Tranquil and Bustling China

Day 1 Beijing

Upon your flight landing Beijing airport, our private English-speaking guide and skilled driver greet and transfer you to the Beijing hotel to shake off jet lag.


Day 2 Beijing

With the guide's escort, you can make a morning stroll in Temple of Heaven, a former ancient emperor worshipping site and the present playground for local exercisers doing Taichi, color-silk dancing, rope-whipping, etc. Through the history-hidden Tiananmen Square, we arrive at imperial Forbidden City which has serves as the power and life center of about 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasty. The dark approach is also the time to start a colorful night by your preferred sedate-style traditional art--Beijing opera or more active version--Kungfu show.


Day 3 Beijing

Today make our way to the wisdom-and-labor-based Mutianyu Wall section by round-trip cable car. Stop by a small rural village nearby to view the unrestored winding wall. Tour the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games inheritance--Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Then try the Beijing culinary highlight--Quanjude Peking Duck in the evening banquet.


Day 4 Beijing - Shanghai

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 will have an intimacy with old Beijingers' life in the Hutong rickshaw ride and Hutong private museum with interesting old stuff collections. Head to the Shanghai metropolis by flight. Soak up the sea of lights in the Bund, feast on the riverside night views and satisfy your shopping desire in the nearby East Nanjing Road.


Day 5 Shanghai

Have a heart-pounding bird's eye view on the 100th dazzling 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 6 Shanghai - Xi'an

Experience 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 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 the business, entertainment and cultural complex area--Xintiandi. Board the maglev train to head for Xi'an flight at a lightening speed.


Day 7 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 8 Xi'an

Cycle on the broad ancient City Wall at your pace with the guide's company. Stroll the Great Mosque, a nice blending building of Chinese and Islamic touch. 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 9 Xi'an - Jiuzhaigou

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 Jiuzhaigou and transfer to hotel.


Day 10 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 11 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu. "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. "Numb" your taste buds in the fierily hot Sichuan dishes or dig in light-taste cuisine alternatives if spicy foods are not your cup of tea (or exactly not your plate of dish). 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 12 Chengdu - Guilin

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


Day 13 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 14 Guilin - Yangshuo

Hop aboard the Li River Cruise and get your camera ready in the illuminating cruise scene section between Xingping and Yangdi. 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 15 Yangshuo - Hong Kong

Cycle with your guide around the Yangshuo countryside to see: farmhouses, the buffalo ploughing hard at its master's cry, the thirsty-for-knowledge 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 villages, wavering bamboo bush, hills are well dotted along the rafting trip. Then it is time to excite your shopping desire in Hong Kong after a short flight transfer. Have an accompanied drive to Hong Kong hotel.


Day 16 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: the Hong Kong Island, the 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 place would be your paradise with its abundant seafood products. 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 17 Hong Kong

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


Day 18 Depart Hong Kong

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


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