Plateau and Ethnic Gems & Hong Kong

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 - Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Take our time in the Summer Palace--a former imperial garden dotted with ornate temples, pavilions, and winding corridors. Contrast with the poetic expanses of noble life, we have an intimacy with old Beijingers' life in the Hutong rickshaw ride and Hutong private museum with interesting old stuff collections that have heavily carried old Beijinger's life story. Transfer to airport for Huangshan flight and farewell to your Beijing guide. On arrival in Huangshan, the guide meets and transfers you to Tunxi hotel for a good rest.


Day 5 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

Make a morning transfer to Huangshan scenic area. You can design your own way to tour Huangshan via either cable car or hiking. And a recommended route with the guide is to get up the summit by the labor-saving Yungu cable car. Then have a great view of Huangshan peculiar rock formations in Cloud Dispelling Pavilion and access the enticing West Sea Canyon.


Day 6 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) - Shanghai

Today you can still flexibly tour Huangshan in your own way. And a guided recommended tour on fairy day goes like this: Enjoy the otherworldly sunrise scene on the Refreshing Terrace. In this glowing sunrise picture, the peak clusters are shrouded by the spreading veil of sea of clouds. Beginning to Believe Peak and Flower Blooming on a Brush Tip deserves a pause to catch jaw-dropping views and snap beautiful photos. Descend Huangshan via the Yungu cable car and head to picturesque Hongcun and Xidi to taste the traditional detail-filled architectures in these two villages. If time permitting, wander around Tunxi Old Street and browse antique wooden souvenirs shops in the street. Fly to Shanghai and transfer to hotel.


Day 7 Shanghai

Have a heart-pounding bird's eye view on the dazzling top observant deck of Shanghai World Financial Center. Chinese history can be paged through in the impressive collection in Shanghai Museum of People's Square. Visit the tranquil Jade Buddha Temple and try the vegetarian dishes where pure common veg ingredients are specially cooked to create the meat flavor. Have some old touch in the Old Town district whose highlights--Yuyuan Garden with its exquisite characters and the bustling bazaar will give you a good browsing day. Add a touch of risky action to the intraday tour in the awe-inspiring performance of Shanghai Acrobatic Show.


Day 8 Shanghai - Xi'an

Live Shanghainese's lifestyle in a local family visit. Shopping in 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 your own free exploring time: you can randomly explore the historic and trendy mixed French Concession on bike or on foot or just idle away the afternoon in Xintiandi, the business, entertainment and cultural complex area. Board the maglev train to head for Xi'an flight at a lightening speed.


Day 9 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 10 Xi'an

Fly to Xi'an and transfer to hotel. 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 11 Xi'an - Lhasa

Different from military-focus Terracotta Warrior, Tomb of Emperor Liu Qi we visit today showcases more about the ancient daily life through its impressive exhibit of the figurines. Fly to Lhasa and transfer to hotel. The rest day is free time so you can better acclimatize the breath-taking altitude and ready for the next day's tour.


Day 12 Lhasa

Appreciate the Tibetan-style Potala Palace--a 13-storey architecture wonder made from wood and stone. Try to count thousands of copper statues that housed in the Sera Monastery and if time suits, we can also see the debating activity that Tibetan monks issue to sharpen their knowledge and mind. Get close contact with the original Tibetan's custom over butter tea and authentic Tibetan snacks in the Tibetan's family visit.


Day 13 Lhasa

Heavy yak butter smell and devoted prayers spinning prayer wheel can be expected in Jokhang Monastery. Boundless kinds of Tibetan crafts are hawked every centimeter of the Barkhor Street. Please follow the local custom to clockwise (the direction to spin the prayer wheel) tour this local street, a good way believed to accumulate a person's merits and virtues. Tour the lush scenery of Norbulingka--the summer palace for the Dalai Lama to take the affairs off the chest and purify the mind. Discover rich facets of Tibetan history in the informative displays in the Tibet Museum.


Day 14 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 15 Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou

Enjoy an early morning visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see the adorable giant pandas doing their favorite things: feeding and napping. Fly to Jiuzhaigou and transfer for the hotel for a good rest.


Day 16 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 are a worthy reward for your time.


Day 17 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Lijiang

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


Day 18 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 19 Lijiang - Kunming

Marvel at the First Bend of Yangtze River and awestruck Tiger Leaping Gorge following the ancient Stone Drum Village. Fly to the Spring City Kunming after the flight transfer. Have a good rest in the hotel in the rest of the day.


Day 20 Kunming - Guilin

Visit Stone Forest to see how the rainwater and wind could amazingly shape such a stunning karst rock cluster. Fly to dream destination Guilin and transfer to hotel.


Day 21 Guilin

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


Day 22 Guilin - Yangshuo

Hop aboard the Li River Cruise and keep your eye wide open in the illuminating cruise scene between Xingping and Yangdi section. After disembarking in Yangshuo, you can freely explore the surrounding. West Street lined with the cafes, bars, souvenir shops can be a nice spot for the night hangout.


Day 23 Yangshuo - Hong Kong

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. Fly to the multicultural Hong Kong and transfer to hotel.


Day 24 Hong Kong

Tour the Victoria Harbor in a local commuting way--take 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. Go to Repulse Bay, one of the Hong Kong featured beaches with clear water and soft sand. Explore good bargains in the Stanley Market--a large traditional open-air market selling an array of cheap clothing.


Day 25 Hong Kong

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


Day 26 Depart Hong Kong

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


  • B: Breakfast
  • L: Lunch
  • D: Dinner