Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: TBA - Hong Kong. Welcome to China! Upon arrival in Hong Kong, we will be taken to the hotel. As one of the world's most dramatic harbors, Hong Kong is a bustle, beautiful, unique and dynamic. Balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 2: Hong Kong. Today we will take half day city tour. Firstly, we will visit one of Hong Kong's leading tour destinations: Victoria Peak. On top of the peak, we will get a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbor and the whole city as well. Then we head to Aberdeen, the largest town located in Hong Kong Island. Once a quiet fishing village, Aberdeen is now a thriving town famous for its floating restaurants, delicious seafood, junks and sampans. Next we take a short drive to Repulse Bay, which is the most famous beach of having the highest representative characteristics in Hong Kong by its long and wide beach, clean water, calm tide and gentle wave. For lunch time, we will be transferred to the hotel. Feel free at leisure for the rest of the day. Includes: (B)
Day 3: Hong Kong - Guilin. The morning is left free for you to explore the city. After lunch, we will drive to the airport directly 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)
Day 4: Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin. 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. We will drive back to Guilin city before a short walk along the famous foreigner street - Western Street. Includes: (B, L)
Day 5: 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. Then head for the airport for Kunming. Kunming is 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 6: 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 7: Lijiang. The day begins with a tour of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is situated 15km 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. After lunch, we will also pay a visit to Baisha Frescos. These frescoes are both essential to the research of Chinese painting and important cultural heritage relics too. Includes: (B, L)
Day 8: Lijiang - Shangri-La. In the early morning we set out on the long drive to Shangri-La. Shangri-La, also known as Zhongdian, is a bright pearl mounted in the "Great Triangle" connecting Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet. On the way, we will visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, which 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. Then we head to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, a world-famous geological phenomenon and an unrivaled panoramic scene which makes tourists lingering. Upon arrival in Shangri-La in the late afternoon, we have to freshen up before exploring the city. Includes: (B, L)
Day 9: Shangri-La. The day begins with a tour of the Songzanlin Monastery, the largest and the most important Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Yunnan province. The architectural style of the building is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, hence the name "Small Potala Palace". For lunch we'll sample simple delicious local food in a restaurant. Then we proceed to Bita Lake. With an altitude of 3,539 meters, it is the highest lake in Yunnan Province. The main attraction of this area is the Tibetan folklore, the primeval forest, the highland meadow, and the highland flowers and plants. Our next stop is Napahai Lake, nearly 8 kilometers northwest of Shangri-La town. It is the habitat of some rare birds such as black necked crane, mallard flock and bar-headed goose. Includes: (B, L)
Day 10: Shangri-La - Kunming - Chengdu. We will depart from Shangri-La early in the morning, taking a short flight to Kunming. Upon arrival in Kunming in the Mid-morning, we will change the flight to Chengdu directly. Chengdu is famous for its three unique characteristics, which is 'Heavenly Scenery', 'Bashu (one title of Sichuan) Culture' and 'Hometown of Pandas'. The rest of the day is on our own to explore the city. Includes: (B, L)
Day 11: Chengdu. Get up early in the morning and drive about 10 km to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute. Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute is an excellent recreational area and a highlight of any visit to Chengdu. Endangered species such as giant pandas, red pandas, and black-necked cranes reproduce well at the Research Base. After lunch, we head to the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu (Dufu caotang). To venerate one of China's most famous poets, Dufu, people established gardens and temples from the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127). Covering an area of 16 hectares, the exhibits here include a brief account of Dufu's life and some of his original calligraphy, wood carvings, couplets and also many of Du Fu's finest works with foreign translations. When the night falls, we drive back to the hotel. Includes: (B, L)
Day 12: Chengdu - Lhasa. Today we will be transferred to the airport for our next destination - Lhasa, which is reputed as the "Roof of the World" and the "Third Pole of the Globe". Lhasa offers breathtaking monastery sights, Tibetan Buddhist Culture, colorful ethnic minority custom, which should not be missed! Acclimatize ourselves to the high altitude for the rest of the day. Includes: (B, L)
