Great China Tour 2027 Winter (PEK-PVG) TK

1. DAY ISTANBUL – BEIJING

Meeting with our valued guests 3 hours before the flight in front of the Turkish Airlines Foreign Terminal counter at Istanbul Airport. After baggage and ticket procedures, we fly to Beijing on the Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. We spend the night on the plane.

2. DAY BEIJING

Upon arrival, we begin with a panoramic city tour of Beijing. During our tour, we will explore modern Beijing by passing in front of the Bird's Nest Stadium (Bird's Nest) and the Water Cube, structures built for the 2008 Olympic Games that stand out with their architecture. Guests who wish may join the Peking Combined Tour (€115 per person), organized as an extra by our guide (Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven & Wangfujing Street). During this tour, we will have the opportunity to get up close with both the historical and modern faces of China's capital. Our first stop is Tiananmen Square, one of the most important points in Chinese history and political life. Then, we visit the Forbidden City (Yasak Şehir), one of the most important symbols of Chinese imperial history. This vast palace complex, which served as the home for the Ming and Qing dynasties for approximately 500 years, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List with its magnificent architecture, spacious courtyards, and historical buildings. Accompanied by our guide, while exploring the living quarters of the emperors, we will learn important details about China's deep-rooted past. Continuing our tour, we visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors during the Ming and Qing periods prayed to the sky for good harvests and abundance. This impressive structure, where round and square architectural forms symbolize the sky and the earth, is among Beijing's most important cultural heritages with its extensive gardens and peaceful atmosphere. After our tour, it will end on Wangfujing Street, one of the city's busiest shopping and pedestrian streets. After the tour, there will be free time and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

3. DAY BEIJING

After breakfast at the hotel, there is free time. Guests who wish may join the Juyongguan Great Wall & Hutong Neighborhoods Tour (€100 per person), organized as an extra by our guide. We begin our tour by visiting the Great Wall of China, one of China's most magnificent structures. The Great Wall, China's most important defensive structure, also holds great significance for Turkish history. Built over centuries to protect China's northern borders, this massive structure is considered a concrete manifestation of the struggles between China and Central Asian Turkic communities such as the Huns (Asian Huns), Göktürks, Uyghurs, and others. The Great Wall was conceived as a defensive line against raids conducted by Turkic tribes from the Central Asian steppes; in this regard, it has become a historical symbol reflecting the military, political, and cultural dimensions of Turkish-Chinese relations. Then, we visit Juyong Pass, known for its strategic importance and impressive views. This historical defensive line, stretching between mountains, was built over centuries to protect China from external attacks. During our walk on this section of the wall, we will gain important information about Chinese history and military architecture while enjoying unique landscapes. Continuing our tour, we explore the Hutong neighborhoods, which offer a close look at Beijing's traditional lifestyle and date back approximately 500 years. In our visit to the famous Hutongs, known for their narrow streets, courtyard houses, and authentic atmosphere, we will gain a different perspective on daily life and cultural heritage in China. After the tour, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

4. DAY BEIJING – XI'AN

We leave the hotel with a breakfast box provided by the hotel and then head to Xi'an via high-speed train. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel and have free time. Guests who wish may join the Xi'an Wonders Tour [City Walls & Muslim Quarter & Xi'an Great Mosque & Bell and Drum Towers] (€100 per person), organized as an extra by our guide. Our first stop on the tour will be the South Gate of Xi'an City Wall, one of the city's symbols. Constructed during the Tang and Ming dynasties, this magnificent gate is an important part of the city's defense system, and walking on it will give us the opportunity to closely observe Xi'an's historical texture. Then, we visit the Muslim Quarter, where we can see the colorful and lively side of city life. This area, famous for its narrow streets, authentic Chinese-Islamic architecture, delicious street food, and souvenir shops, is an ideal stop to get to know Xi'an's cultural diversity. Our tour continues with visits to the "Bell and Drum Towers," two important historical symbols of the city. Located in the center of the city, these towers were historically used to measure time and protect the city. Our final stop will be the "Xi'an Great Mosque," one of the oldest and largest mosques in China. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the mosque stands out with its unique structure that combines Chinese architecture with Islamic elements. Here, we will be able to see the deep traces of Islamic culture in Xi'an by visiting both prayer areas and historical courtyards. After the tour, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

