21 days Essential China Tour (with Yangtze cruise and Tibet)
- Tour Route: Beijing (China's Capital)
Xian (Home of the Terracotta Warriors)Lhasa (Holy Tibetan City)Yangtze Cruises (Majestic Landscapes)Kunming (Spring City)Lijiang (Preserved Ancient Town)Guilin (Li River & Yangshuo) - Trip Highlights: This tour takes you to the quintessential destinations all around China. 21 days will give you a moderate schedule enabling an in-depth visit at each sight. The splendid Beijing, the historic Xian, the magnificent Yangtze River, the picturesque Guilin, the exotic Yunnan, and the mysterious Tibet are all packed up into your ideal China vacation.
- Tour Code: COT-B-021-B
- Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
- Starts/Ends: Beijing/Beijing
- Trip Type: Culture and History Journey, Landscape and Nature, Ethnic Culture and Folk Arts, River Cruise Holidays
- Activity Level: Regular itinerary, Moderate walking
- Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
- Special Experiences:
- Experience the holiness and heavenly beauty of Tibetan plateau and its spiritual heart - Lhasa
- Cruise 4 days and 3 nights down the Yangtze River for spectacular landscapes and man made marvels
- Go into the heart of Southwest China to discover the extraordinary cultures and lifestyles of ethnic minorities
- Cruise for half day down the extremely scenic Li River featured crystal clear water and unique-shaped limestone hills along the way
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Beijing
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Accommodatoins: Jianguo Garden Hotel 
Upon your arrival at Beijing airport, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
Day 2 Beijing (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Jianguo Garden Hotel
Sites visited: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace
Today you will first visit the historic Tiananmen Square, and then the magnificent Forbidden City. In the afternoon, you will marvel at the exquisite Summer Palace.
The magnificent building was the imperial palace until 1920s.
The extraordinary Summer Palace was the imperial park in Qing dynasty.
Day 3 Beijing / Xian (B)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Hotel Royal Garden
Sites visited: Sacred Road, Ding Tomb, Great Wall
Today's full-day excursion will take you to the majestic Great Wall, Ming Tomb and Sacred road. Fly to Xi'an by an evening flight. Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
Day 4 Xian (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Hotel Royal Garden
Sites visited: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Banpo Museum, Bell Tower
Today, you will first visit the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors and Horses, after lunch, the Banpo Museum and the Bell Tower.
Day 5 Xian (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Hotel Royal Garden
Sites visited: Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Walls
After breakfast, you will have a city tour to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Walls.
More than 370,000 fascinating cultural relics are exhibit in Shaanxi provincial Museum.
The 7-stored Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China.
Day 6 Xian (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Hotel Royal Garden
Sites visited: Great Mosque
You will visit the Great Mosque, and if you feel like, you can spend some time strolling along the backstreets of the mosque which have been home to the city's Muslim community for centuries.
Day 7 Xian / Lhasa (B)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Lhasa
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Upon your arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel in Lhasa city (2-hour drive). You will view the Stone Giant Buddha engraved in the mountain face en route. After checking in the hotel, rest in the afternoon to get adapted to the high altitude.
Day 8 Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Your sightseeing today will include the Lhasa's cardinal landmark -- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and the flourishing Barkhor Street.
Potala Palace is the holiest worship center in Tibet.
The barkhor street is full of religious atmosphere.
Day 9 Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Tibetan Family, Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Park
The whole day tour will first bring you to the Norbulingka Park, and then the Sera Monastery. Pay a visit to a Tibetan Family.
Day 10 Lhasa / Chongqing / Embarking (B)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination--Chongqing. Upon arrive at Chongqing, be met and transferred to get on board the Regal China Cruise(5 stars).
Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Fengdu Ghost City
Departs Chongqing at 08:00AM. Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City.
Day 12 Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Shennong Stream
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream by smaller vessels.
Appreciate the splendid Yangze river via Yangtze Cruise.
By the sampan on the ever-narrowing Shennong Stream.
Day 13 Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodatoins: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Three Gorges
Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site.
Day 14 Disbarking Wuhan / Kunming (B)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Kunming Hotel
Disembark the ship in Wuhan at 11:30AM. And then be met and transfered to airport to take flight to Kunming. Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.
Day 15 Kunming (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Kunming Hotel
Sites visited: Stone Forest
Today, you will have a city tour to the Stone Forest which is about 90km to the south of Kunming.
The Stone Forest covers 64,000 acres, is one of the most dramatic creation of Mother Nature
There are so many Chinese legends about the Stone Forest. Almost every rock tells a story
Day 16 Kunming / Lijiang (B,L)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Jiannanchun Hotel
Sites visited: Lijiang Ancient Town, Lion Hill
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lijiang. Upon your arrival at Lijiang County, an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have an excursion to the Ancient Town and the Lion Hill.
Day 17 Lijiang (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Jiannanchun Hotel
Sites visited: Tiger Leaping Gorge, First Bend of the Yangtze River
After breakfast, you will first visit the First Bend of the Yangtze River and Iron Chain Bridge in the Shigu (Stone Drum) Town, and then Tiger Leaping Gorge. Get back to Lijiang County afterwards.
Sense the ancient life by strolling in the Lijiang ancient town
White water rushing through China's narrowest and deepest gorge - Tiger Leaping Gorge
Day 18 Lijiang / Kunming / Guilin (B)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Accommodatoins: Guilin Park Hotel
Upon you arrive at Guilin, our local guide meet you and escort you to the hotel. The rest of the day is on your own leisure.
