Land Adorned in Diverse Nationalities

Day 1 Beijing

After your overnight flight lands at Beijing, you will be met by your experienced guide and transferred to your hotel. After a good rest and a welcome dinner, you could explore the night of Beijing by yourself if you want.

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Day 2 Beijing

An early visit to the Temple of Heaven will display you what kind of the exercises local people do to keep healthy and energetic. Taichi is popular and maybe some kinds of them you have never seen before, like writing calligraphy by water on the ground. Ramble Tiananmen Square --the largest public plaza before explore the Forbidden City--the former emperor families residence, which is made up of together more than 800 buildings and 9,000 chambers. In the afternoon, try your hand at drawing the Beijing Opera mask at a private lesson given by the experienced master. At night we could relax and enjoy the Beijing Opera over tea.
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Day 3 Beijing

Take cable car (Round trip) ride to the Great Wall at Mutianyu --the less-crowed and easily-accessible section that could make you explore this man-made wonder with more your own space. Pay a visit to the nearby village, have lunch in a local family and appreciate an unrestored section of Great Wall in a distance. If you are interested, you could experience the pristine Great Wall section with your guide. On the way back we will visit the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) and Bird's Nest (National Stadium) to relive the splendid Olympic Game in 2008. In a renowned local restaurant, sampling the iconic dish--the Peking duck will fulfill and pamper your empty stomach. Today's tour is demanding, so please remember to wear your well broken in footwear to avoid the sore feet or blisters.
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Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an

Experience the pure Beijing morning with the locals in a local flower and pet market, Guanyuan Market (or visit Panjiayuan Market at weekend--a market fulfilled with old stuffs to test your good eye). You could have a look at the winding alleys of Hutongs on the rickshaw, stop and have a direct contact with the hospitable courtyard owner to know about the past, present and the future life of Beijingners. Have the first dumpling making experience with the host family. The private museum in the Hutong trip will tell you the rich stories of the beijingners. Fly to Xi'an and transfer to your comfortable hotel with your personal guide and vehicle. An optional visit to the Giant Music Fountain near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is recommended to soothe you with a touch of coolness.
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Day 5 Xi'an

Known as the first museum at the prehistoric site, Banpo Museum will help you learn about the Yangshao Culture fostered by typical Neolithic matriarchal community. Continue your cultural exploration by marveling at the thousands of lifelike Terracotta Warriors guarding the tomb of Qinshihuang (the first emperor in China) and watching a short film of discovering the Warriors may deepen your knowledge about the amazing warrior soldiers. Next stop is the Shaanxi History Museum renowned for its unrivaled collection of treasure. Then we go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and have a general view with the soothing bell sound lingering in the air. After a whole day touring, you could pamper your empty stomach with the dumpling banquet and further practice your chopstick skill when handling the escaping dumplings.
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Day 6 Xi'an - Kunming

Arrive at the broad City Wall with your private tour guide and driver. Ride an environmental-friendly bike along. The Great Mosque, located in Muslim Quarter, along with the former wealthy Gao's Courtyard will provide the shelter from the tumultuous bazaar. We'll see an exhibition of period furniture, paintings, pottery, porcelain, photos and demonstrations of folk art, including a "shadow puppet" play with traditional music in Gao's Courtyard. Say goodbye to Xi'an and fly to Kunming.
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Day 7 Kunming - Lijiang

Tour the rock cluster--Stone Forest and the Golden Temple. Fly to Lijiang and take a rest in the hotel located in the Lijiang Ancient Town or wander around for the old town exploration by yourself.
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Day 8 Lijiang

Get a light acquaintance with the local conservancy state in the Visitor's Center for Nature and Culture of Northwest Yunnan. Take the large Cable Car (Round trip) up to the sacred Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and immerse in the pure white world. Stop at the Baisha to appreciate the mural paintings, a unique form of arts that has integrated diverse religions as one unity. Have an intimate conversation with one local family to learn about their life condition.
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Day 9 Lijiang

In addition to the vital Lashi Lake and the ancient Stone Drum Village, the First Bend of Yangtze River (part route of the central Red Army Long March) and the awestruck Tiger Leaping Gorge could thrill your eye and heart. Enjoy the authentic Naxi Ancient Music known as an intangible cultural heritage.
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Day 10 Lijiang - Kunming - Shanghai

Leave for Shanghai via flight. After settling down in your hotel with your private guide, you are free for the rest of the day to get around by yourself. The bund, the Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road and Xintiandi, any of them is a good choice for you to hang out.
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Day 11 Shanghai

Explore the Shanghai Museum and the highest World Financial Center to have an all-embracing view of Shanghai. Soothe your mind in the heavy incense and try the vegetarian dishes of Longhua Temple. Visit another ancient temple--Temple of the Town Gods. Immerse yourself in the dizzying varieties of Shanghai specialties and snacks in the temple market. Slow your pace at the private garden--Yuyuan Garden, an exquisite garden for your detailed eye! An exciting and stunning acrobatic show will call it a day.
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Day 12 Shanghai

Visiting the local markets, knowing about the real look of your later cooking material, bargaining with the sellers and so on are all the daily activities for the Shanghainese. Now you will have a chance to experience these for half a day. Have a good time by joining in the community activities of the local.
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Day 13 Depart Shanghai

Take the maglev train-–time transferring train (luxury seat) to head to your departing plane at lightning speed.
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