Our clients at the Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Day 01Entry Beijing

Upon your arrival at Beijing Capital Airport today, our tour guide will expect you outside the Arrival Hall of the airport after you clear the customs. A comfortable drive will take you to downtown Beijing, where you will check in at the 4-star Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel, the best Holiday Inn hotel in Beijing. The rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore. For dinner on your own arrangement, we have some suggestions around our hotel.

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza

Great Wall, Beijing Photo by our clients Mr. James Walter Owens & Ms.Linda Elaine Owens with their feedback

Day 02Beijing

Your Beijing tour starts with the largest city square in the world, Tiananman Square, which is an important venue for many national celebrations of China. Stroll around the square and walk northward to today's highlight, the Forbidden City. As a masterpiece of imperial palace in the world, it merges palace construction, Chinese Fengshui theory and feudal hierarchy of ancient China into one whole. To ensure that you can taste the authentic Chinese food instead of the mass-produced food at the tourist eateries arranged by most agencies, we will offer you an a la carte lunch at a famous local restaurant which boasts of Cantonese cuisine. In the afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, which was a royal temple for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship for good harvest from 14th to early 20th century. One of the representative construction there is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qi Nian Dian in Chinese), which was designed in harmony with the sky and ground. Tonight, you will enjoy a fantastic Chinese Kung Fu Show at Red Theatre. The show presents the traditional Chinese Kung Fu in a much modern way of acrobatics and dancing, which will give you a new idea about Chinese Kung Fu.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza

Chinese villagers

Day 03Beijing

In the morning, you will take an excursion to one of the greatest world heritage sites - the Great Wall at Badaling section. You will see the solid wall, like a soaring dragon, winds its way along the roiling mountains up and down, and also gorgeous landscape around when standing on top of the wall. To avoid having lunch at shopping site restaurants, you will be driven to have Sichuan food at a popular local restaurant. After lunch, proceed to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb. You will learn about the special Chinese funeral culture from the statues of both human figures and animals along the two sides of the Sacred Way. The Ming Tombs are actually a group of mausoleums of thirteen emperors in the Ming Dynasty built from 15th to 17th century, where you will see the huge mausoleums, cultural relics and unique construction. On the way back to downtown, you will have a short stay when passing by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) and take photos with the world-famous stadium.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza

Our clients on Xian City Wall

Day 04Beijing - Xian

The Summer Palace will be today's first stop. As China's largest royal garden, it earns its fame for the splendid imperial buildings, exquisite gardening constructions of corridors, bridges, pavilions and artificial hills, and beautiful natural landscape of mountains and lakes. To experience old Beijing history and special culture, you will be delighted by the Hutong tour. Hutong, dating back to Yuan dynasty, is an old alley or lane belongs only to Beijing. Scattered in Beijing city like stars, Hutongs attract tourists from home and aboard every year by showing the essential culture and characteristics of old Beijng. Around noon, you will enjoy an a la carte lunch at a decent local restaurant with great atmosphere. Then take a flight to Xian. Your local guide in Xian will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the 4-star Grand New Word Hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Grand New Word Hotel

Terracotta Warriors Museum, Xian Photo by our client Mr. Daniel Bruce Reid with his feedback

Day 05Xian

In the morning, you will visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, which is known as the eighth wonder of the world. In the three excavated pits, you will see over 7,400 pieces of warriors and horses of distinct facial expressions and positions. The Bronze Chariots and Horses and weapons exhumed here are among the best bronze wares in the world. To avoid the low-quality tourist eateries near the site, we will offer you a delicious a la carte lunch at the best local restaurant. Then continue to visit one of the symbols of Xian, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. With a height of 64.5 meters (212 feet), the seven-storey pagoda is not only a 1,300-year-old well-protected ancient structure, but also a masterpiece of Buddhist architecture. Then next stop is the Great Mosque, a famous Islamic mosque built in Chinese style. On the way to the Great Mosque, you will walk through the Muslim Street, which is a compact community for about 20,000 Xian Muslims and famous for unique Muslim culture, delicious local snacks and interesting souvenirs. Dinner today is the famous Xian specialty Dumpling Dinner for you to taste the traditional Chinese dumplings with all kinds of fillings; at the same time, the fancy Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show will bring you back to the dreamy Tang Dynasty of about 1,400 year ago. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch, Dumpling dinner
Accommodation: Grand New World Hotel

Day 06Xian - Guilin

In the morning, you will ascend the famous Xian City Wall, which is the best-preserved city wall in China. Embosomed by broad deep moat and dense woods, Xian City Wall was built in the early Ming Dynasty and saw the great development of the city over the past 600 years. If time permits, you can rent a bicycle and have a unique ride around the City Wall on your own. Then a family visit is specially arranged for you to learn more about the life of local people. Around noon, you will have your a la carte lunch at a famous local restaurant. Then take an afternoon flight to Guilin. Your local guide in Guilin will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the 4-star Guilin Bravo Hotel, the former Holiday Inn Hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Guilin Bravo Hotel

Picturesque Guilin Li River scenery

Day 07Guilin

After breakfast, you will visit the Reed Flute Cave, which boasts abundant karst formations of stone columns, stalactites and stalagmites with interesting names, such as Crystal Palace, Dragon Pagoda and Virgin Forest. Then continue to the largest comprehensive park in Guilin, the Seven Star Park, where you can see gorgeous karst caves, splendid mountains, clear water, a serene valley and ancient bridges, temple and stone tablets. The last stop today is the Elephant Trunk Hill, which is the emblem of Guilin City. It is a huge rock resembling an elephant drinking water at the riverside with its trunk, hence the name. It will be memorable to take photos in front of the huge elephant.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Guilin Bravo Hotel