Day 19 Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Guilin Park Hotel
Sites visited: Li River Cruise, West Street(Yangshuo)
After breakfast, drive to Zhujiang Pier (about 40-minute drive) to start the boat cruise along the tranquil Li River which is the highlight in Guilin until you get to Yangshuo County. Along the river, you will be inspired by breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and reflections in the water together with the serene pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes, you are certainly walking into a traditional Chinese painting by cruising on it. At Yangshuo, after roaming through the West Street.after the tour in Guilin then you will drive back to Guilin (1.5-hour drive).
Day 20 Guilin (B,L)
Accommodatoins: Guilin Park Hotel
Sites visited: Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill
Today,you will have a city tour of the Elephant Trunk Hill, the Fubo Hill and the Reed Flute Cave.
Cruising down the limpid Li River with limestone hills and bamboo forest lining the way
This is a cave under the Fubo Hill. It has a beautiful legend and plenty ancient calligraphy carvings.
Day 21 Guilin / Beijing (B)
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Beijing to connect your international flight back to your sweet home.
Price & Included Features
- China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodations: for 20 nights at three star or higher hotels in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with twin-beds, a private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar
- 37 meals: 20 full breakfasts, 14 lunches and 3 dinners
- Round-trip transfers between airports, hotels, and scenic spots in each city by private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced licensed drivers
- A local English-speaking guide in each city
- Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers between airports and hotels
- China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance
- Government taxes and service charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
Accommodation
Beijing - Jianguo Garden Hotel
A Four-Star International Hotel, Jianguo Garden Hotel is located in the heart of Beijing. It is located on bustling Chang'an Street, located near the well-known Shopping street of Wangfujing and just a few minute's drive to historical Tourist attractions such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Detail
xi'an was called Chang'an in the Han Dynasty ,The connotation of "Chang'an"is "a place of permanent peace ".Xi'an was the starting point of the world-famous Silk Road , It can be well likened to history museum , moving around this old city is like going through thousands of years back in time. Hotel Royal Garden is located at east street of busy shopping centre. There is 5km(3miles) to railway station , 42km(26miles) to airport .and possess 429 guest rooms. Detail
Tibet Hotel is an enterprise under the administration of Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region, which is a luxurious three-star hotel with traditional Tibetan style. The hotel is constructed in granite in shape of the Potala Palace. The hotel is near to the Potala Palace and Norbulinka with comfortable environment and convenient transportation. After finish the Building for the Honored Guests of Tibet Hotel which is built with the standard of four-star hotel and invested 50 million Yuan, Tibet Hotel will welcome you with a new appearance. Tibet Hotel has 258 super-decorated guest rooms and suites including 2 luxurious presidential suites, 8 luxurious suites, 5 economic suites, 220 standard rooms, 20 single rooms, 8 triple rooms and 3 special rooms for the disabled. All these rooms are equipped with sanitary ware from U.S.A., coded safe, central heating system, in-room safe, hair dryer, private bathroom, weight, color TV, refrigerator, mini-bar and etc. Besides these, there are also living-room, office, chess-room and sona-bath. Detail
All the 5-star luxury liners, considered to be truly excellent, are equipped to a very high standard. With various cuisine, English-speaking service and luxurious decor among the finest, they pride themselves on providing the highest quality service especially for overseas guests. Besides standard rooms, deluxe suites are also available, with modern facilities to satisfy your need. During the Yangtze River cruise, you can not only appreciate the impressive landscape, but participate in the various interesting activities, such as the captain's welcome & farewell receptions and dinner, morning Tai Chi exercise, fun and informative Chinese tea tasting, practicing and learning Chinese calligraphy and painting. Moreover, the cruises will make stops in ancient and fascinating riverside towns. It is more than just a cruise tour. It is an experience of nature and culture on an amazing land.
Founded in May 1956, Kunming Hotel started business in October 1958. The European style architecture of the Hotel looked so serene that it was a very eye-catching building in Kunming in the mid-twentieth century.In 1982, the main building was constructed. The futuristic design of the towering building is still attractive. It was redecorated in 1992. With its well-appointed equipment and first-rate service, Kunming Hotel became the first four-star hotel in Yunnan. Detail
Li Jiang Jiannanchun Hotel (Jiannanchun Wenyuan) is a four star hotel located in the centre of Lijiang ancient city, taking Sifang Rd. and Mufu as its neighbours. The hotel is made up of 5 separate buildings. There are 56 rooms/suites, well decorated and equipped with European modern furniture and Japanese advanced hygiene facilities. Detail
Guilin Park Hotel is a four-star international hotel. Conveniently situated between Lake Guihu and Mount Laoren in the city center. The hotel commands some of the most picturesque views in Guilin and contrasts finely with the famous Duxiu peak, Diecai Hill and Fubo Hill. Lying on the slight mountain slope, surrounded by green trees and fresh flowers, the building combines modern arts with a rich national flavour. Detail
Meals
Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Breakfast - Each breakfast will be served in your hotel. Breakfast selections include both Chinese and Western dishes to meet every diner's taste.
Lunch - Lunches are normally arranged at the Chinese restaurants near the scenic spots. Your tour guides will order food according to your appetite. Most are Chinese dishes, and some are modified to fit westerners' tastes. A complimentary glass of beer or soft drink is served with lunch.
Dinner - Same as lunch. If you prefer to not eat Chinese food, China Odyssey Tours suggests you have dinner on your own. Your local tour guide can recommend some good western restaurants in the area.
Transfer and Transport Service
China Odyssey Tours has received wide recognition for its transfer service. With our on-time service, you will never feel alone while traveling through China. We work hard to live up to the slogan's promise "You are not alone in China".
With our private small group tours, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you will enjoy flexible tour arrangements and you will have your own tour guide, car and driver in each destination, exclusive to your own group of friends or family.
