Highlights:

*Known as the Capital City of six dynasties in China's history, Nanjing has a brilliant cultural heritage that worth a tour. For almost two thousand years Nanjing has been a center of commerce, politics, and culture

*With the new high-speed railway, visiting Nanjing has never been easier! At just over 4 hours the travel time to Nanjing has been cut in half, and the price of a ticket is much cheaper than flying. For those that want a Beijing getaway, the new bullet train is ideal

*During your stay in Nanjing you'll go on a night cruise of the Qianhuai River, Nanjing's central river, allowing you to see the gardens, temples, and lanterns glowing in the light

(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

You will take China's newest and the world's fastest bullet express train to China's former capital of Nanjing. You'll experience China's world-leading high-speed train technology which is now participating in the bidding for the U.S. California Intro-State High-speed Railroad Project from Sacramento to Los Angeles. Your local English-speaking guide will meet you whenever you arrive at the Nanjing South Railway Station. For your stay in Nanjing you’ll be lodging at a 3 or 4 star hotel (for normal tours) or a 5 star hotel (for deluxe tours).

We'll start off our sightseeing with a visit to that great sage Confucius at his temple. Confucius (Kong Fuzi) who taught philosophy in China 2,500 years ago is considered the most important figure in the shaping of ancient Chinese civilization as well as the cultures of the countries of Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. The Confucius Temple is south of the city’s central district. There was a temple that was built in the year 1034 during the Song Dynasty period on the banks of the Qinhuai River. During the past millennium, it was renovated, reconstructed, and enlarged so that it became a large complex. It was used by Confucian scholars. Next to it was the Jiangnan Gongyuan that was the largest examination area for people taking the imperial examinations and the Xue Gong that was the Qing Imperial Academy for training mandarins to govern the vast empire.

For dinner, we will go to a local restaurant, and you can try a meal of Jiangsu cuisine, named after the province Nanjing is located in, and the specialty of the region. The regional cuisine is noted for its muted sweet flavor, which is a stark contrast to the hotter and spicier dishes of other provonces. We'll cap off your night with a pleasant cruise back on the Qinhuai River.

Following breakfast in the hotel we'll set out to see one of the modern marvels of engineering at the Yangtze River Bridge. The Great Bridge over the Yangtze River in Nanjing is not only a striking example of post-Revolutionary art and engineering, but the story behind it is a source of pride for people throughout China, and especially those in Nanjing. It is the first modern bridge completely built by Chinese people. After the 1949 Revolution, China worked closely with the Soviet Union, and the Soviets provided many technical advisors and engineers.

Unfortunately, relations between the two countries deteriorated in the early 1960's, and the USSR brought all of its engineers home. Unwilling to give up, Chinese engineers managed to overcome the challenge and create this monumental and impressive bridge. The huge piers of the bridge are capped with towers topped by giant glass sculptures representing red flags surging forward, vividly recording the enthusiasm and patriotism of 1960's China.

Our next stop is arguably the biggest highlight of Nanjing, the the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat Sen (also known as Zhongshan Ling). Dr. Sun was the first president of the Republic of China and one of the leading organizers of the struggle to create a modern republic in China. The impressive memorial was built in the 1920's. Its architecture is accentuated by its splendid natural setting on the forested slopes of Zijin Mountain on the outskirts of Nanjing, its buildings made of white stone with dark blue roof tiles. We'll then have a Chinese lunch at a nearby restaurant.

In the afternoon we'll have a relaxing stroll at Xuanwu Lake. Situated at the foot of Mt. Zhongshan, Xuanwu Lake is a beautiful scenic spot as well as containing one of the three most famous lakes in Nanjing. Surrounding it are Circumvallation, Mt. Jiuhua, and Jiming Temple. The lake covers an are of 444 hectares with a coastline of kilometers in circumferences. The history of Xuanwu can be traced back to the Pre-Qing period (21st century BC-221BC). According to legend, in the Southern Dynasty a black dragon was seen in the lake. Chinese Daoists believed that the black dragon appeared as the uniform of a turtle and snake, called Xuanwu. Hence, the lake was called Xuanwu Lake. Another legend stated that when Sun Quan, the King of Eastern Wu Kingdom settled down in the region, he brought water in and made this lake. Geological studies show that the lake was actually formed by the movements of the geological plates when Mt. Yanshan was formed.

In the long history of China, the lake has been used by many dynasties as an ideal place to train their waterborne troops. Many military demonstrations had been held here and a lot of battles were fought here. Therefore, the lake was also called “Military Rehearsal Lake” or “Kunming Lake”. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the lake was turned into a park. Today, the lake is much more beautiful with its water and colorful mountains. You will have the rest of the day to explore Nanjing on your own, and dinner is at your discretion.

Day 3 Nanjing-Beijing (by bullet train) (B)

After breakfast in the hotel, you will be taken to Nanjing South Railway Station and you will take the new high-speed bullet train back to Beijing (approx. 4 hours).