Today's activity: Airport to Hotel transfer

When your flight arrives in Shanghai, your local guide will be waiting for you at the airport, holding a welcoming board with your names on it. On the way to your hotel, your guide will give you a brief introduction of Shanghai, also known as Oriental Paris, a commercial center and bustling port. The rest of the day will be yours to gain a first impression of the city.

Hotel: Oriental Riverside Hotel Shanghai International (5-star)
 

Today's activity: Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Nanjing Road, the Bund
 
Meals: Breakfast, lunch at Suzhehui Restaurant, dinner at Shanghai No. 1 Restaurant

 

This morning you will visit Shanghai Museum. It has won a worldwide reputation for its collection of 120,000 valuable articles of Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy. Then continue to visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to learn about the past, present and future of Shanghai. After a Shanghai lunch at Suzhehui Restaurant, you will have the opportunity to visit the Bund, a very important landmark of Shanghai. Stretching from Waibaidu Bridge in the north to Yan An Road in the south, the Bund is a one-and-half-kilometer-long strip on the western bank of the Huangpu River. Lined with many famous foreign trade firms, foreign-funded banks and domestic banks founded in late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Bund is known as Shanghai's Financial Street and "Wall Street of the East". The view of the old masterpieces and the new wonders across the river attracts numerous visitors to admire. After that you take a leisurely stroll along the Nanjing Road which is reputed as the No. 1 Street in China and an epitome of history and culture of Shanghai. 

Tonight a welcome dinner will be arranged in Shanghai No.1 Restaurant, featured authentic Shanghai cuisine and Suzhou Opera Show.
 
After dinner, you will take a night cruise in Huangpu River to enjoy the fabulous night view along the Bund.

 

Hotel: Oriental Riverside Hotel Shanghai International (5-star)

 

Today's activity: Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, Xintiandi 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch at Lvbolang Restaurant

 

First stop of today's tour is the Jade Buddha Temple. Built in 1918, the temple is a very important religious place in Shanghai for calming the heart and comforting the soul. Next stop is the Yuyuan Garden where you can enjoy the harmony between human and nature and learn the actualization of Chinese culture in daily life. Built in 1577 by a government official, this garden was a gift especially for his parents to enjoy a tranquil and happy life in their old age. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying. 

Lunch will be served at a renowned Shanghai restaurant by the side of the garden called Lvbolang. 

Many celebrities including the former US President Bill Clinton have tasted Shanghai cuisine in the restaurant. 

In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore Shanghai Old Street where you would be brought back to the old Shanghai 100 years ago. Then our guide will show you around in Xintiandi, a recreational area featured with typical Shikumen houses, a special kind of architectures unique to Shanghai.

Hotel: Oriental Riverside Hotel Shanghai International (5-star) 

 

Today's activity: Tongli Water Village, Tiger Hill 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

Today's sightseeing will begin with a visit to Tongli, an ancient water town along the Grand Canal. The pretty and rustic town is well-known for its running water, stone bridges, peaceful atmosphere as well as long history. Crowned as "Small Oriental Venice", the intact ancient town is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle in big cities. 

Taste local cuisine for lunch in the quiet scenic water town. 

Proceed to Suzhou after lunch. The afternoon tour will take you to Tiger Hill, the famous landscape in Suzhou. The hill got its name from many legendary stories. The most popular one goes that 2,400 years ago the king of Wu Kingdom was killed in a severe war with the kingdom of Yue and buried on the hill. Three days later a white tiger was found crouching on top of the hill, hence the name. The slanted pagoda and Sword Pool are the two main spots of the site. The pogoda has long been the symbolic architecture of Suzhou, also known as the most oblique building in China.

Hotel: Suzhou Shangri-La Hotel (5-star)

 

 

Transportation: Suzhou to Hangzhou, Train D471, Dep 14:13-Arr 16:42 

Today's activity: Humble Administrator's Garden. 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

Suzhou is renowned for the exquisite gardens, southern Chinese styled architecture and unique lifestyles. Top of today's highlights is the Humble Administrator's Garden, the largest private garden in Suzhou. You will then pay a visit to the No.1 Silk Factory to learn the complicated process of fancy silk products. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the railway station for a fast and comfortable train ride to Hangzhou. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel located by the beautiful West Lake. The evening will be free for you.

Hotel: Sofitel Westlake Hangzhou (5-star) 

 

Today's activity: West lake, Meijiawu Tea Village, Linyin Temple and Peak Flying from Afar, Hefang Street 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

 

This morning you will start your tour in Hangzhou with a cruise in the picturesque West Lake. Then pay a visit to Meijiawu Tea Village and enjoy a cup of Longjing tea- the best green tea of China. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in the tea village. 

