Impression China

Welcome to the mysterious land of China. Once you have collected your luggage and been cleared by customs, your professional guide will greet you in the Arrivals Hall of Beijing Airport. We will transfer you to the hotel for a three-night stay, where we suggest you relax during the remainder of the afternoon and evening to recover from jet lag, so that you can highly enjoy this 14-day China tour.
 
Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing - the former Sheraton

After breakfast this morning, there will be a short briefing when you can get to know the other members of your group. Your 14 day tour of China in Beijing will start from the magnificent Tiananmen Square. Within walking distance, you reach the Forbidden City, famous for its imperial history and grand buildings with their red walls and golden roofs. You will enjoy an a la carte meal (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a quality restaurant at midday, where the most famous Peking Roast Duck is also served. 

After lunch, we visit to the ancient Temple of Heaven with its classical and unique imperial architecture that is sure to impress you. To perfect the memorable start to your travel, we will see an exciting Kung Fu Show.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte welcome lunch

Today your guide and driver will transfer you to Mutianyu, one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall, where you will experience the grandeur of this world wonder. The round-trip cable car is included. As your host, we will provide the group with red wine for a celebratory toast to commemorate this memorable moment on the Great Wall. The lunch today is by your own arrangement, as the restaurants nearby are quality limited. We kindly suggest you have a hearty breakfast in the morning and have some fast food for lunch by yourself. 

Return to the city and explore a featured local market late in the afternoon. Enjoy your free time there to relax. After that, we get you back to the hotel.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast

After breakfast this morning, you will visit the picturesque Summer Palace and then pass by the Olympic National Stadium (Bird's Nest). You will have chance to catch a glimpse of the unique features of this venue and take nice photos.

Around noon, we will take you for an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a fancy restaurant. 

In the afternoon, visit the original Hutong alleys by rickshaw. It is a good chance to learn Chinese Paper Cutting with a local resident. You will experience this interesting Chinese traditional handcraft and find your talent on handmade work. After that, you will board a flight to Xi'an, where your local guide will pick you up outside the baggage claim area at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for a three-night stay.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch
Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel

Today's sightseeing will start with a visit to the majestic Terracotta Army. In the museum, visitors are not only attracted by the lifelike warrior figures which have high artistic value, but also be impressed by the various kinds of ancient weapons. After that, you will pay a visit to the home of a typical Chinese family and enjoy home-cooked a la carte dishes (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price). 

After lunch, it is good for you to take a leisurely walk as well as a cultural visit, so let's go to the nearby Xi'an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It is an ancient Buddhist pagoda and was used to store sutras 1300 years ago. This evening, you will be entertained by the fascinating and colorful Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show while enjoying a delicious Dumpling Dinner.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast, Home-cooked a la carte lunch, Dumpling dinner

This morning, before you visit the mighty City Wall, we will take you to explore the City Wall Park first, where you can not only experience the authentic life of the local people, but also learn to practice Tai Chi in a great atmosphere. It is a rare chance to test if you are a good student to learn Chinese Kung Fu. The City Wall is quite definitely the pride of Xi'an. The old and firm circumvallation is complemented by a forested area around the wall. Its moat and ring road consist of a special and unique park that, like a shining necklace, adorns the ancient capital city of thirteen dynasties. If you are interested, you may rent a bicycle to ride on the ancient wall.

At midday, we will offer you an a la carte meal (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a nice local restaurant. Then you will continue with visits to Shaanxi History Museum and the Great Mosque. Surrounding the mosque is a popular and lively Muslim Bazaar. It is interesting to walk along the bustling street, taste the local specialties, and immerse yourself into the local food culture atmosphere.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte lunch

After breakfast, your guide sees you off at the North Railway Station for your morning high speed train to Chengdu. The train journey takes around 4 hours. It is important for you to prepare some snacks, fruits, music or movies in advance. Upon your arrival, your local guide will meet you and help you check in at the hotel. Lunch is not included today so you can have a taste of the famous Sichuan food on your own. Your guide will also be very helpful in providing you with some suggestions. This afternoon remains for you to relax.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza

A visit to the adorable giant panda is a must in Chengdu. This morning, the guide will take you to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the lovely creatures as they feed and play with each other. Then go on to visit the Broad and Narrow Alleys, where you might also have your own lunch with the guide's suggestions.

