Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: TBA - Beijing. Welcome to China! Upon arrival in Beijing, we will be taken to downtown hotel. As the capital of China, Beijing has a long history with an abundance of historical and cultural heritage - you cannot tear us away! Balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 2: Beijing. Today we will start the day with a trip to the largest public square in the world: Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square is regarded as a symbol of China and capable of holding one million people. Then we'll head to the Forbidden City, which consists of more than 9,000 rooms and covers an area of 72 hectares. Forbidden City is the largest and the best-preserved Imperial Palace in the world. After lunch, we take a short drive to the Temple of Heaven, which was built specifically for worship of heaven and prayers for good harvests during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The entire complex is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese architectural designs and arts and was listed as UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage in 1998. Tonight, enjoy a Beijing Duck Dinner. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 3: Beijing. We will start the day with a unique Hutong Trishaw tour in the morning. Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane that is considered an informal symbol of the Beijing city. We will explore rapidly disappearing old Beijing hutongs on classic Chinese single-speed bikes for approximately one hour. We can also visit local residents and taste some delicious local cuisine while taking the hutong tour. Our next stop is the Summer Palace, which was listed as UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage in 1998. With its elegant overall arrangement, magnificent buildings and attractive scenery, the Summer Palace is the most splendid imperial garden in China built in 1750. Includes: (B, L)
Day 4: Beijing - Jinshanling Great Wall. We will all meet in the lobby of the hotel at around 8 am and spend half pass three hours on private van driving into Jinshanling Great Wall, which has a total length of 10.5 kilometers. We will arrive at the foot of the Jinshanling Great Wall at noon. After having lunch in a local restaurant, our hiking tour will start from here. Our home stay tonight is in the hostel. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 5: Simatai Great Wall - Beijing - Xian. We will all meet in the lobby of the hotel after breakfast and continue hiking to Simatai Great Wall, the most beautiful section of the Great Wall. It is 5.4 km in length with 35 watchtowers in all. Simatai Great Wall has been acknowledged by the UNESCO as one of the World Cultural Heritages. After approximately 2 hours drive, we will arrive at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall. Our hiking tour will start from here. During the hiking tour, we will have chance to enjoy the breathtaking sightseeing along the Great Wall. Today's hiking tour takes 3 to 4 hours, 12km. We hike down from the Great Wall at noon, and sample some simple fare in a local restaurant. Then we make a beeline for the airport to Xian. Upon arrival, we will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The evening is left free for you to explore the city or night market. Includes: (B, L)
Day 6: Xian. Get up early in the morning and take half a day hiking along the Old City Wall from the West City Gate through South City Gate to East City Gate, which has a length of 13.7 km. It is the most integrated city wall in China and one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world as well. After lunch, we will take a short drive to visit the Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It has been called the 8th Wonder of the World. Altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed there. Includes: (B, L)
Day 7: Xian - Guilin. After checking out at the hotel, our first stop in this pleasant city is Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Covering an area of over 70,000 square meters, the museum contains more than 370,000 relics including Bronze wares, terra cotta figures, gold and silver wares and murals, 3 thousand years ago. Then we'll head to the Great Mosque. One of five Muslim sanctuaries in China, The Great Mosque in Xian is the only one open to visitors. In the late afternoon, drive to the airport to Guilin, which is famous for its breathtaking scenery, rivers and karst peaks covered in lush greenery. Upon arrival in Guilin, we are met at the airport by our guide, and driven to the hotel downtown. Includes: (B, L)
Day 8: Guilin - Yangshuo. Get up early in the morning and drive about 40 minutes to Zhujiang pier to take the Li River cruise, which is considered as one of China's top tourist destinations. Along the river, we will enjoy the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, crystal-clear water, lush bamboos and villages with water buffaloes. Lunch will be served on board. After nearly 4.5 hours Li River Cruise, the beautiful and quaint ancient town with one thousand years old - Yangshuo will greet your eyes. Take a short walk along the famous foreigner street - Western Street after checking in at the hotel. Includes: (B, L)
Day 9: Yangshuo - Guilin. Starting the day later than usual, we will head out towards Moon Hill along a local path by bicycle. While riding, we can enjoy the beautiful scenic spots along the way. For lunch we'll sample some delicious countryside fare in a local restaurant. Then we continue riding until we get to Moon Hill. After trekking up to the top of the hill, we will get a panoramic view of the county. While passing by the Moon Hill, we can stop at the Big Banyan Tree, which is about 1,500 years ago. The branches of the three spread out in all directions and its roots twisting crisscrossed. The tree trunk takes six men to circle with their arms stretched out. In the mid-afternoon, we will drive back to the downtown city. Includes: (B, L)
