Upon arrival in Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan, transfer to your hotel.

Today, we will do an excursion to Anyang, a 2.5-hour drive to Henan’s northernmost city that is the earliest capital of China in written record. Visit the Museum of Ancient Chinese Characters and get an opportunity to decode the oracle bone scripts.

Head to the Mausoleum of Yuan Shikai, an important political and military figure in modern Chinese history. Proceed to visit UNESCO-listed Yin Xu Archaeological Museum which exhibits ruins and cultural relics of Shang Dynasty. Then, return to Zhengzhou.

Embark on 2-hour drive to Mount Song to explore some of the UNESCO-listed historic monuments of Dengfeng. Visit the world-famous Shaolin Temple, China’s earliest Chan Buddhism monastery as well as the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu (martial arts). Watch a live Kung Fu show by the Shaolin monks, followed by a specially arranged Kung Fu class to experience the charm of Chinese martial arts. 

Drive another 1 hour for a private visit of the Three Gate Towers of the Han Dynasty, namely the Taishi Gate Tower, Shaoshi Gate Tower, and Qimu Gate Tower. Continue for about a two-hour drive to Luoyang.

Luoyang, the birthplace of Heluo Culture and Chinese Civilization, where a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site awaits. Keep your eyes peeled for the most impressive collection of Chinese Buddhist art at the Longmen Grottoes and visit specially selected caves with an expert from the Longmen Research Institute to admire the stone carvings up-close.

Be guided by an archaeologist at Han-Wei Ancient Luoyang City National Archaeological Site Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site encompassing ruins of the ancient capital city.

Visit the Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital, which consists of palaces, residential areas, pottery and copper casting workshops, cellars, tombs and other relics that were excavated. Participate in an archaeological excavation experience using a tomb raider tool called Luoyang shovel.

After lunch, transfer to the high-speed railway station and board the high-speed train of 3.5-hour journey to Qufu, which was the capital of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Qufu is renowned to be the hometown of Confucius, the famous Chinese sage, philosopher and educator. Visit the UNESCO-listed “Three Confucian Sites” – Kong Family Mansion, Temple and Cemetery of Confucius.

Thereafter, drive 2 hours to Tai’an. In the evening, watch a large-scale outdoor performance – “Mount Tai Grand Worship Ceremony”, depicting ancient emperors of various dynasties worshipping to heaven and earth.

This morning, we will take a roundtrip cable car to admire the magnificent scenery from the top of Mount Tai, the prime of the five sacred mountains in China, and has a dual status as a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage site. Mount Tai is deemed a holy mountain for Buddhism and Taoism, hence there are numerous historical temples and sites on this mountain.

Afterwards, drive about 4.5 hours to Qingdao, a coastal city in eastern Shandong Province.

After breakfast, head to the scenic ‘Eight Great Passes’ and admire the Huashi Building, a villa built in 1930 by a Russian aristocrat, which reflects Roman, Greek and Gothic architectural style.

Proceed to Tsingtao Beer Museum to understand its history, brewing technology, and have a taste of this popular beer. Qingdao was once colonized by Germans, who transformed the former fishing village into a relatively big city with seaport and military facilities. View the well-preserved German-style architectures such as Villa Anna and Former German Governor’s Residence.

Film and cinema have contributed greatly to Qingdao’s history and culture since early 1900s. Visit Qingdao 1907 Film Museum, situated at the former site of the German Naval Club, where China’s first commercial film screening took place in 1907. 

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.