Our clients at Beijing Tiananmen Square

Day 01Arrival in Beijing

You'll be met at the Beijing Capital Airport and transferred to the Crowne Plaza (Address: No. 48 Wangfujing Avenue, Beijing, 100006). The rest of the day is free for individual activities.

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

Tips: 3-day scheduled itineraries can be found containing the highlights of Beijing. If you want to explore Beijing further, we suggest you make full use of your spare time to explore it on your own. If you are interested in Beijing's rich history and culture, we would like to recommend you visit the newly renovated Qianmen Street. The street has a long history of about 600 years (Ming dynasty) and was reopened to on August 7, 2008 after renovation. The street has kept its traditional architecture and 12 time-honored shops have returned to their original locations. Besides Quanjude Peking Roast Duck restaurant, the Dabei Photo Studio, Qinglinchun Tea Store, Changchuntang Medicine and Shangzhenge Art Gallery also make a welcome return. It takes about 10 minutes to get here from your hotel if traffic jam's permitting and should cost you no more than 20 RMB.

Great Wall of China

Day 02Beijing

You will be amazed throughout the whole day when visiting the Tiananmen Square (the largest and grandest city squares in the world!), the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Temple of Heaven. A traditional Beijing Duck Dinner is served as Welcome Dinner at a well-known restaurant. A viewing of world reknowed Peking Opera (the national opera) is scheduled as the evening delight after dinner.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

Tips: There are two interesting scenic spots related to sound atmosphere in Temple of Heaven that you cannot miss. One is at the midpoint on the top of the Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan), where your voice will be mysteriously amplified, the other is the Echoing Wall where you can hear your friend's whisper even if you two stand at opposite ends of the wall respectively. Besides all this, you will also have a chance to discover more about the local retired residents' life. In the long corridor, you will see the local people playing Chinese chess, playing traditional instruments or performing Beijing opera. It will be quite an amazing experience!

Descriptions:
Tiananmen Square - It is easily to find that there are two striking white marble columns erected in front of the Tiananmen Tower. This kind of column is called Huabiao in Chinese, which was a road sign originally and then was used to be an ornament only. These two columns were built about 500 years ago and carved with dragons and auspicious clouds. On the top of each, there is a legendary animal staring into the distance, expecting the emperor outside the palace to return to the palace soon.
 
Forbidden City - How many kitchens in the Forbidden City? No exact answers. However, almost all the palaces and halls in this imperial palace have their own kitchens. Among those, the biggest one is intended for emperors, called the Imperial Kitchen, Yushanfang in Chinese. In the Forbidden City, there are two imperial kitchens. One is located outside of the Jingyumen Gate and the other lies by the side of the Yangxindian Palace. In the Treasure Gallery, you can see countless golden plates and silver cups that emperors used.
 
Temple of Heaven - The Temple of Heaven has an outstanding architectural feature that its northern part is in a semicircular shape as well as the southern part is square. It is because human beings thought that the heaven was round and the earth was square in ancient China. Consequently, the northern part standing for heaven is higher than the southern part standing for earth. From north to south, the main buildings lie side by side along a 360-mether long south-north axis called Vermillion Steps Bridge.

Day 03Beijing

You will be accompanied by our local professional guide to one of the greatest world heritage sites - the Great Wall, Badaling section. A delicious lunch of Sichuan cuisine will be served at a popular local restaurant and the visit will continue to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tombs in the afternoon.Concluding the day's tour after visiting the appearance of the the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) in the distance on the way to the downtown, you will sample Cantonese cuisine for dinner at a fine restaurant in the Wangfujing Street, a la carte style.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

Descriptions: 
China Great Wall - Before traveling to the Great Wall, you should have a good preparation for clothing. You're suggested to carry a loose cotton T-shirt and a loose trousers rather than denim. Due to the big temperature variation between daytime and night, you'd better keep warm in the night. Even though you climb up the Great Wall in summer, you wear shorts during the daytime and may put on warm clothes like jackets or sweaters in the evening. Anyway, when you enjoy the happiness that visiting brings you, a good health is always very important.

