Our group at the Forbidden City, Beijing

Day 01Arrival in Beijing

Upon arrival at Beijing airport, our guide will be waiting for you at the exit after you reclaim your luggage, holding a sign on which your name is written. Our guide and driver will take you to the hotel and help you with the check-in procedure. The rest of the day remains free for you. You may have a good rest to adapt to the time difference and recover from the long-distance flight.

Accommodation: Deluxe Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel - the best Holiday Inn Hotel in Beijing (3 nights)

Day 02Beijing

At 08:30 of this morning, a tour briefing will be given at the hotel lobby when you will meet the companions who may travel with you for the next 11 days. A full day tour today covers Tiananmen Square, the majestic Forbidden City and the respectable Temple of Heaven. Beijing Roast Duck will be served as a welcome dinner at a famous restaurant. This evening's entertainment is to enjoy the Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre. (B+L+D)

Day 03Beijing

Please have enough breakfast in the hotel since you will be driven to climb the most splendid Badaling section of the Great Wall this morning. Much energy will be consumed. At the Great Wall area, there are many peddlers selling souvenirs, we suggest you keep away from these people and do not respond to them if your have no interest in their goods, otherwise they may persist to talk to you. After that, you will be driven to a nearby town for a delicious Sichuan meal rather than having lunch at the shopping site tourist eatery. In the afternoon, a guiding Sacred Way will lead you to the imperial Ming Tomb. On the way to the downtown, appreciate the appearance of the magnificent Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium). (B+L+D)

Our group at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Xian

Day 04Beijing - Xian

Before heading for Xian, a visit to the elegant Summer Palace and the lovely pandas in the Beijing Zoo is scheduled. An afternoon flight will take you to the ancient city - Xian. Upon arrival, you will be driven to the local best hotel which also enjoys the best location among other hotels in the city. Our guide will help you with the check-in procedure and introduce the hotel layout to you so that you will have an easy stay. A sumptuous western buffet dinner valued at CNY170.00 net per person (inclusive) will be provided at your hotel. It opens from 18:00 to 21:30 pm, please take time to enjoy it.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel - downtown (3 nights)

Day 05Xian

Today you will be driven one hour to the suburb area to marvel at the powerful Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Return to town by highway for a tasty a la carte lunch valued at CNY80.00 net per person (inclusive) at a noted restaurant. After lunch, a short drive will take you to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at the Da Ci'en Temple, where you may find lots of people are burning joss sticks for the Buddha to pray for being blessed. Besides, the north square of the temple which boasts the large-scale Tang-culture sculptures and the beautiful waterscape fountains is also charming. It is a most popular place for local people and tourists to have a leisurely stroll. A splendid evening is highlighted by the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show provided at the Tang Dynasty Palace (Add: No.75, Chang'an Road, Xian). (B+L+D)

Day 06Xian

Continue your exploration to the well-preserved City Wall on the South Gate of the city. Usually when some VIP leaders or persons pay a visit to Xian, a welcome ceremony with the glorious Tang Dynasty performances will be held at the entrance of this gate; or during some big festivals, the celebration activities will also be held there. Then our guide will take you to approach a local family, a perfect opportunity for you to get a close touch of the local people's life. The host will welcome you at home and talk with you about their family and daily life. Of course, our guide will be with you for interpretation. If it happens that the host is making dumplings for meal that day, you will be invited to learn and have a taste. In the afternoon a visit to the Great Mosque is scheduled. Surrounding the mosque is a lively Muslim bazaar, which is a good place to pick the souvenirs or gifts and taste local snacks. Our guide will leave you some free time. The a la carte lunch and dinner both valued at CNY80.00 net per person (inclusive) will be provided at the well selected local restaurants. (B+L+D)

Cruising along the beautiful Li River, Guilin

Day 07Xian - Guilin

Before heading for Guilin, a visit to a newly discovered imperial tomb of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi, namely Hanyangling Museum is scheduled on the way to the airport. Fly to Guilin and meet your local guide at the airport. The local best hotel with the perfect location is reserved for you in advance. After dinner, you may go swimming at the hotel for relaxation or walk out of the hotel to appreciate the night scene of this scenic city. (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (2 nights)

Day 08Guilin

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.(B+L+D)

Bicycle tour in Yangshuo, electric-car instead

Day 09Guilin - Yangshuo

Appreciate the sweet Li River scenery by cruising down from Guilin to Yangshuo, experiencing the feeling like walking in the picture. As the lunch provided on the ship may not be up to your taste, please have a big breakfast at the hotel this morning. Disembark at Yangshuo and check in at the local best hotel. After brief refreshment at the hotel, our guide will lead you to take a short bicycle trip through the rural areas of Yangshuo. If you are not capable of cycling, please take it easy, we also offer the electric car as an alternative. Along the way, you will pay a visit to a local peasant family, where you may see many scenes that can only be obtained in some old Chinese movies. There is a famous West Street (Xi Jie) in Yangshuo where abounds with many western-style restaurants, coffee shops and bars, it is quite convenient to have dinner on your own.(B+L)

Accommodation: Yangshuo Paradesa Resort  - the local best hotel (1 night)

Day 10Yangshuo - Guilin - Shanghai

Head for Shanghai by air in the morning. Your Shanghai guide will meet and take you to the hotel in downtown area. After checking-in, your guide will take you to visit Xin Tian Di, which is a newly developed recreation area in Shanghai with old-fashioned buildings and some beautiful boutiques and eateries, and you will find plenty of cafes or western-style restaurants for dinner.(B+L)

Accommodation: JC Mandarin Hotel - Deluxe room (2 nights)

Shanghai Yuyuan Garden Photo by our client Mr. Robin Pollock

Day 11Shanghai

A full day tour in Shanghai covers the Shanghai Museum, the Yuyuan Garden and a short but memorable Huangpu River cruise tour. Then enjoy some free time to stroll along the Bund and compare the old and modern metropolis of Shanghai. A farewell dinner of authentic Shanghai cuisine valued at CNY105.00 net per person (inclusive) will be provided at the 260 years old Wang Bao He restaurant in the Central Hotel. This evening's entertainment is to enjoy the fascinating Portman Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Centre Theatre. Our guide and driver will take you back to the hotel and say goodbye to you. If you need some information on how to go to the airport from your hotel the next day, please ask your guide or hotel reception for more details.(B+L+D)

Day 12Departure from Shanghai

After breakfast at the hotel, you may have all your belongings and luggage packed and then check out of the hotel by yourself. If your flight departs late in the afternoon or evening, you can have your luggage checked at the hotel for free and enjoy a full relaxing day on your own. Usually for international flights, we suggest you head to the airport three hours beforehand. In addition, should you wish to stay on in China, please consult your travel counselor about an extension tour. (B)