April 20-30 - From Imperial Capitals to Modern China - Special for National Sovereignty and Children's Day

Meeting at 17:00 in front of the Qatar Airways counter at the Istanbul Airport international departures terminal. After ticket, baggage and passport procedures, we fly to Doha at 20:05 on Qatar Airways flight QR246.

We arrive in Doha at 00:05 local time. We depart for Beijing on flight QR892 at 02:10 local time. We arrive in Beijing at 15:00 local time. After passport control and baggage procedures, we leave the airport and board our vehicle, which will take us to the hotel. Upon arriving at our hotel, we complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. We will spend the night at our hotel in Beijing.

After breakfast at our hotel, we greet the day at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world. In this vast area at the political and historical heart of China, we witness the modern face and the past of the country by seeing its national monuments and majestic buildings. Then we move on to the Forbidden City, where emperors lived for centuries and which served as the administrative center of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this complex is the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden imperial palace complex in the world. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the palace was home to 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Spread over an area of 72 hectares and housing more than 1.8 million precious cultural artifacts, the complex reveals ancient Chinese imperial culture and superior architectural craftsmanship. After our lunch break, we visit the Summer Palace, known as the most distinguished classical imperial garden in China and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during the Qing Dynasty, the palace harmoniously brings together hills, lakes, pavilions, corridors and temples. The winding Long Corridor, the expansive Kunming Lake and the magnificent Longevity Hill create an impressive landscape that reflects the essence of traditional Chinese garden art. Afterwards, we visit the Temple of Heaven, where we get to know this historic complex where emperors held ceremonies for bountiful harvests. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is among the important symbols of Beijing with its architecture and vast gardens. For dinner, we enjoy a Peking Duck menu at a local restaurant. At the end of our tour, we return to our hotel. Our overnight stay is at our hotel in Beijing.

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off to visit the Mutianyu section, known for its impressive views of the Great Wall of China. We reach the walls using the cable car, round trip, and explore this magnificent structure and the surrounding mountain scenery. At the end of our tour, we transfer to the train station and travel to Xi'an by high-speed train. Upon arriving in the city, which served as the capital for 13 dynasties throughout history, we have dinner and transfer to our hotel. After arriving at our hotel, we complete the check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Our overnight stay is at our hotel in Xi'an.

After breakfast at our hotel, we visit the Terracotta Army Museum, located in the heart of the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and one of the most impressive discoveries in Chinese history. As we walk through this massive army of thousands of terracotta soldiers, horses and chariots, which remained hidden underground for over 2,000 years, guided by our guide's explanations, we bear witness to the magnificent legacy of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Walking among these statues, each with a different facial expression, the quiet yet fascinating atmosphere of ancient times draws us in. After this impressive first half of the day, we take a short break with lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the spiritual symbols of the city. Strolling through the courtyards around this sacred structure, which houses Buddhist manuscripts, we journey back in time, accompanied by stone carvings and elegant architectural details. We visit Datang Everbright City, which reflects the cultural heritage of the Tang Dynasty. In this pedestrian area, noted for its illuminations and buildings inspired by traditional architecture, we experience the city's evening atmosphere. In the evening, we watch the Tang Dynasty Show, an impressive stage performance reflecting the Tang Dynasty, and enjoy our dinner, the Dumpling Feast, featuring traditional flavors. At the end of the day, we return to our hotel in Xi'an and retire to rest.

After the breakfast at our hotel, we continue by visiting the Xi'an City Walls. After getting to know the city's historic defensive structure, we fly to the fairytale landscape of Zhangjiajie, where nature has turned into a magnificent work of art, following our free time in the Muslim Quarter and a transfer to the airport. After arriving in Zhangjiajie, we transfer to our hotel. Following our arrival at the hotel, we complete the check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. After having our dinner at a local restaurant, we return to our hotel. We will spend the night at our hotel in Zhangjiajie.

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off on a full-day comprehensive tour of the fascinating Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds the title of China's first national park. In this fairytale landscape, unlike anywhere else in the world with its unique quartzite sandstone pillars and steep peak forests, we spend unforgettable moments among dense forests untouched by the axe, strange rock formations rising into the sky through the mists, steep cliffs and crystal-clear streams flowing with a babbling sound. Inspired by many world-famous legendary films and hosting some of their scenes, these magical mountain views allow us throughout the day both to witness the immense splendor and pristine beauty of nature and to breathe in the clean, fresh air of the mountains. After this tour of a natural wonder that offers postcard-worthy views at every step, we return to our hotel. At the end of the tour, we have our dinner at a local restaurant and then return to our hotel. Our overnight stay is at our hotel in Zhangjiajie.

After breakfast at our hotel, we set out to explore Tianmen Mountain, known as the "First Sacred Mountain of Western Hunan," renowned for its supernatural natural beauty and breathtaking viewpoints. We discover this region, famous for its captivating natural landscapes and thrilling travel experience. After lunch, we head to the airport and fly to Shanghai, the pearl of eastern China and an international metropolis that enchants with its dazzling skyline. Upon arriving in Shanghai, we have dinner and transfer to the hotel. Following our arrival at the hotel, we complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Our overnight stay is at our hotel in Shanghai.

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our full-day Shanghai city tour. First, we visit the Yu Garden, a classic Jiangnan private garden built during the Ming Dynasty with a history of over 400 years. Known for its elegant pavilions, artificial rock formations, ponds and winding corridors, the garden reflects the essence of Jiangnan garden art with its carefully planned layout and impressive views. Afterwards, we explore the Yuyuan Bazaar, a bustling shopping area surrounding the garden, filled with local snacks, traditional shops and handicraft products. For dinner, we dine on Nanjing Road, Shanghai's most famous shopping street. Then, we return to our hotel.  We will spend the night at our hotel in Shanghai.

After breakfast at our hotel, we will complete our check-out procedures, and in the morning we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai's famous Buddhist temples. Built at the end of the 19th century, the temple houses two precious white jade Buddha statues, each carved from a single piece of Myanmar jade. These statues are among the rare treasures of Buddhism. Afterwards, we visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, one of the iconic structures of the Pudong skyline, and enjoy panoramic views of the Huangpu River and the city. Following our free time, we will transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for our flight QR871. 

Departure from Shanghai at 00:35 local time. After landing in Doha at 05:25 local time, changing aircraft and flying to Istanbul on Qatar Airways flight QR239 at 07:30. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 11:55 local time and the end of our tour. We bid farewell, looking forward to meeting you on our next enjoyable journey.