Day 1

Meeting at Riga Airport.

Flight Riga - Istanbul-Beijing

Day 2

Tiananmen Gate, the heart not only of Beijing, but also of China.

The National Museum, Mao Zedong Memorial House, Monument to the Fighters for the Liberation of the People of China - unique examples of a blend of Soviet monumental classicism and Chinese palace style. Events that have left an important mark on Chinese history took place in the city's main square, undoubtedly the city's most striking landmark. Tourists are attracted not only by the opportunity to take photographs against the backdrop of national symbols, but also by the ceremony of raising/lowering the national flag. In the northern part of the square is the Beijing Gate, the entrance to the Forbidden City (additional fee €9), which was closed to the eyes of ordinary people for almost 6 centuries. After the restoration in 1989, it was closed to the public. The Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace, although opened to the public, still continue to hold many secrets.

Journey to the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China was the last obstacle to the capital, so it was reinforced with extra care. Here you can see Mao Zedong's autograph “No real hero is he who has not been on the Great Wall of China” and visit the former command post, the barracks and one of the hero temples of Guan Yun, the legendary hero of the Three Kingdoms era but today the God of War and Wealth. .

One of the main symbols of Beijing is the Tian Tian Temple of Heaven, a complex of temples and monasteries in central Beijing that includes the only temple in the round shape symbolising heaven. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex was built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, under the leadership of Emperor Yun Le.

Transfer to the hotel

Accommodation, Recreation

Day 3

Breakfast.
Sightseeing programme: Beijing's largest Lama Buddhist monastery, Yunhegong. The monastery dates back to 1694. Originally, it served as one of the imperial residences. Today, the church houses a 6 metre high Dzonghava statue. At the entrance, you can see a sandalwood carving of a mountain with 500 Buddha disciples, made of gold, bronze, tin and iron.
One of Beijing's main symbols is the Tian Tian Temple of Heaven, a complex of temples and monasteries in central Beijing that includes the only circular temple designed to symbolise heaven. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex was built in 1420 by Emperor Yun-Le during the Ming Dynasty.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Breakfast. Room check-out. Tour programme: the Summer Imperial Residence of Yiyuan.

One of the three summer residences of Chinese rulers, built in 1750. The Imperial Park ensemble, which exquisitely combines places for entertainment and relaxation, as well as majestic temples and business buildings. We will see the building that is the cradle of the Peking Opera, see the exquisite „Seventeen Pearls” bridge, hear a series of stories about the life of the last ruler of China, Cixi. Kunming Lake, on which the residence sits, is Beijing's largest body of water. The lake is divided into 3 parts, the two smaller ones are used for lotus and freshwater pearl cultivation. Introduction to pearl production technology. Free time, possibility to have lunch. Transfer to the train station, high-speed train (ticket paid separately - 110 € , reservation in advance).
Transfer to the hotel, check-in, relax.

Day 5

Breakfast. Excursion programme. Built in the 6th century AD, Hangzhou is renowned as one of China's most beautiful cities. Today in Hangzhou is the administrative centre of Zhejiang province, which also includes Shanghai, but it became famous in the second half of the 12th century as the capital of the Southern Sun dynasty. Many poets dedicated lines of poetry to the city and its jewel, the beautiful Lake Sihu, on whose shores two of the four classic love stories took place. Here, you won't be able to miss a step without being reminded of these popular legends and stories.

In the 4th century AD, a monk enchanted by the local landscape founded a temple here, named “Lininsi” - Temple of the Refuge of the Soul. Today it is the northern part of Hangzhou. Here we will see a unique mountain, a natural image of the Buddha, and many other hand-made images carved into the rock - the last of which dates back to the 14th century. Tea has been grown in the hills of the picturesque village of Lunqin since ancient times and has won the honourable title of „China's Famous Tea”. We will walk through the Dragon's Well plantation, learn about the technology of picking and processing the delicate tea leaves, and discover the unique properties of green tea.

Free time. Return to the hotel.

Day 6

Breakfast. Room check-out. Tour bus to Suzhou (~ 3 hours). Arrival in Suzhou.

Excursion programme: 6th century BC. In the 6th century, a ruler ordered the most beautiful city in the world to be built. This is how Suzhou, a place of paradise, came into being. The first stop of the tour is Tiger Hill. Legend has it that it was here, after the burial of the Emperor's remains, that a white tiger appeared and spent three days at the tomb. We will also see other interesting places: the Fool's Well, the Tooth Pond, etc. The hilltop is crowned by the Yunyang Pagoda, whose slope is reminiscent of the Tower of Pisa. The mild climate ensured that the town flourished. The area is known as the „place of rice and fish”, and it is here that silkworms are able to produce more silk thread than anywhere else. We will visit Suzhou Silk Factory No 1, where we will learn about the silk production technology as well as the unique artworks embroidered on silk. Transfer to hotel, check in, rest.

Day 7

Breakfast. Room check-out.

