China Wine Tasting Tour
Overview
When it comes to wine, China may not come across your mind. In fact, China’s wine making can be traced back to 2000 years ago. With the rapid development of Chinese wine industry, China now has good capabilities for producing bouquets worthy of the international market. If you are a true wine lover, you could not miss the chance to witness the start of the current Chinese wine renaissance. This wine tour combined with China highlights provides you a tasty opportunity to discover China.
Duration: 14 days & 13 nights
Destinations: Beijing - Yantai - Xi'an - Yinchuan - Taiyuan - Pingyao - Taiyuan - Beijing
Starting Point: Beijing
Ending Point: Beijing
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If time allows, you will be escorted to visit Beihai Park and its nearby Hutong area in the afternoon. Beijing Beihai Park is the oldest imperial garden in Beijing as well as one of the most complete and comprehensive royal gardens in China. It’s a great place to stroll around with one of the most famous Nine Dragon Screens in China.
Take a unique tour by pedicab (around 30 minutes ride) to discover one of the Hutong area, the unique street design in Beijing - some crisscrossing old narrow paths with courtyard houses built on each side. It can be regarded as a window into Beijing folk life.
Start to experience the rich history of China's capital city Beijing by exploring Tiananmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world. Then head to the Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace in China for 24 emperors' reign during the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years.
Take a stroll to the Forbidden City's backyard Jingshan Park. A climb to the top is rewarded with a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven which is masterpiece of architecture and landscape design where the ancient emperors used to pray for the God's bless of the whole nation.
Meal: B, L
Travel outside the city to the Mutianyu Great Wall. Enjoy a spectacular view of Beijing countryside at the most beautiful section of Beijing Great Wall, with fewer crowds. First built in the 6th century AD to ward off the northern nomads and consolidated in the 14th century, Mutianyu section is an important strategic pass and one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to Beijing Airport and fly to Yantai City. Head to Chateau Junding for a delightful wine experience in China’s far-off coastline of Penglai, Yantai. Chateau Junding is devoted to making top-class wine with unique oriental verve by excellently combining traditional crafts and modern technology. It received the awards at Vinalies in 2010.
Meal: B, L
Begin your day by exploring Penglai Pavilion in Penglai. Built in 1061, Penglai Pavilion is one of the four most famous Pavilions in China with interesting mythology story. Head to Long Island (Changdao) or Temple Archipelagos, visit the unique islands including the beacon tower built by the English in 1882 and the earlier Sea Goddess Temple built in 1122). Visit Changyu Winery, the earliest modern winery in China. Changyu Winery produces top-end wine, combined with brandy, sparkling wine and health wine making, and it has become the 10th largest wine company in the world.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, visit Yantai Hill, the symbol of Yantai City. Yantai Hill Park is famous for the Smoke Platform (an alarming signal system in ancient times), the lighthouse and the western-style buildings of foreign consulates built before the 1940s. Later transfer to Yantai airport for your flight to Xi’an. Be met at the airport and transfer to hotel and check in.
Meal: B, L
Drive to Jade Valley Winery for a vineyard tour. Jade Valley is one of the best destination wineries in China, surrounded by rural villages, lush trees, and fresh air. Jade Valley is winning acclaim not only for its unique architectural structures, but also for the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Later, return to Xian for Dumpling dinner and Tang Dynasty Show.
Meal: B, L, D
Unveil the essence of Xi’an today with a visit to the famed Terracotta Army in the morning. It is known as the eighth wonder of the world, displaying an army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at Emperor Qin's tomb since 2200 year ago.Afternoon lunch, visit the Muslim Quarter and the Ancient City Wall. Xi’an Ancient City Wall is the most intact ancient Chinese wall in existence. The Muslim Quarter is the hub of the Muslim community in Xian City, an attractive place to see mosques, to buy souvenir and to try local snacks.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, transfer to Xi’an airport for your flight to Yinchuan. Be escorted to visit the Silver Heights Winery. Jancis Robinson, in her article published in Financial Times in April 2010, rated this vineyard as a rising star in China. It is managed by Ms Emma Gao, who has acquired the degree of National Wine Maker in France. Silver Heights specializes in cabernet sauvignon and cabernet gernischt, and produce only 24,000 bottles or around each year. Later, transfer back to hotel in Yinchuan.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, we escort you to visit the Royal Tombs of the Western Xia Dynasty emperors, which is the only tomb group especially for emperors, and one of the royal tombs in the largest-scale and the ground relics well preserved in China. Western Xia Dynasty is a kingdom of national minority, and most are Dangxiang nationality.
Head to Helan Qing Xue Vineyard. In 2011, Qing Xue Vineyard won the International Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards for its Jia Bei Lan Grand Reserve 2009 (2009 Cabernet), which is the highest award ever won by a Chinese winery. Ningxia Helan Qing Xue Vineyard was also awarded as “China’s Charming Winery” and classed as the First Classed Wineries in 2013. Later, transfer back to hotel in Yinchuan.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to Yinchuan Airport and fly to Taiyuan. After lunch, go and explore the Grace Vineyard, the first family-owned winery in China. Founded in 1997, Grace Vineyard is now considered as one of the best wine producers from China and it received various awards at important events like the Decanter World Wine Awards and was selected as the only China wine for Cathay Pacific’s first and business class passengers. Back to Taiyuan.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, proceed to Pingyao from Taiyuan. Visit Pingyao old town, ancient city wall, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, and Ming Qing Street. Pingyao is the best preserved ancient walled city in China. When exploring Pingyao, you will find remarkable residences in ancient traditional styles and marvel at its age-old charm.
Meal: B, L
Visit Qiao Family Compound and Double Forest Temple. Qiao Family Compound is a masterpiece of traditional civil architecture in North China with unique character. Reputed to be the "ancient painted sculptures museum", Double Forest Temple houses more than 2,000 colorful sculptures. Drive back to Taiyuan, and then transfer to Taiyuan airport for your flight to Beijing. Be met at the airport and transfer to hotel and check in.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to the airport for the flight to your next destination. Service ends.
Meal: B