Day 1
Arrive / Beijing
Upon arrival, be met and transferrred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Day 2
Beijing
( B, L, D )
Tour sites: TheTiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Hall of Clocks and Watches, the Forbidden City
The Tiananmen Square -- The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
Summer Palace-- Much-loved summer retreat of the Imperial families, the lovely landscaped gardens, halls, pavilions and corridors are set around the lake and rivers in natural harmony. You can expect to spend 2-3 hours here, including a 10 minute boat ride. Renovations (complete in 2010) mean that an individual section or building may be closed at any one time, but this is a huge site. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Hall of Clocks and Watches -- Hall of Clocks and Watches set in the Forbidden City 2208 square meters show us the clock history of the past 200 years.
The Forbidden City -- The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Day 3
Beijing
( B, L, D )
Tour sites: Great Wall at Mutianyu, Mutianyu Cable Car (One way)
Great Wall at Mutianyu -- This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Mutianyu Cable Car(One way) -- This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Roasted duck at Xiushuidian -- Roasted duck is claimed to be the most delicious food in Beijing.
Day 4
Beijing /Xi'an ( B, L )
Tour sites: the Temple of Heaven, Hutong Tours by Rickshaw
Today we will have city tour before we transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to the hotel.
The Temple of Heaven -- One of the most famous sites in Beijing, this is Ming architecture at its best: beautiful, controlled, and highly symbolic. The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activity, particularly weekend mornings. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Hutong Tours by Rickshaw -- A maze of historic alleyways and old single storey traditional courtyard houses, now fast disappearing. Dotted around the hutong are the Drum and Bell Towers, Kindergarten, Tea House, and local people's houses. Your tour includes a visit with a local family.
Day 5
Xi'an ( B, L )
Tour sites:Great Mosque, Xi'an City Wall, Terracotta Warriors
The Great Mosque -- In the heart of Xi'an's Muslim quarter, close to the city centre, this is one of the largest Islamic mosques in China. Remarkable for the combination of Chinese architecture with Islamic practice, the courtyards align from east to west facing Mecca. The pavilions, halls and gateways are wonderfully decorated, and this is an active place of worship for the Hui descendants of Silk Road traders and travellers.
The City Wall -- It is a major landmark, and the best preserved, as well as the oldest and largest of the city defence systems in China.You also can bike along the city wall (the rental fee is included).
The Terracotta Warriors -- Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xi'an, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Day 6
Xi'an
( B, L )
Tour sites: Gao's Courtyard (includes Shadow Play), Shaanxi Historical Museum, Forest of Stone Steles Museum
Gao's Courtyard(includes Shadow Play) --A traditional Chinese dwelling in the Muslim quarter that belonged to the founder of the successful Gao family, who produced many officials, officers and businessmen. The repairs won the 2002 UNESCO Asia-Pacific prize for cultural heritage protection. The courtyard buildings have exhibitions of period furniture, paintings, pottery, porcelain, photos and demonstrations of folk art, including a shadow puppet play with traditional music.
Shaanxi Historical Museum -- The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nation's best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Forest of Stone Steles Museum -- A fascinating collection of inscribed stone tablets (steles), from very ancient to quite modern (Han-Qing Dynasties, 206BC-1911). All kinds of calligraphies and scripts tell stories, poems, classics, reports from around the Empire. Other exhibits include early sculptures and objects from Imperial tombs. This was once a Confucian temple, and the architecture and grounds are well worth a visit on their own account.
Day 7
Xi'an / Guilin ( B )
Tour sites: the Reed Flute Cave, the Piled Silk Hill (Folded Brocade Hill)
Take morning flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to the hotel. After a break, have a city tour to the Reed Flute Cave and the Piled Silk Hill.
The Reed Flute Cave --Known as 'the Palace of Natural Arts' this large and well-presented cave system has some remarkable formations. Make sure you have some small change for the children who sell flutes for as little as one yuan if you've got nothing less than a dollar you'll end up with their whole stock.
The Piled Silk Hill (Folded Brocade Hill): It is in the city centre. It's national 4A scenic spot. The traversed stone blocks piled one after another just like the colorful folded silk, that's how the name of the hill came into being.
Day 8
Guilin / Longsheng / Guilin ( B, L )
Tour sites:Zhuang and Yao Ethnic Tribes Longji Terraced Fields
Zhuang and Yao Ethnic Tribes Longji Terraced Fields -- The Longji Terraces are built into the steep mountain range named "The Dragon's Backbone" about 2 hours from Guilin. The terraces look like ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the mountain. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scarce arable land and water resources in the mountainous area. There are about 66 square kilometers of terraced fields in the district. The Terraces were first built in the Yuan dynasty and completed in the Qing dynasty by the Zhuang people. Zhuang and Yao minority villages dot the area and feature traditional unique architecture where no nails are used in construction. The different minority customs and dressing styles are especially interesting.