5. DAY XI'AN

After breakfast at the hotel, there is free time. Guests who wish may join the Terracotta Warriors Museum & Big Wild Goose Pagoda & DaTang Tour (€100 per person), organized as an extra by our guide. On our tour, we begin to explore China's historical and cultural richness. Our first stop will be the world-famous Qin Terracotta Army Museum. This magnificent army of statues, built in the 3rd century BC for the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang, consists of thousands of soldiers, horses, and chariots, each uniquely detailed. Accompanied by our guide, we will get to know the emperor's tomb and the historical significance of the army up close. Then, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the important structures of the Tang Dynasty. This temple and pagoda are one of the important symbols of China's Buddhist heritage. During our walk around the pagoda, we will breathe in the historical atmosphere and have the opportunity to take photos in the surrounding gardens. The final stop of our tour will be DaTang Everbright City, where we can experience modern city life. In this area, famous for its wide pedestrian streets, shopping areas, and colorful lighting, we will have the chance to both relax and shop. Free time after the tour. Overnight at our hotel.

6. DAY XI'AN – SHANGHAI

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Shanghai on a local airline scheduled flight. Upon arrival, we take a short panoramic city tour of Shanghai. During our tour, we will see the grand buildings dating back to the colonial period along with The Bund, which has become the symbol of the city, Nanjing Road, one of the city's most beautiful streets, and the view of the Huangpu River. After the tour, there is free time. Guests who wish may join the Huangpu River Boat Tour (€50 per person), organized as an extra by our guide. During this tour, we will explore the city under the lights. After the tour, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

7. DAY SHANGHAI

After breakfast at the hotel, there is free time. Guests who wish may join the Shanghai Combined Tour [Yuyuan Garden & The Jade Buddha Temple & Xintiandi & Silk Market & Huaihai Road] (€100 per person), organized as an extra by our guide. We begin our tour with Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, one of the structures that best reflects classical Chinese garden architecture. While strolling through pavilions designed with intricate craftsmanship, tranquil ponds, and elegant stone bridges, we have the opportunity to get to know the aesthetic soul of traditional Chinese garden art up close. Afterwards, we visit The Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai's iconic religious structures. Inside the temple, we experience this sacred atmosphere by seeing Buddha statues carved from white jade brought from Myanmar, which hold great spiritual value. Then, we move to the Xintiandi area, where historic Shanghai houses blend with contemporary city life. With a short walk in this area, famous for its stylish cafes, original shops, and restaurants, we feel the modern face of the city. At the end of our tour, we offer free time for shopping at the Silk Market, famous for its quality and affordable silk products. Here you can find special souvenirs for your loved ones. After the tour, we provide free time on Huaihai Road, one of the city's busiest shopping streets where you can find various beautiful brands. After the tour, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

8. DAY SHANGHAI

We start the day with breakfast at our hotel and then proceed with checkout procedures and have free time. Guests who wish may join the Zhujiajiao Water Village & AP Plaza Shopping Tour (€65 per person), organized as an extra by our guide. We set off towards Zhujiajiao Water Village, the first stop of our tour. This special settlement, with a history of approximately 600 years, is known as "Venice of Shanghai" due to its structure woven with water channels and invites visitors to a magical atmosphere where the past and present intertwine. Traditional Chinese houses stretching along cobblestone narrow streets, facades decorated with fine woodwork, and elegant arched bridges give it the appearance of an open-air museum. Traditional boats moving silently on the canals are one of the most beautiful details completing the village's peaceful spirit. Lanterns reflected in the water, incense scents, and traditional melodies heard from afar turn Zhujiajiao into an experience not only seen but felt. Historical tea houses, antique shops, and small workshops encountered along the way offer enjoyable moments of discovery to visitors with silk products, handmade ceramics, and traditional artworks. This water village, carrying traces of the past in every corner, creates a feeling of a journey independent of time. After our visit, we move to AP Plaza, one of Shanghai's most popular shopping spots. In this market, known for its wide product variety and affordable prices, we have the opportunity to shop among many alternatives ranging from leather goods to electronics, watches to Chinese silks. After the tour, there is free time and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

9. DAY SHANGHAI – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport. After our baggage and ticket procedures, we depart for Istanbul on the Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. Upon arrival, our tour and services come to an end.