Elegant Legendary Chinese Empire Beijing & Xi'an & Shanghai 3 Cities 7 Nights with Qatar Airways Airlines (FLY005)

1st Day ISTANBUL – DOHA We will meet at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport three hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our flight to Doha will begin with Qatar Airways’ scheduled flight. After arriving in Doha, we will transfer for our connecting flight to Beijing with Qatar Airways. We will spend the night on the plane. 2nd Day BEIJING After arriving in Beijing, we will transfer to our private bus waiting at the airport and set off for our panoramic Beijing city tour. Our first stop will be the Lapa Temple (from the outside). The temple, which houses an 18-meter statue of Buddha, is one of China’s most important and largest temples. It was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and is considered one of the most important centers for followers of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Our next stop will be the Miaoying Temple, also known as the White Stupa Temple, an important monastery of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism (from the outside). Built during the Yuan dynasty, this temple is one of the oldest and largest temples in China and was magnificently restored in 2010. Next, we will see the Bird's Nest Stadium and the Water Cube, which were built for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics (from the outside). After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel. 3rd Day BEIJING – FORBIDDEN CITY – TIANANMEN SQUARE – TEMPLE OF HEAVEN – BEIJING After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our day exploring the mystical history of the city. As our bus takes us towards the heart of the city, we will observe how Beijing’s old and new textures coexist, feeling the grandeur of this magnificent palace complex that has hosted China’s emperors for centuries. Walking through vast courtyards, magnificent palaces, and historic stone paths will make you feel as if you are transported back to an imperial era. The hundreds of years old giant gates, golden palace roofs, wide squares and elegant gardens will draw you into the past. Each corner of the palace hides a story while every detail bears the traces of thousands of years of Chinese culture. Then, we will move on to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world, known as a symbol of modern China and a witness to historical events. Next, we will visit the Pearl Factory to discover the secrets of China’s famous freshwater pearls. We will have the chance to closely observe the intricacies of this unique craft while learning how the pearls are harvested from nature and skillfully transformed into dazzling jewelry. Our next stop will be the Temple of Heaven, distinguished by its magnificent domes and perfect architecture. This unique structure, which harmonizes breathtaking blue tones with the sky, symbolizes the mystical bond the Chinese people have with nature. For centuries, emperors have prayed to the heavens at this sacred site, where we will witness the spiritual essence of the temple while feeling the traces of the past. After the tour, we will proceed to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel. 4th Day BEIJING – GREAT WALL – JUYONG PASS – BEIJING After breakfast at the hotel, we will start exploring the world-renowned Great Wall of China. Upon disembarking from the bus, we will see the Great Wall of China stretching approximately 21,000 km long, flowing like a ribbon over the mountains and hills, accompanied by breathtaking mountain views. This unique defensive structure, one of the world's most iconic and monumental constructions, is not only a military structure but also considered one of the greatest engineering achievements in Chinese history. The wall's construction dates back to the 7th century BC, and it has been expanded and reinforced by different dynasties throughout the centuries. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magnificent structure is of great importance not only to China but also to world history. While exploring the Great Wall, we will walk between the stone walls, tracing the footprints of the past and embarking on an unforgettable journey through history. Next, we will visit the Jade Factory to explore the mesmerizing world of jade, which has symbolized luck, wealth, and grace in Chinese culture for centuries. Here, we will have the chance to watch how raw stones are intricately shaped by skilled hands, closely observing the elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. The detailed figures and sophisticated designs that artisans carefully carve will make us feel that jade is not just an ornament but a living part of cultural heritage. After the tour, we will move to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel. 5th Day BEIJING – XI’AN After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the train station to depart for Xi’an. We will embark on a journey into the depths of China's rich history aboard the high-speed train waiting for us. As we glide along the tracks, silhouettes of mountains hidden in the mist, vast rice fields, and pagoda temples scattered among the villages will pass before our eyes like a scene from a movie. Preparing to step into Xi’an's historic atmosphere, which once served as the capital of emperors and is known as one of the most important crossroads of the Silk Road. Upon arrival in Xi’an, we will be greeted by the majestic walls, cobblestone streets, and architecture reflecting the spirit of ancient times. Once the capital for emperors and a key point for traders, travelers, and historians for centuries, this city offers whispers of the past between its stones. After the tour, we will move to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel. 6th Day XI’AN – TERRACOTTA – ANCIENT STYLE STREET – XI’AN After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our visit in Xi’an with the Terracotta Museum, one of China’s most important heritage sites, recognized by UNESCO as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." This massive underground army, created to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, remained