ELEGANT LEGENDARY CHINESE EMPIRE & HONG KONG with Turkish Airlines, 8 Nights

We will meet at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport three hours before departure. After completing baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures, we will begin our flight to Beijing on a scheduled Turkish Airlines service.

We will spend the night on board. Upon arrival in Beijing, we will board our private coach waiting at the airport and head to Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Square). One of the largest squares in the world, it is known both as a symbol of modern China and as a witness to historic events. We will then visit the Pearl Factory to discover the secrets of China’s famous freshwater pearls. As we learn how pearls are harvested from nature, expertly processed and transformed into dazzling jewellery, we will have the opportunity to observe the finer details of this unique craft up close. We then depart for the Forbidden City. We will observe how old and new Beijing coexist and experience, step by step, the splendour of this magnificent palace complex, which housed China’s emperors for centuries. Walking through vast courtyards, grand palaces and historic stone pathways, we will feel transported to an ancient imperial era. Enormous centuries-old gates, golden palace roofs, spacious squares and elegant gardens will draw you into the past. Every corner of the palace holds a story, and every detail bears traces of thousands of years of Chinese culture. We will then visit the Pearl Factory. The next stop on our tour will be the Temple of Heaven, with its magnificent domes rising towards the sky and its flawless architecture. Blending into the sky with its striking shades of blue, this unique structure is both a temple and a symbol of the Chinese people’s mystical connection with nature. At this sacred site, where emperors prayed to heaven for centuries, we will experience traces of the past at every step and discover the temple’s spiritual atmosphere. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Jade Factory (Jade Factory) to discover the fascinating world of jade, regarded for centuries in Chinese culture as a symbol of luck, prosperity and elegance. Here, as we watch raw stones being delicately shaped by skilled hands, we will have the opportunity to observe the elegance of traditional Chinese handicrafts and the mastery of the workmanship up close. The detailed figures and elegant designs carefully crafted by artisans will show us that jade is both an ornament and a living part of cultural heritage. We will then begin exploring the Great Wall of China. As we step off the coach, we will see the Great Wall, approximately 21.000 km long, winding across slopes and hilltops against an enchanting mountain backdrop. One of the world’s most iconic and immense structures, this unique defensive line is considered both a military structure and one of the greatest engineering achievements in Chinese history. With construction dating back to the 7th century BC, the Great Wall was expanded and reinforced by different dynasties over the centuries. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magnificent structure holds great significance for both Chinese and world history. As we explore the Great Wall, we will walk among its stone walls, following traces of the past step by step on an unforgettable journey through history. We will then make a brief photo stop at Beijing Olympic Park. Here, the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest / Bird’s Nest) and the National Aquatics Centre (Water Cube / Water Cube) can be viewed from the outside. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the railway station to travel to Xi’an. We will board our high-speed train for a journey into China's rich history. As the train glides along the tracks, silhouettes of mist-shrouded mountains, endless rice fields and pagoda temples scattered among villages will pass before our eyes like scenes from a film. Travelling at the pace of the modern world into the depths of the past, we will prepare to step into Xi’an's historic atmosphere.

