26 days All-around China Discovery Tour

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: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Jade Gallery
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 and Jade Gallery.

Tiananmen Square is the south gate to the Forbidden City.

The corner tower and the moat surrounding the Forbidden City

Day 3  Beijing (B,L)
Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel
Sites visited: Great Wall, Sacred Road
You will visit to the magnificent Great Wall (Mutianyu section) and Sacred Road.

Day 4  Beijing / Xian (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Grand New World Hotel
Sites visited: Hutongs
After breakfast, you will visit some of Beijing’s Hutongs by rickshaw. Lunch will be served in one of the local’s homes during the tour. In the afternoon you will take the flight to 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)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Grand New World Hotel
Sites visited: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Xian Art Ceramics Factory, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Walls
You will visit the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors and Art Ceramics Factory in the morning. After lunch, you will visit the Big Wild Goose pagoda and the Ancient City Walls.

Day 6  Xian / Lhasa (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Lhasa
On this day you will be free until your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination-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 7  Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodations: 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 flourishing Barkhor Street.

Day 8  Lhasa (B,L)
Accommodations: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Norbulingka Park, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery
Special Dinner: Dumpling Dinner
Unique Cultural Performance: Tang Dynasty Show
The whole day tour will bring you to the Norbulingka Park, the Drepung Monastery and the Sera Monastery.

Potala Palace is located on Lhasa's highest point, Marpo Hill.

Drepung Monastery is the largest of all Tibetan monasteries.

Day 9  Lhasa / Gyantse (B,L)
Transfer via: Private van arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Gyantse Hotel
Sites visited: Yamdrok Lake, Tibetan Family, Palcho Monastery
Today's drive is from Lhasa to Gyantse (about 256km, 5.5-hour drive). Along the way you will visit Yamdrok Lake and a Tibetan family. After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Palcho Monastery.

Day 10  Gyantse / Shigatse (B,L)
Transfer via: Private van arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Shigatse Hotel
Sites visited: Tashilumpo Monastery
After breakfast, drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (about 90km, 1.5-hour drive). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery and free market.

Day 11  Shigatse / Lhasa (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Private van arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Tibet Hotel
Sites visited: Yaluzangbu River
Today, drive back to Lhasa (280km, about 6 hours driving) along the Yaluzangbu River, and enjoy the beautiful view of the valley en route. After a rest in Lhasa, the farewell dinner will be arranged at the Typical Tibetan restaurant for you to enjoy the local food with Tibetan dances and songs.

Palcho Monastery is surrounded by fortified walls. It's a major monastery in Tibet.

Yaluzangbu River runs from the Shangri-La and finished its journey in the Indian Ocean.

Day 12  Lhasa / Chengdu (B,L,D)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Tianfu Sunshine hotel
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination-Chengdu. Upon arriving in Chengdu, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel for a rest before you are taken out for a delicious dinner of Sichuan cuisine at a local restaurant.

Day 13  
Transfer via: Private van arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Sites visited: Leshan Giant Buddha, Baoguo Temple, Mt. Emei
On this day you will be driven about 2 hours to Leshan and visit the Giant Buddha carved out of the cliffs at the confluence of the Dadu, Minjiang and Qingyi Rivers. After, you will be driven to Mt. Emei to visit Baoguo Temple. You will stay overnight at the foot of Mt. Emei. After, you will be driven to Mt. Emei to visit Baoguo Temple. You will stay overnight at the foot of Mt. Emei.

Day 14  Mt.Emei / Chengdu (B)
Transfer via: Private van arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Tianfu Sunshine hotel
Sites visited: Mt. Emei
On this day you will visit Mt. Emei. The touring bus will bring you to Leidongping first, where you need to walk to Jieyin Palace to take the cable car up to appreciate the natural scenery around Golden Summit, descend by the cable car and take the bus to Wannian Temple parking lot, where you will take the cable car up to visit the Wannian (Myriad Years) Temple which is the field for Samantabhadra, walk through Qingyin (Pure Note) Pavilion-the biggest natural ecology reserve area for monkeys, till you get to Wuxiangang parking lot to take the touring bus down to the foot of the mountain. After your tour of Mt. Emei, you will be driven back to Chengdu.

See the adorable pandas up-close.

The art performance in Sichuan's teahouse.

Day 15  Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze River Cruise
Transfer via: Express Train for first class soft seat arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Sites visited: Ciqikou Old Town, Stillwell Museum, Erling Park, Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Wenshu Temple
Unique Cultural Performance: Tibetan Dinner Show
The tour on this day will bring you to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base first, followed by a trip to the Wenshu Temple where you can spend some time sitting in its tea house to enjoy a cup of tea and absorb the special atmosphere of Chengdu. Afterwards, you will be escorted to the railway station for your train to Chongqing. Upon your arrival at Chongqing, the largest city in Southwest China, our local guide will meet you at the railway station and then escort you to the dock.

