30 Days Chinese Art and Culture Tour—Shanghai/ Guizhou/ Yunnan/ Inner Mongolia/ Xinjiang

Arrive in Shanghai, meet your private guide and driver at the airport before driving to your centrally hotel. Check in at the hotel. Afterwards, you can either spend the rest of the time adjust to jet lag or weave through the neighbourhood in Shanghai.

• Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Pudong Shanghai, Hotel Indigo Shanghai on The Bund, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square

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We’ll ease into the day by visiting the wondrous digital artworks created by teamLab in new Shanghai Museum. Explore and discover this boundless immersion art world. Following your lunch, drive to Tongli Water Town. Tongli is one of the most famous water towns, with classic whitewashed houses, arched stone bridges and bustling canal-side streets. This water town was founded more than 1,000 years ago during Song dynasty. Stroll the shop and residence lined streets and cruise the town down those winding water canals. Return to the city area, from there, enjoy rest of the time explore the city on your own. Perhaps, spend the night watching acrobatic show like ERA: Intersection of Time, or SPIRAL.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Begin the day by strolling the neighbourhood of former Shanghai French Concession, and discover an out-of-place slice of France smack in the middle of city area. Next, head to Shanghai City God Temple, a Taoist temple built from 1403 to 1424 in Ming dynasty. Though the buildings have been largest renovated, their designs and architectural styles are still fascinating. Then, visit a classic Chinese garden, Yu Garden nearby, to appreciate the antique buildings and tranquil atmosphere. In the afternoon, amble along Huangpu River down promenade of The Bund for a view of colonial colossi. Later, up the tallest building in China, Shanghai World Financial Centre (to 94th, 97th and 100th floor) for a panorama view of the cityscape. From here, spend the rest of the time explore the city area on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Sofitel Guiyang Hunter, Kempinski Hotel Guiyang, New World Hotel Guiyang

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Today, we’ll journey southwest, down the highway to Tianlong Tunbao. Originally, people lived in Tianlong Castle were soldiers from the central plain of China to suppress the rebels from the ethnic groups. This settlement is famous for Ground Opera, used to be a sacred ceremony of the local warrior to entertain the gods and to pray for triumph in battle. Today, Ground Opera is played mostly for entertainment. Stroll around this small village, you will see women with blue and black traditional costumes, and old men smoking tobacco in long pipes while chewing the fat. Continue the drive to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area. Huangguoshu waterfall is the largest fall in China. Its name ‘Huangguoshu’ is referring to Ficus Virens that has yellow coloured edible fruits. We’ll also tour Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area within the attraction. Spend the night at a hotel nearby and return to city area the following day.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Huangguoshu Guest House

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Following your breakfast, drive back to Guiyang and visit Dragon Palace Cave, a network of underground caves and natural karst rock formations. With colourful lights casting on those stagnates and stalactites, the cave look as if an underground palace. Return to city area and enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Then, tour Jiaxiu Pavilion set on Naming River. This three-story pavilion was built in 1598 during Ming dynasty. An iconic landmark in the city area.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Following your breakfast, take a three hour drive to Kaili. Stopover at Qingman Miao Village en route that is set on a mountain slop and surrounded by idyllic fields. The village is filled with wooden stilt houses and Wind-Rain Bridge. Welcoming ceremony is included. Stroll the village to explore Miao Ethnic Minority culture. Then head to Shiqiao Village and try your hand at making paper in the traditional way. This ancient technique of paper making from mulberry tree bark can be dated back to more than 2,000 years ago in the Han dynasty. Nowadays, only 40 families in the Village are still carrying on this craftsmanship. Reach Kaili and check in at your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Kaili Grand Metropark Hotel

