Wonders of China
China is home to some of the world’s most outstanding cultural miracles, natural wonders and remains of human civilization. This classic China tour allows you to explore all those incredible sites and places in luxury and relaxing.
Start your China holiday in Beijing and Xian with a splendid history and culture tour, followed by a vacation in Guilin & Yangshuo featuring the country’s most beautiful Karst scenery. Also explore Shanghai, where the East first met the West.
CCT Advantages:
- 1. Visit the Palace Museum, the once “Forbidden City” now welcome you to delve into its imperial culture;
- 2. See the Great Wall, the symbol of China and a monument of thousands year-old of Chinese civilization;
- 3. Explore Hulong alleyways and glimpse the traditional Beijinger’s lifestyle;
- 4. Face to face with The First Emperor’s terracotta army, which is on a grand scale;
- 5. Enjoy a luxury boat cruise on picturesque Li River and slide into the fairyland of Yangshuo;
- 6. Marvel at Longji Rice Terraces, one of the best of its kind in China and beyond;
- 7. Discover the past and present of Shanghai, showcased in its old streets and skyline;
- 8. Enjoy unique, active cultural actives such as Tai Chi practice and dumpling making.
11 days Beijing Xian Guilin and Shanghai Tour
Day 1, Beijing Arrival
Meals: No Meals
Welcome to China! Meet your private guide and driver at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Transfer to your luxurious hotel for relaxation. The rest of the day is for you to adapt to the new environment.
Recommended hotels:
- - Beijing luxury hotels: Four Seasons, Peninsula, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, Regent Beijing or similar
- - Beijing boutique hotels: Double Happiness Beijing Courtyard Hotel or similar
Day 2, Beijing City Highlights, Forbidden City and Summer Palace
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a refreshing morning with a walk tour across Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world, and then enter the Palace Museum, formerly known as the Forbidden City. One of the world’s five great palaces, Forbidden City features the biggest and best-preserved ancient imperial palaces dating to nearly 600 years ago. Later climb up Jingshan Hill for a panoramic view of Forbidden City.
In the afternoon, tour Summer Palace and enjoy a relaxing boat cruise. Its beautiful garden and riverside palace used to be the summer retreat for the royal family.
Regarding your dinner meal, Beijing Roast Duck is highly recommended (optional).
Day 3, Hutong Tour on Rickshaw, The Great Wall
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Experience the authentic local way of living by riding a rickshaw winding through the Old Beijing hutongs. Also learn from your local guide about the legendary stories and traditional folklores. Proceed to the Mutianyu Great Wall constructed on the mountain summit (cable car included), very well preserved and with few tourist crowds. Walk around to admire the splendor of the Great Wall, embraced by lush vegetation.
A Kung Fu Show or a Peking Opera show is recommend for you to enjoy the night activities in Beijing (optional).
Day 4, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Bullet Train to Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Start a new day with morning exercise of Tai Chi at Temple of Heaven, where the ancient emperors used to pay homage to heaven, hoping for harvest, stability and peace. Nowadays, it is a public park for locals to do morning exercise and various activities. Later, visit the centuries-old Lama Temple, a royal temple in Qing Dynasty and the most important Buddhist temple in Beijing city.
After lunch, you will be driven to the railway station and take a high speed train journey to Xian, the former capital of ancient China for 13 Dynasties and a famous city on Silk Road.
Recommended hotels:
- - Xian luxury hotels: Wyndham Grand Xian South, Gran Meliá Xian, Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel or similar
- - Xian boutique hotels: Grand Mercure Xi'an on Renmin Square or similar
Day 5, Terracotta Warriorsand Horses, Xian Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Visit the Terracotta Army Museum where there are thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors and horses excavated from underground - the sacrificial objects to accompany and protect The First King after he died 2200 years ago.
Afterwards, admire China’s longest and best-kept Ancient City Wall that dates back to 1370. Ride a bike on the wall if you prefer. Also have a leisure stroll through the Muslim Quarter, a famous food street in Xian, with Muslim cultural ambience.
Day 6, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Dumpling Making Experience, Flight to Guilin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
During your last day in Xian, admireBig Wild Goose Pagoda inside Ci'en Temple - used to be the most famous and grandest temple in Chang’an City (former name of Xian in ancient times) and built to keep the Buddhist classics brought back from India by Xuanzang. And learn how to make dumpling at a local family house – a great fun for travelers at all age, especially for Chinese food enthusiasts, family with kids and student groups. Enjoy your own hand-made dumpling for lunch.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Guilin. Pick up and transfer to hotel.
Recommended hotels:
- - Guilin luxury hotels: Shangri La, Sheraton or similar
- - Guilin boutique hotels: Aroma Tea House, Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel or similar
Day 7, Longji Rice Terraces Sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
80km northwest of Guilin City, Longji Rice Terraces was cultivated on the mountain slops between 300m and 1100m. Hike up to the lookout point for an incredible full view of the terraced fields – resembling a dragon's backbone. Also pay a visit to Longji Ancient Zhuang Village, to appreciate the beautiful, century-old wooden diaojiaolou dwellings, and experience the traditional ethnic customs and a reclusive life.
In the evening, you’re encouraged to have a leisure stroll around the central lakes decked out with colorful lights.
Day 8, Guilin to Yangshuo, Li River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The essence of Guilin Karst landscape, Li River is truly picturesque and nominated to be one of most beautiful rivers on the planet. A luxury boat cruise (about 4 hours) is definitely the best way to admire the sheer beauty of Li River.
On arrival in Yangshuo, walk through the West Street – the ancient street is now full of shops, boutiques, cafes, pubs, and features a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. Venture to the deep of Yangshuo countryside by private car or by bike, meet local farmer at the ancient village, and be embraced by Karst hills, silky rivers and fields of crops and flowers.
Enjoy the Impression Liu Sanjie Night show (optional).
Recommended hotels:
- - Yangshuo luxury hotels: Banyan Tree or similar
- - Yangshuo boutique hotels: Mountain Retreat or similar
Day 9, Guilin City Highlights, Flight to Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Before flying to Shanghai, drive back to downtown Guilin and explore more of the world’s rarely-seen Karst scenery. Climb up Folded Brocade Hill (easy to reach the summit) to see the panorama of Guilin City and overlook Li River and Elephant Trunk Hill. Explore Reed Flute Cave, a magical underground palace packed with stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes. It is the most beautiful karst cave in China.
Arrive in Shanghai, pick up and transfer to your hotel.
Recommended hotels:
- - Shanghai luxury hotels: Peace Hotel, Les Suites Orient Bund, Peninsula or similar
- - Shanghai boutique hotels: Hotel Indigo on the Bund, The Yangtze Boutique or similar
Day 10, Shanghai City Highlights
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
The most bustling metropolis in China, Shanghai has traditions dating back hundreds of years ago. The city highlights tour allows you to experience the old and new of Shanghai.
Visit Jade Buddha Temple hidden in the downtown. It boasts many Buddhist relics, including a white jade sleeping Buddha. Then appreciate the superb ancient Chinese horticulture at Yu Garden. Right next to Yu Garden is theTown God Temple. The once shrine of Shanghai is a now a food center and connects with many quaintold streets.
Walk all the way tothe Bund, where the historic colonial buildings make a significant contrast against the skyline on the other shore of Huangpu River. Ascend the observatory of Shanghai World Financial Center for a thrill.
Enjoy a fantasticacrobatic showin the evening (optional).
Day 11, Shanghai Departure
Meals: Breakfast
It is the end of your China holiday. Bid a farewell to this magic country and the lovely people. A departure transfer to the airport has been arranged for you. Fly home safely and soundly.
