Day 1 Arrival in Beijing

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, you will find our local driver waiting outside the customs. Be transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 Tian’anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park

09:00: Meet your Beijing tour guide and start your China tour.

09:30-10:30: Visit Tiananmen Square, a rectangular square of 440,000 sq meters. Tiananmen Square echoes the layout of the Forbidden City to some extent. It also displays the major concept of Chinese politics in ancient times namely, centralism. Many historic events took place here , the most famous of which is the Tiananmen Incident. Now, it’s just a symbol.

10:45 - 13:00: Visit the magnificent Forbidden City, the largest Imperial Palace in the world. We’ll spend a few hours wandering around this amazing example of Imperial architecture and learning about the history of the palace. Enclosed by long scarlet walls extending 3.5km, the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City was the very centre of power of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This large palace witnessed the prosperity and the decline of feudalism. Here you will directly experience how royals lived and how they ruled.

13:00 - 14:00: Enjoy local food in a nice restaurant popular with Beijingers  (Lunch is for your own account).

14:00 - 15:00: Visit Jingshan Park and have a bird’s-eye view of the whole Forbidden City. It was originally an imperial garden in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Nowadays, it’s a public garden for people to enjoy their leisure time.

15:20 - 16:30: Head for the Temple of Heaven. Situated in the southeast of the central city, the Temple of Heaven was originally constructed in the eighteenth year of Yong Le (1420) in the Ming Dynasty. The Ming and Qing emperors conducted annual ceremonies praying to Heaven for a good harvest. It combines the architectural technology of the Ming and Qing Dynasties together, which is rare in ancient Chinese architecture and it is the largest sacrificial complex in the world. Charmed by its size, colorful meaning and importance in China's history, the site was classified into the "Directory of World Heritage" by UNESCO in 1998.

17:00: Finish your day tour and return to hotel.

Recommended evening activity: Acrobatic Show at Chaoyang Theater.




    

Day 3 Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird Nest and Water Cube

07:30: Greeted by your tour guide in your hotel lobby commence your day tour.

09:00 - 12:30: Drive around 1.5 hours to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and have a quick lunch at the Subway restaurant  at the foot of the Mutianyu Wall. This is one of the most famous and idyllic sections of the Great Wall. You will have a choice of taking the cable car or chair lift up the breathtaking wall and spend a leisurely 1 to 2 hours walking up and down the various sections exploring the Watch Towers and marvelling at the construction and beauty of the renowned and legendary Wall. You then have the option of an exhilarating toboggan ride back down or simply returning the way you came with the cable car.

12:30 - 13:30: Enjoy a typical Beijing lunch nearby the Mutianyu Great Wall (Lunch is of your own account).

14:30 - 15:30: Head back to the city to visit the National Stadium and National Aquatics Center, also called the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. They were used for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It is mostly not open to the public and you can only pictures outside.

16:00: Return to your hotel.



    

Day 4 Summer Palace, Beijing Hutong, take high-speed train to Xian

09:00:  Greeted by your Beijing tour guide begin your last day in Beijing.

09:30 - 11:00: Visit the Summer Palace. As the largest imperial garden in China, the Summer Palace was a summer resort for the royal families. There are huge lakes, bridges, corridors, pavilions, and various kinds of flowers and many rooms radiating the natural beauty and the grandeur of imperial gardens. With arched bridges and glittering ripples, pretty promenades and flowers in bloom, decorated corridors, ancient doors, and "breezeways" (a kind of hallway that allows the passage of a breeze between structures), tourists are enchanted by the ever-changing scenery.

11:00 - 12:00: Walk in the tranquil Hutongs. In those interlaced Hutongs, one can experience the life of the ancient Beijing people. With public toilets available, shops and vendors selling all kinds of goods to satisfy local people's daily needs, and people gossiping along the lanes to strengthen their relationships, one can walk through history and savour the unique culture. Thus, we say that where there is a lane, there is a story.

12: 00 - 13:00: Enjoy local food in a nice restaurant popular with Beijingers. (Lunch is for your own account).

14:00: Drop off at Beijing West Train Station and take the high-speed train (G349, 15:13 - 19:45) to Xian.

19:45: Your Xian driver will hold a welcome sign with your name on and be waiting for you at the Information Desk”(问询台/信息台) . Then, he will transfer you to your Xian hotel.




    

Day 5 Terracotta Soldiers Museum, City Wall, Muslim Quarter

09:00: Meet your Xian tour guide in your hotel lobby and spend your day experiencing the  rich culture and history of the city.

09:50-12:00: Firstly, you will head for the world-famous Terracotta Warriors Museum. Established in the Qin Dynasty, the Terracotta Warriors Museum is the witness to the prosperity and decline of that dynasty. The large architectural structure and the masses of clay soldiers and horses signified the strength and power of Qin Shi Huang and his realm. At the same time, it showed the intelligence and skill of our ancestors.