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We’ll begin the day with a visit to Jidao Long-skirt Miao Village. This is a typical ethnic village that consists of upper village and lower village. This ancient village remain original, remote and tranquil for generation. Welcoming ceremony is also available here, held by those friendly villagers. Later, drive to Langde Miao Village. This village is famous for its music and dance performance among the other Miao villages in the region. We’ll spend 1.5 hour to learn about the Miao ethnic group’s song and dance with the locals. In the evening, drive to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village to admire the sparkling lights at night before check in at your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Following your breakfast, drive to Paika Miao Village which is famous for Lu Sheng making. Sheng is a traditional Chinese wind instrument, which can be made from bamboo, reed and metal. Lu Sheng, made from reed, is a popular instrument use by Miao ethnic group during welcoming ceremony, festivals and important events. Follow your guide to a craftsman’s workshop and see the process of Lu Sheng making. If interested, you can learn how to blow some simple tunes from him. From here, catch your train to Kunming. Arrive at Kunming and settle into your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Intercontinental Kunming, Crowne Plaza Kunming City Centre, Green Lake Hotel

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This morning, take a 1.5 hour drive to Stone Forest. It is a massive exotic landscape of karst formations over 270 million years old. Stroll the area to admire those otherworldly structures while learning some geography knowledge about this type of formation. Return to city area and take the rest of the time to explore on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Enjoy your breakfast at your leisure and start the day with a visit to Cuihu Park. Appreciate the beautiful scenery here and if you are visiting during winter, there’s an opportunity to see great numbers of migratory seagulls in the park. Next, tour Haigeng Park to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Dianchi Lake in the park is the largest lake in Yunnan and a place for bird viewing. Following your lunch, stroll Bird and Flower Market for a glance into the life of locals. Catch your train from Kunming to Dali.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Hilton Dali Resort & SPA, Hotel Indigo Dali Erhai, The Linden Centre

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We’ll start the day by visiting Dali Ancient City which is sandwiched by mountains and Erhai Lake. Dali Ancient City was built during Ming dynasty in 1382, though this place had been the political center of Yunnan since 739 AD in Tang dynasty before it was destroyed during Yuan dynasty. Climb the city wall for a satisfying view of the area. Then, head to Chongsheng Temple for its stunning Three Pagodas and historic atmosphere. Covering 250 square kilometers, Erhai Lake is the seventh-largest freshwater lake in China. In the evening, cruise the placid lake before we end the day. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day to relax, wander, and dine on your own. Cangshan Mountains towering in the background of Dali Ancient City. Its highest peak is Malong Peak with an elevation of 4,122 meters. Up the mountain with cable car to get a sensational view of the region. Lush forest, waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs and surging rivers, this is a wonderful place for nature lovers and backpackers.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Today, we’ll spend the morning explore Xizhou Bai Village in Dali. In one of the courtyard, attend a 1.5 hour cooking class to learn to bake Flower cake. This is one of the favourite dessert in Yunnan, which is a puff pastry stuffed with different edible flower jams and pastes. Then, in Zhoucheng Village which is not far from Xizhou Ancient Town, we’ll try our hand in tie-dyeing. The dye comes from natural pigment of an herb. Learn the beauty of this ancient art and amazed by the possibility of patterns create by our creative minds. Following your lunch, get onto horse-drawn carriages, and spend an hour admire the beauty of blue shimmering Erhai Lake and ancient town. Later, watch Sandaocha, or three-course tea performance of the Bai ethnic group.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Today, we’ll hit the road early and drive to Lijiang. Begin today’ tour by visiting Lijiang Ancient Town. Gushing canals running through this town filled with ancient wooden housings. Shops and restaurants lined maze of cobbled streets. This charming place is also packed with visitors. Lijiang Ancient Town is a wonderful place to discover Nakhi culture. Later, climb Wangu Pavilion, which is an icon of Lijiang, to get an open view of the whole ancient town with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain towering at the back.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Banyan Tree Lijiang, Grand Hyatt Lijiang, Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town

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Today, we’ll journey north for a sacred mountain in Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is southernmost snow mountain in China. The name of mountain also means heavenly mountain in Nakhi language. It has an elevation of 5,596. Due to consideration of high altitude sickness, we will visit areas that are under 3,500 meters below the snow line. Cable car and shuttle bus are provided within the scenic area. Spruce Meadow is a grassland hidden in primitive forest with majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain peak as backdrop. Descent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and move on to an ancient town nearby for its rich Nakhi culture. Shuhe Ancient Town is one of the oldest Nakhi settlement along the ancient Tea-horse Road. Later, return to your hotel, or you can choose to explore the ancient town in the region.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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After your breakfast, drive to Shangri-La. Stopover at Tiger Leaping Gorge and visit the upper section on your way, which is an unmissable experience. It is one of the deepest valleys in China. Snowcapped mountains rising from either side of gorge with river rushing across from below, simply impressive. Arrive in Shangri-La and check in at your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Resort, Songtsam Shangri-La (Lvgu) Lodge, Songtsam Linka Shangri-La

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Kick off the day with a visit to Pudacuo National Park, a feast for your eyes. Find a collection of alpine lakes with herds grazing on the surrounding fields in this national park. Afterwards, head to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, which is known as “Little Potala Palace”. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province, situated 5 kilometers from the city area. Built in 1679 during Qing dynasty, this monastery is a combination of Tibetan and Chinese-style architecture. In the evening, visit a Tibetan family, learn about their unique culture and gastronomy before we proceed on to Tibetan Guozhang dancing with the locals. Return to your hotel afterwards.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

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This morning, take a two hour drive to Tacheng, and visit some adorable black snub-nosed monkey in Black Snub-nosed Monkey National Park. Spend our night in the accommodation in the national park.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Expert Hotel Tacheng

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After your breakfast, visit a craftsman of Reba handheld drum. Reba handheld drum is used in Tibetan folk dance. Admire the craftsmanship of this intangible cultural heritage. During the visit you will learn to paint simple pattern that is commonly seen on the drum on cotton fabric or paper. In the afternoon, return to city area and visit Zhongdian Ancient Town, also known as Bukezong Ancient Town. This millennia old town was once an important stop along ancient Tea-horse Road. Stroll this ancient town and explore the changes of this ancient town with your guide.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Enjoy your breakfast at your leisure before we catch the flight to Chengdu. Meet your local guide and driver at the airport before drive to your hotel. Check in at your hotel, and spend the rest of the day on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Buddha Zen Hotel Chengdu, Chengde Imperial Mountain Resort, The St. Regis Chengdu

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Start the day with a visit to Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center to meet a group of adorable famous residence in Chengdu, the giant panda. Return to city area, and enjoy a leisurely walk at Jinli Ancient Street. This street is lined with ancient Chinese buildings and countless stores selling local specialty and mouth-watering snacks. Then, stroll People’s Park and watch locals practicing Tai Chi, dancing and singing. Find a number of teahouses here and sample a cup of tea in one of those as you watch people pass by. From here, spend the night on your own, perhaps, watching local performance such as Sichuan Opera and face changing at Shufeng Yayun.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Enjoy your leisurely breakfast before catch the flight to Baotou. Arrive in Baotou and settle into your hotel. Enjoy rest of the day explore the surrounding on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Shangri-La Hotel Baotou, Kaibin Hotel

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Enjoy your breakfast at your leisure, before we drive to Meidaizhao Monastery which is surrounded by a wall. Appreciate the unique mix of Han Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian design temple halls. Amazed by the well-preserved murals in this monastery. You can also spend some time in the museum here. Later, drive to Yinken Resonant Sand Bay and spend about half an hour riding camel in the desert. While at Xiangshawan or the Whistling Dune Bay nearby, we’ll get the chance to grasp a performance about the wedding of ordos people, showcasing their unique ethical culture, through song, dance, and costumes. At the end of the day, return to your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Crowne Plaza Ordos, Ordos Tieniu Phoenix Hotel

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This morning, we’ll drive to Mausoleum of Genghis khan. Learn about the past of the great Mongol warlord, Genghis khan, and appreciate some unique architectural styles there. Though he is not buried here. Following your lunch, you’ll take a long hour drive from Erdos to Hohhot. Arrive in Hohhot and settle in your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Holiday Inn Hohhot, Sheraton Hohhot Hotel, Angel Garden Hotel

