Our group at the Badaling Great Wall, Beijing Photo by our client Ms. Carolyn Jean Kohn with her feedback

Day 01Arrival in Beijing

Upon your arrival in Beijing, your local guide will greet you outside the customs of the airport, and then a comfortable private transfer will take you to the reserved hotel for a good rest. The remaining time of the day is left free for you to revitalize from the long journey.

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel
- the best Holiday Inn Hotel in Beijing

Day 02Beijing

After enjoying a rich breakfast, you will meet other group members for the coming tour at the hotel. Our guide will give a tour briefing and provide you with a list of the members of the group and a copy of the complete itinerary. Your first stop today is the world famous Tian'anmen Square. Covering an area of 440,000 square meters (about 109 acres), Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world. It has witnessed great development of the country since it was built in 1417 of the Ming Dynasty. Now the square becomes an important venue for most national ceremonies of China. We suppose you must have seen it on TV many times, while, today you will have a chance to walk on this square and feel the great changes in our country. Next we go to the Forbidden City where you can sense the vicissitude of our once feudal country. The Forbidden City is the fruit of working people's wisdom, blood and sweat. About one hundred thousand craftsmen and one million laborers took up the arduous construction task. You will have a glimpse of the luxurious royal life from the splendid palaces, delicate decorations and precious cultural relics. Enjoy an a la carte lunch at a superb local restaurant. After lunch, continue history appreciation at the Temple of Heaven. This temple has an outstanding architectural feature that its northern part is in a semicircular shape while the southern part is in 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. The highlight of the evening will be a brilliant Chinese Kung Fu Show presented at the Red Theater.

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

Our clients at the Forbidden City, Beijing

Day 03Beijing

The highlight of today's trip is a visit to the Great Wall. Like a huge dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down, across mountains, grasslands, deserts and plains. The part we will visit is Badaling, which is the best section on the "neck of the huge dragon". Being one of the greatest man-made projects in the world, it was initially set up as a fortification to keep away from being intruded by the invaders. Inside the wall, the width enables 5 horses to gallop abreast. The small holes on the wall were used to shoot arrows. It is a landmark witnessing the great intelligence and hardship of ancient Chinese people. As you climb the brick steps, you will have a general view of the zigzag wall wandering along the rolling mountains. Since a lot of energy will be consumed when climbing the wall, we have arranged a sumptuous lunch for you at a Sichuan restaurant which enjoys a good reputation among our former clients. In the afternoon, we visit the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb. As the main path of the Ming Tomb, the Sacred Way is lined with stone statues on both sides and finely decorated archways at the ends. It is the longest and best-preserved among the remained ones in China. The huge stone human figures and animals on its both sides are the highlights to see. The Ming Tomb is the royal graveyard for the 13 emperors and their empress of the Ming Dynasty, which has a history of 500 years and is regarded as the existing largest imperial tomb that buries the most emperors in China. Then we drive by the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) to the urban area. You will have a chance to take some photos of this wonderful building.

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

Local pupils going back home after school

Day 04Beijing - Xian

This morning's tour will cover the Summer Palace and a Hutong tour. The Summer Palace is the largest existing royal garden in China. Constructed over 200 years ago, it is famous for the magnificent buildings and charming landscape. Built on the basis of the Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake, this garden has been a monument to classical Chinese gardens from the perspective of both garden design and garden construction. And to experience old Beijing history and special culture, you will be delighted by the Hutong tour. Hutong, dating back to the Yuan dynasty, is an old alley or lane that 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. After enjoying an a la carte lunch at a noted local restaurant, you will take an afternoon flight to Xian. Your local guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Have a good rest tonight to prepare for your Xian history exploration tour.

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

Our clients on the ancient City Wall, Xian

Day 05Xian

After a big breakfast at the hotel, head to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the amazing underground project built more than 2,200 years ago. The significant underground terracotta army in battle formation was actually the burial besides Emperor Qin Shihuang's mausoleum for guarding his after-life. The life-figured terracotta warriors and horses' phalanx as well as the chariots and weapons excavated exhibit the sovereign power and incomparable wealth of Qin Shihuang Emperor. It's called the largest underground martial museum in the world which is definitely a must see for any visitor to China. Then a local family visit with the homely cooked a la carte lunch will be arranged for you at the home that you will visit. It is quite special and exciting that you come to a foreign country and dine with the local people in their family. In the afternoon, continue appreciating the long history of Xian by visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. The 7-storey brick pagoda has a history of over 1,300 years and was built to keep the Buddhist statues and sutras brought back from India by Master Xuan Zang. It was built with bricks layer upon layer with a mixture of lime, earth, and sand, so it was very firmly. In fact, it modeled the wild goose pagoda in India. However, the distinctive style of bracket in traditional Chinese wooden architecture was also applied into the brick construction. The pagoda looks stately and simple, greatly displaying the wisdom and talent of Chinese ancient people. The ancient City Wall is another landmark of Xian. Constructed during Mingwu Period of the Ming Dynasty, Xian City Wall is the most integrated of all the ancient city walls in China. Meanwhile, it is the largest and most intact one extant in the whole world. Your guide will give you an introduction to the history and culture of the wall. If time allows, you can either walk or rent a bicycle to ride on the wall (bike rental fee is not included). Your evening will be enlightened by the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show while partaking of the traditional food of northern China, the dumpling dinner.  