Terracotta army, Xian

Day 04Beijing - Xian

After the morning visit to the at Royal Garden, Summer Palace and the Lama Temple, head for Xian by air. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local tour guide and transferred to the well selected Sheraton Xian Hotel (Address: No. 262 Feng Hao East Road, Xi'an, 710077), where a luxurious buffet dinner will be served.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel

Descriptions:
Summer Palace - There is a legend about the enchanting Seventeen-Arch Bridge of the Summer Palace: when the bridge was under construction, a shabby old man wanted to offer his 'Longmen Stone' to the working men but was refused. He left and kept on chiseling the stone, living a poor life. Seeing this, a kind man lodged him home. One year later, he sent the stone to the kind man in return and disappeared. Finally, the stone become the proper stone fit the gap in the middle of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge.
 
Lama Temple - Lama Temple, namely the Yonghe Lamasery, is attractive both for the splendid royal buildings and mysterious Tibetan religion. This temple was originally constructed in the later Ming Dynasty, when it was the residence of the court eunuch. In 1694 of the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Kangxi reconstructed a royal residence here and sent it to his fourth son-Yin Zhen, who ascended to the throne in 1722 and was known as Emperor Yongzheng. Later, this royal dwelling was changed to be a lamasery in 1744 of the Emperor Qianlong.

Day 05Xian

You will have a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum which is said to be the Eighth Wonder of the world before heading downtown to have a decent lunch at a well known Cantonese cuisine restaurant. You will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall afterwards and in the evening, we will arrange the marvelous Tang Dynasty Dinner Show at the splendid Tang Dynasty Palace. (Add: No.75, Chang'an Road, Xian)(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel

Descriptions:
Terracotta Warriors Museum - As the most significant archaeological discovery in twentieth century, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses own the reputation of “the Eighth Wonder of the World”. The figures in the museum include warriors, horses, chariots, weapons and so on. It is estimated that the first Emperor of Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC) constructed such a large army format aimed to protect his mausoleum. Till now, the excavation work is still ongoing.
 
Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Originally built in the 652AD and finished two years later, nowadays, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda has a history of about 1,400 years. It was five-storey earthen pagoda coated with bricks with a height of 60 meters. After ages of destruction of wind and rain, it went into gradual decay. From 701AD to 704 AD during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, it was restored into a pagoda with ten storeys. However, the constant wars in the following years reduced it into ruins. As a result, it was rebuilt into 64-meter high seven-storey pagoda that we see today.

Local people's life

Day 06Xian

Visit to the Provincial History Museum before a la carte lunch is served at a famous restaurant , then take a trip to the Great Mosque and visit a local family.(B+L)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel

Tips: After a busy historic schedule in Xian, take time this evening to go downtown area to visit a modern Xian street scene. Take a taxi from your hotel and ask the driver to head for the Kaiyuan Shopping Mall beside the Bell Tower, where the busiest streets Dongdajie (East Avenue) stands. It is only several kilometers away from your hotel and should take several minutes by taxi, at a cost of CNY10-15 yuan. Along the street, you will see various boutique stores, restaurants, local food stalls, pubs, cinemas and etc. En route, there is the newly built Luomashi Street on the south side which has become the new nightlife hotspot . There is a Wal-Mart is at the end of the street and if you are tired of the crowds of people on the street, you can wander around the big shopping malls like Kaiyuan, Xingzhengyuan, Parkson or Century Ginwa nearby. There are many good restaurants there also, both in Chinese and Western style. You can sample a dinner there by yourself.
 
Descriptions:
Shaanxi History Museum - As one of the first batch of national 4A level scenic spots, Shaanxi History Museum attracts invasions of tourists from home and broad, relying on its perfect displays, elegant environment, qualified service and good order. There are basic theme and temporary exhibitions to introduce the historical essence of Shaanxi from various angles. It has been a crucial window to show excellent culture of this lovely and thick land and our nation, as well as a connecting bridge for cultural exchange with outside world.

