Traditional and Modern Flavors of 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--Peking Duck in the evening banquet.

Day 4 Beijing - Shanghai

Take our time in the royal garden--Summer Palace decorated with vast lakes, ornate temples, pavilions, and winding corridors. Observe old Beijingers' life in the courtyard dwelling via the Hutong rickshaw ride and Hutong private museum with interesting old stuff collections. Transfer to airport for Shanghai flight and farewell to your Beijing guide. On arrival in Shanghai, the local guide meets and transfers you to hotel for a good rest.

Day 5 Shanghai

Get top on the dazzling 100th observant deck of Shanghai World Financial Center to form a complete picture of this soaring dynamic city. Browse Chinese history in the impressive collection in Shanghai Museum of People's Square. Visit the active Jade Buddha Temple and try the creative meat-flavor vegetarian dishes. Yuyuan Garden with its exquisite detailed characters and the bustling bazaar in the Old Town district give you a good browsing day. Before calling it a night, let's watch a jaw-dropping performance, namely the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 6 Shanghai

Be a guest in a local family to observe original details of Shanghainese's life. Visiting 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 left for you to freely explore the local: amble around 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.

Day 7 Shanghai - Xi'an

Board the speeding maglev train to head for Xi'an flight. Cycle on the broad ancient City Wall at your pace with the guide's company. Stroll the Great Mosque--a quiet oasis to shut off the outside market bustle. Indulge in the profusion of snacks in the Muslim Quarter. Pay a visit to the tastefully-resorted residence of an ancient officer--Gao's Courtyard with over 400-year history.

Day 8 Xi'an

Gain more insight into the China ancient history via the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors that was built by the ancient Qingshi emperor to resume his reign in his afterlife. Ascend the Xi'an great landmark--Great Goose Pagoda and leaf through China ancient history in Shaanxi History Museum. Pamper your eyes and ears in the previous imperial entertainment--Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 9 Xi'an - Lhasa

Different from military-focus Terracotta Warrior, Tomb of Emperor Liu Qi today reveals more about the ancient daily life through its expressive figurines. Fly to Lhasa and transfer to hotel. The rest day is free of activity to enable you to better acclimatize the breath-taking altitude and ready for the following tour.

Day 10 Lhasa

Appreciate the Tibet iconic architecture--Potala Palace. View thousands of copper statues housed in the Sera Monastery and if time suits, the debating activity issued by Tibetan monks to sharpen their knowledge and mind can be seen. Get close acquaintance with the traditional Tibetan's custom over butter tea and authentic Tibetan snacks in the Tibetan's family visit.

Day 11 Lhasa

Visit the yak-butter-smell-saturated Jokhang Monastery that often teems with devoted prayers spinning prayer wheel to deliver their will. A wide range of Tibetan-style crafts can be hunted and bargained in the Barkhor Street, namely the wheeling street that Tibetans clockwise (the direction to spin the prayer wheel) proceed to accumulate their merits and virtues. Tour the lush Norbulingka--the summer shelter of Dalai Lama to shut off the affairs and purify the mind. Have half day of browsing informative display items in the Tibet Museum.

Day 12 Lhasa - Chengdu

Today farewell Tibet and descend the high altitude in Chengdu after the flight. Indulge in sweating hot Sichuan dishes or sample light-taste cuisine alternatives if you prefer mild flavor. 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. 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 13 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 14 Guilin

The peaceful Solitary Beauty Peak is situated at tranquil Wangcheng, a former 14-century Ming dynasty mansion and a present home to Guangxi Normal University. The mansion was built hundreds of year earlier than Forbidden City and dubbed as 'Little Forbidden City'. Take a picture with the emblem of Guilin city--Elephant Trunk Hill and explore colorful peculiar grotto--Reed Flute Cave.

Day 15 Guilin - Yangshuo

Hop on the Li River Cruise and get your camera ready in the illuminating cruise scene section between Xingping and Yangdi. Upon reaching Yangshuo, you are free to explore the surrounding on foot or on bike. West Street lined with the cafes, bars, souvenir shops are more bustling at night and nice for hanging out at night.

Day 16 Yangshuo - Hong Kong

Cycle with your guide around the Yangshuo countryside to see: farmhouses, the buffalo ploughing hard at its master's cry, the active curious pupils in the primary school, Moon Hill, Banyan Tree, etc. If you want to get some cool touch and absorb countryside scene, Yulong River raft trip dotted with old Yulong Bridge, nestled Baisha village, wavering bamboo bush, hills is one of the good options. Then fly to the shopping paradise--Hong Kong to release your shopping will. Have a private accompanied drive to Hong Kong hotel.

Day 17 Hong Kong

Cross Victoria Harbor on the age-old Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island. Ascend the Victoria Peak by the historic tram to enjoy an all-embracing view of Hong Kong: Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor, Kowloon and hills afar. Hop on the sampan to deeper experience Aberdeen fishing village. If you are a seafood fan, this place abundant with fresh seafood 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 outdoor market fulfilled with a great heap of cheap clothing.

Day 18 Hong Kong

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

Day 19 Depart Hong Kong

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