Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/208476
ANCIENT CHINA 18-DAY ITINERARY, CLASSIC TOUR Tour China's most ancient cities, tracing the roots of Asia's most fascinating cultures. This tour will take you from the present capital of Beijing to the ancient capitals of Xian and Luoyang. Tour the most significant sites of the Imperial Age and wander the charming streets of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Pingyao. 0 0 miles km Inbound (1N) 400 400 Beijing (4N) Datong (1N) atong Wutaishan (1N) i 1 Taiyuan (1N) Pingyao (1N) o Overnight Train (1N) Xian (2N) Luoyang (1N) Dengfeng (1N) Macau cau Shanghai (3N) Hong Kong Air Coach Rail DAY 1: DEPART THE US Depart on your overnight flight from the US to China. DAY 2: ARRIVE BEIJING Upon arrival in Beijing, you are met and transferred to your hotel. DAY 3: BEIJING Sightseeing today includes a stroll through Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao's Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City. Take a rickshaw ride through the traditional Hutong areas and visit the unique Temple of Heaven. Tonight you will enjoy one of China's famous art forms, the Peking Opera, followed by your evening meal, including the local delicacy, Peking duck. (B, L, D) DAY 4: BEIJING It is often said in Beijing that you have not been to China until you have climbed the Great Wall. Walk along the wall, admire the panoramic views and reflect on the immensity of the material and labor required for its construction. From here you will visit the 15th century Temple of Heaven. (B, L, D) DAY 5: BEIJING This morning, head to the Summer Palace, a retreat for emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Next, browse the antique district, perusing the endless items for sale, such as Buddhist statues, antique furniture and old books and scrolls. (B, L, D) DAY 6: BEIJING TO DATONG Depart on a train journey to Datong arriving this afternoon, where you will be transferred to your hotel. (B, L, D) DAY 7: DATONG TO WUTAISHAN Today you will drive to Wutaishan with a few sightseeing stops along the way, including the 1,500-year-old Yungang Caves, containing over 50,000 Buddhist statues and frescoes and the Hanging Monastery, perched above a river on a cliff. You will then continue your journey to Wutaishan, a charming monastic village located on one of four sacred mountain ranges in Chinese Buddhism. (B, L, D) Yungang Caves 22 Ancient China DAY 8: WUTAISHAN TO TAIYUAN This morning, walk from the foot to the top of the mountain to visit the Bodhisattva Summit Temple and the Xiantong Temple. From here you will drive to Taiyuan, an ancient city with a long history. Upon arrival, visit the Twin Pagoda Temple, each of which are 13 stories high and built entirely of brick and stone. (B, L, D)