12 Days Classic Tour to Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Guilin, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Day 1

Arrival Beijing

Transfer via:  Flight on your own arrangement.

Uopn your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time. 
 

Day 2

Beijing (B, L)

Sightseeing: Mutianyu Great Wall, the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) National Swimming Centre (The Water Cube),

Today we will visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whereas Genghis Khan contemplated it as a military obstacle, Richard Nixon described it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb and walk on the sections of the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views. Bring a jacket and layer- although it is breezy, the climbing is tough. So be in a good shape!

On the way back to hotel, you will be driven to visit the main 2008 Beijing Olympic venues, take an exterior visit of both the, Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium), National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube'), enjoy the beautiful night scene and feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.

Day 3

Beijing (B, L)

Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City

This morning our tour will begin with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.

After lunch, we will go on our city tour to visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.

From here we will walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.

Day 4

Beijing/Chengdu (B, L)

Trnasfer via: Flight arranged by us

Sightseeing: Hutongs

Activities: Learn to tie Chinese Butterfly Knot and make Chinese Jiaozi (dumplings)

We will experience a unique Hutong tour by taking a rickshaw this morning, and learn to tie a Chinese butterfly knot and make Chinse Jiaozi (dumplings). Hutongs are a kind of ancient city alley or lane and are very typical for Beijing. Most of them can be found close to the Forbidden City, and many were built during the three dynasties of Yuan, Ming and Qing. Today, the Hutong is a living museum of Beijing history showing the traditional lifestyle of Beijing people.

Later that day you will take the flight to Chengdu. After your arrival there, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our local guide.

Day 5

Chengdu (B, L)

Sightseeing: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Show: Face Changing of Sichuan Opera

Today we will visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base, which was built to imitate the wild ecological environment of pandas. It covers a space of 92 acres, with a green coverage of 96 percent. The base created a perfect ecological environment for the living and breeding of pandas and other precious and rare wild animals. It breeds over 20 pandas and lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white cranes and others.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the show of Face Changing of Sichuan Opera. Sichuan opera employs the use of ingenious changing face masks, as they are called Face Changing in Sichuan. Wang Daozheng is regarded as the "Face Changing King" because of his high technique to change face masks in short time. Just enjoy your night.

Day 6

Chengdu/Guilin (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight arranged by us

Free at leisure in the morning, Then take the flight to Guilin. arrive in Guilin, be bet and transfered to hotel.

Day 7

Guilin (B, L)

Sightseeing: Li River Cruise, West Street

Guilin is famous for its picturesque scenery, and the best way to see it is from the deck of Li River Cruise ships. In the morning you will depart from your hotel and be transferred to the Zhujiang Pier (about 1 hour drive) for a 4.5 hours wonderful cruise. You will enjoy the unique mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank. 

In the afternoon you will disembark at the old town Yangshuo. Having a history of more than 1,400 years, West Street is the oldest street in Yangshuo. You will have some time to explore the old town’s lovely attractions and will be transferred back to Guilin city in the evening.

Day 8

Guilin/Shanghai (B,L)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: The Bund, Nanjing Road

Be transferred to the airport for flight to Shanghai, arrive in Shanghai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our local guide. Afterwards, you will take a walk to the famous Nanjing Road and the Bund. They are among the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai and therefore a must-see when visiting Shanghai.

Day 9

Shanghai (B, L)

Sightseeing: Fuxing Park, Shanghai Old Street, Yuyuan Garden, Town's God Temple

Today we will start the day with a visit of Fuxing Park. Shanghai Fuxing Park is one of those parks first built in Shanghai, and also the only complete preserved France style garden. You will have a great morning in its 80 years' history and the beautiful grasses and architectures.

After lunch, we will visit the Shanghai Old Street, which is also called as "little eastern gate" as it is in the place of one of the old city gate. Thought the gate is no longer in existence, as a key trading site for small wares and foreign trade, the Old Street has witnessed the development of the city both in economy and society.

Then we will take a relaxing walk to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful garden in the south of the Yangtze River. Wandering through it, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features. 

We will make this day's journey a perfect end by visiting the Town's God Temple. It is a main Taoism Temple in the city that enjoys a high reputation both at home and abroad by its long history and magnificent architecture. The Chinese name of the temple Chenghuang in Taoist means the guardian of the city. Originally built during Yongle Period (1403-1424) of Ming Dynasty (1638-1644), the foundation of the temple extended constantly over time.

Day 10

Shanghai/Hongkong (B, L)

Transport Via: Flight on our arrangement

Sightseeing: Shanghai Museum

In the morning we will visit the Shanghai Museum which is the biggest museum of China. It incorporates a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics and is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings andcalligraphy.

Then you will take the flight to Hong Kong. After your arrival, you will be met and transfered to the hotel.

Day 11

Hong Kong (B, L)

Sightseeing: Victoria Peak, Rebulse Bay, Aberdeen, Stanley Market

You will be picked up from your hotel then start the tour.Today we will start to explore Victoria Peak first. The Peak is Hong Kong’s number one tourist destination. It features the city's oldest mode transport, the 112-year old Peak Tram and Hong Kong's most unusual building and icon, The Peak Tower where you will find shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. 

Then you will visit lovely Repulse Bay: Primarily an exclusive residential area, Repulse Bay has a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere. You will find statues of Kwun Yum and Tin Hau, both protectors of fishermen. 

The tour will continue with a visit to Aberdeen fishing village where you can choose to enjoy a Sampan Ride on the harbor to get a close-up look at this unusual way of life if you want, the extra cost will be at RMB61 per person.After the tour you will be transfered back to your hotel and finish the tour today.

Then we will visit the Stanley Market.The charming village of Stanley is situated on a small peninsula at the southernmost point of Hong Kong Island. As a tourist destination, Stanley stands out with its unique combination of Eastern and Western traits. Relaxing beaches, colonial heritage buildings, alfresco dining, bustling shopping thoroughfares together with the recently completed shopping complex, Stanley Plaza of the Hong Kong Housing Authority, offer attractions that no visitor should miss.

Day 12

Departure Hong Kong (B)

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

You will have the last hours in Hong Kong for yourself until our guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.