What can you expect for 10 days in China? This tour gives you the bests. With the Golden Triangle Destinations (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai) plus the fabulous river and countryside views of Guilin, this tour leads you to top 4 destinations you can’t miss for your first time trip in China. Experience the stunning diversity and contrasts of ancient tradition and modern fashion, discover the charm of ancient history, and get closer exploration to some of the most beautiful scenery under heaven...
Highlights of this tour:
- Discover the greatest cultural heritages of Beijing and Xian – Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors…
- Get amazed by the incredible contrast of Shanghais’ past and present;
- Take an exciting cruise on the Li River in Guilin and enjoy the most beautiful countryside scenery in Yangshuo.
Day 1 Beijing Arrival
Ni Hao, welcome to Beijing, the iconic city as well as the capital of China! You will be met by local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Airport and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.
Day 2 Beijing (B, L)
After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square which is now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern square was the site where the Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City, a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties used to live in. Pass through various doorways to admire the magnificent and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow glazed tile roof, white marble base and splendid colorful paintings.
After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors. Feast your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colored paintings in Long Corridor.
Optional activity: you can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in theatre after dinner.
Day 3 Beijing (B, L)
After breakfast, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Great Wall. The less-crowded Mutianyu, a well-preserved segment of Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty, lives up to all of your nice expectation. Take cable car or walk about 40 minutes to set your feet on Great Wall. Climb up the rising towers to enjoy scenic views as the wall wriggling along mountain ridges, and take brag-worthy photos of the wall.
Continue your trip to Ding Tomb, mausoleum of the 13th emperor of Ming Dynasty. Follow your tour guide’s introduction to observe the geomantic arrangement as well as to visit the underground palace to get closer observation. Then, drive back to Beijing City, and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view the magnificent Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional activity: reward yourself a tasty Peking duck dinner after a full day of sightseeing.
Day 4 Beijing & High Speed Train to Xian (B, L)
After breakfast, drive to the imperial site – Temple of Heaven. It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc.
Then, get back to central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience Beijing Hutongs – small alleys made of neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to feel the old Beijing life style, meet various antique shops and small boutiques, feel the historical changes of Beijing.
Till now, your Beijing tour is about to end. Your tour guide will see you off at the Beijing West Railway Station for your high speed train to Xian (about 5 hours). Be pick up by your tour guide at Xian North Railway Station, and escorted to your hotel in Xian. The rest of today is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.
Day 5 Xian (B, L)
After breakfast, drive about 40km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world – Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor Qin Shihuang to protect his afterlife. Over 8, 000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits more than 2000 years until uncovered by local farmer in 1974, forms an ancient military army with complete battle unites, such as infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Qin Shihuang but also the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans.
After lunch, return back to Xian to take a wonderful stroll on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xian and walk leisurely on the well-maintained city wall which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide with a total circle of nearly 14 kilometers. It is followed by a relaxing wandering around bustling and lively Muslim Community, where you can taste the most delicious Xian food and various snacks, as well as experience local culture.
Optional activities: 1). Take a relaxing cycling on the Ancient City Wall; 2). Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show after a hearty dumpling dinner.
Day 6 Xian & Flight to Guilin (B, L)
After breakfast, head to Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation place in Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. With a height of 64.5 meters, the pagoda was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to reserve classic scriptures he bought from India in early Tang Dynasty. (Xuanzang, the prototype character of Tang Seng in the novel of Journey to the West).
Note: it charges extra 30 RMB to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Following is an educational visiting to Shaanxi History Museum. Ramble in the modern exhibition halls to appreciate relics, such as porcelains, paintings, currencies from Zhou to the Tang periods (1100BC to 907 AD). (Note: It charges extra 30 RMB to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda)
The rest of today is free for you until get escorted to catch flight to Guilin (about 2hrs), the darling of tourists. You will be welcomed by local tour guide at airport, then be escorted to your hotel in Guilin City. The rest of today is at your leisure to have fun.
Day 7 Guilin (B, L)
As the declaration in Chinese textbook "Guilin’s landscape is the best under heaven", today you will explore this best landscape starting with a relaxing sightseeing cruise along the Li River from Zhujia Pier to Yangshuo Town. Along the 84-kilometer cruise, dazzling scenery overwhelms your eyes like a vast endless Chinese painting of winding river, green limestone karst mountains, fascinating countryside views.
After about 4 hours’ cruise, disembark in Yangshuo Town, and check in your hotel. Take a short break, throw yourself into the stunning countryside views and relaxed atmosphere. Be enthralled by the patches of paddy fields nestling under green hills and near the mirror-like river, with farmers cultivate the soil with their water buffalos.
This evening is for you to walk leisurely on the ancient West Street to witness how the western culture and Chinese culture perfectly and peacefully coexist here. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of drink in bar, taste some local food, or just experience the relaxing atmosphere, you get it here.
Optional activity: experience the splendid evening performance Impression Liu Sanjie with Li River itself as the stage, directed by famous director – Zhang Yimou.
Day 8 Guilin & Flight to Shanghai (B, L)
After breakfast, transfer back to Guilin in a comfortable vehicle (1.5~2hrs). Then make a visit to the symbol of Guilin landscape -Elephant Trunk Hill. A giant rock hill vividly shapes like an elephant which is drinking water. Besides, there are many historical sites here for you to explore, such as stone carving, Buddhist temple, relic exhibition, etc. Then, drive about 7 kilometers to next attraction -Reed Flute Cave, a majestic underground palace with sparkling different colors. The magical Mother Nature condenses millions years of natural efforts to form the incredible stalactite, stalagmite, stone shield and stone waterfall of different sizes and shapes.
Lastly, your tour guide will take you to airport to catch flight to Shanghai, the most flourishing metropolis in China. Your local tour guide will pick you up at the airport, and then escort you to hotel for check in. The rest of today is free for you to explore this cosmopolitan.
Day 9 Shanghai (B, L)
Take a full day sightseeing to explore the past and present of Shanghai at once. First stop is Yu Garden, a shining star among all dotted ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan which fully embodies the traditional design of architecture. Jagged pavilion with elegant decoration, glittering pools with roving fish, sprouting pine trees, all these pleasant scenes refresh your mood. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works. Next, drive several kilometers to see the modern face of Shanghai from the observation deck on the 88th floor of Jinmao Tower.
You will then transfer to another popular landmark of Shanghai – Nanjing Road which is shopping paradise as well as a great place to take a wonderful walk to experience the local modern atmosphere. Lastly, you will stop at the Bund. Originally the towpath for transporting, the Bund transformed into a feverish trading district. Stroll along the Bund, feel the perfect fusion of Chinese culture and Western culture, and seize the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes.
Optional activities: 1).attend an entertaining and breathtaking Acrobatic Show, including balls of death, balance of chairs, hula hoops, juggling benches, walking in the air, etc. 2). take Huangpu River cruise to enjoy the fantastic night view of Shanghai.
Day 10 Shanghai Departure (B)
Wondering why Shanghai became a modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village? This morning’s tour toShanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center will give you a full explanation to that question, besides that, you’ll have an overview of the ambitious plan for future.
Next is a wonderful visit to Jade Buddha Temple. Owning the largest jade Buddha in the world and numerous religious artifacts, ancient statues and Buddhist scriptures, the very pure land in the crowded downtown is a quiet place for nice break in this busy city.
In the afternoon, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to the next destination.