12:00 - 13:00: Lunch is for your own arrangement under our tour guide’s recommendations. If you are interested in cooking, we can arrange for you to visit a local family to learn how to make authentic Chinese cuisine. You will have what you made for lunch.

14:00 - 16:00: Visit the 600 year old City Wall. This City Wall is the best preserved and most complete wall that has survived through China’s long history. It is about 12 meters high, 12 to 14 meters wide across the top and 15 to 18 meters thick at the base. The entire circumference is about 13.7 kilometers. You can take a golf cart or ride a bike (extra cost) to explore the length. This will be quite a fun experience.

16:00 - 17:00: Get off the City Wall and take a stroll in the Muslim Quarter. Learn about all kinds of folk art and taste various snacks here. This block is famous for its various foods and is regarded as a tourist spot for the tourists coming from all around the world, but also a place for locals to enjoy snacks and entertainment. It is especially popular with the locals in the summer where you will find them gathering for snacks and amusement.  In addition to Beiyuanmen Street, Daxuexi Street and Xiyangshi, there is also a large area including Dapiyuan, Dongyangshi, Beiguangji Street and Qiaozikou which old Xian locals call “Fangshang”. Here you will find the true Xian lifestyle if you are willing to explore.

17:20: Hotel drop-off.




    

Day 6 Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Hanyangling Museum, take flight to Guilin

09:00: Meet your Xian tour guide and start your Xian day tour.

09:20 - 12:00: Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in the Tang Dynasty and undergoing several renovations through the ages, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is typical evidence of the ancient Indian architectural style brought into China along with the spread of Buddhism. Our guide will fill you in with loads of Tang Dynasty history and Buddhism developments in China, especially in Xian. You will also learn about the famous monk Xuan Zang and get to take pictures in front of his statue.

12:00 - 13:00: Have lunch at a local restaurant at your own expense.

13:50 - 16:00: Head for the Hanyangling Museum (Jingdi’s Tomb). It’s probably the most underrated sight in Xian. It’s a mausoleum for Emperor Jing of the Western Han Dynasty and his empress Wang Zhi. There are lots of priceless terracotta figurines of servants and eunuchs, as well as instructions and tools for daily use which show life in a Han Dynasty court. Most of the figurines are naked. They were in fact all clothed upon burial but upon discovery all the clothing had decomposed. You will learn about the Han Dynasty funerary system in this mausoleum.

16:30: Drop-off at the airport for flight MU2307 (18:30 - 20:40).

20:40: Your Guilin driver will welcome you and transfer you to your Guilin hotel.




    

Day 7 Longji Terraces

07:30: Meet your tour guide and head for Longji Terraces Rice Fields.

09:30 - 15:00: Enjoy the amazing natural views of the Longji Terraces and taste the authentic Zhuang nationality food. Situated about 27 kilometers southeast of Longsheng County, there is a vast region of rice terraces stretching layer upon layer. Known as the Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon Backbone’s Rice Terraces), the grandest terraces in China! Construction began in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and the terraces were only completed in the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It represents the great accomplishment of profound wisdom and the strenuous labor of minority people in Southern China.

Varying scenes put on their display with the passage of four different seasons, as nature displays its grandeur. In the spring, the terraces present a picture of chains or ribbons hung on the hillsides due to the irrigation systems. With the coming of Summer, massive green shadows cast from the heavens, float across the terraces. With the commencement of Autumn, ripened millet bends the stems, giving people hope of a good harvest. In winter, the whole terrace is covered with white snow like a playful dragon that has been rolling in the snow.

Wandering in the terraces, one can not only enjoy the natural beauty, but also experience the unique culture of ethnic minorities. There are several minorities, including Zhuang, Miao and Yao. One can visit their wooden buildings, learn their beautiful dances and appreciate their costumes and Longji tea.

17:00: Guilin Hotel drop off at the tour end.




    

Day 8 Li River Cruise, West Street and Yangshuo countryside

09:00: Meet your tour guide and start your Guilin tour.

09:00 - 13:00: The Li River Cruise is at the highlight of a trip to Guilin. Surrounded by the unusual rock and mountain formations on both sides the Li River meanders through slowly and peacefully. Picturesque natural views present themselves at every turn interspersed with swimming ducks, napping fisherman, and buffalo blissfully eating grass. You will feel like you have wandered into  a fairyland. Note that lunch is included on your cruise and your journey will end in Yangshuo.

14:30 - 16:00: As you disembark the ship, you will you will find yourself in another splendid picture. Brooks gurgle all around and proud, lush trees dance with the wind. Birds are singing and the mountains fade into a water-colour distance. Such a relaxed and picturesque place is best explored with a bike ride along scenic paths. With the guidance of our representative, you can also learn some facts and history of Yangshuo.

