DAY 1 - ISTANBUL AIRPORT – CHENGDU
We meet with you, our valued guests, at Istanbul Airport Departure Terminal four hours before the flight. After baggage and passport procedures, we depart directly for Chengdu with Turkish Airlines flight TK226 at 02:05 at night. Arrival at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 15:40 local time. After being welcomed by our local guide, transfer to our hotel. Depending on arrival and transfer times, visit Kuanzhai Alleys. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, these narrow streets are Chengdu's most vibrant historical area with their traditional courtyard houses, tea houses, and handicraft shops. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our hotel in Chengdu.
DAY 2 - CHENGDU – XIAN (High-Speed Train)
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. At the center, which is one of the world's most important panda conservation facilities, we will observe giant pandas living in areas close to their natural habitats, see the baby panda care units, and receive information about conservation efforts for the species. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to Chengdu East Railway Station. We depart for Xian by high-speed train on a journey of approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and check-in to our rooms. In the evening, visit the Muslim Quarter and night market. Located at the eastern end of the Silk Road, this neighborhood has been home to the Hui Muslim community for centuries; it is Xian's most colorful area with its street food, spice stalls, and handicrafts. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our hotel in Xian.
DAY 3 - XIAN – TERRACOTTA ARMY
After breakfast, we depart for the Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 3rd century B.C. for Emperor Qin Shi Huang and discovered by chance in 1974, this giant army consists of thousands of terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots, each with unique facial features. We tour the area, considered one of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries, accompanied by our guide. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty, the pagoda is the symbol of bringing Buddhist texts to China.
Then we ascend the Xian Ancient City Wall. Measuring 14 kilometers in length, the walls are China's best-preserved city defense structure and offer a panoramic view of the city. Tang Dynasty Show accompanied by a dumpling banquet in the evening. We watch the imperial art of a thousand years ago with palace dances, traditional music, and costumes. Overnight at our hotel in Xian.
DAY 4 - XIAN – BEIJING (High-Speed Train)
After breakfast at our hotel, transfer to the train station in the early morning. We depart for Beijing by high-speed train on a journey of approximately 4-5 hours. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. Depending on the train schedule, visit the Summer Palace or Beijing Olympic Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Summer Palace is the most magnificent example of imperial garden art; it is the summer residence of the Qing Dynasty with its pavilions around Kunming Lake, long corridor, and marble bridges. Then, a walk on Wangfujing Street. Beijing's most famous shopping street is known for its historical stores and street food. In the evening, Beijing Roast Duck dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our hotel in Beijing.
DAY 5 - BEIJING – FORBIDDEN CITY
After breakfast, we depart for Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city square. Afterwards, we tour the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in 1420, the palace complex hosted 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for 500 years. Spanning 72 hectares with 980 buildings, it is the world's largest wooden palace complex. We climb Jingshan Park to the north of the Forbidden City to photograph a bird's-eye view of the palace complex and the city. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Temple of Heaven. Built in 1420 where emperors prayed for bountiful harvests, the temple is one of the most elegant examples of Chinese architecture and cosmological understanding. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our hotel in Beijing.
DAY 6 - GREAT WALL – CHONGQING
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Built during the Ming Dynasty and being one of the best-preserved sections, Mutianyu stretches across forest-covered hills with 22 watchtowers. Ascending and descending by cable car, we walk on the wall and watch the unique scenery of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport. In the evening, we depart for Chongqing with a domestic flight. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. Depending on the flight schedule, evening visit to Hongya Cave. The 11-story traditional wooden building complex on the banks of the Yangtze River offers the city's most impressive view with its night illumination. Overnight at our hotel in Chongqing.
DAY 7 - CHONGQING – TWO RIVERS CRUISE
After breakfast, we depart for the Liziba Monorail Viewing Platform. This spot, where the metro passes through a 19-story apartment building, is the symbol of Chongqing's vertical city identity. Afterwards, we tour Ciqikou Ancient Town. Having a thousand-year history, the town keeps the China of the Ming-Qing period alive with its cobblestone streets, tea houses, porcelain workshops, and street food. We cross to the opposite shore over the river by the Yangtze River Cableway, watching the panorama of the city's skyscrapers and the confluence point of the rivers. Afterwards, we tour Kuixinglou and the Jiefangbei area. Lunch at a local restaurant. Boat tour on the Yangtze and Jialing rivers in the evening; we watch the confluence point of the two rivers among illuminated skyscrapers and bridges. Our dinner is the famous Chongqing hotpot, with its spiciness level adjusted according to our group. Overnight at our hotel in Chongqing.
DAY 8 - CHONGQING – CHENGDU – ISTANBUL AIRPORT
After breakfast at our hotel, transfer to the train station. We depart for Chengdu by high-speed train on a journey of approximately 1-2 hours. Visit to People's Park and traditional tea house in Chengdu. In the park, which is the heart of the city's daily life, we experience the tea culture that local people have maintained for centuries and do a traditional tea tasting. After lunch at a local restaurant, free time for shopping in Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li area. Chengdu's most modern shopping area attracts attention with its contemporary architecture established around a historical temple. After dinner at a local restaurant, transfer to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. We depart directly for Istanbul at 00:45 at night with Turkish Airlines flight TK227. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05:55 local time in the morning and end of our tour.