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch, Dumpling dinner
Accommodation: Grand New World Hotel

Tips: The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show will not be performed during the months of January, February and December, so clients who take our tours at that time will have dinner and evening activity arranged by themselves. 

Our travel consultant Ruby with her clients

Day 06Xian - Guilin

A morning tour takes you to the Great Mosque of Hui people, one of the major minorities in China. For those who love collecting souvenirs and gifts for families and friends, the Muslim Bazaar beside the mosque is a wonderful place to go. After an a la carte lunch, bid farewell to your Xian guide and head for Guilin by air. The local guide in Guilin will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to check in at the hotel for a good rest.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Guilin Bravo Hotel - former Holiday Inn Hotel

Day 07Guilin

Today you will take a full day city tour including visits to the Reed Flute Cave, the Seven Star Park and the Elephant Trunk Hill. The Reed Flute Cave is a famous karst cave full of various stalagmites and stalactites. To fit the atmosphere of this fairyland, poetic and legendary names like Crystal Palace, Dragon Pagoda and Primeval Forest were given to the formations in the cave. You will be impressed by the interesting names and legendary stories in the cave. As the largest complex park in Guilin, the Seven Star Park is comprised of a karst cave, elegant hills and rivers, as well as ancient bridges and stone tablets. The Seven-Star Mountains are the essences of the park with beautiful mountain scenery and emerald waters. Guihai Stone Steles Forest in the park shows the ancient calligraphy arts. They are great treasures in China. The Elephant Trunk Hill is regarded as the emblem of Guilin landscape. It looks like a huge elephant drinking water from the river with its long trunk, so there will be much fun to take photos in front of the huge rock elephant.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Guilin Bravo Hotel - former Holiday Inn Hotel

Picturesque scenery along the Li river, Guilin

Day 08Guilin - Yangshuo

Guilin is famous for its supernatural landscape. Today you will have a chance to appreciate its beauty by cruising on the picturesque Li River. The cruise will depart from Guilin at 09:00 and arrive at Yangshuo at about 14:00. Along the way, limpid river, elegant hills and green fields on the banks will feast your eyes, showing you an idyllic picture. The cruise tour is often divided into three parts: the first part is from Guilin to Ox Gorge, which is the best area to appreciate the distant hills and nearby water as well as under the folkway; the second part is from Ox Gorge to Water-Dropping Village, which is the highlight of the splendid scenery along the river, the third part is from Water-dropping Village to Yangshuo. The lunch provided by the cruise company may not meet your expectaion, so we suggest that you have a big breakfast at the hotel today. When you arrive at Yangshuo, you can walk down the well-known West Street and explore the sidewalk shops. Later, our guide will arrange a short bicycle trip for you to enjoy the rural scenery of Yangshuo. Alternatively, we could also transfer you there if you are not good at or don't like riding bicycles. On the way, we will visit a local peasant's home, where you may see many scenes that can only be obtained in some old Chinese movies.

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

Day 09Yangshuo - Guilin Exit

Our private transfer will take you from Yangshuo to Guilin Airport and our guide will help you board your connecting flight. We wish you a nice trip home. Also, you are welcome to look over our City Tour Packages to plan a subsequent China visit. And if you need us to arrange the departure air tickets, please feel free to contact our travel consultants. The TravelChinaGuide Team feels honored to have had the chance to serve you for this trip. We hope we can meet you in China again.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Departure Dates and Prices

Based on per person and shown in US dollars
Guaranteed Departures with Even 1 Person!

Group Code	Arrival Date 2012	Departure Date 2012	Double Occupancy	Single Occupancy	Status
12-C0105	Jan 05(Thu)	Jan 13(Fri)	$1109	$1289	Full
12-C0214	Feb 14(Tue)	Feb 22(Wed)	$1109	$1289	Available
12-C0320	Mar 20(Tue)	Mar 28(Wed)	$1149	$1359	Available
12-C0410	Apr 10(Tue)	Apr 18(Wed)	$1249	$1529	Available
12-C0424	Apr 24(Tue)	May 02(Wed)	$1249	$1529	Available
12-C0508	May 08(Tue)	May 16(Wed)	$1249	$1529	Available
12-C0522	May 22(Tue)	May 30(Wed)	$1249	$1529	Available
12-C0605	Jun 05(Tue)	Jun 13(Wed)	$1199	$1439	Available
12-C0626	Jun 26(Tue)	Jul 04(Wed)	$1199	$1439	Available
12-C0710	Jul 10(Tue)	Jul 18(Wed)	$1219	$1459	Available
12-C0724	Jul 24(Tue)	Aug 01(Wed)	$1219	$1459	Available
12-C0807	Aug 07(Tue)	Aug 15(Wed)	$1219	$1459	Available
12-C0821	Aug 21(Tue)	Aug 29(Wed)	$1219	$1459	Available
12-C0904	Sep 04(Tue)	Sep 12(Wed)	$1249	$1539	Available
12-C0918	Sep 18(Tue)	Sep 26(Wed)	$1249	$1539	Available
12-C1009	Oct 09(Tue)	Oct 17(Wed)	$1259	$1549	Available
12-C1023	Oct 23(Tue)	Oct 31(Wed)	$1259	$1549	Available
12-C1106	Nov 06(Tue)	Nov 14(Wed)	$1169	$1399	Available
12-C1218	Dec 18(Tue)	Dec 26(Wed)	$1109	$1289	Available

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