16:00 - 17:00: Wander along West Street, a street built in western style. It’s a unique cultural symbol in Yangshuo, and makes foreigners feel welcome and at home. As the first western-style street, West Street has been a model for other tourist cities to clone from. Here you will see various kinds of western stores as well as shops selling traditional Chinese decorations like small embroidery pouches, Chinese knots and lucky bags.

17:00:After the tour, you will be transferred back to your Guilin hotel to prepare for another amazing day.




    

Day 9 Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill. Fly to Shanghai.

09:00: Greeted by your tour guide you head for the most famous sight in Guilin city - Reed Flute Cave.

09:20 - 12:00: Visit the Reed Flute Cave. This name is derived from the fact that reeds that are good for making flutes grow near the cave. Entering the Reed Flute Cave area, you will immediately see the luxuriant flowers and trees. On the left, there is a pond surrounded by restaurants, shops, tea houses, pavilions and bridges. Inside the cave, you will be intoxicated by the various stalactites, stalagmites and columns. Under the shower of different lights, all the formations are bizarre and diverse.

12:00 - 13:00: Enjoy a typical Guilin lunch at a local restaurant at your own expense.

13:20 - 14:00: Your last sight in Guilin would be Elephant Trunk Hill. From the name, you can guess what you will be looking at. As the city symbol, Elephant Trunk Hill is the typical representation to Guilin mountains and water. Entering the sight, you will see stone carvings of elephants. As you keep moving a hill looking like an elephant trunk will be revealed. From the hill, you can admire all the rivers and views right in front of you including small Love Island and Standing Tower as well as drifting rafts waiting for guests and sea eagle’s poised to catch fish.

14:30: Your Guilin tour now draws to an end. Your driver will take you to Guilin airport for the flight (CZ3251, 16:25 - 18:50) to Shanghai.

18:50: Met by your Shanghai driver in Shanghai PVG airport, you will be transferred to your Shanghai hotel.




    

Day 10 Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Huangpu River Cruise, the Bund

09：00: Greeted by your tour guide at your hotel lobby, you will set out for the Shanghai Museum.

09:20 - 12:00: Shanghai Museum: As one of the renowned ancient art museums, the Shanghai Museum has collected about 140,000 cultural relics. There are 11 classes of relics currently displayed. To appreciate the most spectacular relics in such a limited time period, our tour guides will introduce to you some of the historic ones. You will see ceremonial wares like a battle-axe and tripod, daily necessities in ancient life like pottery and porcelain, calligraphy works like the Oracle, and various jade ornaments.

12:00 - 13:00: Lunch for your own arrangement under the recommendations of our tour guide.

13:00 - 14:30:  Visit Yuyuan Garden. Dating back 400 years ago, Yuyuan Garden was a private garden. It was built in the style of most of the classic Jiangnan gardens. You will see Yu Linglong - a unique stone listed as one of the 3 famous stones in Jiangnan. The other two refer to Guan Yunfeng in the Liu Garden of Suzhou and Zhou Yunfeng in the Zhusu Garden of Hangzhou. Our guide will also brief you about the local cuisines you may come across.

14:50 - 15:20: Our guide will take you to “climb” the Shanghai World Financial Center. With the height of 492m, Shanghai World Financial Center is ranked as the 3rd tallest tower in the world. You can view the whole city standing on the tower.

15:40-16:40:  Walk on the Bund. Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, the Bund was originally a pathway for boatmen and hard laborers; while nowadays, the Bund has become the most characteristic view and the most recognized symbol of the city with its rich cultural connotations of hundreds of years. For the Europeans, it was like the Wall Street in the east, where prosperous trading took place and massive fortunes were made and lost. Other famous Shanghai landmarks like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Jinmao tower stand proudly across the river from the Bund creating a stark contrast between the old and the new Shanghai, and a must see on your tour.

17:00: Your tour comes to an end and you will be transferred back to your hotel.



Recommended activity: Huangpu River Cruise

In the evening, we suggest you enjoy the Huangpu River Cruise. All the essence of Shanghai  unfolds along the Huangpu River. Taking this cruise will be a most memorable experience for you! You will take a 3-storey cruise ship, a replica of a typical ancient Chinese boat with two magnificent dragon heads standing upright on the stern. With the explanation of a guide, you will enjoy the mild breeze, smell the unique water, and view the colorful buildings lining the river, while listening to the old Shanghai stories.





    

Day 11 Departure from Shanghai

Hotel-airport transfer and see you off. Have a nice journey home! Your driver will pick you up 3 hours before your flight and transfer you to the airport.