In the afternoon you will be taken to Lingyin Temple which literally means Temple of the Soul’s Retreat. In the long history of more than 1,600 years, the compound had been repeatedly destroyed and restored for 16 times. Now it still remains the most important attraction in Hangzhou. In front of the temple is a small mountain named Peak Flying From Afar where you will see many valuable Buddhist rock carvings. Last stop of today's tour is the Hefang Street. The street was once the cultural and economic centre in the Southern Song dynasty when Hangzhou was the capital city and saw its heyday.

Hotel: Sofitel Hangzhou Westlake (5-star)

 

 

Transportation: Hangzhou to Guilin, Airline CA4951, Dep 10:30- Arr 12:40. 

Today's activity: Hanghou hotel to Airport transfer, Guilin airport to Hotel transfer, Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Park 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Guilin, a picturesque city in Southwest China. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your local guide and taken to a fine restaurant for lunch. Your tour begins with a visit to Elephant Trunk Hill. Standing at the western bank of Li River, it looks like an elephant dipping its snout into the water. You will also visit Fubo Park, on top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city.

Hotel: Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (5-star)

 

 

Today's activity: Lijiang River Cruise, West Street 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch on the cruise

 
Today’s highlight is the fantastic Lijiang River Cruise. The 4-hour cruise trip along the river offers the unique opportunity for you to enjoy the breathtaking sceneries which Guilin is proud of. The Lijiang River is a brilliant pearl in the vast Chinese landscape and a graceful soul in the Guilin scenery. Upon arrival at the beautiful little town, Yangshuo, you will check in your hotel and then have the rest of the day free to explore the lovely town or stroll along West Street which is famous for its vibrant atmosphere.

Hotel: Paradesa Yangshuo Resort (4-star, local best)

 

 

Transportation: Guilin to Xian, Airline MU2308 Dep 14:40- Arr 16:20) 

Today's activity: Reed Flute Cave, Guilin to Airport transfer, Xian airport to Hotel transfer, Tang Dynasty show 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch, dinner at Defachang Dumpling Restaurant

 

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Guilin and visit Reed Flute Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and sizes make the cave a fantasy world with the help of a multicolored lighting system. 

After lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Xian. Tonight you will enjoy a special dumpling dinner at Defachang, a restaurant famous for its dumplings. The restaurant boasts hundreds of different kinds of handmade dumplings. After dinner you will enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show which well demonstrats the magnificence of China's important historic period Tang Dynasty (618 - 917 AD). 

Hotel: Grand Mercure on Renmin Square Xian (5-star)
 

 

 

Today's activity: Terra Cotta Warriors, Grand Mosque. Muslim Street 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

 

Top of today's visit is Terracotta Warriors. Discovered by some local farmers accidentally, it turned to be one of the greatest archeological excavations in the 20th century. The earth-made soldier and horse figures are life-sized with vivid facial expressions and different posture, guarding the tomb of the first Qin emperor. 

After lunch you will visit the Grand Mosque, which is one of the oldest and most famous mosques in China. It's interesting that the construction and architecture are entirely in Chinese style. After that you will have some time to tour on the Muslim Street and discover Xian's local life.

Hotel: Grand Mercure on Renmin Square Xian (5 star)

 

 

Transportation: Xian to Lhasa, Airline CA4112, Dep 12:50- Arr 14:50 

Today's activity: Shaanxi Historical Museum, Xian hotel to Airport transfer, Lhasa airport to Hotel transfer 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

 

After breakfast, you will pay a visit to Shaanxi History Museum which holds a collection of over 370,000 precious relics including bronze wares, pottery figures, and mural paintings excavated from the Tang Dynasty's tombs.
After lunch you will fly to Lhasa. Greeted by your guide at Lhasa airport and transferred to your hotel downtown. The rest of the day is free for you to acclimatize yourself to high altitude.

Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa (4-star, local best) 

 

 

Today's activity: Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Street 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

 

Your mysterious Tibet tour starts from Potala Palace. Being the symbol of Lhasa, it is a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhism. Halls and corridors inside are decorated with master paintings representing Buddhist teachings and stories. The tour then takes you to Jokhang Monastery, the first Buddhist temple and for most Tibetans the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It was built during the reign of king Songsten Gampo (605?-650). The temple holds the statue of Buddha that Princess Wencheng brought to Lhasa. Of course, one should not miss a visit to the nearby Barkhor Street, the biggest bazaar for the Tibetans. 

Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa (4-star, local best)

 

 

Today's activity: Norbulingka Monastery, Drepung Monastery 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

 

After breakfast, you will visit Norbulingka Monastery, a palace and park built in 1755. It served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas from 1780s to late 1950s. After lunch, you will proceed to Drepung Monastery which is one of the three greatest monasteries in Lhasa and indeed the largest of all Tibetan monasteries. It was known for the high standards of its academic study and was called the Nalanda of Tibet, a reference to the great Buddhist monastic university in India.

Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa (4-star, local best) 

Transportation: Lhasa to Chongqing, Airline CZ3464, Dep 14:50- Arr 17:00

Today's activity: Lhasa hotel to Airport transfer, Chongqing airport to pier transfer 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

Today you will say goodbye to Tibet and go to Chongqing for your cruise tour on China's longest river – the Yangtze. The flight from Lhasa to Chongqing is about 2 hours. Lunch is served aboard. Upon arrival in Chongqing, meet your local guide take a short tour around the city. Try some hot food for dinner before being transferred to the pier to board Yangzi Explorer Cruise between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. The fantastic Yangtze River cruise sets sail at 10pm.

Accommodation: Cruise (5-star) 

 

 

Today's activity: excursion to Fengdu (08:00-10:00am), the Ghost City.
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch, Chinese dinner

After breakfast, you will enjoy a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (8:00-10:00 am)
Fengdu is a city famous for the ancient legends of sinister spirits and terrible ghosts that are essential ingredients in Chinese culture. It is also a legendary place for punishing the devil and awarding the good. Apart from the sinister scenes in Fengdu County, there are ancient temples veiled inside the verdant forest and picturesque pathways all around the countryside.

Accommodation: Cruise (5 star)

 

Today's activity: shore excursion will bring you to Shennong Stream (10:30am-1:00pm).
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch, Chinese dinner

 

Today the shore excursion will bring you to Shennong Stream (10:30am-1:00pm).
Shennong Stream is a virgin land with China's ancient and traditional customs: mysterious and charming local culture, flowery and purified smile, open-minded and impassioned folk songs and comfortable lifestyle. Drifting along Shennong Stream in a small sampan to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and small villages will be a unique experience for you. How the hanging coffins were put on both sides of cliffs still remains a mystery to this day.

Accommodation: Cruise (5 star)

 

 

Transportation: Yichang to Beijing, Airline CA1824, Dep 16:40- Arr 18:35 

Today's activity: Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project (08:00-10:00), Yichang pier to airport transfer, Beijing airport to Hotel Transfer. 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch

Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project (8:00-10:00), the world's largest and grandest water conservancy project. Many of its engineering results have broken the world record. The effectiveness of water control is the most notable in the world. When you arrive in Yichang at 11:30am, our guide will meet you at the ferry and take you to lunch. Afterwards you will have a brief city tour before being transferred to the airport for the 2-hour flight to Beijing.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Beijing (5 star)

 

 

Today's activity: Tian'anmen Square. Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Hutong, Beijing Opera 

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese lunch, Chinese dinner

After breakfast your Beijing tour begins with a visit to the majestic Tiananmen Square. You will then visit the famous Forbidden City. After its completion in 1420, the Forbidden City had been the imperial palace and political center ever since until 1911. It has been listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. You will have lunch at Fangshan Restaurant, a fine local Chinese restaurant where you can try the imperial cuisine.
The afternoon tour will take you to the Summer Palace, the biggest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Afterwards, you will enjoy a rickshaw tour in the old hutongs and visit a local family to see how Beijingnese are living in these unique communities.
After dinner enjoy Beijing Opera.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Beijing (5-star)

 

 

Today's activity: Badaling Great Wall, View of Bird’s Nest and Water Cubic, Silk Street 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch at Badaling Hotel, Beijing Duck dinner at Quanjude

The full day exploration brings you to the world famous and best-maintained Badaling Section of the Great Wall. It was the vital military pass, an important barrier and the protection wall against the northern minority's entrance. 

Lunch is served at Badaling Hotel. 

On the way back to downtown, you will get a chance to have an exterior look at the two famous Olympic sites: Birds Nest and Water Cube. What follows is a leisurely shopping trip to the renowned Silk Street where you can find some souvenirs for your family and friends. 

In the evening you will enjoy the farewell Peking duck dinner at Quanjude, the most famous restaurant for Peking duck.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Beijing (5-star)

 

 

Today's activity: Hotel to Airport transfer

You will be free until our guide transfers you to the airport for your homeward flight. The unforgettable 20–day China tour comes to an end.