Day 9
Guilin / Yangshuo ( B, L )
Tour sites: Li River Cruise
Li River Cruise --A cruise along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is an unforgettable experience. As you take in the stunning scenery there's something interesting to see at almost every bend in the river. Between spectacular limestone peaks you'll see graceful bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and lumbering water buffaloes pulling carts or cooling off in the river. You may see fishermen gliding along on their narrow bamboo rafts, and if you're very lucky you might see one of the famous fishing cormorants. Boats depart from various wharves, according to the height of the river at different times of the year.
Day 10
Yangshuo / Guilin / Shanghai ( B, L )
Tour sites:the Moon Mountain, the Big Banyan Tree, cycling in Beautiful Yangshuo
The Moon Mountain -- Moon Cave is named for its giant archway (about 50 meters, 980steps). Be prepared for the local hawkers, who will pester you to buy water, and are very persistent and don't forget to wear your hiking shoes, for it's so many steps to climb.
The Big Banyan Tree --Big Banyan Tree, located 7.5km south of Yangshuo, is one of the main scenic attractions of Yangshuo County. It is said that the banyan was planted in the Jin Dynasty and is famous for its age and towering beauty. The banyan tree is now 17 meters high, 7.1 meters around the trunk, and covers an area of 1000 square meters.
Cyclingin Beautiful Yangshuo -- Experience the hustle & bustle of the Yangshou traffic for 5 minutes before you escape onto the country roads, lanes and tracks of the distinctive and beautiful Yangshou countryside. Biking through the paddy field and orchards that surround the famous mountains will give a fascinating insight into life in rural China. Centuries old farming methods sit side by side with mobile phones and satellite dishes.
Day 11
Shanghai
( B, L )
Tour sites: the Jade Buddha Temple, the Yu Market, the Yuyuan Garden, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower plus History museum
The Jade Buddha Temple -- An active Buddhist temple, and one of the richest in Shanghai. The main treasures are two statues of Buddha, carved from rare single blocks of white jade adorned with precious stones. The temple is a hive of activity with monks, worshippers and visitors, and photos of the Buddhas are forbidden.
The Yu Market -- Located at a very busy marketplace in a complex of traditional-style buildings, backing onto Yuyuan Gardens.You can find everything there from popular local snacks and food, crafts, antiques and souvenirs to Starbucks, tea-houses and some great restaurants. There is a small (reconstructed) Temple (Chenhuang: Temple of the City Gods) in there as well.
The Yu Garden -- In the centre of Shanghai next to the Yuyuan Bazaar, this exquisite old 5-acre garden is famous for its design. The paths wander across bridges, past rockeries and miniature lakes, and through pretty halls and pavilions. The trees and shrubs are planted with an eye to providing charming views, and a sense of peace and harmony.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower -- Standing by the Huangpu River with 468 meters high, Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the highest TV Tower in Asia (up to the last floor to see Shanghai scenery).It is a new landmark of Shanghai in 21st century.
History museum -- Beijing part of the Tower, the History Museum is a window of Shanghai open to all the guests at home and abroad. By means of more than 1,300 pieces of cultural relics, literature and pictures, it presents vividly a holistic picture of the long history of Shanghai from the remote antiquity to the liberation of the city in 1949.
Day 12
Shanghai / Exit ( B )
Be free until be met and transferred to the airport for the flight to the next destination.
Service ends.
Price: 8360CNY/PAX
About price: the price as above is for reference, only available in 2009.
Price includes:
1). Hotel accommodation base on standard room. With daily breakfast
2). Meals in the stated itinerary: B for breakfast, L for lunch, D for dinner.
3). All entrance fee as mentioned in the itinerary above.
4). Responsibility of travel agency.
5). The domestic flight mentioned above & airport transfer service.
6). Private transfers between airport, hotel and tour sites as listed in the itinerary.
7). Private vehicle and English-speaking tour guide service.
2). International air-tickets and airport taxes.
3). Personal expense.
4). Accident insurance.
Custom Tailoring: Through our tour customizing, we will help youcreate ever lasting memories in your search for the perfect destinations. You can design your own tour with our help to meet your unique interests! Let us assist you to make your own China experience a reality.
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