15 Days Fabulous Sightseeing Discovery Tour

Day 1

Arrival Beijing

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Upon 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: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Way, 2008 Beijing Olympic venues

After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Badaling 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 one of the best preserved 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!

In the afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, which are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, Changping, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13 Ming emperors buried there, this place was called the 13 Ming Tombs. You will walk along the Sacred Way, a road guarded by stone statues on both sides, as the ancient emperors did to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestors.

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'),feel free to take some photos of the stadiums.

Day 3

Beijing / Zhangjiajie ( B, L )

Transfer via: Flight arranged by us
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.

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

Day 4

Zhangjiajie ( B, L )

Sightseeing: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Huangshizhai Cable Car, Jinbian Brook, Huangshi Fort)

You will have a full day visit .including the following places: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Zhangjiajie's main tourist draw is the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list for its lush vegetation, unique sandstone pillars, pristine waters and a wide variety of species of flora and fauna.

You can take a cable car to Huangshizhai where you will appreciate the daunting rock columns. From the top, enjoy spectacular views of the forest with rough landscape.

Another scenic spot is the Jinbian Brook. It covers a distance of 7.5 km from north to south, winding across mountains and valleys. The brook is limpid through the year and is famous for Jinbian Cave-which has a height of 382km and looks like a huge flying eagle.

You will also have chance to explore the Huangshi Fort. It is a mesa higher on the north side elevated by stiff cliffs. Huangshi Fort has the most of marvelous view of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park including Treasure Box of Heavenly Books, Magic Sea-suppressing Needle, South Pillar of Heaven, Golden Tortoise Watching the Sea etc.

Day 5

Zhangjiajie/Chengdu ( B, L )

Transport Via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Tianzi Mountain

You will continue to visit the Tianzi Mountain today. Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve is a mesa in the northwest of Wulingyuan. Up on the mesa, the field of vision is widely opened up and it is a perfect location to have a panoramic view of the nature reserve. Tianzi Mountain has four scenic wonders, namely Cloud Billows, Moon Brightness, Sun Glow and Winter Snow. The cloud billows are ever changing, morning and evening sun glows vast sky, moon shines in the still night, winter snow falls enchanting the scenery, like a lyric, like a landscape painting.

Then you will be transferred to take the flight to Chengdu. After your arrival there, the local guide will meet you and take you to the hotel.

Day 6

Chengdu ( B, L)

Sightseeing: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Kuanzhai Alley and Zhai Alley of Chengdu, Jinli Street 

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.

Then we will visit the Kuanzhai Alley and Zhai Alley of Chengdu, Consisting of three parallel Chinese old-style alleys (Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley), the Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley is one of the three conservation districts of historic sites of Chengdu City as well as Wenshu Monastery and Daci Temples. In China, alley is one of the classical traditional structures.

Afterwards you will take a walk along Jinli Street which is particularly representative for this city. It is recorded that as already during Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), Jinli Street was the most famous place for baldachin - a rich, ornate cloth. During Shu Kingdom (221-263) it was one of the busiest commercial streets. Hence, it is known as 'First Street of the Shu Kingdom'. In order to reclaim the street's prosperity of former days, it was restored with contributions from the Wuhou Memorial Temple and was opened to public in October of 2004.

Day 7

Jiuzhaigou ( B, L)

Transfer via: Flight arranged by us
Sightseeing: Huanglong Scenic Area

In the morning you will be transferred to airport to take the flight to Chengdu. After your arrival there, you will be met by our local guide and visit Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Scenic Area. It was named after the ancient Huanglong Temple within the area. The most remarkable scene in the area is the Huanglong Valley noted for its unique open karst landscape. The main attraction of the valley is the 3.6-kilometer-long and 30 to 70-meter-wide pale yellow calcareous deposits. 

 

Day 8

Chengdu/ Jiuzhaigou ( B, L)

Sightseeing: Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area  

We have a full day visit in the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, which is the home of nine Tibetan villages. The place is dotted with more than 100 gorgeous lakes, and the lakebeds and embankments are all covered with crystals. The water is so clear that the bottom can be seen at depths of over several dozen meters. Waterfalls are the essence of the scenery in Jiuzhaigou. They are created between lakes on different levels with water flowing down from the tree covered cliffs. In 1992, UNESCO entered this scenic area onto the world natural heritage list.

 

Day 9

Jiuzhaigou/Chengdu/Shanghai ( B, L)

Transfer via: Flight arranged by us
Sightseeing: Nanjing Road and the Bund

In the morning you will be transferred to airport to take flight to Chengdu. After your arrive there, you will take another flight to Shanghai. After your arrival in Shanghai, you will be met by our local guide and then 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 10

Shanghai ( B, L)

Sightseeing: Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yuyuan Garden

Today we will start the day with a visit of 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 and calligraphy.

Then we head to the Jade Buddha Temple. The old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique and inimitable in this modern city. Both, the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha are carved with whole white jade. If you're lucky, you can watch the monks serving a ceremony in a side room.

After lunch, we will visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, the highest TV Tower in Asia, which creates a picture of 'twin dragons playing with pearls'. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors all year-round. 

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.

Day 11

Shanghai/Huangshan ( B)

Transport Via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Doushan Ancient Street

After your arrival there, our local guide will meet you and take you to the hotel. Then we will visit the Tunxi Ancient Street, which is a cultural tourist site gathering old folk houses, carvings, and stone archways, Doushan Street got its name for abutting the Doushan Mountain (or Dou Mountain). The street was constructed during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, which looks just like a dated and long traditional Chinese painting.

Day 12

Huangshan (B, L)

Sightseeing: Yellow Mountain

You will be picked up from your hotel then start the tour.

In the morning, you will be transferred to the foot of Yellow Mountain, take cable car to the top of it and make a tour to North Sea Scenic Area and other peaks. You will stay this night on top of the mountain.Mt. Huangshan, known as "the loveliest mountain in China", is famous for its magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and rocks emerging out of clouds. Its landscape features “four wonders” of imposing peaks, spectacular rocks, odd-shaped pines, and a sea of clouds. Mount Huangshan boasts 72 peaks, more than 1,000 meters above sea level, with three main peaks rising majestically. The famous Welcoming Guests (Yingke) Pine (1,500 years old) and See-Guest-Off Pine have become a symbol of being faithful, unyielding and hospitable.

After the tour you will live in Huangshan for next day's sunrise. 

 

Day 13

Huangshan/Shanghai (B, L)

Transfer Via: Fast train on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Mt. Huangshan Sunrise, Tangyue Memorial Archway

In the early morning we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise from top of the yellow Mountain before we descend by cable car.

Then we will follow Tangyue memorial Archway, a complex of seven arches. In 1996 it was listed as a key national cultural protection unit under the approval of the State Council. Situated in Tangyue village six kilometers (four miles) west of the renowned Town of Arches - Shexian County, it is the biggest existing and best-preserved complex of arches in Anhui Province. Then visit Ink Stone Factory.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the railway station to catch your overnight traibn to Shanghai. Stay on train tonight. 

Day 14

Shanghai

Morning arrive in Shanghai, you will be picked up and transfered to hotel for luggage settle, normally tour room won't be ready too early till 2:00pm. We leave today for free for you in Shanghai so that you could savor the international metropolis flavor further on your own.

Day 15

Shanghai Departure (B)

Transfer via: Flight on your arrangement

Today you can enjoy some leisure time until you will be transferred to the airport grom where you will take the flight to your next destination.