"BEST OF CHINA"
a 10-day tour to see China by land; it covers the major destination cities including Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai. This tour gives a nice introduction to China, its history, landmarks and people. It is a good choice for people who would like to see much of the country but have little time.
Detailed Itinerary
*ABF - American Buffet Breakfast; B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D –Dinner; SD –Special Dinner;
** Time – All times listed in the itinerary are local;
*** Changes - Based on your agenda, the itinerary can be reversed;
Day01
International Gateway / Pacific Ocean
Depart from the United States or Canada via one of your preferred airlines.
Day02
Beijing (D)
You will arrive in Beijing, a world-class capital with an extraordinary combination of historic and modern landmarks. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to TIAN LUN DYNASTY HOTEL, a 5-star hotel, centrally located on the largest pedestrian street in China, called Wanfujing Street. The Tian Lun Hotel is within ten minutes walking distance from the Royal Palace, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Your time will be yours to plan for much of the day.
Day 03
Beijing (ABF, L, SD)
After breakfast, your tour will begin from Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. The tour will proceed to the Forbidden City, home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. In the afternoon, visit the harmonious Temple of Heaven, one of the best examples of Ming Dynasty architecture in China, and also an ornate sanctuary where Chinese Emperors worshiped the Gods. In the evening, enjoy a feast upon the emperor’s cuisine. A Beijing roast duck banquet will await you at at one of city’s leading restaurants.
Day 04
Beijing (ABF, L, D)
An unforgettable outing includes a walking tour of the wondrous Great Wall. You will have the chance to climb a portion in the Mutianyu section of this 3,700-mile marvel. The Great Wall’s dramatic and descending steep ridges and narrow valleys offer various picturesque vistas for your camera. You will finish the evening with a traditional performance of Peking Opera.
Day 05
Beijing / Xi’an (ABF, L, D)
After breakfast, enjoy a pedicab tour of the Hutongs, the "old city" neighborhood of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens hidden behind Beijing's modern facade. Visit Prince Gong's Palace, the Drum Tower, and old-style courtyard houses still inhabited by Beijing residents. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, where the Empress Dowager Ci Xi would go to escape the heat of the city. By the end of the day, you will stop in the Beijing Zoo and visit the largest Panda House in China. A late evening flight will bring you to Xi’an, the ancient Chinese capital—thousands of years old. At 06:45 AM. You will be greeted by a local tour guide and transferred to SHERATON HOTEL (5 star).
Day 06
Xi'an (ABF, L, SD)
Today's highlight is a visit to the Archaeological Museum, home to more than 6,000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. After lunch, visit the Neolithic Village of Banpo, which contains relics from the earliest known inhabitants of China. In the evening, attend a Tang Dynasty (AD 600 – 780) Dinner Show.
Day 07
Xi’an / Guilin (ABF, SL, D)
Xi’an is a city of unsurpassed importance in China’s history; it is filled with archeological wonders and served as the capital for eleven dynasties. You will tour the Great Mosque, a haven of tranquility tucked into the bustling market areas of Xi’an. Also in today’s itinerary, your tour will cover the Ancient City Wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower. A Chinese Dumpling Lunch will be arranged for you.
In the late evening, you will fly to China’s most scenic city – Guilin. Best known for its immortal stone mountains, Guilin also is noted for fantastic caves, and this afternoon you’ll explore the Reed Flute Cave, full of oddities and historic treasures. Also you will visit the Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park and farmer’s free market. A local-flavor dinner will be arranged for the evening. Accommodations will be at ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL (5 Star – a typical Chinese Courtyard Style hotel by the shore-side of Li River).
Day 08
Guilin / Yangshuo (ABF, L, D)
After breakfast, cruise in air-conditioned comfort on the Li River, where every turn offers breathtaking new views of vertical peaks, weathered stone pinnacles, caverns, soft bamboo groves and other pastoral landscapes that have inspired so much Chinese art and poetry. You will spend one night in Yangshuo, a small town 100 km away from Guilin, to have a better study of Chinese farmers’ real daily life. By late evening, drive back to Guilin. Accommodations will be at PARADISE RESORT (4 star, a typical Chinese-style building and the best local hotel).
Day 09
Guilin / Shanghai (ABF, L, D)
Be escorted back to Guilin airport at about noon time and you will fly to Shanghai, the economic heart of China. Upon arrival, transfer to JIAN GUO HOTEL (4 star –located near the commercial center of Shanghai).
Your first day of sightseeing in Shanghai will start from the Bund. Along the waterfront you will see the European-Style architecture of the buildings that once housed the institutions of the colonial powers in the 19th century. Then you will visit the Children’s Palace, an ornate fortress where the local children come to learn various arts including calligraphy, piano and dance. You end your full-day sightseeing tour with a stop at the Jade Buddha Temple. Tonight, you are sure to enjoy the amazing contortions and acrobatic show at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
Day 10
Shanghai (ABF, L, SD)
Begin your day with a visit to the Old Town and walk down its narrow lanes past traditional buildings to the once private Yu Yuan Gardens. After lunch, you will make a visit to the Shanghai National Museum. There you will find artifacts that span the length of China’s history and express its cultural traditions. A special dinner will await you in The Green Wave Pavilion Restaurant.
Day 11
Shanghai / USA / Canada (ABF)
Your schedule is free in the morning. At around noon time, your tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby for the transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA / Canada.