Day 1: Beijing - Qufu (L)
Your driver will transfer you from your hotel to the Train Station. Take the morning train to Qufu which (2.5 hours.) Upon arrival, meet your friendly local tour guide, heading to Temple of Confucius directly.
Temple of Confucius which was first built in 478BC to commemorate Confucius. The temple was built according to the specification for imperial palaces. Stroll around the halls and courtyards with your tour guide, learn about the symbolic significance of the architecture, admire the statue of Confucius, pay a visit to the stone tablets, steles and pavilions, discover Confucius' life experience, and many other historic and cultural items related to Confucius and Confucius culture.
Next, explore the Kong Family Mansion. The descendants of Confucius live here and they were in charge of conducting elaborate religious ceremonies on occasions such as plantings, harvests, honoring the dead, and birthdays.
Enjoy a lunch in the near by restaurant, explore the Confucian Cemetery in the afternoon. Confucian Cemetery has served as the family graveyard of Confucius and his descendants for more than two thousand years. There are about 3,600 tombstones dating from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties still standing in the cemetery.
After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Qufu. (booked on your own)
Day 2: Qufu - Tai'an - Beijing (L)
Begin your tour by meeting your tour guide at your Qufu hotel and make your way to the train station. Take the 20 minutes bullet train ride to Tai'an Train Station.
Travel to Taishan Tourists Center, take the shuttle bus to halfway point on the mountain - Mid-Heaven Gate (Zhongtianmen) which takes about 30 minutes. Then take the panoramic cable-car to the South Heaven Gate (Nantianmen), which brings you an amazing view of the nearby rolling peaks.
Accompanied by your tour guide, stroll around the Jade Emperor Peak. Admire the stone tablets and inscriptions in the area. Walk to Jade Emperor Temple, which was built in honor of the Jade Emperor of Taoism. Explore the Bixia Temple which was built at the year of 1008 during the Song Dynasty. It is the one of the masterpieces among Taoist buildings and represents the high constructing level of ancient Chinese architecture. Gain insight history of Taoism in China and its influence of Chinese culture.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then your tour guide will take you to Tai'an Railway Station for your train back to Beijing (approx. 2 hours). Once arrives, your driver will pick you up at Beijing South Railway Station and transfer you back to your hotel in Beijing City.
Note:
1: You will take the train on your own, your local English speaking tour guide will meet you in Qufu
2: Please book your own hotel in Qufu
