China Highland and Ethnic Beauties

Day 1 Beijing

Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, you are greeted by your private English-speaking guide and skilled driver and transferred to the hotel to shake off jet lag.

Day 2 Beijing

Hop on the private vehicle with your guide to start your China tour in Temple of Heaven which was an ancient emperor worshipping site and now is the playground for a forest of the local citizens to build a healthy body via a variety of practicing programs like Taichi, color-silk dancing, rope-whipping, etc. Strolling across the history-hidden Tiananmen Square, you can walk in imperial Forbidden City which has carried the heavy history of about 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasty. After dark, you can just name it whether to immerse in the sedate-style traditional art--Beijing opera or more active version--Kungfu show to color the night.

Day 3 Beijing

Today make our way to ancient marvel--Mutianyu Wall section (round-trip cable cars). Stop by a small rural village for view of an unspoiled snaking wild wall. View the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games inheritance--Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Then twiddle your chopsticks on the crisp Quanjude Peking Duck in the evening banquet.

Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an

Today make our way in the former emperor garden--Summer Palace where is scattered with ornate temples, exquisite pavilions, and winding corridors. Contrast with the poetic expanses of imperial life, we then have close contact with the original common Beijingers' life in the Hutong rickshaw ride and Hutong private museum fulfilled with series of old stuff collections. Transfer to airport for Xi'an flight and farewell to your Beijing guide. On arrival in Xi'an, the guide will greet and transfer you to hotel for a good rest.

Day 5 Xi'an

Visit the motionless ranks of Terracotta Warriors that rested the guiding mission hope of its builder--ancient Qingshi emperor in his afterlife. Visit the Xi'an great landmark--Great Goose Pagoda and gain more insights into China ancient history in Shaanxi History Museum. Top off today's itinerary with the ancient Tang Dynasty imperial show.

Day 6 Xi'an

Set off to cycle on the Ming Dynasty 14th-century City Wall with the guide's company. Stroll the Great Mosque, a major spot for religious activities of Xi'an Moslems. If you want some exotic refreshment, the profusion of snacks in the Muslim Quarter deserves a try. Get a glance of the ancient officer's lifestyle in the former officer residence--Gao's Courtyard.

Day 7 Xi'an - Lhasa

The last stop in Xi'an is Emperor Liu Qi Tomb where houses an impressive exhibit of the figurines quietly narrating the ancient daily life. Fly to Lhasa and transfer to hotel and less strenuous activity is advised to better acclimatize the breathtaking altitude.

Day 8 Lhasa

Embark on your spiritual tour in the cardinal landmark of Lhasa--Potala Palace. Visit the large intact monastery--Sera Monastery and see the monks' debating activity if time suits. Get intimate with the original Tibetan's custom over butter tea and authentic Tibetan snacks in the Tibetan's family visit.

Day 9 Lhasa

Visit the yak-butter-smell-saturated Jokhang Monastery that often teems with devoted prayers spinning prayer wheel to deliver their will. A wide range of Tibetan-style crafts can be hunted and bargained in the Barkhor Street, namely the wheeling street that Tibetans clockwise (the direction to spin the prayer wheel) proceed to accumulate their merits and virtues. Tour the lush Norbulingka--the summer shelter of Dalai Lama to shut off the affairs and purify the mind. Have half day of browsing informative display items in the Tibet Museum.

Day 10 Lhasa - Chengdu

Today farewell Tibet and descend the high altitude in Chengdu after the flight. Seduce your taste buds with the fierily hot and delicious Sichuan dishes or savor light-taste cuisine alternatives if spicy foods are not your cup of tea (or exactly not your plate of dish). Stroll Chengdu largest and local-frequented Buddhism temple--Wenshu Temple. Mingle in the leisurely Chengdu people that play mah jong, tune the radio or exercise or relaxingly sip fresh tea in the outdoor teahouse of People's Park. If you are into Chinese art performance, Sichuan opera face changing is recommended to conclude intraday Chengdu trip.

Day 11 Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou

Make an early morning visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the cute pandas doing their favorite things: feeding and napping. Fly to Jiuzhaigou and transfer to hotel.

Day 12 Jiuzhaigou

Have a whole day in the natural gem reserve park with your guide. A wide range of highlights in the Jiuzhaigou park like Sparkle Lake, Shuzheng waterfall, Mirror Lake, Long Lake, Five-colored Pool, etc. is a worthy reward for your time.

Day 13 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Lijiang

Fly to Chengdu. Fly to Lijiang and transfer to hotel.

Day 14 Lijiang

Get your camera ready for the view-filled Black Dragon Pool Park. You can visit the Dongba Research Institute to learn about the Naxi civilization--the living pictograph script in the wealthy collection of cultural relics. Take the cable car up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for the breathtaking glacier view. Search the Naxi root in the rural Baisha village. Visit the most-admired man in the Baisha--Dr. Ho in his herb medicine clinic and know more about the magic medical use of common plant roots or leaves. Read the life stories of different religions in the Baisha mural paintings. Treat your ears with the Naxi Orchestra for Xuan Ke Taoist temple music, an old music performance displayed by a group of old musicians.

Day 15 Lijiang - Kunming

Marvel at the First Bend of Yangtze River and awestruck Tiger Leaping Gorge following the ancient Stone Drum Village. Bye bye to Lijiang and fly to Kunming.

Day 16 Kunming - Guilin

Visit Stone Forest to see how the rainwater and wind could amazingly shape such a stunning karst rock cluster. Meet your Guilin guide in the airport and get escorted to your Guilin hotel.

Day 17 Guilin

Solitary Beauty Peak nestles in tranquil Wangcheng, a former Ming dynasty mansion and now is home to Guangxi Normal University. The mansion was built even earlier than Forbidden City and dubbed as 'Little Forbidden City'. Tour the emblem of Guilin city--Elephant Trunk Hill and impressive grotto--Reed Flute Cave.

Day 18 Guilin - Yangshuo

Take in the picturesque Li River stretch on the cruise and prepare for a lot of camera snaps in the illuminating cruise scene section between Xingping and Yangdi. The rest time is left free after the cruise embarks. West Street lined with the cafes, bars, souvenir shops won't dull your night stay.

Day 19 Yangshuo - Shanghai

Guided biking around the Yangshuo countryside to see: farmhouses, the buffalo ploughing hard at its master's signal, the active pupils in the primary school, Moon Hill, Banyan Tree, etc. Want some cool breeze? Then the Yulong River raft is recommended. Old Yulong Bridge, nestled Baisha villages, wavering bamboo bush, hills are well dotted the rafting trip. Then it is time to switch to immerse in the hustle and bustle ambience in Shanghai metropolis. Transfer to Shanghai hotel.

Day 20 Shanghai

Have an all-sweeping view on the dazzling 100th observant deck of Shanghai World Financial Center. Have a detailed study about Chinese history in its impressive collection of Shanghai Museum in People's Square. Visit the tranquil Jade Buddha Temple and try the vegetarian dishes where pure common veg ingredients are skillfully cooked to create the meat flavor. Exquisite Yuyuan Garden in the Old Town district and the bustling bazaar will contribute to your good browsing day. Add a touch of risky action to the intraday tour in the awe-inspiring performance of Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 21 Shanghai

Live original Shanghainese's lifestyle in a local family. The lane building residents and their daily activities can be observed and experienced in more details. The rest of the day is free for you to hunt for your interest stuffs: you can randomly explore the historic and trendy mixed French Concession on bike or on foot or just idle away the afternoon in the business, entertainment and cultural complex area--Xintiandi.

Day 22 Depart Shanghai

Board the maglev train to head for your homebound flight at a lightening speed.