Easter in China with Hong Kong and Macau

Departure from Sofia Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul at 21:15. Landing at 22:45.Air tickets Sofia - Istanbul - Beijing are outside the package price/

Continuation to Beijing with flight at 01:30. Arrival in the Chinese capital at 15:35 local time. Airport pick-up, transfer and hotel check-in Doubletree by Hilton Beijing Hotel 5*, centrally located. Free time for first impressions of the city.
Optional, dinner Peking duck including transfers to/from the hotel. Overnight.

After breakfast, full day tour of Beijing including: sightseeing The Forbidden City (UNESCO)- a huge palace in the central part of old Beijing, the seat of the Chinese Ming and Qing dynasties. The city got its name because the palace complex was inaccessible to ordinary Chinese. The Forbidden City is a marvel of ancient architecture and Chinese history. Spanning an impressive 720,000 square metres, the UNESCO World Heritage site contains the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. With over 800 buildings and nearly 9,000 rooms, it's easy to get lost in its grandeur. Built during the reign of Emperor Yunlu of the Ming Dynasty for almost 14 years, from 1406 to 1420, it was used as an imperial palace until the early 20th century.
Lunch at a local restaurant and visit The Heavenly Temple (The Temple of Heaven is the largest temple and monastery complex in China - four times larger than the Forbidden City. During the Chinese New Year, emperors prayed to the God of Heaven for a good harvest and this was one of the most important ceremonies of imperial China. The overall layout of the ensemble of five architectural groups symbolizes the relationship between Earth and Heaven - the World of Man and the World of God. The Son of Heaven /Emperor/ appears as a mediator between the people and their symbolic parents-gods, the Prayer Hall and the Altar are circular/symbol of Heaven/, and are located in the center of a square/Earth/.
Walk through the interesting old quarters of Beijing - the so-called Hutton, which, unlike the landmarks visited so far, reflect the life of the ordinary inhabitants of the city and still symbolize the old Beijing. They are the heart of the community and a way to get to know the culture and traditional food of the Chinese capital. Overnight.

After breakfast, departure for The Great Wall of China (UNESCO)- one of the Seven Wonders of the World /about 2 hours, depending on traffic/. Like a giant dragon it meanders through deserts, mountains and plateaus for 7000 km. This unique architectural creation, which is clearly visible from space, is a testament to the genius of its creators and the greatness of ancient China. A cable car ride up to the wall is included, offering a completely different perspective and view. There are no hidden symbols and signs here, as with the Temple of Heaven. Spaciousness, waves of green mountains and more spaciousness... And in the midst of this wild panorama is an endless stone dragon - the Wall! So harmoniously and convincingly present is this majestic bulk through the mountains, as if it were infinite and as if it had always been there! The legends and mysterious stories associated with the Great Wall of China are many and you will hear some of them in the right place. Lunch at a local restaurant. Next visit Summer Palace (UNESCO) and the Imperial Gardens - a true masterpiece of Chinese horticultural art, impressing visitors with its harmony between natural natural features and additionally built pavilions, palaces, temples and bridges. During the tour, stroll around Kunming Lake, view the famous Long Corridor with its paintings, and the remarkable Pavilion of Generosity and Longevity with its bronze statue of the magical dragon Qilin. The day's program ends with a visit to the  Tiananmen Square - the largest open city square with an area of 440,000 square meters, whose name „Gate to Divine Rest” comes from the name of the huge gate that separates it from the Forbidden City. In China's more recent history, in 1989, more than 1.2 million people gathered in the square to protest against limited human rights and freedoms, which was violently crushed by the then government.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Xi'an. Pick up at the airport by local guide and start half day tour of Xi'an with sightseeing. the ancient fortress walls и The Big Pagoda of the Wild Goose(UNESCO).
Often referred to as the birthplace of Chinese civilization, Xi'an has over 5,000 years of history, having served as the capital and main political center of 13 dynasties, the most famous of which are the Qing, Han and Tang. The central part of the city is surrounded by ancient fortified walls - the best preserved in China and one of the largest ancient defence systems in the world. Originally built by the Tang Dynasty in 618-907 AD, they were expanded and developed to their current size, more than 14 km, by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) emperor Zhu Yuenzhan. Among the four majestic gates of the walls, the most impressive and richly decorated is the South Gate, from where you can reach the top of the walls with an incredible width of 12-14 m - almost a whole boulevard!
Outside the city walls is the Great Pagoda of the Wild Goose, set amidst the Buddhist temple complex of Da Xian. Built in 652 AD, this seven-storey pagoda has been a hallmark of Xi'an since the Tang Dynasty and has served as a repository for ancient texts and chronicles relating to Gautama Buddha's first sermons in India, transmitted and translated by the saintly monk Xuan Zang. It has been declared by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Site associated with the Ancient Silk Road. The pagoda can be climbed up to its highest part, where a panoramic view of the entire city can be seen. Hotel accommodation Sofitel Xi'an On Renmin Square 5*, centrally located in the Old Town of Xi'an. Free time for walking and dinner.  