Day 10: Guilin - Longsheng - Guilin. In the early morning, we spend two and a half hours on private van driving into Longsheng County. Upon our arrival at the foot of the reviewing stand, our trekking tour starts from here. During the trekking, we will enjoy the breathtaking view of the Dragon's Backbone Terraced Fields, which are built into the hillsides. When trekking to the top of it and looking down at the nearby terraced rice fields, you will have the feeling that you are standing on the dragon's back as the terraced rice paddies look like the shining scales of the dragon. For lunch we'll sample some special countryside fare in a local restaurant. After 3 or 4 hours trekking, we will drive back to the downtown city. Includes: (B, L)
Day 11: Guilin - Kunming. Today we will experience the "Art Palace of the Nature" - Reed Flute Cave. This splendid karst cave with a myriad of stalactites and stalagmites formulates various bizarre scenes including "Primitive Forest", "Crystal Palace", and "Flower and Fruit Mountain". We will also pay a visit to Wave-subduing Hill (Fubo Hill). The Pearl-Returning Cave, the Thousand-Buddha Cave, the Sword-Testing Rock, the Wave Listening Pavilion, all of them have a strong appeal to the tourists. In the late afternoon, the tour guide will transfer us to the airport and help us board the plane to our next destination-Kunming, home to a mix of ethnic groups and endowed with a remarkable traditional folk culture. Upon arrival, we are greeted and warmly welcomed by our guide and transferred to the hotel. Includes: (B, L)
Day 12: Kunming - Lijiang. Get up early in the morning and drive about 120 kilometers to the Stone Forest, which is known as one of the National Scenic Resorts in China and the most attractive tour destination in Kunming. The Stone Forest occupies an area of 400 square kilometers and consists of a whole range of karst formations.
For lunch we'll sample simple delicious cuisine in a local restaurant. Then we make a beeline for the airport to Lijiang. Upon arrival in Lijiang, be met and transferred to the hotel. Includes: (B, L)
Day 13: Lijiang - Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. Get up early in the morning and drive about 2 hours to Qiaotou Town, where is the upper region of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge is regarded as one of the deepest gorges in the world with a depth of 3,000 meters. Here, the river twists and turns and vigorously swash against the rocks, the breakers sent up a fountain of spray. Our hiking trip begins from here. The total trekking route is 28 km, and it takes approximately 6 hours. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 14: Tiger Leaping Gorge. Continue trekking to the Tiger Leaping Gorge in the early morning. For lunch we'll sample simple countryside fare in a local restaurant. After a short break, we walk down the steep cliff to the bank of Jinsha River. With a length of 2290 km, Jinsha River is the most precipitous section of Yangtze River, which makes a sudden turn of 135 degrees to flow northeastward. Then we go on climbing up the Tiger Leaping Gorge for approximately one hour. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 15: Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang. Today we continue trekking for 2 km and cross the Jinshajiang River by boat to get to Daju Town. For lunch we'll sample simple countryside fare in a local restaurant. Then we head to Lijiang. On the way, we pay a visit to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is situated 15 km north of Lijiang city, on the south bank of the Yangtze River with an altitude of 5600 meters above sea level. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain now is a popular tour destination for sightseeing, mountaineering, skiing, trekking and scientific research. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 16: Lijiang - Kunming. Starting the day later than usual, we will visit Baisha Frescos. These frescoes are both essential to the research of Chinese painting and important cultural heritage relics too. After lunch, we will stroll along the Ancient Town of Lijiang, which was listed as UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage in 1997. Strolling along the street of the Ancient Town of Lijiang, tourists can taste colorful ethnic culture and customs, unrivaled buildings and the breathtaking natural sceneries. In the late afternoon, the tour guide will transfer us to the airport and help us board the plane back to Kunming. The rest of the day is on our own to explore the city. Includes: (B, L)
Day 17: Kunming - TBA. The tour guide will transfer us to the airport and help us board the plane to our next destination. Our services end at the airport. Includes: (B, L)
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Hotel Accommodation on twin Sharing Basis. (Standard hotels with private bathroom). 3 twin room in your case
- All Meals
- English speaking guide
- All land Transportation
- Entrance Fees where applicable
- Airfares (all domestic airfares, international airfares are not included)
- Train Fares
Price Excludes:
- All sort of personal expenses
- Tips
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Cultural Journey
Hiking & Trekking
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