Our clients taking a bike tour in Yangshuo Photo by our client Ms. Janice Johnson with her feedback

Day 08Guilin - Yangshuo

The highlight of Guilin tour comes today - you will cruise down from Guilin City to Yangshuo along the Li River, where you will see picturesque scenery of limpid water, elegant hills and green fields all the way. The most famous attraction is the Mural Hill, one side of which is blazoned with yellow, white, black, grey and green colors, resembling nine horses in various poses. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, check in at the 4-star New Century Hotel. You will take a unique bicycle tour along the country road (we can also transfer you there instead of taking bicycles if you need). The beautiful and serene scenery will ease the fatigue of bicycle-riding. A local family will be somewhere along the road expecting your visit, where you can get close touch of the farmers' life. Tips: We regret to inform you that the lunch provided by the cruise is limited and does not meet the serving standards that TravelChinaGuide aims to ensure. Therefore, we recommend that you consider having a larger breakfast at the hotel this morning.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: New Century Hotel

Day 09Yangshuo - Guilin - Chongqing

Take a morning flight to Chongqing, where your local guide will expect you at the airport and take you to have a brief city tour of Chongqing. Your first stop is the General Joseph W. Stilwell Museum, which was founded in memory of Joseph W. Stilwell, an American general who contributed a great deal to Chinese people during the World War Ⅱ. From the former residence and many other historical items, you can learn much about the hero. Then you will visit Ci Qi Kou (Porcelain Village), an ancient village not far from downtown. You will find many teashops, outlets for craftwork and groceries in the Ming and Qing-dynasty style street. After that, our guide will transfer you to board the Yangtze River cruise ship, the 4-star President No. 2 or President No. 3. As the cruise sails at 22:00, your wonderful Yangtze cruise tour starts.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Cruises: President No.2 or President No.3

Captain's welcome party, Yangtze River cruise

Day 10Shibaozhai

Around 14:00, you will disembark and visit Shibaozhai. After impoundment of three Gorges reservoir, Shibaozhai became a small island, no bigger than a football field. It is like a bonsai along the Yangtze River. You will visit one of the most fantastic architecture in the world and also hear many amusing tales on Shibaozhai. When embark again, you will have the rest of the day to walk around the deck and appreciate the gorgeous landscape along the river. Tonight, there will be a Captain's Welcome Party inviting you to participate.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11Badong - Xiling Gorge - Sandouping

Today you will experience the most memorable part of your Yangtze Cruise tour - the unique scenery of the three gorges. Ranked among the top ten resorts in China, the three gorges are reputed as a landscape gallery. You will see the shortest but the grandest Qutang Gorge, the Wu Gorge with lofty peaks and mountains, and the longest and most elegant Xiling Gorge. When sailing to the border between Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, you will take an exciting sampan adventure along Shennong Stream. You will sit on the special wooden boat and drift along the winding stream. Picturesque scenery of grotesque rocks, clear water and verdant plants as well as the trackers' folk songs will accompany you all the way. Embark again and the cruise continues to sail. You will pass the Five Level Ship Lock of China Dam tonight.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Shennong stream cruise, Yangtze River

Day 12Yichang - Shanghai

The final Yangtze onshore excursion is to visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydropower project in the world. In the scenic area, you will see the gigantic dam and learn about the culture of engineering and water conservancy. Besides, the natural landscape there is very impressive. After that, you will pack your luggage and follow the check-out procedures. Your local guide will meet you on board and transfer you to downtown Yichang. If time permits, you can visit Yichang Museum, where you will have a deep understanding of the history and development of the Three Gorges area. Then take a flight to Shanghai. Your local guide in Shanghai will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the 4-star Ya Fan Long Men Hotel. For dinner on your own arrangement, we have some suggestions around our hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Ya Fan Long Men Hotel

Shanghai Pudong new area

Day 13Shanghai

Your Shanghai tour starts from one of the best museums in China, Shanghai Museum. You will see large collections of historical items, such as chinaware, bronze ware, masterpieces of Chinese paintings and calligraphy, and Chinese minority culture and costumes. Then go ahead to the Yuyuan Garden, one of the most famous southern China gardens. It is composed of pavilions, gloriettes, winding corridors, rockeries, ponds, zigzag paths, springs and shade trees. You can also see many ancient steles and stone inscriptions in the garden. Around noon, you will have a sumptuous a la carte lunch at a well-known local restaurant with a good reputation. In the afternoon, your guide will accompany you to walk around the famous commercial street Nanjing Road, the Bund area along the Huangpu River and an old street in Shanghai. Standing on the Bund, you will see totally different scenes on the two banks of the river: on the east bank, rows of modern skyscrapers demonstrate the development of Shanghai; while on the west, the old-style western buildings tell you the city's glorious past.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Ya Fan Long Men Hotel

Day 14Shanghai Exit

Your guide will see you off for your homebound flight. Comfortable hotel-airport transfer is arranged according to your flight schedule. We hope our 24/7 service provide you a pleasant China tour! As also, you are welcome to look over our City Package to plan a subsequent China visit.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

• ◆2012 Price

Based on per person and in U.S. dollars, valid from Jan. 1st, 2012 to Feb. 28th, 2013

Season Group Size		2-5 travelers	6-9 travelers	10 travelers & above
High season	Double Occupancy	$2799	$2369	$2109
	Single Occupancy	$3489	$3059	$2719
Shoulder season	Double Occupancy	$2759	$2329	$2069
	Single Occupancy	$3419	$2989	$2649

Note: Above prices exclude the service charge of CNY150.00 per person recruited by the cruise company, you need to pay on the spot when you board the cruise.

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For our quotation inclusions & exclusions, booking and cancellation terms, please read Terms and Conditions.