Multiaspect Reflections of Grand China

Follow us to delve into the kaleidoscopic aspects of China in this 16 day trip. You can wander in the off-limited loyal palace in Beijing, see the life-size Terracotta Warriors in the museum, feed the naughty monkeys on the Mount Emei, roam the Old Town in Lijiang and indulge in the metropolitan Shanghai.

  • Wave your body together with the local morning exercisers in the Temple of Heaven
  • Have a private mask drawing lesson and try your hand at drawing the Beijing Opera mask with an experienced master
  • Make a private drive to the Great Wall at Mutianyu--the less-commercial section and enjoy an overlooking view of this winding man-made structure on the cable car (Round trip)
  • Peak into the past lifestyle of the Beijingners at a private museum in Hutong
  • Get lost in fast-disappearing Hutongs by rickshaw and have a close contact with a courtyard family
  • View many pandas in large enclosures and leisurely life of those black-and-white plump fur balls
  • Join in the local's relaxing way--sipping tea in the Chengdu People's Park
  • Savor a tempting vegetarian meal in the Longhua Temple
  • Stop at Shanghainese home nestled at a alley, explore an ingredient bazaar and cook lunch with them to soak in the commoner's lifestyle

Short Itinerary

Day 1: Beijing
Airport to Hotel Transfer

Day 2: Beijing
Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Beijing Opera mask painting, Beijing Opera

Day 3: Beijing
Great Wall at Mutianyu, Mutianyu Cable Car, A nearby rural village, Bird's Nest, Water Cube, Peking Duck

Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an
Guanyuan Market (or Panjiayuan Market at weekend), Hutong Tour by Rickshaw, Private Museum of the Old Beijingners' Stuffs, Fly to Xi'an

Day 5: Xi'an
Banpo Museum, Terracotta Warriors, Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Dumpling Banquet

Day 6: Xi'an - Chengdu
City Wall, Great Mosque, Gao's courtyard (Shadow Puppet Play included), Fly to Chengdu

Day 7: Chengdu
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wenshu Temple, Sichuan cuisine, People's Park, Sichuan Opera Face Changing

Day 8: Chengdu - Leshan - Mount Emei
Leshan Giant Buddha, Drive to Mount Emei

Day 9: Mount Emei
Jinding cable car (Round trip), Qing Yin Pavilion, One Line of Sky, Ecological Monkey Area

Day 10: Chengdu - Lijiang
Jinsha Ruins, Wuhou Temple, Fly to Lijiang Old Town

Day 11: Lijing
Visitor's Center for Nature and Culture of Northwest Yunnan, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Round trip), Baisha Murals, A visit to a local family

Day 12: Lijiang
First Bend of Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Naxi Ancient Music

Day 13: Lijiang - Kunming - Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai, Market and Temple of the Town Gods, Yuyuan Garden

Day 14: Shanghai
Shanghai Museum, A vegetarian lunch in the Longhua Temple, World Financial Center, Acrobatic show

Day 15: Shanghai
A Shanghai family visit

Day 16: Depart