China Ancient Capitals Camper Tour - 23 Days

Arrival at Beijing, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Beijing is one of the eight ancient cities in China. There were 5 dynasties built their capitals here from 938 to 1911. Beijing has a history of over 3,000 years as a city and more than 850 years as a capital. It is a historical and cultural city with 6 world heritages and numerous historical interest and human landscape.

Overnight in the local hotel.

Today, enjoy a full-day tour of the Forbidden City, the Tian’anmen Square and Summer Palace by tour bus.

The Forbidden City (UNESCO) is the imperial place where the emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties ruled for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). Experience the architectural splendor of the palaces, ceremonial courtyards, and private quarters. The Tian’anmen Square is the world’s largest and renowned public square where many historical events once took place. Summer Palace (UNESCO) is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long been recognized as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'.

Overnight in the local hotel.

After breakfast, take a Hutong Tour by old-fashioned pedicab to explore the oldest part of the city for a real sight into the traditional Chinese life style. Then pick up the campervan and get to know its functions; drive back to the hotel and pack your luggage. Drive to the China's most renowned monument, Great Wall (UNESCO) which is the most spectacular structures ever built by human and as the only one visible from space. Weather permitting, you can enjoy the sun setting behind the Great Wall and starry night. In the morning, appreciate the beautiful scene of sunrise.

Make your own dinner by using the cooking utensils in campervan.

Overnight in the campervan.

After breakfast, drive to the Mount Heng - one of the Five Mountains in China. Then visit the marvelous and incredible Hanging Temple. Built more than 1,500 years ago, this temple is characterized by its special location on the sheer cliff and its combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

Make your own dinner by using the cooking utensils in campervan.

Overnight in the campervan.

Today, have a driving tour to Yungang Grottoes, Nine Dragon Screen and the Wooden Pagoda. Datong once was the capital of Northern Wei Dynasty (398-494) and Yungang Grottoes was carved in that period. Yungang Grottoes (UNESCO) is the oldest one of the Three Major Buddhist Grottoes in China. Absorbing Indian Gandhara Buddhist art, Yungang Grottoes melds traditional Chinese art and social features of that time, which make it a masterpiece of early Chinese cave art and Buddhist culture. The oldest and largest Nine Dragon Screen located in Datong, which is one of the three famous nine dragon screens in existence. The other two are in Beijing’s Forbidden City and Beihai Park. The Wooden Pagoda is the oldest and highest wooden structure in China. It was built without any nails or rivets, which represents a perfect combination of science, art and religion.

Make your own dinner by using the cooking utensils in campervan.

Overnight in the campervan.

Today drive from Yiangxian to Pingyao and pay a visit to Jinci Temple on the way. The temple features a combination of cultural relics and beautiful landscapes, and it is a place where almost all the forms of ancient Chinese architectures could be found. It is one of the Key Cultural Relics Site under the State Protection. After arriving at Pingyao, park at the parking lot outside the ancient town.

Overnight in the campervan.

Pay a visit to the Ancient City of Pingyao(UNESCO), a well-preserved ancient Chinese city of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, founded during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 771 BC) and rebuilt in 1370, the Ancient City of Pingyao is nowadays one of China's four best preserved old cities. What is unique here is the well-preserved ancient city with a grand City Wall, traditional residences, former security guard companies, time-honored shops, and even the previous government office. It is a live sample for people to study Chinese ancient cities.

Overnight in the campervan.

After breakfast, drive to Hukou (mouth of teapot) Waterfall which is the only yellow waterfall in the world and the second largest waterfall in China. The scene can be overwhelming, water stirs up masses of smoke and clouds, with color turning from yellow to grey, grey to blue. The locals call this awesome scenery "smoke from river". Best times to visit the Hukou Waterfall are the period from April to May and the period from September to November. Hukou Waterfall is abundant and of great momentum which makes it a spectacular sight during these two periods. Traveling here in winter may be of different interest as Hukou Waterfall becomes a huge silvery ice waterfall and little silver icicles hang on the cliffs around the waterfall. It is the national tourist attraction and geopark.