Breakfast at the hotel. Half-day excursion with lunch included and a visit to Museum of the Terracotta Army (UNESCO) - one of the New Wonders of the World, accidentally discovered in 1974 by local farmers. The army of more than 8,000 terracotta soldiers still amazes the world today, not only because the figures of the soldiers and their horses are life-size and arranged in battle formations, as if ready at any moment to come to life and enter battle, but also because each face and uniform is different! The monumental tomb of Qin Shihuang, the Great Emperor of China who united China in the 2nd century AD and launched its power, has not yet been fully opened and it is assumed that when it is technically possible/ due to the considerable amounts of mercury/ the world will see a new, even more amazing wonder of ancient China, because it is assumed that there is an untold treasure trove and many other artifacts never seen before. The huge 16,300 square meter museum is divided into three parts, numbered according to the opening date. From room to room, the visitor is left amazed at the craftsmanship and the extraordinary expressiveness of the faces of the thousands of warriors. Historians estimate that it took 700,000 workers over three decades to craft all the artifacts discovered so far. Legend has it that these workers were buried alive to deter grave robbers and keep the location of the tomb a secret. Return to Xi'an and free time in the afternoon for a self-guided walk through the interesting streets of the Old City.
In the evening optional visit to the colourful Tan Dynasty Shaw Dinner and transfers to and from the hotel included. The show is a extravaganza of music and dance representing the era of the Tang Dynasty that ruled China from 618 to 907 AD, called the Golden Age for literature and art. It's no coincidence that it's one of the most visited in China, because of the incredible, authentic costumes, the multimedia used and not least because of the extremely professional singers and dancers. 

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Welcome and panoramic bus tour of this dynamic city. With its 28 million inhabitants, the megalopolis ranks as the third most populous city in the world, after Tokyo (37 million) and Delhi (32 million). Despite this overcrowding, the citizens of Shanghai have little difficulty getting around, as the city possesses the longest metro in the world - over 771 km! The city is at the same time multinational, as it is the base of many international companies and banks, which in turn determines its dizzying development in recent years as one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world.
During the tour are considered: The area Bund, Called the “Exhibition of International Buildings“ because of the different architectural styles of the total of 52 representative offices of local and international companies and institutions that seem to look down on the modern skyscrapers of Pudong located across the river. It is also here that locals gather every morning to practice Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art originally developed for wrestling and self-defense, but which eventually became a sport and form of exercise.
The tour continues with Nanjing Road, the pedestrian street of Shanghai. Its eastern part is home to all kinds of shops and tourist attractions, while Nanjing West Road is China's most upscale shopping street with the highest rent, mainly selling luxury and high-end products. Hotel accommodation Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World 5*, centrally located. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and start the panoramic tour by coach.
The tour starts with People's Square, the largest in the city with its 140,000 sqm of wide green strips, bike lanes and pedestrian areas. The central square is also home to the huge municipal building and the theatre.
A walking tour of the Yuyuan Gardens and the colorful bazaar next to them. The park dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was owned by a government official named Pan Yongduan. “Yu“ in Chinese means pleasant and satisfying, and these gardens were built especially for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy peace and happiness in their old age. Although small in size, pavilions, rockeries and ponds can be seen in the park, and upon entering the gardens, the Great Rock Garden, which at 14 meters high is the largest, as well as the oldest rock garden in the southern Yangtze River region can be seen. At the top of the rock garden you can see the garden from a bird's eye view.
In the evening, on request, take a special lift up to the 118th floor of Shanghai Tower, where you have the opportunity to look at the brightly lit buildings of the modern district of Pudong. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and free time to explore the ultramodern city - a chance to see the Art Museum, the Oceanarium, the French Quarter, the Old Town, and the many boutiques and shops along Nanjing Road. Shanghai also has a very developed coffee culture, so sitting in one of the many cafes (more than those in London or New York) is a must part of visiting the city.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. Landing, meet and transfer to hotel New World Millennium 5*. Accommodation.

Breakfast at the hotel and half-day panoramic city tour.
Hong Kong combines the dynamism of the modern world with the deep roots of ancient culture. Although there are more skyscrapers here than any other city in the world, around 40% of its territory are protected natural parks and beaches that offer tranquillity from noisy city life.
During the tour you will visit the highest point of Hong Kong - Victoria Hill, where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the city and the surrounding islands. Followed by a visit to the floating Aberdeen fishing village - one of the most interesting and authentic places on the island, where traditional fishing life meets modern urbanisation. The settlement is famous for its floating homes - boats /jongs/, on which people have lived and worked for generations. It offers a unique glimpse into Hong Kong's history before skyscrapers and international corporations.
The tour ends with a visit to Repulse Bay, known as one of the most beautiful and elite areas of the island. It is also home to a colourful Taoist temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and the Goddess of the Sea.
Free time for dinner and a chance to watch the Victoria Harbour Sound and Light Show. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and free time for shopping and exploring Hong Kong on your own. Optional full day ferry excursion to Macau (UNESCO).
The old Portuguese colony is said to be a mix of Florence, Monte Carlo and Chinatown. Located just an hour away from Hong Kong, this glamorous city will fascinate you with its contrasts - from ancient temples and colonial buildings to futuristic skyscrapers and world-famous casinos. Explore the ruins of St Paul's Cathedral - testimony to Christianity in these lands,Temple of the Merciful Goddess A-Ma - one of the oldest temples in Macau, dedicated to the goddess of the sea, Venezi complexThe Venetian - A luxury hotel and casino, famous for its replicas of Venetian canals and gondolas and offering a wide range of entertainment and shopping options. A photo stop in front of the Tower of Macau and ascend to the observation deck at 233m, where you can see an impressive 360°panoramic views of the city. Return to Hong Kong in the late afternoon. Free time for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out. Free time for shopping and last impressions of the cosmopolitan city. You can stroll in the COXO area with its numerous galleries, restaurants, antique shops and the longest outdoor escalator system, explore the green oasis of Hongkong Park or visit the interesting amusement park - Ocean Park. Here you can take a ride on a panoramic cable car, visit the Dolphinarium and Aquarium, meet the giant pandas Ying Ying, An An, Le Le and Ke Ke. The endangered red panda species can also be seen in the park.
Transfer to airport for Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul at 22:30. (Air tickets Hong Kong - Istanbul - Sofia are outside the package price).

Arrival in Istanbul at 05:10 and continuation to Bulgaria with flight at 07:20. Landing in Sofia at 08:35. End of the program.