Traditional Sinology Tour

Through this tour, you will experience the life of ancient Chinese scholars and students. You will learn traditional Chinese culture such as calligraphy and Kung Fu, and visit China’s top university Tsinghua. Lastly, you will have the chance to visit the Bifengxia Giant Panda Reserve.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Beijing: Attend a welcome party with an introduction of the tour and local culture. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 2

Beijing: In the early morning, watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest city square and home of both ancient and recent historical events. The grounds also house Tiananmen Tower, monument to the People’s Heroes, Great Hall of the People and Chairman Mao’s monument. Then on to the legendary Forbidden City, which also houses the Imperial Palace Museum. Visit China’s top University, Tsinghua University, which has a history of more than a hundred years. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic’show.

Day 3

Beijing: The highlight of today is an excursion to the Great Wall. Enjoy the dramatic vistas and marvel at the Wall as it climbs and descends steep ridges and narrow valleys. Afterwards, learn Kung Fu in a local martial arts school.

Day 4

Beijing: Visit the National Museum of China which is home to 5,000 years of Chinese art and cultural heritage. Visit local families and learn about their daily lives and cook a meal with your host family.

Day 5

Transfer to Qufu by Bullet Train: Qufu is the birthplace of Confucius (September 28, 551 BC – 479 BC), a Chinese thinker and social philosopher. Confucius’ thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism.

Day 6

Qufu: Visit the Confucius Temple, Confucius Family Mansion and Family Graveyard, which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1994. Watch the performance of the school’s opening ceremony, sacrificial rites and the adult ceremony in ancient China. Also, learn six classic arts, including rites, music, archery, riding, writing and arithmetic.

Day 7

Qufu: Complete learning Chinese traditional arts like seal cutting, calligraphy and painting, followed by a short graduation ceremony.

Day 8

Transfer to Jinan and fly to Chengdu: In the evening, after having a hot spicy pot, stroll through the Kuan Zhai Alley, a historic preserve district consisting of 45 courtyards in the style of Qing and Ming dynasty style. Later watch the stunning Sichuan Folk Skills show.

Day 9

Bifengxia Giant Panda Reserve (Bus): The Bifengxia Giant Panda Base is now home to the largest concentration of giant pandas in the world. It currently is home to nearly 75 giant pandas. During your visit, you will be educated about these trademark creatures and get to know the daily routine and life of a panda.

Day 10

Chengdu: Return to Chengdu and watch a traditional Tea Ceremony which is a mix of Kung Fu, dance and tea culture. The children will learn the tea arts and make a cup of tea for their parents.

Day 11

Chengdu-Shanghai: Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. In the evening, enjoy the panoramic Huangpu River, where the historic Bund and the futuristic Pudong come face-to-face.

Day 12

Shanghai: Stroll through the beautiful Yuyuan Garden and taste local delicacies in the Old Town. Explore the restored Xintiandi area with its unique 1920s style Shikumen buildings.

Day 13

Departure