“CHINA HIGHLIGHTS”
a 14-day tour to see China by land, covering all the major tourist destinations in China like Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. This tour features Chinese history, architecture, natural landscapes and a view into the contemporary daily life of the Chinese people.
Detailed Itinerary
*ABF - American Buffet Breakfast; B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D –Dinner; SD –Banquet;
** The whole trip can be arranged in reverse order based on your schedule
[Shanghai – Suzhou – Hangzhou – Guilin – Xi’an – Beijing];
Day 01
Departure City / Travel Across Pacific Ocean
Depart from any city in USA / Canada. You will fly over the North Pole today and lose 12 hours at the time of passing the international date-line.
Day 02
Beijing
Beijing is a world-class capital with an incredible mix of historic and modern landmarks. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to Prime Hotel, a 5-star or equivalent hotel, ten minutes from the Royal Palace, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Your schedule will remain open for the rest 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. You will finish the evening with a traditional performance of Peking Opera.
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.
Day 05
Beijing / Xi’an (ABF, L, D)
After breakfast, enjoy a Pedi cab 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. Pay a short visit to the Panda House.
In the evening, fly to Xi’an, the Ancient Chinese Capital thousands of years old. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport & transferred to the Sheraton Hotel (5 star or equivalent hotel).
Day 06
Xi’an (ABF, L, SD)
Xi’an is a city of unsurpassed importance in China’s history. Filled with archeological wonders, Xi’an served as the national capital during eleven dynasties. 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 containing relics from the earliest known inhabitants of China. In the evening, attend a Tang Dynasty dinner show.
Day 07
Xi’an / Guilin (ABF, L, SD)
You will tour the Great Mosque, a haven of tranquility tucked into the bustling market areas of Xi’an. Today’s itinerary will also include a tour to 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 afternoon, you will fly to China’s most scenic city, Guilin. A local flavored dinner will be arranged tonight. Accommodations at Royal Garden Hotel (5 Star, right beside the Li River).
Day 08
Guilin / Yangshuo (ABF, L, D)
Today, 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’ll spend the whole afternoon in Yangshuo, a small town 100 km away from Guilin, to have a better study of Chinese farmers’ real daily life.
Day 09
Guilin / Hangzhou (ABF, L)
Best known for its immortal stone mountains, Guilin also is noted for fantastic caves, and this afternoon you’ll explore the finest 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. You will fly to Hangzhou today. Tonight, accommodations in World Trade Centre Hotel (5 star – by the West Lake)
Day 10
Hangzhou (ABF, L, SD)
Hangzhou, one of the seven ancient capitals in China, was called “the Paradise on Earth” 1300 years ago. The Venetian traveler Marco Polo, after visiting Hangzhou, called it “the most beautiful and splendid city in the world.” You will visit the nation’s famous West Lake Garden, lingering along the zigzag path; you may find the same sceneries that can be found in traditional Chinese painting. After a short boat tour on the West Lake, you will also climb the Flying Peak; a typical Chinese pagoda on top of the hill will enable you to have a magnificent bird’s view of the city. Your last stop in the Dragon Well Tea Plantation will let the farmers demonstrate you how they prepare the world- famous “Dragon Well Tea”. After sunset, you may dwell along the lakeshore where you will behold the spectacular night view of the West Lake.
Day 11
Hangzhou / Suzhou (ABF, L, SD)
A short ride brings you to the city of Suzhou, known as the “Venice of the East.” Take a relaxing stroll through one of Suzhou’s beautiful gardens, like the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the largest classical gardens in Suzhou, as well as one of the four best gardens in China. Then experience an educational visit to a silk spinning factory. See the artistry of the students at the Institute of Silk Embroidery. Enjoy a boat cruise along the Grand Canal, which is over 1,500 years old and connects Beijing to the rich coastal areas around Shanghai. Your tour will also include the Garden of Master Fishing Net. Tonight, accommodations will be in the Garden View Hotel (4 star, Chinese courtyard-style hotel in the very centre of Suzhou).
Day 12
Suzhou / Shanghai (ABF, L, SD)
This morning, you will be escorted to Shanghai, the economic heart of China. Upon arrival, transfer to Jian Guo Hotel (4 star – located within10 minutes of the commercial centre). Your first day of sightseeing in Shanghai will start from the Bund. Along the waterfront you will see the European architecture of the buildings that once housed the institutions of the colonial powers in the 19th century. Then you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple and the Old Town, walking down narrow lanes past traditional buildings to the once private Yu Yuan Gardens. Your full-day sightseeing tour will end with a stop at the Shanghai National Museum. There you will find artifacts that span the length of China’s history, revealing rich cultural traditions. A special farewell dinner featuring local flavor will be booked for you in The Green Wave Pavilion Restaurant. Tonight, you are sure to enjoy the amazing contortions and acrobatics show in the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
Day 13
Shanghai (ABF)
Your schedule will be open during the entire day.
Day 14
Shanghai / USA or Canada (ABF)
You will be transferred to the Pu Dong international airport this morning for your back home flight to USA / Canada. Arrive home on the same day.
General Tour - China Highlights
Posted in:
General Tours
Oct 21, 2007 - 1:29:22 AM
Oct 21, 2007 - 1:29:22 AM