Minority and Natural Getaways & Hong Kong

Day 1 Beijing

Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, you are received by your private English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle and transferred to the hotel to shake off jet lag.

Day 2 Beijing

Hop on the private vehicle with your guide and start your China tour. Start our day with a morning guided tour to Temple of Heaven, a previous ancient sacrifice emperor site and now the exercise playground for armies of local early birds. Strolling across the history-hidden Tiananmen Square, you can walk in imperial Forbidden City to gain intriguing insights into the way the emperors lived. As for the night itinerary, it is up to you whether to enjoy the sedate-style traditional art--Beijing opera or more active version--Kungfu show, etc.

Day 3 Beijing

Today make our way to the endless meander of wild Mutianyu Wall section via round-trip cable cars. Stop by a small rural village for an unrestored winding wild wall view. View Bird's Nest and Water Cube that have involved in and partly led to the impressive 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Then twiddle your chopsticks on the crisp 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. Get a glimpse of old, traditional Beijing in the clamorous warren of Hutongs, or alleyways in the Hutong rickshaw ride and interesting old stuff collections of a Hutong private museum. Transfer to airport for Shanghai flight and farewell to your Beijing guide. On arrival in Shanghai, the Shanghai guide meets and transfers you to hotel for a good rest.

Day 5 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 expand your taste in the meat-flavor vegetarian dishes. Have some old touch in the Old Town District whose highlights--Yuyuan Garden with its exquisite characters and the bustling bazaar can 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

Live Shanghainese's life 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 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

Gaze at the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors that the ancient Qingshi emperor built to resume his reign in his afterlife. Visit the Xi'an great landmark--Great Goose Pagoda and gain more insights into China ancient history in Shaanxi History Museum. Immerse in the Tang Dynasty Show that was part of the Tang Dynasty imperial entertainment.

Day 8 Xi'an - Kunming

Cycle on the broad ancient City Wall at your pace 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. Visit the residence of an ancient officer--Gao's Courtyard that has survived 400-year changes. The last stop in Xi'an is Emperor Liu Qi Tomb which houses an impressive exhibit of the figurines quietly narrating the ancient daily life. Fly to Kunming and transfer to hotel.

Day 9 Kunming - Lijiang

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

Day 10 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 pure plant roots or leaves. Read the life stories of different religions in the Baisha mural paintings. Give your ears a great treat in the Naxi Orchestra for Xuan Ke Taoist temple music, an old music performance displayed by a group of old musicians.

Day 11 Lijiang

Marvel at the First Bend of Yangtze River and awestruck Tiger Leaping Gorge following the ancient Stone Drum Village.

Day 12 Lijiang - Kunming - Guilin

Fly to Guilin via Kunming. Meet your Guilin guide in the airport and get escorted to your Guilin hotel.

Day 13 Guilin

Solitary Beauty Peak nestles in tranquil Wangcheng, a former Ming dynasty mansion and present 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 village, 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--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. 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 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.