13 days Best of China In-depth Tour with Simatai Hiking
- Trip Highlights: If you would like an in depth tour of China, this 13-day Best of China tour with Simatai Hiking is the perfect way. On this tour you will visit Beijing, Xian, the Yangtze River, Shanghai and Guilin, the top tour destinations in China. And a hiking tour to Jinshanling and the Simatai Great Wall will be the highlights of this tour. We highly recommended this tour to the traveler who wants to see more and experience more about the REAL China.
- Tour Route: Beijing (China's Capital)
Xian (Home of the Terracotta Warriors)Yangtze Cruises (Majestic Landscapes)Shanghai (Cosmopolitan Metropolis)Guilin (Li River & Yangshuo)
- Tour Code: COT-B-017-A
- Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
- Starts/Ends: Beijing/Guilin
- Trip Type: Hiking and Climbing Trips, Culture and History Journey, Landscape and Nature, 13 Days China Vacations
- Activity Level: Active itinerary, Moderate walking, Easy cycling, Moderate hiking
- Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
- Special Experiences:
- Enjoy an awesome acrobatic show in Shanghai where has long-standing reputation in international circus-acrobatic circles
- A thrilling but safe hiking experience on the Simatai section Great Wall, with some parts less than one meter wide stretching on the cliffy mountain ridges, also known as the Wild Great Wall or the Heavenly Ladder
- Take a deluxe Yangtze River Cruise through the magnificent mountain and river sceneries, and short excursion to the outstanding Three Gorges Dam
- Cruise down the extremely scenic Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, roaming around the picturesque mountains and rice paddy fields
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Beijing
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel 
Upon your arrival at the Beijing airport, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from jetlag.
Day 2 Beijing (B,L)
Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel
Sites visited: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven
On this day you will first visit Tiananmen Square followed by the magnificent Forbidden City. In the afternoon you will marvel at the incredible Temple of Heaven.
The majestic Forbidden City serves as the imperial palace in the dynastic China.
The sacred Temple of Heaven, where emperor prayed for a good harvest.
Day 3 Beijing / Jinshanlin Great Wall / Beijing (B)
Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel
Sites visited: Simatai Great Wall
You will be driven to the Jinshanlin section of the Great Wall where you will hike to the Simatai section. You will return back to downtown Beijing in the evening.
Day 4 Beijing / Xian (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Grand New World Hotel
Sites visited: Summer Palace
After breakfast, you will visit the exquisite Summer Palace before being escorted to the airport for your flight to your next destination-Xian. Upon arriving in Xian, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or step out to discover what this amazing city has to offer.
Day 5 Xian (B,L)
Accommodations: Grand New World Hotel
Sites visited: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Walls
You will visit the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors in the morning. After lunch, you will cycle along the top of Xian's ancient City Walls (1-2 hours).
Day 6 Xian / Chongqing / Embarking your ship (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Hanyang Tombs
After breakfast, you will tour Hanyang Tomb and Big Wild Goose Pagoda before your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination-Chongqing. Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to embark the ship. Departs Chongqing at 21:00.
Built in Ming Dynasty(1368-1644), Xian ancient City Wall is the best preserved city wall in China and the biggest military defensive system in the world.
As the symbol of the ancient Xian city, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda holds precious Buddhist materials taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.
Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Transfer via: On the ship
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Shibaozhai
Shore excursion to Shibaozhai this morning.
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Transfer via: On the ship
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Lesser Three Gorges
Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges by smaller vessels this morning.
Day 9 Disbarking Yichang / Shanghai (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: The Three Gorge Dam
Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site this morning. After lunch, you will disembark the ship in Yichang at 13:00. Upon your arrival, our guide will meet you and help you transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Our guide in Shanghai will meet you and escort you to the hotel.
By taking the luxurious ship, tourists may enjoy the spectacular scenery on the Yangtze River.
The Three-Gorges is the most splendid "landscape gallery" on the Yangtze River.
Day 10 Shanghai (B,L)
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Shanghai Museum, The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market
Unique Cultural Performance: Acrobatic Show
Today, your full-day excursion of incredible Shanghai will include: Shanghai Museum, the Bund and the Nanjing Road, Yu Garden and Yuyuan Market. Enjoy a wonderful Acrobatic Show tonight.
Day 11 Shanghai / Guilin (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Guilin Park Hotel
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination--Guilin. Upon your arrival at Guilin, the most scenic city in China, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years.
Yu Garden is the only ancient garden left in the modern metropolis of Shanghai.
Day 12 Guilin / Yangshuo (B,L)
Accommodations: New Century Hotel
Sites visited: Li River Cruise, West Street(Yangshuo), Yangshuo County
After breakfast, you will be driven to Zhujiang Pier (40-minute drive) to start your boat cruise down the picturesque Li River, which is the highlight of any visit to 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 picturesque pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes. Visitors feel they have stepped into a traditional Chinese painting. After checking into your hotel, you will take a bike tour along Jima Road.
Day 13 Yangshuo / Guilin / Departure (B)
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Sites visited: Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave
Today, drive back to Guilin (1.5-hour drive) and have a city tour of the Elephant Trunk Hill and the Reed Flute Cave before your transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Taking a small ship on the Li River and enjoying the beautiful scenery must make tourists be in a leisurely and carefree mood.
The beautiful Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of Guilin city.
Price & Included Features
- China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodations: for 1 night at three star hotels, 8 nights at four star hotels and 3 nights at five star cruise in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with a private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar.
- 24 meals: 12 full breakfasts, 10 lunches and 2 dinners
- 1 unique cultural performance-- Acrobatic Show
- 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
The Grand New World Hotel in Xian is rated as one of the outstanding 4 Star Hotels in Xian in China. The hotel offers a host of amenities and facilities. It stands out among the other 4 star hotels due to its superior deliverance in customer satisfaction. Detail
Yangtze Cruises - Ship of Yangtze Cruise
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.
Shanghai - Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
The Four-star Holiday Inn Shanghai is strategically located with easy accessibility to shopping and tourist attractions. Combining a central location with excellent service and facilities, the Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai is an ideal choice for visitors to Shanghai. 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
Hotel in Yangshuo just nearby the west street. You could walk to the west street in 10 minutes and wander along the east-western style street. For entertainment, there is a bar, coffee shop, gymnasium, beauty salon and so on. 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.
