Great China Tour with Turkish Airlines for 11 Days 2027

DAY 1: ISTANBUL – BEIJING | First Step in the Sky

Our journey begins by meeting with the tourism officials at Istanbul Airport’s International Terminal. We take off at 17:05 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 196 toward Beijing, the ancient capital of China. During our comfortable and direct flight, the overnight stay is spent on the plane, accompanied by THY’s world-class refreshments.

DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN BEIJING AND IMPERIAL SPLENDOR

In the morning, we arrive at Beijing Airport at 07:15 local time. After customs procedures, we move on with our private vehicle waiting for us to Tiananmen Square, the political heart of China. Then we explore the Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex, which hosted 24 emperors for 500 years. This massive structure, with its thousands of rooms and golden-roofed palaces, will fascinate you.

Dinner: Selected examples of Beijing cuisine at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4* or similar.

DAY 3: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA AND THE ELEGANCE OF THE SUMMER PALACE

After breakfast, we head to the Great Wall of China (Juyongguan Section), one of the seven wonders of the world. As we walk on this massive defensive line stretching from the mountain peaks, we will feel the breath of thousands of years of history. In the afternoon, we visit the Summer Palace, where emperors took refuge to cool off during the summer, famous for its artificial lake and artistic bridges.

Lunch: A rich menu at a local restaurant after the Great Wall excursion.

Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4* or similar.

DAY 4: THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN AND LIFE IN THE HUTONG STREETS

Today we see the Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing’s most aesthetic structures, where emperors prayed for a good harvest. Then we go to the Hutong district, famous for its narrow labyrinthine streets, which preserves Beijing’s traditional life. On the tour we will take here with traditional "rickshaw" vehicles, we will discover the true spirit behind modern Beijing.

Dinner: One of the most special moments of our tour; the famous Peking Duck feast.

Accommodation: JI Hotel Beijing Andingmen 4* or similar.

DAY 5: BEIJING – XI'AN | Journey to the Ancient Capital on Modern Rails

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Beijing Station and take a comfortable approximately 5-hour journey to Xi'an, China’s former capital, on the High-Speed Train that reaches speeds of 300 km/h. Upon arrival, we enjoy a panoramic view of the Ancient City Walls, which protect the city and can be ridden on by bicycle, and are among the world’s best-preserved.

Dinner: Set menu prepared with Xi'an’s local flavors.

Accommodation: Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel 4* or similar.

DAY 6: TERRACOTTA ARMY AND THE MUSLIM QUARTER

We start the day with one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in world history: the Terracotta Army (Clay Soldiers). We see on site the thousands of soldiers, each with a different facial expression, made to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in his tomb. In the afternoon, we explore the colorful Muslim Quarter and its exotic bazaar, which formed because Xi'an was a stop on the Silk Road.

Lunch: Regional specialties after the museum visit.

Accommodation: Union Alliance Atravis Executive Hotel 4* or similar.

DAY 7: XI'AN – SHANGHAI | Hello to the "Paris of the East"

After breakfast, we board the high-speed train again and set off for Shanghai, China’s capital of finance and modernism. Our first stop in this giant metropolis, where we will arrive in the evening, will be The Bund waterfront, which preserves the historical texture with its colonial buildings, and the magnificent silhouette formed by the giant skyscrapers on the opposite bank of the river (Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower).

Dinner: Dinner at one of Shanghai’s modern restaurants.

Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai 4* or similar.

DAY 8: THE SPIRIT OF SHANGHAI: YU GARDEN AND NANJING STREET

In the morning, we visit Yu Garden (Jade Gardens), the most elegant example of Chinese garden art, with temples and ponds inside. Then we spend free time on Nanjing Street, one of the world’s largest shopping streets, the heart of Shanghai. In the evening, we continue exploring Shanghai’s glittering streets.

Lunch: Shanghai-style seafood and vegetable-based delicacies.

Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai 4* or similar.

DAY 9: ZHUJIAJIAO WATER VILLAGE AND A LIGHTED FAREWELL ON THE RIVER

In the first half of the day, we go to Zhujiajiao, the historic water village known as the "Venice of China." On the boat tour we will take among the canals, we will photograph the old stone bridges and traditional houses along the riverbank. In the evening we return to Shanghai and crown our tour with a special farewell boat tour on the Huangpu River.

Dinner: A special menu as the farewell dinner of the tour.

Accommodation: Charms Hotel Shanghai 4* or similar.

DAY 10: FINAL DAY IN SHANGHAI AND THE RETURN JOURNEY

After our last breakfast at the hotel, today we will have plenty of free time in Shanghai for personal exploration or last-minute shopping. In the evening, we transfer to Pudong Airport accompanied by our guide. We depart for Istanbul at 23:05 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 027.

DAY 11: ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL

We arrive at Istanbul Airport at 06:05 in the morning, Turkey time. We say goodbye, looking forward to meeting again on another tourism journey.