“SPLENDID CHINA”
a 14-day tour to see China by land; it covers all of the major tourist destinations in China like Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hong Kong. This tour offers the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of China’s extraordinary history, landmarks and people. We believe that this is the best choice for first time travel to China.
Detailed Itinerary
*ABF - American Buffet Breakfast; B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D –Dinner; SD –Banquet;
** Time – All times listed in the itinerary are LOCAL TIME;
*** Based on your agenda, the whole itinerary could be arranged in reverse order;
Day 01
International Gateway / Pacific Ocean
You will depart from an international departure city in the United States or Canada with your preferred airline and travel across the Pacific Ocean.
Day 02
Beijing
You will arrive in Beijing today. 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 Tian Lun Dynasty Hotel (a 5-star or equivalent hotel, centrally located along the largest pedestrian street in China – Wanfujing Street – 10-minutes walking distance to the Royal Palace, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square). Your schedule will remain open for rest of the day.
Day 03
Beijing (ABF, L, SD)
After breakfast, you will start your tour from the largest public square in the world, Tiananmen Square, and then enter the intriguing Forbidden City, home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. In the afternoon, you will 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. Tonight, feast on the emperor’s cuisine. A roast duck banquet will be arranged at a leading city restaurant.
Day 04
Beijing (ABF, L, D)
An unforgettable outing includes a walking tour to the wondrous Great Wall, Mutianyu part, where you will have the chance to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. Its dramatic steep ridges and narrow valleys offer varied landscape vistas for your camera. You will finish the evening with the of Peking Opera.
Day 05
Beijing / Xi’an (ABF, L)
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 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 of thousands of years. You will be greeted by local tour guide & transferred to the Sheraton Hotel (5 stars).
Day 06
Xi'an (ABF, L, SD)
Today's highlight is a visit to the Archaeological Museum, home to more than 6,000 life-size 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 (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 finest Reed Flute Cave, full of oddities and historic treasures. Also you will visit the Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park & farmer’s free market. A local flavored dinner will be arranged tonight. Your accommodations are at the Royal Garden Hotel (5 stars – 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 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 are at the Paradise Resort (4 star, a typical Chinese Style building and the local best).
Day 09
Guilin / Shanghai (ABF, L, D)
Be escorted back to Guilin airport at about noon time and \ fly to Shanghai, the economic heart of China. Upon arrival, transfer to the Solvo Hotel (4 stars, centrally located and 10 minutes to the Bund). Your first day of sightseeing in Shanghai will start from the Bund. Along the waterfront you will see the European-styled 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 will 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 in Ritz Carlton Hotel.
Day 10
Shanghai (ABF, L, SD)
Begin your day with a visit 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 reveal its cultural traditions. A special dinner featuring local flavors will be booked for you in The Green Wave Pavilion Restaurant.
Day 11
Shanghai / Suzhou (ABF, L, D)
A short ride brings you to the “Venice of the East,” the city of Suzhou. 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 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 programs will also include the Garden of Master Fishing Net. Tonight, accommodations will be at Garden View Hotel (4 star, a Chinese Courtyard Hotel in the very centre of Suzhou).
Day 12
Shanghai / Hong Kong (ABF)
You will be escorted back to Shanghai Pu Dong International Airport for your flight to Hong Kong. Upon your arrival at Hong Kong airport, our representative will meet you at the airport for your transfer to the Metro Park Hotel (4 star, right besides the Victoria Park).
Day 13
Hong Kong (ABF, SD)
Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore this metropolitan city. In the afternoon, your tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a half day tour in Hong Kong Island. The tour will start from Victoria Peak’s classic tram and glittering new Tower Complex, to quaint Aberdeen, Repulse Bay and the teeming markets of Stanley. After sunset, you will board the Bauhinia Cruise Ship for a fabulous 2 hours night time harbor cruise tour with an on-board farewell buffet dinner.
Day 14
Hong Kong / Canada (ABF)
Be 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 USA / Canada.
General Tour - Splendid China
Posted in:
General Tours
Oct 21, 2007 - 12:56:57 AM
Oct 21, 2007 - 12:56:57 AM