Spring Blossom of China - Peony Festival & Pingyao Ancient City
Peony is the National Flower of China. It is known for its “beauty and fragrance” or "flower of riches and honor", and is used symbolically in Chinese art. It is chosen as 2008 Olympic flower. During the festival, Peony of different species and colors will be displayed. Pingyao is a well preserved Ancient City with 40,000 residents living within the city. It is the banking center for Silk Road trade and others. This tour has more to offer like: visit the Longmen and Yungang Grottoes, watching Chinese Kung Fu performance at the Shaolin Temple, visit Qiao’s Compound which is the filming ground of a movie call “The Red Lantern”, or the amazing Hanging Monastery which is built on a sheer cliff. To experience the beauty of Peony flowers, the sense of history and link to the past, don’t miss this awesome tour that debut once a year.
Apr 12 (Tue) USA – Beijing
We start our vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Beijing, the capital city of China. Meals and snacks will be served on the plane.
Apr 13 (Wed) Beijing
Arrive at Beijing Int’l Airport. Our representative will greet and escort us to our hotel.
Apr 14 (Thu) Beijing – Zhengzhou (A, L, SD)
After Breakfast, we will take train to Zhengzhou. Upon arrival, visit Henan Provincial Museum. It features the inscriptions of the earliest ancient Chinese characters are found on Oracles. Tonight’s welcome dinner is arranged at hotel.
Apr 15 (Fri) Zhengzhou – Kaifeng – Dengfeng (AB, SL, SD)
After breakfast, we will drive to Kaifeng, one of the ancient Chinese capitals. This city’s thriving streets have been captured in the famous Song painting “The Festival of Pure Brightness on the River”. We will visit Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden to enjoy the view of the ancient Chinese capital city and lifestyle in Ming and Qing Dynasties during a walking tour. Then we will have Baozi (Steam Stuffed-Bun) Banquet. Drive to Dengfeng. After the vegetarian dinner, the Shaolin Chan Zhong show is arranged. The show production cost 35 million Yuan with hundred Kung Fu monks performing at the same time which is as grand as the Olympic Ceremony.
Apr 16 (Sat) Dengfeng – Luoyang (AB, L, D)
Today’s highlight is to visit Shaolin Temple, the home of Chinese martial arts (Kung Fu) and see China’s oldest Pagoda Forest, where monks were buried. We will visit the martial art school to understand the life in Kung Fu school. After the lunch we will drive to Luoyang, where the best peonies are planted and grown. Dinner is arranged in the hotel.
Apr 17 (Sun) Luoyang (AB, L, SD)
Today’s highlight is to visit the Peony Garden and Peony Gene Pool. The beautiful and graceful peony is the national flower of China and is called the “King of Flowers”. Today there are more than 300 varieties of peony in Luoyang. People from around the country and abroad are attracted to Luoyang when the peony flowers are in full bloom. In the afternoon, visit Longmen Grottoes, one of the three major grottoes in China constructed more than four hundred years ago. Also, enjoy the most famous Luoyang Water Feast (Luoyang Shui Xi) that features many kinds of soup.
Apr 18 (Mon) Luoyang – Yuncheng – Pingyao (AB, L, SD)
After breakfast, drive to Pingyao, a city listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Lunch will be arranged at Yuncheng city, which is the half way point. We will change tour bus as well. Upon arrival, check in hotel and enjoy the courtyard setting. Pingyao Merchant’s Traditional Banquet will be served in the evening.
Apr 19 (Tue) Pingyao (AB, L, D)
Today we will spend whole day in the ancient town. Visit Ancient Ming and Qing Streets, the City Wall of Pingyao, and the Rishengchang (Sunrise Property) when the earliest bank started in China. Also, we will participate in coloring Chinese Opera Mask and paper cutting, which are unique art form and have existed for thousands of years with a long history featuring both national and regional themes. This opera mask is an elegant addition to any face mask collection, a wall hanging art, and it is a special costume party wear.
Apr 20 (Wed) Pingyao – Taiyuan (AB, SL, SD)
After breakfast, we will go to the 4,220 square yardsQiao’s Compound, consisting of six main courtyards and twenty minor ones. These compounds
belonged to one family in Qing Dynasty. It was a popular filming site and famous movie like the “Red Lantern”. Then we drive to Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi Province, and visit Jinci Temple on the way. Today, we will feature the Shabu Shabu Lunch and Taiyuan noodle is arranged.
Apr 21 (Thu) Taiyuan – Datong(AB, L, D)
After breakfast, visit the Coal Museum of China, which are the symbols of Taiyuan city. After lunch, drive to Datong, the second largest city in Shanxi Province.
Apr 22 (Fri) Datong (AB, L, SD)
Drive to Hunyuan to visit the Hanging Monastery (Xuankong Si) which is built on extremely sheer cliffs above Jinlong Canyon. Construction dates back 1400 years to the Northern Wei Dynasty. Visit the caves of Yungang Grottoes which house over 51,000 stone sculptures completed during the Northern Wei Dynasty (460-494AD). It extends one kilometer from east to west. We will have farewell dinner tonight.
Apr 23 (Sat) Datong – Beijing (AB, L)
After breakfast, drive to Beijing. At lunch, we will change tour bus. Then visit Rundeju, to learn about the Chinese Jade culture. In the afternoon, Yashow shopping is arranged.
Apr 24 (Sun) Beijing (AB, L)
After breakfast, visit Tongrentang, a traditional medicine pharmacy to learn about Chinese Herbs. Continue to visit Hutong family; then step back in time as you take Rickshaw ride for a behind-the-scene tour of the Hutongs, the ancient lanes in the old residential area of Beijing.
Apr 25 (Mon) Beijing – Hometown (AB)
Today we will transfer to the airport for your return flight home, taking with you lasting memories of this wonderful trip to China.
AB: American Breakfast
L: Lunch
D: Dinner
SD: Special Dinner
TOUR FEE INCLUDES
- International and China domestic airfare
- Deluxe hotel accommodation (based on double occupancy)
- Admission and meals as stated
- Escorted tour with a minimum of 20 passengers
- Refer to “General Condition of Wonderful Vacation”
- We reserve the right to modify the itinerary for smooth operation
Please call 626-300-3888 for details - Price is subject to change without notice. This is due to unforeseen circumstances like fuel prices increase, air tax, lower exchange rate and others
