Natural Beauty Essence & Hong Kong

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 - Hangzhou

Check out the ornate temples, pavilions, and winding corridors of the imperial garden--Summer Palace. Thread through the narrow Hutong lanes in the rickshaw ride and browse old stuff collections of a Hutong private museum to glimpse at the past, present and coming life of the Beijingers. Transfer to airport for Hangzhou flight and farewell to your Beijing guide. On arrival in Hangzhou, the local guide meets and transfers you to hotel for a good rest.

Day 5 Hangzhou - Shanghai

Paddle boat on the West Lake to absorb a postcard-picture of green mountains, pavilions and towers in touches of gold and azure. Skirting the flanks of the Feilai Peak leads to the incense-permeated Lingyin Temple which has survived many wars and calamity and is now frequented by devoted worshippers round the year to pray for good fortune. See the fields of tea bushes planted in rolling rows in Dragon Well Tea Village. If you are after tea, you can also choose to spend more time here to sample the authentic Longjing green tea. In Qing Dynasty Hefang Street where has assembled the stalls, teahouses and Chinese traditional medicine stores, etc can well ease your craving for snacks, quench your thirst and expand your knowledge about the herb medicine. One outstanding medicine shops here is Huqing Yutang Chinese Medicine Museum for its impressive collections of quality medicine materials and traditional wares heavy with medical culture. Head to the Shanghai metropolis by fast train. Have first touch of the modern Shanghai by strolling along the Bund with the riverside night views and releasing your shopping desire in the nearby East Nanjing Road.

Day 6 Shanghai

Enjoy a sweeping view on the dazzling 100th observant deck of the new-height landmark, namely Shanghai World Financial Center. Look beyond the impressive collection for the hidden Chinese history in Shanghai Museum of People's Square. Stop by the lavishly decorated Jade Buddha Temple and taste the meat-flavor vegetarian meal. Visit the Yuyuan Garden that is fulfilled with exquisite architecture details and the bustling bazaar in the Old Town district. Discover the artistry of Chinese acrobats in the awe-inspiring performance of Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 7 Shanghai

Lane building residents and their daily life are included in the half day Shanghai family visit such as visiting the local grocery market, cooking Shanghai dishes and partaking in the residents' entertainment activities. The remainder of the day is left for you to carry out your own pastime: cycle or walk the stylishly-and-traditionally-mixed French Concession, enjoy a lazy afternoon in Xintiandi--the business, entertainment and cultural complex area, etc.

Day 8 Shanghai - Xi'an

Take a fast and smooth maglev train ride to head for Xi'an flight. Have a guided bike ride on the broad ancient City Wall, one of the few survived city walls in China. Stroll the Great Mosque blended with the Chinese and Islamic touch and pamper your taste buds in a wide variety of snacks in the Muslim Quarter. Learn about the ancient dynasty officer life in Gao's Courtyard. Immerse in the Tang Dynasty Show that was part of the Tang Dynasty imperial entertainment.

Day 9 Xi'an

Gaze at the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors that symbols the art and army turning point of ancient China. Ascend the Xi'an great landmark--Great Goose Pagoda and dig in China ancient history in Shaanxi History Museum.

Day 10 Xi'an - Jiuzhaigou

Before flying to Jiuzhaigou, let's tour Emperor Liu Qi Tomb that exhibits the impressive number of figurines quietly narrating the ancient daily life. Transfer to hotel and the remaining day is your free time.

Day 11 Jiuzhaigou

Spend a full day in the natural gem reserve park with your guide's accompany. A wide range of highlights in the Jiuzhaigou park like Sparkle Lake, Shuzheng waterfall, Mirror Lake, Long Lake, Five-colored Pool, etc. illuminate your day trip here.

Day 12 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu. Visit Chengdu largest and local-frequented Buddhism temple--Wenshu Temple. In the People's Park, sip tea and observe the Chengdu people's leisure life--playing mah jong, tuning the radio or squinting at the papers with glasses, etc. Burn your taste buds in the volcanic hot Sichuan dishes or dig in light-taste cuisine alternatives if you like. The night 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 13 Chengdu - Lijiang

Make an early morning visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the plump giant pandas feeding, playing and napping. 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 optional Dongba Research Institute to learn about the over-1,000-year Naxi civilization. Take the cable car up the snow-shrouded Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to capture the breathtaking glacier view. Search the Naxi root in the rural Baisha village. Visit the local most-admired man--Dr. Ho's clinic and know more about the magic medical power of blending pure plant roots or leaves. Appreciate the life stories of different religions in the Baisha mural paintings. Treat your ears with the Naxi Orchestra for Xuan Ke Taoist temple music, the old music performance made by a group of old musicians.

Day 15 Lijiang - Kunming

Marvel at the First Bend of Yangtze River and awestruck deep gorge--Tiger Leaping Gorge following the ancient Stone Drum Village. Fly to Kunming and transfer to hotel.

Day 16 Kunming - Guilin

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

Day 17 Guilin

Visit the Solitary Beauty Peak that hides at the ancient Prince Jingjiang's Mansion of the city center. Pose in front of the Guilin city emblem--Elephant Trunk Hill and tour the 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 - Hong Kong

Cycle with your guide through the rice fields around the Yangshuo countryside to see: farmhouses, the ploughing buffalo, the energetic pupils in the primary school, Moon Hill, Banyan Tree, etc. Yulong River raft is nice choice to get some cool touch. Old Yulong Bridge, nestled Baisha village, wavering bamboo bush, hills, fishing cormorants can be viewed along the rafting trip. Then it is time to switch to pulse-quickening Hong Kong. Take a flight for Hong Kong and have an accompanied transfer to Hong Kong hotel.

Day 20 Hong Kong

Tour the Victoria Harbor in a local commuting way--the old reputed Star Ferry. Ascend the Peak by the old and yet safe tram to have an all-embracing view of Hong Kong: Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor, Kowloon and hills afar. Hop on the Sampan to deeper experience Aberdeen, a fishing village busy with many different fishing boats and old sailing-boats. The fishing boats have long served as the locals' fishing tool as well as their living places. If you are a seafood fan, this sea-product-endowed place would be your paradise. Splash clear seawater and barefoot feel soft sand on the Repulse Bay. Explore good bargains in the Stanley Market--a large traditional open-air market selling an array of cheap clothing.

Day 21 Hong Kong

A whole free day for you to deeper explore this energetic city.

Day 22 Depart Hong Kong

Pack up your luggage and heavy traveling memory to head for your homebound flight.