hidden beneath the earth for 2200 years until its discovery in 1974. Comprising thousands of soldiers, horses, and chariots, each with unique facial expressions, this extraordinary site is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history, showcasing ancient China’s military power and artistic craftsmanship. Afterward, we will visit Ancient Style Street, one of Xi’an's most authentic spots. This historical alley, adorned with traditional Chinese architecture, boasts narrow streets, wooden shops decorated with red lanterns, and cobbled paths that transport us back in time. From handmade souvenirs to antiques and elegant silk products to traditional Chinese calligraphy, many cultural values are found within this historic market. The aromas of spices rising along the street and the echoes of traditional music, coupled with artisan craftsmanship, transform this place into a living history scene. After the tour, we will proceed to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel. 7th Day XI’AN – XI’AN CITY WALLS – BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA – SHANGHAI After breakfast at the hotel, we will set off for a tour of the Xi’an City Walls. Our first stop will be the Xi’an City Walls, one of China’s best-preserved and most magnificent defensive structures. Built by the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century, this massive structure encircles the city with a length of 13.7 kilometers, bringing the grandeur of the past into the present. Standing 12 meters high, these impressive walls are considered one of the strongest examples of military architecture in China. As we walk along the walls, we will feel how this defense system once protected the city and was one of the most strategic constructions of its time. Here, we will enjoy a panoramic view of Xi’an, immersed in a unique atmosphere that blends the past and present. The next stop will be the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a graceful structure built during the Tang Dynasty. It has played a critical role in the spread of Buddhism in China and is recognized as a sacred worship center. This seven-story pagoda, standing at 64 meters, is one of the most striking examples of traditional Chinese architecture. Legend has it that the famous Buddhist monk Xuanzang stored the sacred texts brought from India here, and this structure has become one of the most important symbols of Buddhism's development in China. After the tour, we will head to Xi’an Airport to fly to Shanghai. After completing passport and baggage procedures, we will fly with a local airline to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we will move to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel. 8th Day SHANGHAI – JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE – YU GARDEN – NANJING ROAD – SHANGHAI After breakfast at the hotel, we will set off for the Jade Buddha Temple tour. This temple houses two majestic Buddha statues carved entirely from white jade and adorned with precious stones. Especially the sitting Buddha statue captivates with its soft texture and serene expression. Recognized as one of the important symbols of Buddhist belief, this temple offers a soothing experience with its spiritual atmosphere. Next, we will visit Yu Garden, which is one of the most stunning examples of traditional Chinese gardening. This garden, resembling a scene painted by an artist, features labyrinthine pathways, stone bridges reflecting in the water, and artistic rock formations, transforming it into an impressive place that evokes a sense of time travel. Afterward, we will visit the Silk Factory to closely observe China’s world-renowned silk production process. Here, we will trace the transformation of silk from the delicate touch of silkworms to luxurious fabrics, discovering the intricacies of traditional Chinese silk craftsmanship. Our next stop will be the famous Nanjing Road, the heart of commerce and shopping in Shanghai. With its lively shops and local dining options, this bustling avenue offers a shopping experience that rivals the world’s most famous destinations. Afterward, we will visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has become a symbol of Shanghai (from the outside). Soaring to 468 meters, this tower dazzles with its illuminated silhouette at night, making it one of the city's most striking structures. After the tour, we will proceed to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Accommodation at our hotel. 9th/10th Day SHANGHAI – ZHUJIAJIAO WATER TOWN – AP PLAZA SHOPPING – DOHA – ISTANBUL After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and head to Zhujiajiao Water Town, one of Shanghai’s most captivating spots. With over 600 years of history, Zhujiajiao Water Town, referred to as "the Venice of Shanghai," gleams like a pearl suspended in time. With its narrow stone streets, intricately carved historic Chinese houses, and elegant arched bridges, every corner is like a work of art. The still waters of the canals reflecting the red lantern lights, the scents of incense wafting into the sky, and the echoes of traditional music transform this place into not just a travel destination, but a nourishing space for exploration. Traditional boats gliding gently over the crystal-clear waters add a magical touch to the timeless atmosphere of the village, while the jasmine aromas rising from historic tea houses accompany the sounds of the past. The antique shops along the cobbled streets, filled with exquisite silks, handmade ceramics, and historical calligraphy works, draw visitors into a fairy-tale world. After the tour, we will proceed to AP Plaza, one of the city's most vibrant and colorful markets, known for its wide variety of products and attractive prices; it offers countless options from quality leather goods to electronics, luxury watches to Chinese silks. Following this, we will head to Shanghai Airport for our flight to Istanbul. After completing baggage and passport procedures, we will fly to Doha with Qatar Airways. Upon arrival in Doha, we will transfer for our flight to Istanbul. With our arrival at Istanbul Airport, our tour and services will conclude.