleepless Tang City, which brings the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty to life through traditional architecture, lighting, sculptures, and cultural performances. In the evening, we explore this area as it takes on a completely different appearance with its colorful lights and vibrant atmosphere, offering an impressive blend of Xi’an’s historical heritage and modern urban life. Following the tour, we transfer to our hotel and check in. Overnight at our hotel.
Xi’an – Terracotta Museum – Muslim Quarter – Xi’an
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Terra Cotta Museum and Muslim Quarter Tour, including lunch. We will visit the museum of the “Underground Army,” known as the Terracotta Warriors, built to protect the tomb of China’s first emperor, Shi Huang, and regarded as one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Discovered by a farmer by chance in 1974, this army consists of 8,000 terracotta, or “baked earth,” soldiers, each with a different facial expression and stance. These statues were created as a “spirit army,” in the belief that they would continue to protect the emperor after his death. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to witness the emperor’s power and the level of craftsmanship achieved during his era. After the tour, we return to Xi’an. Before transferring to our hotel, we will explore the Muslim Quarter, established by Muslim merchants according to their own traditions and customs. With its lively bazaar, local shops, and restaurants, we will observe the cultural blending and distinctions. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel to relax. Overnight at our hotel.
Xi’an – Luoyang – Shaolin Temple – Dengfeng
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we will transfer to Xi’an Railway Station and take a high-speed train to Luoyang. Upon arrival in Luoyang, we will begin our Ancient Shaolin Temple Tour. Located near the city of Dengfeng in Henan Province, at the foot of the sacred Songshan Mountain, this world-famous temple was built in 495 and is considered the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. One of China’s most important cultural centers since the era of the Silk Road, the temple is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the temple, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and transfer to our hotel, followed by free time. Overnight at our hotel. **Depending on availability, the train journey may be replaced by a flight.
Dengfeng – Longmen Grottoes – Luoyang – Beijing
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for a tour of the Longmen Grottoes. This magnificent archaeological complex, consisting of thousands of Buddha statues, niches, and temples carved into the cliffs along the Yi River, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction of this site began in the 5th century and reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty. As a result of this immense project, which continued for 1,400 years, more than 100,000 Buddha statues, over 2,000 niches, more than 60 pagodas, and 2,800 inscriptions were created. Following our visit, we transfer to Luoyang Railway Station and travel to Beijing by high-speed train. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and have free time. Overnight at our hotel. **Subject to availability, the train journey may be replaced by a flight.
Beijing – Great Wall of China – Summer Palace – Beijing
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for our tour of the Great Wall of China and the Summer Palace, including lunch. Our first stop will be the Great Wall of China, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and whose construction began in 220 BC to prevent invasions from the Central Asian Turks coming from the north. After touring the Great Wall, we will have lunch and then visit the magnificent Summer Palace, located on the shores of Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace is China’s best-preserved imperial garden and palace complex, located northwest of Beijing. Its history dates back to the Jin Dynasty in the 12th century, although its present form was shaped in the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty under the Qianlong Emperor. The emperor had it built as a retreat from the hectic atmosphere of the main palace, allowing him to rest in harmony with nature. The palace was damaged during the Second Opium War in 1860 and was subsequently restored by Empress Dowager Cixi using funds allocated from the state’s naval budget. Although this is considered a controversial anecdote, the palace’s present elegance is the result of the detailed restorations carried out during that period. Afterward, we will see the Beijing Olympic Stadium, which resembles a bird’s nest, from the outside. We will have lunch at a local restaurant during the tour. We will then be transferred to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
Beijing – Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Temple of Heaven – Beijing
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we depart for the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Tour with lunch. Our first stop will be Tiananmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world and one of China’s most important symbolic sites from a political and historical perspective. The Mao Zedong Mausoleum, a monumental structure located in the square where the embalmed body of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, is displayed; the Great Hall of the People, the monumental state building that hosts the meetings of the National People’s Congress; and the National Museum of China, one of the world’s largest museums, located on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square and showcasing thousands of years of Chinese history, will be among the places we see panoramically. Afterwards, we will visit the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was used as the imperial palace of Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is one of the largest and best-preserved palace complexes in the world. Surrounded by towering red walls and golden roofs, this vast complex served as the center of imperial power and was called the “Forbidden City” because it remained closed to ordinary people for centuries. We will have the opportunity to visit this structure, which contains hundreds of palace halls, courtyards, and imperial gardens. Following our visit to the Forbidden City, we will proceed to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important religious complexes where emperors prayed for good harvests and heavenly blessings during the reigns of past dynasties. The temple is considered one of the finest examples of Chinese architecture. Surrounded by a vast park and ceremonial structures, this sacred site served as one of the most important centers for imperial rituals in China. At the end of the tour, we will transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the Beijing hotel.
Beijing – Istanbul
After breakfast, we transfer to Beijing Airport for our flight to Istanbul. Following baggage, ticketing, and customs procedures, we fly to Istanbul on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight, marking the end of our services.