Overnight in the campervan.

Drive to Xi’an and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Xi'an was the starting point of the famous Silk Road when the path to wealth emerged during the Han dynasty. With a history of civilization over 7,000 years, 3,100 years of construction history, a capital history of more than 1,100 years and a capital of 13 dynasties, Xi’an was one of the most important birthplaces of Chinese civilization and the Chinese nations.

Overnight in the campervan.

Today, enjoy a free day to explore Xi'an city and have a good rest. There are many historical sites in Xi’an, such as Greater Wild Goose Pagoda, Drum Tower, Muslim Snack Quarter and so on.  

Overnight in the campervan.

Today's excursion will take you to the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses (UNESCO), one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. More than 6000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, Archers, infantrymen, horses and bronze chariots silently guarded the tomb of China's First Emperor for over 2,200 years. Then drive to the earliest capital-Luoyang. It is the cradle of Chinese civilization, as it was the capital city of 13 ancient dynasties from Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century BC).

Overnight in the campervan.

In the morning, drive to Longmen Grottoes (UNESCO). With over 100,000 Buddhist images and statues inside, it is one of the Three Major Buddhist Grottoes in China. Carved 1500 years ago, Longmen Grottoes is the long-established art form which plays a significant role in the cultural evolution of Asian Buddhism. Then set off to Tianzijialiu Museum. It is literally known as the Museum of Imperial Carriages of the Emperor of Zhou Dynasty that displays the large-scale horse and chariot pits of Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770BC – 256BC) with supplementary exhibitions of precious artifacts from that period. Tianzijialiu Museum, covering an area of 1,700 square meters, is divided into two sections: Exhibitions Area and Horse and Chariots Pit. Then drive to Shaolin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established in the 5th century, the temple is world-famous for its connection with Chinese martial arts - Shaolin Kung Fu. China’s biggest pagoda forest also lies in Shaolin Temple, which is a concentration of more than 240 tomb pagodas for eminent abbots and monks of the temple.

Overnight in the campervan.

Today drive to Kaifeng. Kaifeng is known as one of the Seven Ancient Capitals of China with the short name of 'Bian'. As capital of the Northern Song dynasty from 1013 to 1127, Kaifeng was the largest and most prosperous city in China and the world, known variously as Bianjing or Eastern Capital. Conquered by the Jin Dynasty and then the Mongols, destroyed and abandoned during the Ming dynasty, Kaifeng was finally rebuilt in the Qing dynasty as a smaller prefecture-level city, which it remains today. The solemn Kaifeng Prefecture, the magnificent Daxiangguo Temple, splendid Imperial Song Street and walking in the Qingming River Park will bring you back to the Song Dynasty.

Overnight in the campervan.

After breakfast, drive to Qufu Confucius Temple (Kong Miao), at the hometown of Confucius, is the most famous and the largest temple of its kind in the memory of the sage. Qufu Confucius Temple started as three houses in the year of 478 BC. Each year as Confucianism became the standard of Chinese culture; its scale was expanded accordingly for over 2400 years. Together with Kong Family Mansion (Kong Fu) and Confucian Family Graveyard (Kong Lin), they are called “San Kong” (UNESCO).

Confucian Mansion is known as the Mansion of the Sacred Lord of Yan. Confucian Family Graveyard is the graveyard of the Confucian family and has a history of more than 2,340 years.

Overnight in the campervan.

Today you are going to visit Zoucheng - the hometown of Mencius, the ideologist, the philosopher and the educator. It was the mansion of Mencius’ descendents, built in the late northern Song Dynasty. It doesn’t attract visitors as many as Confucian Mansion, but you can fully learn how to plot, get along with people from Confucian culture. After the visiting, you are going to drive to Hongze Lake Wet Park, Sihong County. Park at the parking lot nearby.

Overnight in the campervan.

