8-Day Natural Wonders Of Beijing with Wanping Ancient City and Cuandixia Village
A charming ancient village near Beijing City
Ancient land of Beijing, Cuandixia Village is an ancient and well-preserved mountain village filled with many historical relics and an architecture of outstanding beauty. The 500 Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasty-style courtyard houses owned by the 70 families living here are making most of the highlights of this charming village that travelers can have the chance to visit at just a few hours from Beijing city. The village is also holding the name of the Potala Palace in Beijing due to its unique construction style. Cuandixia Village is "a cultural pearl of ancient villages" bursting with ancient dwellings, colorful customs and friendly people: a mingle that is attracting millions of tourists, photography amateurs and painters every year. Boasting the characteristics of southern Chinese villages, Cuandixia the authentic is making its visitors walking through a historical corridor where there is no hint of all the modernity of the nearby sprawling city.
History of Cuandixia Village
The village of Cuandixia has a history that can be traced back to several hundred years ago. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the village is famous for having been home to the Han's Family. Recalled in ancient times as a flourishing inn on the post road as well as a major traffic artery for access to the Shanxi Province from Beijing, the economy of the village had developed through farming and trading, what are still the main economic basics presently.
The charming architecture of the houses that can be aged as old as the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911) give a deeper impression to the village that is enchanting its visitors. Like walking in a real museum, the village courtyards, carvings and cultural relics are the only history reminders of this gentle village (hopefully) forgotten by industrialization. Placed under national level cultural relics protection, Cuandixia Village is a great place to discover.
What to see in Cuandixia Village?
Travelers looking for some typical sights about rural China, with ancient architecture houses, local people and gorgeous natural sceneries will be charmed by the discovery provided by the village of Cuandixia. Despite the growing industrialization of China, the village has succeeded in keeping its traditional folk culture as well as original architecture. Remained largely unchanged for centuries, the village is still surrounded by green pine trees, verdant cypresses and a mountain canyon. By visiting the village, travelers will have to use steep stairs and lanes paved with rocks passing through delicate courtyards, old pavements and traditional houses where local people use to sit playing card or just looking at people walking in the street. Seeing the old Beijing people's life is all about a visit to Cuandixia Village.
Poetic and natural landscapes
Set in a mountainous scenery, the village is a charming highlight mingling lush vegetation, streams and unique fauna. Built on the side of the mountain, the village is like hanging in the sky for centuries. Whatever the period of time or season of the year you are about to visit this typical Chinese village, magic will come to pop up in front of your eyes.
Ancient dwellings
Visiting Cuandixia village is more about admiring traditional Chinese houses. The historical village is composed of many quadrangle dwellings and courtyards built to much tiny shape and looking more flexible based on the terrain around: a reason, why the site is such a unique attraction today. A curious temple is also to be discovered by the travelers having the unique chance to see such a beautiful site: place of prosperity, health and peace worship for the locals, the temple is giving a more authentic insight of the village. Made of natural stones, wood, steep stairs and streets the village is a natural masterpiece, a must-see scenic spot neighbor of Beijing city.
ITINERARY WALKTHROUGH
DAY 01 BEIJING ARRIVAL
Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel for check in upon arrival.
DAY 02 BEIJING - CUANDIXIA VILLAGE - VILLAGE
Cuandixia Village : It has a history of over 400 years and preserves more than 70 courtyards with approximately 500 rooms which were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Yixiantian : Which connects and protects the village for hundreds of years.
Acrobatic Show : Watch the famous Chinese Beijing Acrobatic Show, since the Han Dynasty began an art show.
DAY 03 BEIJING
Juyongguan Great Wall : Is the Great Wall along the famous Guan City, known as the Great Wall, one of the three off the city.Also Known as national AAAA level scenic spots.
Wangfujing Street : Is congested with large shops, hotels, specialty shops and famous long-established shops. You can also taste various traditional snacks here.
Shichahai Bar Street : Shichahai Bar Street is Beijing’s most literary atmosphere of the bar gathering place, most of the ancient bar-style building, the lake environment is very elegant. Beijing is the hinterland of nightlife, with more than 120 colored bars and cafe.
DAY 04 BEIJING
Tian’anmen Square : Tiananmen Square is located in the center of Beijing .The largest public square in the world.
The Forbidden City : The Chinese imperial palace from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Is the world’s largest existing, most complete preservation of the ancient structure of one of the wooden structure.
Pedicab Tour Hutongs +Shiheyuan : Take the pedicab and drive through the narrow alleys and hutongs.
Kung Fu Show : The show also includes ballet, modern dance, acrobatics and other forms of art, plus the ingenious choreography, lighting design and original music, to create a magnificent stage wonders, at home and abroad The audience loved it. This is a more exciting than the river dance performances
DAY 05 BEIJING
Summer Palace : It’s the largest preserved classical imperial garden in China. In 1998, the Summer Palace was named the world’s cultural heritage .
Bird’s Nest (Outside view only) : It’s well known as Beijing National Stadium and Beijing National Aquatics.
Water Cube(Outside view only) : Center. The elegant and complicated construction made them become the landmark projects of Beijing. You can have an outside look and take photos here.
Chang’an Street : Chang’an Avenue, the whole of China’s most famous street. In China, some people think that “China First Street.” Chang’an Street is the most important street in China. Military parade will be held here. Car tour Chang’an Avenue and Beijing landmarks.
DAY 06 BEIJING - WANPING - BEIJING
Lugou Bridge : Best-known arched bridges in China, it is 266.5 meters long, 7.5 meters wide and it has 11 arches and 140 stone columns.
Wanping City : Also known as Wanping Fortress, is on the east of Lugou Bridge. Inside the city there is The Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Solana lifestyle shopping park : Here is not only with the international trend of docking fashion vane, is to enjoy the sun and the lake shopping paradise and gathering space .Free at Own Leisure & Free Shopping.
DAY 07 BEIJING
Temple of Heaven : The largest of its kind in the country.Where emperors went to worship heaven for good harvests. The main buildings are the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar and the Echo Wall, etc.
Silk Street : as China’s first free market and the most famous commercial brand.
DAY 08 HOME DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport after breakfast. Home sweet home!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Beijing:
4-Star Hangzheju Hotel or similar
MEALS & CUISINES
Breakfast x 7
Lunch x 6
Dinner x 7
Beijing roast duck, Old Beijing cuisine, Farm feast, Cantonese cuisine, BBQ buffet, Shu kingdom +Sichuan opera face show, Dumpling cuisine, Dongbei cuisine