Our clients on Yangtze River cruise

Day 07Xian - Chongqing

Visit the Hanyangling Museum, the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi on the way to the airport. After lunch, proceed to Chongqing on an afternoon flight, where your local professional tour guide will provide you with comfortable transfer service. Have a brief city tour of the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo if time permitting and enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner at the 5-star hotel. You will then transfer and board on the deluxe New Century cruise ship. As the ship departs from Chongqing at about 23:30, your relaxing Yangtze River cruise begins.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: New Century Cruises

Descriptions:
Yangtze River - The Yangtze River is not only the longest river in China but also the longest one in Asia. As same as the Yellow River, the Yangtze River is also reputed to be the Mother River of China. It runs through China like a huge winding dragon.

Day 08Chongqing - Fengdu

The river guide will give a brief introduction of the cruise and the itinerary after breakfast. In the afternoon, you will undergo an initial onshore excursion to the Snowy Jade Cave. The Captain's Welcome Party will be held tonight.(B+L+D)

Tips: Among the three gorges, the Qutang Gorge is the shortest but steepest and greatest one. It is only 8 kilometers long and it takes merely 5-10 minutes to sail through. The ship generally passes through in the early morning. Please pay attention to the cruise schedule pasted at the reception on the ship and make good preparation for it, or you may miss it!

Yangtze Three Gorges tour

Day 09Badong - Xiling Gorge - Sandouping

Today is an essential part of the Yangtze River cruise experience where you will appreciate the unique scenery of the Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge being the shortest but the grandest one and the Wu Gorge is famous for its lofty peaks and mountains surrounds. An interesting junk adventure along Shennong Stream will await you here lasting about 3-4 hours. Then sail into the longest gorge, Xiling Gorge, and pass through the Five Level Ship Lock in the evening.(B+L+D)

Tips: Among the three gorges, the Qutang Gorge is the shortest but steepest and greatest one. It is only with a length of 8 kilometers. It takes merely 5-10 minutes to sail through it. The ship generally passes it in the early morning. Please pay attention to the cruise schedule pasted on the ship and make good preparation for it, or you may miss it.

Day 10Yichang - Shanghai

Disembark for an excursion to the under construction Three Gorges Dam. Then pack your luggage and follow the check-out procedures. After having lunch at Yichang city, visit the Yichang Museum if time allows. Head for Shanghai by flight and your local professional guide will provide you with a transfer service. Check in at the hotel.(B+L)

Accommodation: Majesty Plaza Shanghai

Tips: Nightlife in Shanghai is very colorful and the night of Shanghai is elegant. You may enjoy it along the Bund area. Looking across the Huangpu River at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jinmao Tower, you may feel it is worthy the name of large modern metropolis. If you take a taxi from your hotel, it costs you only 10 RMB. However, we suggest you walk there from your hotel along the Nanjing Pedestrian Street, where you may enjoy some local snacks and do some shopping along the way. It only takes you several minutes to walk there.

Our clients enjoying their a la carte meal, Shanghai

Day 11Shanghai

The first stop of Shanghai is to visit the Shanghai Museum which houses large collections of historical items. Then go ahead to the famous Yuyuan Garden. After lunch, transfer you to the Bund area, where you will take a cruise tour on the Huangpu River. The cruise will start at 14:00, reach the Wusongkou pier and then get back to the Bund at 17:00. Leave you some free time to explore the Bund area on your own. A farewell dinner is arranged at Central Hotel, whose restaurant Wang Bao He has a history of around 260 years and is the best place to serve Shanghai Cuisine. Afterwards you will enjoy an amazing Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Majesty Plaza Shanghai

Descriptions:
Shanghai - Bejing a vigorous city, Shanghai enjoys unprecedented rising international prestige and influence. It is a preferred venue for holding various events. International sporting events like F1 Chinese Grand Prix and Tennis Masters Cup have been held here. The World Expo in 2010 will be held in Shanghai, which will be an excellent chance of showcase the achievement of the city to the world.
 
The Bund - Situated along the western bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund is thought to be the symbol of the city. It is a 4 kilometer-long waterfront. The Bund, retaining an air of the past, is a glimpse of the city's roaring past. 52 buildings of different architectural styles such as Baroque, Gothic, Romanesque, Chinese and Renaissance erect on the bund. Therefore, it is also called “The Museum of International Architecture”. The European buildings contrast finely with skyscrapers on the east bank of the Huangpu River.

