China Impression Tour (Beijing-Shanghai-Guilin) 8 days

On arrival, our guide will hold a welcome sign of AbsoluteChinaTours to meet you. You will be transferred to our best selected hotel for a two-night stay.The rest of the day is free to relax. Right at 18:00,our guide will pick you up and transfer you out to enjoy a welcome dinner provided by Absolute China Tours. 

Accommodation at Dong Fang Hotel or similar


Day 2 Beijing (B/L)

Morning:
After having breakfast at your hotel, you will take a half-day excursion to explore the world heritage site Forbidden City with its grand palaces and courtyards. Built in 1420, it was here that 24 Ming and Qing dynasty emperors lived and ruled for over 500 years.Besides its massive scale and historical significance, the Forbidden City strikes the imagination by its design. The South Gate leads you to Tian'anmen Square - the biggest of its kind in the world. Lunch is served at a local Chinese restaurant. 
Afternoon:
Continue to the beautiful Summer Palace where you can discover gardens, palaces and pavilions with temples and halls in a tranquil, landscaped lakeside setting. In 1886, the Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing dynasty diverted funds earmarked to build a modern Chinese navy and spent the money on endowing the Summer Palace with a marble boat-shaped pavilion and other extravagances throughout the palace. She also gave the palace its current name, Yiheyuan which means the Garden for Cultivating Harmony in Chinese. Next stop is
Evening:
Tonight you will enjoy a fascinating Chinese Kungfu Show in the front zone at the Red Theatre.

Accommodation at Dong Fang Hotel or similar

Day 3 Beiijng (B/L/D)

Morning: 
This morning you will take a half-day guided visit to the awesome Great Wall of China. Here you can enjoy the stunning views as you stroll along this seemingly endless piece of history, which winds its way into the far distance. There are three major sections of the Great Wall open to tourists near Beijing: Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai. All are built on steep terrains so it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes. Today you will explore the Badaling Section. It is only 70km (about 43.5 miles) away from downtown Beijing and can be visited in half a day. It was completely restored after 1957.
Afternoon:
Continue to the Ming Tombs located in a gorgeous valley 45km (28 miles) northwest of Beijing. The burial site of 13 Ming dynasty emperors and their consorts was carefully chosen and took over 200 years to complete. So far only two are open for visiting. Today you will visit Dingling where the 13th Ming emperor was buried and walk along the Sacred Way, which is lined with animals, mystical beastsmeans and four statues. It was believed that the road lead to heaven.
Evening:
Tonight enjoy a Duck Dinner at the original, century-old Quanjude Roasted Duck Restaurant. The most famous duck restaurant in the city, Quanjude has a history of 144 years. The duck is roasted in a fragrant fire of special fruit trees. After 45 minutes, a duck with crispy skin,tender meat and unique fragrance is ready.

Accommodation at Dong Fang Hotel or similar


Day 4 Beijing to Shanghai by plane (B/L)

Morning:
Visit the Temple of Heaven which is one of Beijing’s most famous landmarks. This was the place where Ming and Qing emperors worshipped God and prayed for harvest. Highlights of the temple are the Hall for the Prayer of Good Harvest, the Circular Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Echo Wall.
Afternoon:
Transfer to the airport after lunch and take flight CA1517 (13:30/15:40) to Shanghai. Upon arrival at Hongqiao airport you will be greeted by local tour guide and transferred to the Bund, a long strip on west bank of Huangpu River. Running the length of the Bund is Zhongshan East Road. It is Shanghai’s number one tourist site It’s not only the fantastic view but also the atmosphere of wealth that attracts thousands of people coming to admire. On its west side lines many famous banks, foreign-funded or state-owned, so the Bund is also known as Financial Street and the East Wall Street in China. The best place to view the Bund is from the walkway along the river’s edge. From here you can take in the view of the old masterpieces and the new wonders across the river.

Accommodation at Express by Holiday Inn Zhabei Shanghai or similar

Day 5 Shanghai (B/L)

Morning:
Visit the Yu Garden, a major attraction in Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a Ming dynasty official named Pan. In 1956 a large-scaled renovation was done by the local government. Inside there’re over 30 pavilions, linked by a maze of zigzagged corridors and bridges. After visiting the garden,take some time strolling at the old streets around it. Explore the sidewalk shops and lanes.
Afternoon:
After lunch transfer to the People’s Square, visit the Shanghai Museum, one of the best museums in China. It was designed by a Shanghai architect and its out apperance is like an ancient Chinese bronze vessel, Ding. Inside is China’s great display of art and artifacts such as bronze,sculptures,ceramics,paintings,furniture,etc.

Accommodation at Express by Holiday Inn Zhabei Shanghai or similar

Day 6 Shanghai to Guilin by plane (B/L)

Morning:
Check out of your hotel after breakfast,transfer to the airport and take flight MU5379 (09:50/12:10) to Guilin. Upon arrival, met by local tour guide and transferred to downtown Guilin for lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch visit the historic Fubo Hill which is dotted with many interesting caves. Inside one cave called Returned Pearl Cave is a thousand-year-old image of Buddha carved on the wall and many others from the Tang and Song dynasties. Continue to the Reed Flute Cave - a 790 feet deep dripstone cave which has some of the best scenery in Guilin with myriads of stalactites and stalagmites of dazzling colors.

Accommodation at Fubo Hotel or similar


Day 7 Guilin to Yangshuo to Guilin (B/L)

Today’s highlight is to enjoy cruising on the scenic Li River. The peaceful senerity and jagged limestone peaks along the river are impressive. The cruise tour, starting from Guilin and ends at Yangshuo, lasts about 5 hours and takes you past a panorama of bamboo groves, sleepy villages, karst peaks and fisherman on bamboo rafts fishing with cormorant birds. Lunch is included on board before arriving at Yangshuo where you have free time to explore the local shops and markets. Continue to take the private vehicle back to Guilin.

Accommodation at Fubo Hotel or similar

Day 8 Depart Guilin (B)

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.