Your visit continues to Jinsha Site Museum in the afternoon. After that, you will be transferred to a popular local venue, the Renmin Park, where you could experience the casual lifestyle of Chengdu people, like drinking tea, singing, exercising, playing Mahjong, and mingle with the locals.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast

Today your guide will transfer you to the railway station to catch a 2-hour high speed train to Chongqing. Upon your arrival, your guide in Chongqing will meet you at the station and escort you to visit Jiefangbei CBD and Ci Qi Kou ancient village. He/she will provide you with suggestions on where to have dinner by yourself. After dinner, board the 5-star President No. 8 ship for a three-day Yangtze River cruise tour. We will book a cabin with balcony for you so that you can have a private space to enjoy the picturesque scenery along the river.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: President No. 8 with balcony

The buffet breakfast is served between 07:00 and 08:00 at the dining hall, after which the river guide will give a brief introduction to the itinerary and the facilities on the ship. Then the whole morning is free for you to relax or admire the scenery from the deck. At about 12:30, you will have a shore excursion to Shuangguishan National Forest Park. Then re-embark and continue the cruise trip. Dinner is served at 18:00. Then the Captain's Welcome Party follows, when there will be singing and dancing programs and interesting games. Visitors are also encouraged to give performances, so if you have talents, feel free to show yourself.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today continue to sail downstream along Yangtze River. You will disembark at Badong and connect with a smaller ship to take an exciting pea-boat floating along Shennong Stream. Originating from Shennongjia Mountain in Hubei Province, the stream flows for 60 km from south to north through valleys and merges into Yangtze River at Wu Gorge. Sitting in this local special pea-boat, you will see grotesque peaks and cliffs, mysterious hanging coffins, beautiful waterfalls, and various kinds of vegetation. The guide and the boat trackers will also sing the folk songs of Tujia people. 

Afterwards, re-embark the ship and continue the cruise into the western section of Xiling Gorge, the longest of the three gorges.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you will check out and disembark for an excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. As the world's largest hydro-electric project, it makes a great economic contribution by generating energy, preventing flood, and filtering sediment. Then you will be transferred to the Three Gorges Tourist Center in Yichang city, where your local guide will pick you up and take you to Yichang East Railway Station for a 7.5-hour high speed train to Shanghai, which is the last destination of your 14 day China tour. A local guide in Shanghai will meet you at the railway station upon your arrival and transfer you to the hotel. 

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel

Shanghai Museum is our first stop for today's schedule. It is worthwhile for numerous precious collections. Then go on a visit to the well-known Yu Garden, once a private garden during the Ming dynasty and now a fabulous tourist attraction showing the design style of classical Chinese garden architecture. Walk out of the garden, you will see a traditional bazaar. It is a prosperous area that both local people and travelers like to explore.

At noon, an a la carte farewell lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) will be served at a famous restaurant with the best Shanghai cuisine. 

In the afternoon, you will visit the Former French Concession, the Bund area and have a cruise tour on the Huangpu River. Free time will be provided at the Bund, so you can take great pictures or selfies. Upon returning to the hotel, your guide will see you into the lobby and wish you bon voyage on your journey home.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte farewell lunch

As this is the final day for your wonderful 14 day tour of China, you need to pack your luggage after breakfast and check out before 12:00pm. Please be aware that the transfer cost from the hotel to the airport is not included in the quotation. You can book a taxi or airport shuttle bus on the day prior to your departure. Have a smooth journey home!

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast