China Tour, China private tour: 16 days tour of Beijing, Xi'an, Kunming Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Kunming, Shanghai

Day 1: Arrive Beijing

Arrive at Beijing, China's exciting and cultural heart. The local guide will meet you at airport and transfer to hotel. Rest day is free for jet-leg.

Day 2: Beijing     B,L,D (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
The day begins at Tiananmen Square, the largest City Square in the world. From there you will enter the Forbidden City, a powerful maze of ancient palaces and courtyards from which the emperor ruled the land for 500 years. After lunch at Wahaha Restaurant (Hangzhou Cuisine ), we will take you to The Temple of Heaven. Enjoy Chinese Kongfu or Peking Opera show after dinner.

Day 3: Beijing     B,L,SD (special dinner)
Today's excursion to the Great Wall (Juyong Guan section) of China promise to be a highlights of our travels. We'll have a chance to take a hike along one of the most beautiful sections and learn of its construction 2000 years ago, and examine first-hand one of the most scenic portions of its 3700 miles length. After lunch, you will be taken to The Summer Palace, a vast and beautiful landscape of elegant garden, lakes and pavilions. We'll admire the famous Marble Boat during the visit. The Peking Duck banquet will be at famous Duck King Restaurant.

Day 4: Beijing/Xi'an     B,L
This morning you will take trishaw into Hutong , which is an ancient city alley, to experience the life of the local people . Visit the old quadrangles inhabited by Beijing residents. Tour in the Prince Gong's Palace and have a cup of tea. You also have an opportunity to visit a local family and chat with local people . After buffet lunch at four star CTS hotel, we take afternoon flight to Xi'an, China's former capital, and gateway to the legendary Silk Road, Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel. Rest day is free on your own.

Day 5: Xi'an     B,L,SD (special dinner)

Today's highlights is the most spectacular and important places in China: the Archaeological Museum with more than 6000 life-size terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty. Then visit Relics of Banpo Village , a civilization of well over 6,000 years old, an entire chapter of Chinese history. Also walk around the Grand Mosque and Muslim area in the afternoon. Enjoy Tang Dynasty dinner show at Tang Dynasty Palace .

Day 6: Xi'an/Kunming     B,L
Sightseeing today features the ancient city wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shanxi provincial museum. The experience of riding bicycle at the top of the wall will be unforgotten. After lunch, take afternoon flight to Kunming, “City of Eternal Spring”. Meet and transfer to hotel.

Day 7: Kunming     B,L
Today you will visit Dragon Gate on the top of the Western Hill. Then stop at the Grand view Tower , which was built in 1690. And then visit Golden Palace , dazzling with light, its main hall is bronze; hence its name. At night, we can take a stroll along the beautiful Green Lake, a quaintarea surrounded by little teahouses, cafes and small shops selling souvenirs and paintings.

Day 8: Kunming     B,L
A full-day excursion takes you to the Stone Forest, which is a special type of limestone formation known as karst. From a distance, it looks indeed like a dense forest, hence the name. Visit Colorful Yunnan Jade Store on the way back to city. Enjoy local favor of “ over the bridge noodles”.

Day 9: Kunming/Lijiang     B,L
Take morning flight to Lijiang. Transfer to hotel. Visit the Black Dragon Pool, Square Street and the Lijiang Old Town. As you walk through the old town, you will immediately get An unique feeling by small bridges, swift streams, cobbled streets and grey tiled roofs of the Residential Houses. It is an ancient legacy of Naxi people. The Naxi Ancient Music performance is arranged in the evening.

Day 10: Lijiang     B,L
Visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, take big cable car up to the peak of the mountain, hike in the mountain , enjoy the breath-taking view of the main peak (5596m high), Then drive to visit Baisha Grottoa and Naxi Village .

Day 11: Lijiang/Dali     B,L

Drive to Dali via the newly-opened highway with stop and visit of the Bai minority village and its handicrafts workshops . On arrival, We will have an opportunity to jump on a ferry across Erhai Lake and explore the interesting village of Wase . Also, visit Dali Old Town.

Day 12: Dali/Xishuangbanna     B,L
Visit Dali Three Pagoda in the morning. Then Fly to Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Region. Meet and transfer to hotel. Explore the Ethnic Folklore Park and Manting Park.

Day 13: Xishuangbanna/Kunming     B,L
Today you visit Ganlan Ba, one of the liveliest markets in the area, where local people trade everything ranging from fruit and spices to clothes. And then Tropical Botanical Garden in Menglun, which is the largest and the best botanical garden in China, on the way back, visit Dai villages and temples in Olive Basin. Take evening flight back to Kunming. Meet and transfer to hotel.

Day 14: Kunming/Shanghai     B,L
Take flight to Shanghai, China's largest city and vibrant commercial heart. You will spend some time to stroll along the Bund to experience the thrills of old Shanghai and get a fascinating view of the Nanjing Road to see the bright lights of new Shanghai. Then our guide will take you to visit the Xin Tian Di , which is a newly developed recreation area in Shanghai with old styled buildings. You may find a cafe or western-styled restaurant to have your own dinner.

Day 15: Shanghai     B,L,D
Today you will visit morning exercise (Tai Chi) of local people in the Bund. Our city tour starts with Yuyuan Garden, formerly a private garden with rookies, pavilions, halls and ponds. And then walk around the Chenghuangmiao Area (old town) , the most-lively place in Shanghai. Lunch will be at Seagull Palace (Shanghai Cuisine ) beside Huangpu River. Afternoon you visit Shanghai museum, one of the best in China. Enjoy Portman Acrobatic show after dinner.

Day 16: Leave Shanghai     B
Departure transfer to airport. Fly for home