(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
DAY 1 ARRIVAL BEIJING (D)
You will be met at Beijing International Airport by our guide and transferred to a hotel in central Beijing. Today you will have an opportunity to rest and recover from the long flight. In the late afternoon, there will be a briefing about the following 15 days. Welcome dinner will be followed by that.
Overnight at a 5 star hotel.
DAY 2 BEIJING CITY TOUR (BLD)
After breakfast, we will follow in the footsteps of emperors, court ministers and eunuchs and head south to the magnificent and colorful Forbidden City. Forbidden City Beijing, also called Imperial Palace Museum, is located in the very heart of Beijing. It remained the residence of the emperors for nearly five hundred years, from the 15th century to the early 20th century, and was the actual and symbolic seat of imperial power. Popularly known as the Forbidden City, it was built in the Ming Dynasty between the 4th and the 18th years of the Yongle period (1406 - 1420 AD). Many of the buildings of the Palace have been repaired and rebuilt, but their basic form and layout remain in their original state.
This afternoon, we will transfer to visit Summer Palace. Summer Palace located in a northwestern suburb of Beijing, it is an immense park containing some Chinese traditional architecture and arts. It was built and served as a royal garden during the Qing Dynasty. It exhibits the quintessence of the Chinese classical landscape gardening. The halls, the pavilions, the corridors, the pagodas, the bridges and the water were elaborately arranged. The long Corridor is one of the most exquisite structures in the garden. It is over 700 meters long and decorated with thousands of Chinese traditional paintings. At the end travel back to the city to enjoy a delicious Peking Duck dinner - the capital's most famous dish. Once imperial cuisine, now the legendary duck dish is served at restaurants around the world.
This evening we will go to Beijing Temple Theatre to watch a Chinese opera performance. Highlight: before the start of the show, We can go to the backstage to look actor makeup process. The Beijing Temple Theatre which we will watch the opera is the living fossil of China's ancient opera towers. One of the few remaining industrial and commercial guildhalls in Beijing, Temple Theatre (Zhengyici) was also called 'Banking House Guildhall'. The two-storey opera tower in the temple theatre is unique among guildhall opera towers and is honored 'the living fossil of China's ancient opera towers'.
Overnight at 5 star hotel in Beijing.
DAY 3 BEIJING CITY TOUR (BL)
In the early morning, after breakfast, we will go to see the local people doing their morning exercises and join them to learn Taiji from the master in Temple of Heaven. Tai Chi, or Taijiquan in China, is an outstanding gem of traditional Chinese culture that is valuable in promoting health, developing combat and self-defence skills, and improving concentration and overall well-being.
Then we will visit the Temple of Heaven. Temple of Heaven was the venue for the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the Heaven and pray for harvest. This temple was built in the 18th year during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle in 1420.
Then we will start the day with a rickshaw tour to Hutong. Hutong has a long history in Beijing. As the Forbidden City is the symbol of China's royal family, the Hutongs in Beijing show the real life of the common people. When you visit Hutong by rickshaw, you could really taste the life of common people in Beijing. Lotus Market, located in Houhai area, famous for old hutong and modern bars. You will also have chance to have a view of the Beijing drum show today to get close to the Chinese traditional art. Free in the afternoon.
Overnight at 5 star hotel in Beijing.
DAY 4 JIANKOU TO MUTIANYU GREAT WALL – FLIGHT TO XI'AN (by air, BL)
After breakfast, check out the hotel, Your last day in Beijing will on the Great Wall which is great for photography! We will drive 1.5-2hrs to a small village called Jiankou. The Jiankou section of the Wall is known to be one of most beautiful part of the Wild Wall near Beijing, loved by photographers. After a half-hour climb upwards, through a gentle wooded area, we will clamber out onto a portion of the Wall not visited by tourists. The hike itself is quiet and beautiful - in about four hours of passing deserted sections of the Wall in its original state, we will get to the well-known restored section of the Wall - Mutianyu. What a difference between the tourist section and the original Wild Wall we have just seen! At the end of the trek, transfer directly to the airport for the flight to Xi'an, Shannxi province. The driver will meet you at Xi'an Xianyang airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight at a 5 star hotel in Xi'an.
DAY 5 XI'AN CITY TOUR (BLD)
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel, then we will drive to visit the magnificent Qin Terra-cotta Army. It was built in about 2500 years ago and contains more than 6000 warriors, soldiers and horses. UNESCO listed it in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. In the afternoon, drive back to Xian city; visit visit Gao's Grand Courtyard, the Great Mosque and the old street, where you can enjoy the ancient Shadow Puppy show. In the evening, enjoy Chinese Dumpling feast with Tang Dynasty dancing show.
Overnight at a 5 star hotel in Xi'an.