Upon arrival in Xi’an, we will be greeted by this ancient city's magnificent walls, narrow stone-paved streets and architecture reflecting the spirit of bygone eras. Once an imperial capital and known as one of the most important crossroads of the Silk Road, this city has welcomed merchants, travellers and historians for centuries. Here, we can sense the traces of the past whispering among the stones. We will then set off on our Xi’an City Walls (Ancient City Walls) tour. 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 immense structure surrounds the city for 13,7 kilometres, bringing the splendour of the past into the present. Standing a full 12 metres high, these imposing walls are regarded as one of the finest examples of Chinese military architecture. As we walk along them, we will gain a sense of how this defensive system once protected the city and why it was one of the most strategic structures of its time. From here, we will enjoy panoramic views of Xi’an in a unique atmosphere where past and present blend together. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. Transfer to our hotel after dinner. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our sightseeing in Xi’an with a journey into history at the Terracotta Museum, one of the most important legacies of Chinese history, recognised by UNESCO as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. Commissioned by China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to guard his tomb, this enormous underground army remained hidden beneath the earth for 2200 years before its discovery in 1974. Comprising thousands of life-sized soldiers, each with distinct facial expressions, along with horses and chariots, this extraordinary ensemble is considered one of history’s most significant archaeological discoveries. At this impressive site, which reveals the military power and artistic mastery of ancient China, we will embark on an unforgettable journey into the past. We will then continue our sightseeing in Xi’an with a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Big Wild Goose Pagoda), an ancient structure of great importance to Buddhism that remains well preserved today. Next, we will visit a specialist lacquer art workshop showcasing an important example of traditional Chinese art. Afterwards, we will enjoy free time on Ancient Style Street (Ancient Style Street), with the opportunity to explore the area’s traditional atmosphere and shop. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Xianyang International Airport for our domestic flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we will visit the stylish Xintiandi district in the heart of the city, where old and new come together. Created by transforming Shanghai’s iconic Shikumen (stone-gated) buildings, this district evokes the atmosphere of old Shanghai with its grey bricks, red roof tiles and traditional carved doors. Modern restaurants, bars and boutiques set among historic streets bring East and West, tradition and modernity together. We will enjoy exploring Xintiandi, a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, with restaurants serving a wide variety of international cuisines and shops featuring popular brands. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our Shanghai city tour. We will depart for our tour of the Jade Buddha Temple (Jade Buddha Temple). This temple houses two magnificent Buddha statues carved entirely from white jade and adorned with precious stones. The seated Buddha is particularly striking, with its delicate texture that softly reflects the light and its serene expression. Regarded as an important symbol of the Buddhist faith, the temple offers a peaceful experience with its spiritual atmosphere. Next, we will visit the Silk Factory. The next stop on our tour will be the famous Nanjing Road (Nanjing Road), considered the heart of Shanghai’s commerce and shopping. Extending westwards from The Bund, with People’s Square (People’s Square) at its centre, this bustling street has earned a reputation as China’s “First Commercial Street” thanks to its modern character and lively atmosphere. Compared with the world’s most famous shopping destinations, Nanjing Road offers an enjoyable experience for shopping enthusiasts with its luxury stores, traditional handicraft boutiques and restaurants serving local flavours. Like Fifth Avenue (Fifth Avenue) in New York and the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Nanjing Road is one of Shanghai’s leading shopping destinations. We will then visit The Bund, one of Shanghai’s most iconic areas. Stretching along the Huangpu River, this famous waterfront is one of the city’s most popular spots, with its historic buildings and impressive night views. Next, we will view the Oriental TV Tower (Pearl Tower), located on the eastern bank of the Huangpu River, from the outside. Standing 468 metres tall, the tower is one of Shanghai’s most prominent landmarks. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out and depart for Zhujiajiao Water Town, one of Shanghai’s most enchanting places waiting to be discovered. With a history spanning more than 600 years, Zhujiajiao Water Town, known as the “Venice of Shanghai”, is a haven that shines like a pearl suspended in time. With its narrow stone streets, centuries-old Chinese houses featuring intricate wood carvings and elegant arched bridges, every corner resembles a work of art. The glow of red lanterns reflected in the still canal waters, the scent of incense drifting into the sky and the echoes of traditional music make this a destination for discovery that nourishes the soul. Traditional boats gliding gently across the crystal-clear water add a magical touch to the town’s timeless atmosphere, while the scent of jasmine wafting from historic teahouses accompanies the echoes of the past. Antique shops lining the narrow cobbled streets draw visitors into a fairy-tale world with elegant silks, handmade ceramics and historic calligraphy. We will then visit A.P Plaza, located next to Shanghai Science & Technology Museum Metro Station and one of Shanghai’s most popular destinations for bargain shopping. “AP” stands for Asia Pacific. With hundreds of stalls, this shopping destination offers a wide variety of products, from stylish bags and sunglasses to watches, scarves and electronics. Bargaining here is both a way to shop and a lively, entertaining social experience. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Shanghai Airport for our flight to Hong Kong with a local airline. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, we will first visit the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, built in 1915 on the Kowloon waterfront. Standing for over a hundred years, this landmark has remained a silent witness to the changes in Victoria Harbour over time. We will then walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, enjoying panoramic views of the Hong Kong Island skyline across Victoria Harbour. Next, we will visit the Avenue of Stars (Avenue of Stars), a commemorative promenade dedicated to the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. Here, we will see the handprints of famous film icons set into the railings and the striking Bruce Lee statue. This is a popular photo spot for visitors from around the world. In the evening, we will board the Star Ferry, which has operated on Victoria Harbour since 1888. During our journey on this iconic green-and-white ferry, we will have the opportunity to watch a dazzling multimedia light show featuring choreographed lasers and LED lights on skyscrapers on both sides of the harbour. With the harbour breeze, sparkling city lights surrounding us and the timeless charm of the ferry journey, we will experience Hong Kong at its most enchanting. After the tour, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we transfer to our hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a one-way ride up to Victoria Peak on the Peak Tram, a historic funicular and one of the city’s iconic forms of transport, offering unique views of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbour. We will enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Hong Kong’s impressive skyscrapers and harbour. We will then visit Wong Tai Sin Temple, a Taoist temple renowned for its wish-making and fortune-telling practices. Here, we will see locals and visitors praying and making offerings for good luck and prosperity. Next, we will visit Aberdeen Fishing Village, whose sheltered harbour is home to hundreds of fishing boats. With its quieter atmosphere compared with Hong Kong’s bustling metropolitan life, this area offers a different experience of the city. In the afternoon, we will have free time for shopping at Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung, a large shopping centre offering discounted products from international brands. We will then depart for Hong Kong Airport for our flight to Istanbul. After completing baggage and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul on a scheduled Turkish Airlines service.

Our tour and services end upon arrival at Istanbul New Airport.