Dreamland Memories Tour & Hong Kong

Day 1 Beijing

Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, you are welcomed by your private English-speaking guide and experienced driver and transferred to the 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

Paddle boat on the Kunming Lake of Summer Palace, China's largest imperial garden. Sit back on your trishaw to learn about the Chinese love of living large in the vast courtyards of the winding Hutong lanes and glance at the old Beijing life in old stuff collections of a Hutong private museum. Transfer to airport for Shanghai flight. On arrival in Shanghai, the Shanghai guide meets and transfers you to hotel for a good rest.

Day 5 Shanghai

Have a panorama of Shanghai city on the top observant deck of Shanghai World Financial Center. Tour Shanghai Museum of People's Square to view the impressive art collections. Visit the tranquil Jade Buddha Temple and try vegetarian dishes where pure common veg ingredients are specially cooked to create the meat flavor. Observe the layout exquisiteness of Yuyuan Garden and mingle in the bustling bazaar in the Old Town District. Add a touch of risky action to the intraday tour in the awe-inspiring performance of Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 6 Shanghai

Take your time in experiencing the real life details of the Shanghai locals in a local family. Shopping in the local grocery market, cooking Shanghai dishes and partaking in the residents' entertainment activities can be tasted in this visit. The remaining day is your free exploring time: amble around the historic and trendy mixed French Concession or just idle away the day in old and new Shanghai blending area--Xintiandi.

Day 7 Shanghai - Xi'an

Board the maglev train to head for Xi'an flight at a lightening speed. Cycle on the broad ancient City Wall that functioned as ancient military defence. Stroll the Great Mosque, a nice blending building of Chinese and Islamic touch. Pamper your taste buds with various exotic snacks in the Muslim Quarter. Visit the residence of an ancient officer--Gao's Courtyard that has survived 400-year changes.

Day 8 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 9 Xi'an - Jiuzhaigou

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 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 are a worthy reward for your time.

Day 11 Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu. Visit Tang dynasty Buddhism temple--Wenshu Temple. Take a lazy afternoon in People's park where the local playing mah jong, tuning the radio or squinting at the papers with glasses, etc. can be expected apart from the park scene. Or drive away the afternoon tiredness with sips of fresh tea in the park's teahouse. Try the crazily hot Sichuan dishes that locals swear by or sample light-taste cuisine alternatives if you can't stand the volcanic heat. In the evening, Sichuan opera face changing is recommended to marvel at masks-swapping skills of the performer.

Day 12 Chengdu - Lijiang

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 Lijiang and transfer to hotel.

Day 13 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 14 Lijiang - Kunming

Marvel at the First Bend of Yangtze River and awestruck Tiger Leaping Gorge following the ancient Stone Drum Village. Bye bye to Lijiang and fly to Kunming.

Day 15 Kunming - Guilin

Visit Stone Forest to see how the rainwater and wind could amazingly shape such a stunning karst rock cluster. Meet your Guilin guide in the airport and escort to your Guilin hotel.

Day 16 Guilin

Solitary Beauty Peak, a tranquil oasis nestling at city center, has changed from a former Ming dynasty mansion to home to Guangxi Normal University. Tour the emblem of Guilin city--Elephant Trunk Hill and impressive grotto--Reed Flute Cave.

Day 17 Guilin - Yangshuo

Hop aboard the Li River Cruise and get your camera ready to capture the breathtaking views like towering limestone pinnacles and misty waters between Xingping and Yangdi, the illuminating cruise scene section. After disembarking in Yangshuo, you can freely explore the picture-perfect surrounding. West Street lined with the cafes, bars, souvenir shops give you many options during night hangout.

Day 18 Yangshuo - Hong Kong

Take an accompanied bike ride around the Yangshuo countryside to see: farmhouses, the buffalo ploughing hard at its master's order, Moon Hill, Banyan Tree, etc. Yulong River raft is recommended to get some cool touch. Old Yulong Bridge, Baisha village, wavering bamboo bush, cormorants perching on rafts 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 19 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 20 Hong Kong

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

Day 21 Depart Hong Kong

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