Day 13: Lhasa. Today we will start the day with a trip to the highlight of Lhasa - Potala Palace, the symbol of Tibet. Potala Palace functioned as the traditional seat of the Tibetan government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. Because of its spectacular buildings, unrivaled constructions, devotional atmosphere and outstanding artworks, Potala Palace have a strong appeal to tourists all over the world. For lunch we'll sample delicious food in a local restaurant. Then we'll head to the Sera Monastery. As the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa, Sera Monastery is an important spiritual center for Buddhist monks. It has been listed as one of the national cultural relic since 1982. The evening is left for us to stroll amongst the shops and old houses of Lhasa. Includes: (B, L)
Day 14: Lhasa. Starting the day later than usual, we will visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual centre of Tibet and the holiest destination for all Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. Jokhang Temple houses many historical relics, including statues of King Songtsen Gompo, Princess Wencheng, Princess Bhrikuti Devi (Nepalese). Then we will stroll along the Barkhor Street, built in the heart of Lhasa surrounding the Jokhang Temple. It is an essential pilgrim route for centuries on which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple. In addition, it is "must" for souvenir-hunting tourists. Shops and stalls are built all around the street. After lunch, we will also pay a visit to Drepung Monastery, the largest and the most powerful of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries in Lhasa. It houses a great number of splendid murals, exquisite sculpture and other precious treasures. Includes: (B, L)
Day 15: Lhasa - Xian. Feel free at leisure until be met at the lobby of the hotel and transferred to the airport to Xian. Lunch will be served on board. Upon arrival in Xian in the afternoon, we will be greeted and warmly welcomed by our guide and drive to the downtown hotel. Includes: (B, L)
Day 16: Xian. Today we will visit what has been called the 8th Wonder of the World - Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed there. After lunch, we will visit the Bell Tower. Originally built in 1348, the Bell Tower in Xi'an is situated in the very heart of the city and is the most well-preserved and best-known one in China. We will also visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China and initially built in 589. The evening is free for us to explore the city. Includes: (B, L)
Day 17: Xian - Shanghai. We will depart Xian in the morning to head to Shanghai, the largest and most prosperous metropolis in China and known as the "Paris of the East". Having arrived at noon, we first freshen up at the hotel before taking some tours. Firstly, we will visit the Bund, where the great foreign commercial houses and banks built their imposing office buildings before 1930s. We then stroll along the Nanjing Road, which is considered as one of the World's Seven Great Roads in the 1930s and always mentioned in travel guides as a must see of China tour. Here along its 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles), we will find over 600 shops that on average are visited by some 1.7 million people each day. If you like shopping, do not miss it! Includes: (B, L)
Day 18: Shanghai - Beijing. Today we will start the day with a trip to the elegant classic Chinese garden: Yu Garden. Yu Garden has quite a few scenic courtyards dotted with baroque rockery, pools and flora, all connected by corridors and passageways and cultural relics. We then proceed to Oriental Pearl TV Tower. With an astonishing height of 468 meters, it ranks as the world's third tallest TV tower, after the 553-meter CN Tower in Toronto and the 535-meter Moscow TV Tower. After lunch, then head for the airport for our last destination - Beijing. As the capital of China, Beijing has a long history with an abundance of historical and cultural heritage-you cannot tear yourself away! Upon arrival in Beijing, we will be taken to the hotel. Includes: (B, L)
Day 19: 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 20: Beijing. Get up early in the morning and drive about one hour to Badaling Great Wall, China's most spectacular sight extending more than 3,700 miles across China and most often visited for China tour. It is one of the best preserved sections and the highest point of the Great Wall. For lunch we'll sample simple some delicious cuisine in a local restaurant. Then head to one of the Mind Tombs. Ming Tombs are the general names for the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), located 50 kilometers north from Beijing City. They were fully recognized by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in 2000. When the night falls, we will return to the hotel. Includes: (B, L)
Day 21: 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 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 22: Beijing - 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)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost 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
- Tibet permit fee
Cost Excludes:
- All sort of personal expenses
- Tips
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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