Day 12Shanghai - Guilin

No escorted tour is scheduled in the morning and you can explore the city on your own. Head for Guilin by an afternoon flight, your local professional tour guide will provide you with comfortable airport-hotel transfer service. Check in at the 5-star Sheraton Hotel (Address: No. 15 Bin Jiang Road, Guilin, 541001).(B)

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel

Tips: Here we would like to introduce the Guilin's local cuisine to you and you may experience this throughout the region. The most famous one is Guilin Rice Noodles with horsemeat. The most well-known restaurant serving the rice noodles is the Hui-Xian-Lou restaurant in the downtown area, which has a long history. Apart from the rice noodles, the steamed duck wrapped with lotus leaf, fried beef with winter bamboo shoot, rice dumplings in bamboo leaf (Zongzi) and sweet dumplings as dessert (Tangyuan) are also recommended.

Alluring Yangshuo scenery

Day 13Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin

Travel to Yangshuo by cruising along the magnificent Li River which itself is the highlight of today. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, a brief country-road tour by bicycle will be arranged. A local family will be somewhere along the road expecting your visit. However if your bicycle skills are a little rusty, you can take our electric car instead. Transfer back to Guilin. (Tip: Lunch will be provided on the cruise today and since it may not meet your expectations, TCG suggests that you have a larger breakfast at the hotel.)(B+L)

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel

Descriptions:
Yangshuo - If Yangshuo is an essential representative of the charming Guilin, the West Street can be regarded as the beating heart of Yangshuo which always plays as the tourist center. This is a paradise for enthusiastic backpackers. Walking or cycling along the little shops and vendors' stand is a popular way to approach the distinctive ambience. Hanging out in western styled cafes is favored by most visitors at night. In addition, rafting, exploring caves, lightshows and ballooning are also exciting activities worth trying.

Shopping paradise Hong Kong

Day 14Guilin - Hong Kong

The Guilin tour continues to the Reed Flute Cave, the Seven Star Park and the Elephant Trunk Hill. We will see you off to Hong Kong airport for your flight and please remember to arrange your own airport-hotel transfer upon arrival. Check in at the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong (Address: 70 Mody Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong) by yourself, which is well booked in advance.(B+L)

Accommodation: InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong

Tips: Maybe you have just got used to some habits and customs of local people in mainland of China, and then you come to Hong Kong, a city with rather different culture from the mainland. Vehicles run on the left side, which is opposite to the destinations you have been to. While taking an escalator or climbing stairs, please stand on the right side. As Hong Kong people have a rapid pace of life, the left side is for those hurrying the time to go through fleetly. You may read some introduction about Hong Kong to learn more about it.

Day 15Hong Kong

The full day is free to do as you wish, we only book the hotel with breakfast for you. You are recommended to take the peak tram ride to mid-level of Central District, visit the Victoria Peak, the Repulse Bay, Aberdeen, Stanley Market and take taxi to the Pier to take the Star Ferry to Kowloon side of Hong Kong, walk along the waterfront promenade back to Hotel.(B)

Accommodation: InterContinental Grand Stanford Hongkong

Descriptions:
Causeway Bay - In the northern part of Hong Kong Island, Causeway Bay is the most hilarious area. Streets are filled with various types of Hong Kong-style shopping malls, Japanese department stores and affordable restaurants. Tour at Causeway Bay will definitely satisfy your desire for shopping and food. The famous Victoria Park is just located in the eastern part of Causeway Bay. As the biggest park in Hong Kong, it features a modern swimming pool, tennis courts, football field and other sports facilities. The largest-scale Lantern Festival is held here every year and this park is also a perfect site to enjoy the moon during the Mid-autumn Festival.

Day 16Departure from Hong Kong

After breakfast, arrange the hotel-airport private transfer for your homebound flight.(B)

B-- Breakfast     L-- Lunch     D-- Dinner