Golden China- 10 Days (Beijing, Xian, Guilin)

Directly across the Forbidden City,  Tiananmen (literally "Gate of Heavenly Peace") Square has been the site of several key events in China's history, and holds great cultural significance.

A half mile long and over a quarter mile wide, the gargantuan scale is hard to imagine for many people until they have a chance to see it in person. At maximum capacity, this famous square can contain over 100 million people simultaneously!

The Chinese Imperial Palace was the throne of power from the mid-Ming Dynasty (~1400AD) to the end of the Qing Dynasty (1920AD) from which the Emperors ruled for 500 years. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world.

Gubei Kou (literally "Old North Opening"), is named for its historic status as one of the Great Wall's key checkpoints during ancient times. The local village was restored in 2016 to create a resort town in classic Chinese style. We arrange an overnight stay here so you can have ample time to enjoy one of the world's most beautiful landmarks; take in unique evening views of the Great Wall and take a walking tour on the wall during the day. Located at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, the resort is in a picturesque location where visitors can appreciate the beauty of the Great Wall from many different perspectives.

Super Value Tours includes a less-commercialized portion of the Great Wall of China so you can avoid the crowds and have ample time to quietly enjoy the magnificent beauty of the area. Located in the northern part of Miyun District in Beijing, the Simatai section of the Great Wall is adjacent to Gubei Water Town. The city wall is built on a steep hill and is famous for its unique beauty. Mandarin Duck Lake divides this part of the Great Wall into two sections with 16 carefully crafted watchtowers in the east and 18 in the west. Luo Zhewen, a famous Chinese ancient architect, once commented that "the Great Wall of China is the highest in the world, and the Great Wall of Simatai is the best in the Great Wall of China." It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 and is a state-level key cultural relic.

This second palace served the Qing Dynasty as an imperial retreat from the stifling confines of the Forbidden City. The complex suffered two major attacks, one during the Anglo-French invasion of 1860 and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The surviving garden was rebuilt in 1886 and 1902, and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 1998.

The temple also known as Tian Tan, is one of the largest temple complexes in China and a paradigm of Chinese architectural balance and symbolism. The complex was visited by the Emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to heaven for a good harvest. Today, the park surrounding the Temple of Heaven has become a favorite gathering place for early morning practitioners of Tai Chi and other bustling social activities.

Covering 700,000 square feet, the newly-built museum recreates Tang-dynasty architecture and successfully symbolizes the great extent of Shaanxi (ancient name for Xian) history and its remarkable culture. This is the best starting point on our journey back through time.

Just as the Forbidden City symbolizes Beijing, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a popular piece of ancient architecture in China and symbolizes Xian. The pagoda was erected in the Tang-dynasty (~ 650AD) as a fireproof storehouse for sutras and other Buddhist relics imported from India.

The life-sized Terracotta (clay) warriors and horses of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor who unified China, date back over 2,000 years (210BC) and were unearthed in 1974 by local farmers. The delicately carved figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians, each with different expressions and unique faces. A vast collection has been unearthed across 3 separate pits, but archeologists estimate the entire army consists of over 8,000 soldiers with a majority of the original warriors still buried in the pits.

The Ancient City Wall of Xi'an was constructed in the early Ming Dynasty (1300AD), and is a symbol of great significance for China's most famous historic cities. A main feature of the Xi'an City Wall lies in the fact it has been preserved, which is rarely seen elsewhere in the world. The Ancient City Wall has corner towers, ramparts, sentry towers, gate towers, battlements and a number of city fortifications with very strong defensive capabilities.

Breaking from typical tour itineraries, we include bamboo rafting in lieu of the usual Li River cruise since it is a much more fulfilling "up close and personal" experience. Drifting down the Yulong River on a raft gives you a chance to enjoy the natural "miles of art galleries" on both sides of the river up close. Pleasing to both the eye and the soul, enjoy the river while drifting lazily downstream; enter a poetic world of harmonious freedom with nature and man blended in one.

Also different from usual tour programs, we include a morning with a choice of relaxing activities to explore the countryside of Yangshuo: biking, hiking, or electric cart. This breathtaking experience offers a glimpse of countryside life in China and is not to be missed. Feel the scenery up close and interact with local villagers.