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Begin the day by visiting Wuta Temple, or the Five-Pagoda Temple. Mesmerize by this Ming dynasty Indian-influenced temple and find array of tantric statues in the Temple Culture Exhibition Hall. Then, tour Inner Mongolia Museum with your guide. Gain insights from a series of exhibitions, from Mongolian culture to dinosaur. Next, move on to Dazhao Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist temple. This is the oldest and largest temple in the city. Learn about the history of Tibetan Buddhism in Inner Mongolia and appreciate those century old altars and buildings. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Zhaojun Museum for a glance at the story of China’s one of the four beauties in history. Visit the Great Mosque of Hohhot afterwards. This mosque is the largest mosque in the city first built in Ming dynasty, though most of the buildings are rebuilt recently. Finish our day with a visit to Han Buddist temple, Xilitu Zhao Temple opposite of Dazhao Temple. Study its unique architectural design and colourful sculptures. From here, explore Hohhot on your own. Maybe, you can spend the night watching: Qiangu Masong (An Ode to Thousands of Years of Horse Culture), to know about the horse-based culture of Mongolian.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Following your breakfast, take a drive to Xila Muren Grassland. Join in the welcoming ceremony before we watch a series of performances such as Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and Mongolian song and dance. At the end of the day, return to your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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There will be no activities today. However, if you want to extent the advanture in Inner Mongolia, there are a series of engaging experiences available: visit a horse-head fiddle workshop in Hohhot, learn to craft birch-bark-made art work from an Oroqen artisan, and art session with the Evenki people who live with their semi-wild reindeers in Hulunbuir.

You will take the flight from Hohhot to Urumqi. Meet your local guide and driver at the airport before driving to your hotel. Check in at the hotel and from here, spend the rest of your day dine or stroll the city on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Wanda Vista Urumqi, Hilton Urumqi Hotel, Universal Hotel Urumqi

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The best way to understand a city’s history and culture is to visit the museum. We’ll start the day with a visit to Xinjiang Provincial Museum to learn about the ancient Silk Road and the history of this remote city. Then, admire the beauty of Heavenly Lake on Tien Shan. We’ll take shuttle bus up to this small steely blue alpine lake with Mt. Bogda towering not far in the background. Following your lunch, tour the biggest bazaar in the world, Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find facilities from theatre to mosque, and plenty of items ranging from local speciality to imported goods. Enrich your eyes, taste buds and mind all at once. From here, enjoy the rest of the day on your own. Probably you can spend the night watching local song and dance performance at Xinjiang Grand Theatre.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Following your breakfast, take a flight to Kashgar. Arrives at Kashgar and head to Arbakh Khoja Mausoleum with your guide and driver from the airport. This is the most beautiful and magnificent mausoleum in Xinjiang—a typical Islamic style mausoleum with mainly green decorative titles pave on the exterior. There will be a welcoming ceremony at noon. After your lunch, take a look at the largest mosque in the region, Id Kah Mosque, located at the center of Kashgar Old Town. Then, head to famous Grand Sunday Bazaar. A ‘Sunday’ market that operates every day. Find almost everything in this bazaar, from local delights to foreign specialty. Later, check in at your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Radisson Blu Kashgar, Kashgar Yinruilin International Hotel, Kashi Tianyuan International Hotel

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The highlight of Kashgar is the old quarter. We’ll begin our day with a visit to Kashgar Old Town. Kashgar Old Town used to be the main trading town on ancient Silk Road. Stroll down those haphazardly twisted lanes and meet some friendly Kashgaris in the neighbourhoods. In one of the many instrument shops in Kashgar Old Town, you will follow the craftsman there and do the finishing steps of crafting a local instrument. Once finished your task, get the opportunity to learn some basic fingerings on how to play the instrument from the craftsman. Visit one of the local family and interact with the host to learn about local culture, tradition and daily life.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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This morning, we bid farewell to new friends and our wonderful guides. Depart for flights home, or onto your next destination. While this is the official end of our time together, we are happy to arrange extra journey if you’d like to extend your time in Xinjiang. See you next time!

• Meals: Breakfast,

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