Tour programme. Suzhou unlike any other city in China, its image is shaped by gardens and water. In the 13th century. Marco Polo, travelling in China, noticed the city's resemblance to his native Venice. In those days, the locals moved around the city mostly by boat, and there were up to 15 bridges for every km2 of the city! But “Venice of the East” is not famous for its bridges and canals, which are not lacking in neighbouring provinces (we will see them for an extra fee and can take a ride on a magnificent junk boat), but for its unique Southern Private Gardens. During the Min and Qing dynasties, wealthy Chinese built their residences here. The Garden of Solitude, the Garden of the Master of Weaving Nets, the Garden of the Shy Clerk are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and have become a place of pilgrimage for tourists. Let's take a walk here to explore each element of a classic Chinese garden in detail. Travel by coach to Shanghai (approximately 2 hours).

Shanghai is a city in eastern China, at the mouth of the Yangtze River on the East China Sea. It is one of only four cities in China with provincial rights. It is the world's largest city by population and the world's largest port by 2005 figures. A major industrial, transport, cultural and educational centre (with 24 universities), it is dynamically developing into the centre of East Asia.

Day 8

Breakfast. Excursion programme: People's Square - the main square in Shanghai. Once a racecourse, the Jockey Club building has been preserved to this day. In 1995, the new Shanghai Government Building was built in the northern part and the square has been transformed. Flower beds and fountains, the shady corners of the People's Park, have turned it into a favourite place for strolling. The square is home to the Grand Theatre, the 4-storey Shanghai Museum, which houses collections of ancient paintings and calligraphy, jade and bronzes, coins and furniture. Break for lunch. Jade Buddha Temple.

Completed in 1928, the complex houses two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma. Since 1983, the temple has been home to the Shanghai Buddhist Institute, and since 1985 it has been the venue for various lectures. Perhaps we will be lucky enough to see one of them. Free time. Return to hotel, rest. Bund waterfront - can be called a world museum of architecture. There are 52 buildings in different architectural styles: classical, gothic neoclassical, baroque, as well as one of the richest collections of art deco buildings in the world. The beginning of the waterfront was marked by the Huanpu Garden, on the gate of which you could see the famous plaque “No dogs or Chinese unaccompanied”. Nankinglu Pedestrian Street - one of Shanghai's main pedestrian streets. Cafes and restaurants, shops selling everything from souvenirs to antiques. Transfer to hotel, check in, relax.

Day 9

Breakfast. Sightseeing programme in the western suburbs of Shanghai, On Lake Jiangshanhu, 50 km from the city centre, is the unusual place in China known as the "Venice of Shanghai" - the ancient city on water, Zhuozhiqiacao. With enchanting canals, thirty-six arched stone bridges - each with its own name and history, ancient bridge towers and over ten thousand houses built between the Min Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Zhuozhiyacao replaced the settlement that existed here during the Three Kingdoms period. Zhuozijacao has a history of more than 1,700 years, but despite this the atmosphere of ancient China has remained unchanged. This is evident in everything: the ancient streets and architecture, the traditions of the local people, the typical waterscapes of south-eastern China. It is a country of beauty, peace and tranquillity. The narrow streets, historical monuments, ancient bridges and shops will be a great pleasure for all visitors to Zhuoziacao. After the noisy modern life of Shanghai, this old town, which has retained its authentic rural charm, has a wonderful hold on the imagination of its visitors.

Overnight in hotel

Day 10

Breakfast.

In the mid-19th century, the construction of setlments - districts where foreigners settled and their countries' laws were enforced - left only a small patch of land for Chinese to live in Shanghai. Visit the Old City - Shanghai, China, with its commercial districts, the Temple of the City Gods and the main attraction, the 16th-century Garden of Joy (“Yuyuan”). Another wonderful example of personal southern gardens, it consists of two parts: an open space (lotus pond, pavilion in the heart of the lake, nine-bend bridge) and a closed, self-designed residence. We will see the owner's house and study, the women's side, the theatre, learn about visual space extension techniques and feed the goldfish in the ponds. Free time, possibility to have lunch.
It is hard to imagine that a quarter of a century ago, on the east bank of the Hanpu River in Pudong, there were only rice paddies and single-storey port buildings. In 2015, construction was completed on the 632-metre Shanghai Tower, the world's third tallest freestanding building. We'll walk along the circular overpass in the centre of the district and take photos against the backdrop of modern architectural masterpieces such as the Shanghai Pearl Tower, the Bank of China, the Shanghai Financial Centre, the Jin Mao Building and other Pudong skyscrapers. Next, Millenium Square - with its giant sundial, art museum and science and technology museum - awaits us with a sightseeing tour.

Day 11

Room vacancies.

Transfer to the airport.

Shanghai - Istanbul flight.

Transfer to the hotel

Accommodation, Recreation

Day 12

Room vacancies.

Transfer to the airport.

Flight to Riga.