Spiritual and Signature China Tour

Day 1 Beijing

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

Day 2 Beijing

Hop on the private air-conditioned vehicle with your guide and start to explore this cultural and political heart of China. The fist leg is Temple of Heaven which was an ancient emperor worshipping site and now is creatively used by the local morning exercisers as a playground to let off their energy via a variety of practicing programs like Taichi, color-silk dancing, rope-whipping, etc. Wander through the history-witness Tiananmen Square and walk in the footsteps of 24 emperors in imperial Forbidden City. Later at night, you decide your preferred way to light the night by whether to immerse in the sedate-style traditional art--Beijing Opera or more active version--Kungfu show.

Day 3 Beijing

Today make our way to the less-crowded and yet thicker-planted wild Mutianyu Wall section by round-trip cable car. Stop by a nearby rural village to view an unrestored winding wild wall. View 2008 Beijing Olympic Games inheritance--Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Then twiddle your chopsticks on the Beijing cuisine delight--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 can 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 greets and transfers you to hotel for a good rest.

Day 5 Xi'an

Gain more insight into the China ancient history via the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors that was built by the ancient Qingshi emperor to resume his reign in his afterlife. Ascend the Xi'an great landmark--Great Goose Pagoda and leaf through China ancient history in Shaanxi History Museum. Pamper your eyes and ears in the previous imperial entertainment--Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 6 Xi'an

Cycle on the broad ancient City Wall at your pace with the guide's company. Stroll the Great Mosque--a quiet oasis to shut off the outside market bustle. Indulge in the profusion of snacks in the Muslim Quarter. Pay a visit to the tastefully-resorted residence of an ancient officer--Gao's Courtyard with over 400-year history.

Day 7 Xi'an - Lhasa

Different from military-focus Terracotta Warrior, Tomb of Emperor Liu Qi today reveals more about the ancient daily life through its expressive figurines. Fly to Lhasa and transfer to hotel. The rest day is free of activity to enable you to better acclimatize the breath-taking altitude and ready for the following tour.

Day 8 Lhasa

Appreciate the Tibet iconic architecture--Potala Palace. View thousands of copper statues housed in the Sera Monastery and if time suits, the debating activity issued by Tibetan monks to sharpen their knowledge and mind can be seen. Get close acquaintance with the traditional 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. Indulge in sweating hot Sichuan dishes or sample light-taste cuisine alternatives if you prefer mild flavor. Visit Chengdu largest and local-frequented Buddhism temple--Wenshu Temple. Idle away the rest afternoon in the People's Park. In the park's Heming Teahouse and with a cup of tea in hand, you can observe the local's leisurely life--playing mah jong, tuning the radio or squinting at the papers with glasses, etc. If you are into Chinese art performance, Sichuan opera face changing is recommended to marvel at how many different masks the performer can change in the twinkling of an eye.

Day 11 Chengdu - Guilin

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 picturesque Guilin and transfer to hotel.

Day 12 Guilin

The peaceful Solitary Beauty Peak is situated at tranquil Wangcheng, a former 14-century Ming dynasty mansion and a present home to Guangxi Normal University. The mansion was built hundreds of year earlier than Forbidden City and dubbed as 'Little Forbidden City'. Take a picture with the emblem of Guilin city--Elephant Trunk Hill and explore colorful peculiar grotto--Reed Flute Cave.

Day 13 Guilin - Yangshuo

Hop on the Li River Cruise and get your camera ready in the illuminating cruise scene section between Xingping and Yangdi. Upon reaching Yangshuo, you are free to explore the surrounding on foot or on bike. West Street lined with the cafes, bars, souvenir shops are more bustling at night and nice for hanging out at night.

Day 14 Yangshuo - Shanghai

Cycle with your guide around the Yangshuo countryside to see: farmhouses, the buffalo the buffalo ploughing hard at its master's cry, the active curious pupils in the primary school, Moon Hill, Banyan Tree, etc. If you want to get some cool touch and absorb countryside scene, Yulong River raft trip dotted with old Yulong Bridge, nestled Baisha village, wavering bamboo bush, hills is one of the good options. Then it is time to switch to immerse in the hustle and bustle ambience in Shanghai metropolis. Transfer to Shanghai hotel.

Day 15 Shanghai

Have a detailed study about Chinese history in its impressive collection of Shanghai Museum in People's Square. Have an all-sweeping view on the dazzling 100th observant deck of Shanghai World Financial Center. 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 can 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 16 Shanghai

Be a guest in a local family to observe original details of Shanghainese's life. Visiting the local grocery market, cooking Shanghai dishes and partaking in the residents' entertainment activities can be tasted in this visit. The rest of the day is left for you to freely explore the local: amble around 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 17 Depart Shanghai

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