After breakfast, drive to Nanjing-the capital of six dynasties. Nanjing has a long history-more than 6,000 years’ history of civilization, 2,600 year’s history of constructions and 500 years’ history of capital. It is one of the most important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. Nanjing is against mountains with many rivers wandering through.

Overnight in the campervan.

Enjoy a full day bus tour to the Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty(UNESCO), Presidential Palace, Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre and Nanjing Museum. In the evening, pay a visit to Qinhuai River.

Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty(UNESCO) is one of the biggest imperial tombs in China. Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Queen Ma were buried there. From early Ming Dynasty, the Presidential Palace was home to royal princes. In 1911, Sun Yat-sen took his inauguration oath of office there as the provisional president of the Republic of China. The Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre consists of three parts: the outdoor exhibits, the remaining bones of the victims and the exhibition hall for historical documents.

In the evening, walk along Qinhuai River, the cradle of the ancient culture of Nanjing. Enjoy the old style buildings and cultural sites along the river banks and feel its unique charm.

Overnight in the campervan.

After breakfast, drive to the historical and cultural city - Suzhou. It enjoys a reputation for “Oriental Venice”. Enjoy you day of visiting “The Four Parks in Suzhou”- each represent a dynasty, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing.

Canglang Pavilion (UNESCO) is the oldest of the UNESCO gardens in Suzhou, keeping its original Song Dynasty layout. The Lion Grove Garden (UNESCO) is famous for the large and labyrinthine grotto of taihu rock at the garden's center. The Humble Administrator's Garden (UNESCO) is the largest of all classical gardens in Suzhou. Explore the Lingering Garden (UNESCO) and enjoy the exquisite garden art of China.

Park at the parking lot outside the Hanshan Tample, and have a good rest by the side of the Grand Canal.

Overnight in the campervan.

After breakfast, drive to Hangzhou - another beautiful city with a long history of more than 2,200 years. It’s also one of the eight ancient capitals in China. Hangzhou is known as the 'Heaven on Earth'. With abundant historic relics and amazing natural scenes, the city is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in China. Among all these Watertown, you are going to visit the charming ancient town, Nanxun Ancient Town. Nanxun is a soulful and profound water town with a history of over 1,400 years. It is the richest town in modern Chinese history and totally different to other small, girly water towns: the stone roads, bridges and water ways are wide, and houses are big.

Overnight in the campervan.

After enjoying your breakfast, head to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, and amaze at the profound history and culture of Chinese medicine. Then delight in a scenic tour of the highlight of Hangzhou - West Lake(UNESCO), which has become an inspiration to painters and poets with its attractive views and breathtaking scenery. Taste and enjoy tea by the lakeside; enjoy the Fish at Flower Harbor and Leifeng Pagoda in the sunset; listen the evening bell at Nanping Hill. Eat delicious local food at night.

Overnight in the campervan.

In the morning, head to Shanghai - China's largest and most dynamic city and one of the top ten financial center cities in the world. On the way, visit Southern China's most incredible sight - Wuzhen - a peaceful riverside town with tranquil pathways, ancient stone bridges, and delicate wood carvings.

After arriving at Shanghai, return the campers and relax yourselves in the hotel.

Overnight in the local hotel.

Enjoy a full day bus tour in Shanghai by tour bus. This morning, roam through the Yu Garden (UNESCO), a 400-year-old classical Chinese garden in the Old Town of Shanghai. Then wander through the bustling Bund, featuring outstanding European colonial architectures, new skyscrapers and historical buildings in Shanghai. Visit the Shanghai Museum, with its 120,000 piece collection of Chinese ancient treasures. After that, head to Nanjing Road, a must-see metropolitan destination attracting thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all over the world. In the evening, you can enjoy a spectacular Acrobatic Show, known as one of the most fabulous performance arts in China, or go to the Xintiandi, a boutique area highlights a harmonious merger of classic and modern Shanghai.

Overnight in the local hotel.