DAY 6 XI'AN – Mt. Huashan (BLD)
We will spend one day to explore the beauty of Huashan Mountain! Breathe in fresh air, walk in the sea of clouds, witness magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and see ancient Taoist temples to which emperors of past dynasties made pilgrimages.
Mt. Huashan is situated in Huayin City, 120 kilometres east of Xi'an, and it is one of the five sacred mountains in China. Experience the fun of hiking the country's loveliest mountain, and be rewarded by a captivating sight of its five peaks appearing in the shape of a flower from a distance.
Overnight at a 5 star hotel in Xi'an.
DAY 7 XI'AN – GUILIN - LONGJI (by air, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Xi'an Xianyang Airport, take a noon flight to Guilin. Meet your guide and driver at Guilin airport in early afternoon, then transfer to Longji Rice Terraces (about 1.5 hours' drive); then change the local shuttle bus and keep driving up the mountain (about another 40 minutes), start walking uphill to Pingan Zhuang Village. Stay overnight in Pingan Zhuang Village.
Walking info: there are flagstone steps from the bus parking to Pingan village, this walking-up may take about 30-40 minutes, and the ascent is about 250 meters.
DAY 8 LONGJI - DAZHAI (BLD)
After breakfast, have the whole day excursion at Longji, hike on the mountains to Dazhai Yao Village and visit the minority villages and view the rice terraces from different angles. Here in Dazhai it is all Yao people, dressed in their eye dazzling red embroidered costumes. Then back to your hotel in the afternoon. Stay overnight at Pingan Village.
Walking info: there is a flagstone trekking path on the mountains with many ups and downs shared by the local minority farmers and water buffaloes. You need 4 – 5 hours to finish this hiking, but these 4 – 5 hours hiking allows you to have a better understanding of these mountain tribes and their real life.
Accommodation: as same as Day 7.
DAY 9 LONGJI – GUILIN (BLD)
After breakfast, start to walk 1.5 hours to Pingan Old Zhuang Village, then take the local shuttle bus down to the bus parking lot. Then drive 2 hours to Guilin, visit: Yao Mountain (the highest in Guilin, by chair lift, for a great bird's eye view of the surroundings on the summit), the biggest organic tea farm at the foot of Yao Mountain. In the evening, follow your guide and take a 1.5 hours' leisure walk along the city's ancient water system – this ancient water system was built by the locals 800 years ago and was served as moat before.
Accommodation: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel. Web:
http://www.waterfallguilin.com
DAY 10 GUILIN – YANGSHUO (BLD)
After breakfast, transfer for your visit of Reed Flute Cave (the most famous limestone cave in this area and good example of this Karst Formation), then drive 1 hour to Yangdi and start your walking along the beautiful Li River to Xingping, transfer to your hotel in Yangshuo from your walking ending point – Xingping.
Walking info: Li River is always a must for all the tourists in Guilin due to its breathtaking scenery, the Li River section from Yangdi to Xingping is the best. Along the way, You will enjoy the beautiful mountains, verdant fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank. The walking distance is about 12 kilometers, and it is level walk without any ups or downs, but it is needed to take the local ferry to cross the Li River three times.
Accommodation: Green Lotus Hotel (the only central located local 5-star). Web:
http://www.greenlotushotel.com
DAY 11 YANGSHUO (BLD)
Drive about 30 minutes to the walking starting point – Fuli, follow the old trade path through villages to escape the tourist crowds, end your walking at Suoshi Village. Then transfer back to Yangshuo to visit the Moon Hill for a good bird's eye view of the surroundings (there are about 800 flagstone steps from the foot to the top of the hill, the walk-up time may be around 40 minutes). Back to your hotel in Yangshuo in late
afternoon.
Walking info: This 12 kilometer-walking from Fuli Town to Suoshi Village takes around 4- 4.5 hours, the first half will be bit hilly, and we need to walk up the old stone steps through two hills - the first one is around 60 meters ascent and the second one 130 meters ascent; the latter half walking can be either up and down the dirt road or climbing over two more small hills (about 100 meters' ascent each) to Suoshi, On the way, you can explore the villages and talk to the local people there with our guide as your interpreter. The scenery along the way is really mind-blowing.
Accommodation: as same as Day 10.
DAY 12 YANGSHUO (BL)
To avoid the heavy traffic in the town and for safe reason, take your van or bus to the cycling starting point, cycle along Yulong River through different villages, then drop your bikes at the bamboo rafting pier and have the relaxing 1.5 hours bamboo rafting (2 sharing one raft with one local standing behind and rowing the raft). Then transfer back to your hotel after lunch, enjoy the rest of day for your own exploration.
Biking info: this biking may take you 1.5 hours along the two sides of Yulong River, the biking will be level ride, and the biking distance is around 22 kilometers.
Accommodation: as same as Day 10.
DAY 13 YANGSHUO – SHANGHAI (BD)
Transfer to Guilin airport for your departure flight to Shanghai. In the early afternoon, the local guide will pick you up from Shanghai Airport, transfer to the hotel. After dinner, go to visit The Bund.
