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18 days adventure tour of Beijing, Xi'an, Yangtze cruise, Shanghai, Suzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, HK
Chinese people are gracious and kind, so it is important to get to know them, rather than just quickly go from site to site without any background understanding. This tour will focus on the meeting people in China. We will experience the warm welcome of the Chinese people as we visit their charming country and colorful vibrant cities. We begin in Beijing, capital almost without interruption since the 12th century, and today the cultural and political center where the Imperial past and the dynamic present converge. Xian most vividly exemplifies the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilization. Once the largest city in the world, it served as capital during eleven dynasties.…we will also explore HK, which is called “orient New York”. Our time in HK will give us a sense of emerging China and provide a lovely ending to the tour.
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: BeijingB,L,D (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
The day begins at Tiananmen Square, the largest City Square in the world. From there you will enter theForbidden City, a powerful maze of ancient palaces and courtyards from which the emperor ruled the land for 500 years. You will also see the Emperor's clock collection and the Qing Dynasty Jewelry, Robes and Relics collection (which Westerners rarely see). After lunch at Wahaha Restaurant (Hangzhou Cuisine), we will take you to the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties prayed for good harvests. The temple is not only especially glamorous, it is an architectural wonder because not a single nail was used for its construction. Enjoy Chinese Kongfu or Peking Opera show after dinner.
Day 3:BeijingB,L,SD (special dinner)
In the morning, get up early to take part in local people's morning exercises at the park Today's excursion to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section) of China promise to be a highlights of our travels. We'll have a chanceto 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. Visit the workshops of a cloisonne factory to see workers practice this unique art.After lunch, we will visit Ming Tombs, including the Sacred Way and the DingLingMuseum. You will be able to enter one of the tombs. In the DingLingMuseum you can see artifacts and replicas from the tomb itself. The Peking Duck banquet will be at famous Duck King Restaurant.
Day 4:BeijingB,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. If you like you can learn how to make Jiaozi (Chinese traditional dumpling) and have lunch with local people.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.In the evening, observe the senior people's street dancing groups.Dinner will be on your own.
Day 5:Beijing/Xi’anB,L
Today you will be taken to famous Silk Market (antique market if on Saturday or Sunday) and Hongqiao Market (pearl market), which are where the Beijingers shop. Here, you can find many incredible deals on things, if you know what you are looking for and you know how to bargain.After buffet lunch at four star CTS hotel, we will fly 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 6: Xi'anB,L,SD (special dinner)
Today's highlights is the most spectacular and important places in China: the ArchaeologicalMuseum with more than 6000 life-size terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty. On the way you will stop at a farm’s village to find out how and where they have lived in China, where President Clinton had been to. Then we will visit Chinese paper cutting.demonstration at Friendship Restaurant, where you will have lunch.Afternoon explore the bustling Muslim Quarter or seek serenity in the grounds of the Grand Mosque.Enjoy Tang Dynasty dinner show in the evening.
Day 7: Xi'an/ChongqingB,L
Sightseeing today features the ancient city wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shanxi provincialmuseum. The experience of riding bicycle at the top of the wall will be unforgotten. Take afternoon flight to Chongqing. Visit the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo or the Residence of General Joseph W. Stilwell if time is available. Board the cruise ship after hot pot dinner at local restaurant.
Day 8:Yangtze cruise (Chongqing—Yichang)B,L,D
At 9:00am as the cruise leaves Chongqing, your memorable Yangtze River tour begins. In the afternoon disembark at Fengdu, the "GhostCity" for an excursion. Captain's Welcome Party with Chinese folk dancing and music performance is arranged in the evening.
Day 9:Yangtze cruiseB,L,D
You have a morning excursion to WhiteKingCity.The ship enters the Qutang Gorge, the shortest and grandest of the Three Gorges. After lunch, pass the Wu Gorge with its twelve lofty and misty gorges. Then disembark at Badong for an adventure tour to Shennong Stream, a newly opened unspoiled river with verdant plants, ancient coffins and precious animals. The continue sailing into the western section of Xiling Gorge.
Day 10:Yichang/WuhanB,L
Disembark at Sandouping for an excursion to the new and still under construction, Three Gorges Dam. Pack your bags and complete check-out procedures before the ship arrives in Yichang at about 10:30. Our guide will meet you on board.Transfer to Wuhan.VisitYellowCraneTower and Chairman Mao Zedong's Villa in the afternoon.
Day 11:Wuhan/ShanghaiB,L
Take flight to Shanghai, China's largest city and vibrant commercial heart. Our guide will take you for a walk along the Bund, the city's landmark, to view the neo-Classical and Art Deco buildings from Shanghai's heyday of 1930's. The remainder of the day is left open to meander through the bustling Nanjing Road for some shopping. Evening is free.You can visit the Xin Tian Di on your own, 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 12:ShanghaiB,L,D
Today’s city tour starts with YuyuanGarden, 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 SeagullPalace (Shanghai Cuisine) beside HuangpuRiver.In the afternoon, you will visit world-class ShanghaiMuseum with its many fine exhibits (especially of note is the Chinese Minority exhibit) and Children’s palace.Enjoy Portman Acrobatic show after dinner.
Day 13: Shanghai/Suzhou/ShanghaiB,L
Transfer to Suzhou by car.A Chinese proverb says, “In heaven there is paradise; on earth Suzhou” — it’s easy to see why when we visit here.After arrival, head out for a walk through the Humble Administrator Garden, which has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage site, and Tiger Hill, known as the No.1 Scenic spot of Suzhou. Enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal and then visit a Silk Reeling Factory, which has many fine examples of silk. Then you will also go to the Embroidery Institute, where the Chinese masters do in thread what our western masters have done in oil paints.
Drive back to Shanghai.
Day 14: Shanghai/GuilinB,L
Take morning flight to Guilin, whose romantic scenic beauty has inspired centuries of poets and painters. Meet and transfer to hotel.Lunch will be served at Tea Banquet Restaurant (localfavor). Today’s sightseeing tour covers such points as the Fubo Hill, the ReedFluteCave and Elephant Trunk Hill, as its name implies, it is quite a remarkable example of the hand of nature upon the landscape.
Enjoy ethnic song and dance show in the evening..
Day 15:Guilin/YangshuoB,L
The day begins with a half-day cruise on the meandering, crystalline waters of the Li River. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the whole world, showing the magnificent limestone mountains rising along the river bank.Buffet lunch will be on boat. As the cruise ends, you will disembark in Yangshuo, a quaint village with a very nice street market. You are very close to the beautiful mountains and you can go into the countryside to see the beautiful vistas. You also can take a bicycle ride or a drive through these fantasy-shaped mountains.In the evening, wonder along the West Street or having a pot of tea in a sidewalk café.
Day 16:Yangshuo/Guilin/HK B
Morning is free for you to further explore the beautiful small town.You can rent a bicycle from the hotel and visit a nearby market towns and villages to see local produce fairs and traditional farming methods where rice cultivation is done by hand or with the aid of water buffalo.Drive back to Guilin in the afternoon.We will visit an Art university and gallery to see various painter’s Li River paintings.
Take evening flight to HK.Meet and transfer to hotel.
Day 17:HKB,L
We have a half-day Hong KongIsland tour, starting with a peak tram ride to the mid-level of Central District, then on to the VictoriaPeak.. the RepulseBay, Aberdeen and the Stanley Market. You will be free in the afternoon to explore HK on your own.