The Bund: Also called the Zhongshan Road, is a Famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years.It was the centre of Shanghai's politics, economy and culture hundreds of years ago, consulates of most countries and many banks, bus inesses and newspaper offices were settled there.
5 star hotel in Shanghai.
DAY 14 SHANGHAI – WUZHEN (BLD)
After breakfast, our guide and drive will pick you up from the hotel, then take a 2 hours drive to Wuzhen, which is today's visit. Then you will visit a wine making plant, & a local printing workshop. Have a Chinese lunch and continue to visit an exhibition of antique beds from the Ming & Qing Dynasties. After that, pay a visit to a local folk culture museum. Then you will make a cruise in Chinese gondolas.
5 star hotel in Shanghai.
DAY 15 SHANGHAI – SEE OFF (BL)
After breakfast, check out the hotel, then drive to visit Yu Garden and Oriental Pearl Tower. After lunch, transfer to the airport, take a flight back home. End of an incredibly memorable experience!
Yu Garden is one of the most famous gardens in China and is national heritage listed. It was built in 1559 and extended in 1577. Each section of the garden is separated by curved white walls crowned with the head and body of a dragon on them. It's named after the original owner.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is unquestionably an icon of Pudong's renaissance. Looming through the mist, like a reproduction of a classical Chinese ink painting of landscape, stands Shanghai's Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Its soaring height of 468 meters boldly characterizes the Lujiazui cityscape.
Necessities
Enough films and batteries, Sun-cream with the protection index of 40-60, sunglasses with a sun protection factor of 15, the lip creams and balms with SPF rating, towel, toothpaste, electric torch, Snack foods.
Cloth that you bring must be warm enough and can be removed easy enough according to the weather, including Jacket, hat, Cotton underwear, Socks, Long-sleeve Shirts, T-shirts and Pants (Shorts are not appropriate at any time while hiking), comfortable shoes, rain gear (long rain coat is better).
Medicine
In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and medicine for diarrhea, siriasis，sunstroke and carsickness.
Currency to use
US$ is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g. tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice. If you want to change US$ to Chinese currency in the tour, you can change it in the Hotel you stay or in the Bank of China. You could draw cash only from Bank of China in the big city, the ATM there doesn't always work properly and the bank is not easy to find. Please bring some cash at hand to use.
Food and drink
a) Eating is an important part of your China experience. Generally breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. China Highlights recommends local Chinese restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities.
b) We have tried to arrange various food in different cities. But you may still think the food is simple and not as delicious as in the big cities especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. If you have any priority of the food (eg. If you are vegetarian or you are allergic to MSG, peanut oil, fish and peanut, etc) please inform us early, we will try to alternate the food accordingly. At the same time please prepare some of your favorite snacks and substitution food in case of need.
c) Meals in the home stays will be different from the cities but clean, which leave you a good chance to experience the ethnic minority culture. We will pack a breakfast for you of cold cereal, milk, toast, fruit, and jam for the home stay.
d) It is very important to drink a lot of water and eat enough fruit in your tour especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. You are advised not to drink tap water.
Accommodation
Hotels in China are bound by Government laws which mean that air conditioning is switched on nationally in May and the central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).
In some remote areas, sometimes shower maybe not available in the home stay. A married couple is not allowed to share a room in the Miao's home-stay due to the local customs.
Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service.
Vehicles
We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles.
Tourist insurance
It is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
Customs
In some provinces with many minorities (like Guizhou, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang and etc.), the customs and habits of local people are different from place to place. The local guide will inform you what should care. Respect the local customs and religions. The people are very kind and hospitable. You can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by!
a. Do not photo them without getting the permit, please show the respect to them!
b. Don't talk the sensitive topics like the political and the religion matters!
Conditions
When you sign up for the trekking tour, you acknowledge that there are risks involved in trekking in high altitude and confirm that you are fully aware of and accept these risks. It is customer's responsibility to determine whether the tour he/she choose is suited to his/her physical condition. Customers are responsible for the cost of any medicines or medical care they may require during the trip for any reason. Please make sure you have adequate personal medical insurance to meet any medical emergency which might arise. In some cases, if you need medical care during the tour, you may be required to pay for it at the time it is rendered and seek reimbursement from your insurer after you return home. Please check with your medical insurer for details. In the event of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to assist you in obtaining necessary care. Also, please tell us in writing if you suffer from any allergies or other physical conditions which might affect you during the tour (if you hasn't tell us in writing before going, you are supposed to be healthy enough to take the tour). Finally, please check with your doctor to find out what inoculation may be recommended for the areas you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary inoculations. We reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to decline to retain any person, if such person's physical condition, mental well-being or behavior interferes with the operation of the tour. There will be no refund in such cases.
Always take good care of your belongings.