Day 16  Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Fengdu Ghost City
Special Dinner: Chuan Food
Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai this morning. The ship company will choose one spot as your shore excursion destination according to the weather situation and other conditions.

Day 17  Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise
Sites visited: Lesser Three Gorges
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream at about 13:00pm.

The delicious Hot Pot is going to whet your appetite.

Leisurely cruising on the Yangtze river.

Day 18  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, be met and escorted to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

Day 19  Shanghai (B,L)
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Sites visited: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market, The Bund, Jiangnan Silk Workshop
On this day you will visit the Shanghai Museum, then take a stroll through the Yu Garden. After, you can observe local people’s life at the Yuyuan Market and visit the Bund and then Silk Workshop.

Yu Garden is the only ancient garden left in the modern metropolis of Shanghai.

The splendid Acrobatic Show will make you surprise all the time.

Day 20  Shanghai (B,L)
Accommodations: Bamboo Grove Hotel
Sites visited: Zhujiajiao old town
After breakfast, you will visit historic Zhujiajiao village (50 minute drive from Shanghai). At Zhujiajiao, you will walk through Fangsheng Bridge, Beida Street, and the Xi Family Residence. You will feel as though you have stepped back in time. After your trip to this beautiful village, you will be driven back to Shanghai.

Day 21  Shanghai / Hangzhou (B,L)
Transfer via: Express Train for first class soft seat arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Wanghu Hotel
Sites visited: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak (Peak Flying From Afar), Dragon Well Tea Plantation, Six Harmonies Pagoda
After breakfast, you will be transfered to the railway station for your train to Shanghai. After your arrival at the railway station, you will be met by our local guide. The city tour in this beautiful city will include: West Lake by boat, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak and Dragon Well Tea Plantation.

West Lake is the finest fresh water lake located at the heart of Hangzhou.

You could see the whole tea making process in the Dragon Well Tea Plantation.

Day 22  Hangzhou / 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 onward flight to your next destination--Guilin.Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or step out into this dynamic city for a little adventure on your own.

Day 23  Guilin / Yangshuo (B,L)
Accommodations: New Century Hotel
Sites visited: Li River Cruise, West Street(Yangshuo)
Unique Cultural Performance: Acrobatic Show
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.

Cruising on the picturesque Li River to the fantastic Yangshuo country.

West Street is the terrific place to feel the eastern and the western culture.

Day 24  Yangshuo / Guilin / Hong Kong (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Regal Kowloon Hotel HK
Sites visited: Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Guilin South China Sea Water Pearl Museum
Today, you will be driven back to Guilin (1.5-hour drive), where you will tour Elephant Trunk Hill,Pearl Museum and the Reed Flute Cave before your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination-HongKong.Upon your arrival at Hong Kong, a vibrant metropolis, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Day 25  Hong Kong (B)
Accommodations: Regal Kowloon Hotel HK
Sites visited: Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay
Today, you will explore Hong Kong's unique blend of Chinese heritage and colonial influences. Your tour will include Victoria Peak, the floating community of Aberdeen, Repulse Bay and Stanley Market of Hong Kong Island.

Day 26  Hong Kong / Final departure (B)
Transfer via: International flight arranged by you
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.

The panorama of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak

Wong Tai Sin temple is Hong Kong's busiest temple

Price & Included Features

• China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
• A. Entrance fees of the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
• B.47 meals: 23 full breakfasts, 20 lunches and 4 dinners(included )Exceptions: If the western breakfast is not available in some of the hotels, breakfast would be either Chinese breakfast or Chinese and western breakfast.
• C. Hotel: for 3 nights at three star hotels, 18 nights at four star hotels and 2 nights at five star cruise in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with a private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar. Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds or a king size bed; all hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast; please note double bed room is on request basis which is subject to Hotel's availability and re-confirmation upon check-in.*Service, room facilities and breakfast might be not up to standard in some remote areas.
• 3 unique cultural performance-- Tang Dynasty Show, Tibetan Dinner Show, Acrobatic Show
• D.Transportation:Flights as listed in the itinerary (airport tax and fuel fee included), economy class. Train as listed in the itinerary.
• E. Sightseeing: As outlined in the Itinerary will be escorted with English-speaking guide; Service of local guide and van is for a maximum of 8 hours during the full day individual tour packages.*Please note that our English-speaking guide and driver provided for you in each city or area will not fly with you from one city to another.
• F. Private Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver and English-speaking guide as listed in the itinerary.
• G. Service Charge (the planning, handling, operational and communication charges) & Government Taxes.
• H. Luggage Transfers between airports, trains and hotels.

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.

Xian - Grand New World Hotel

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.

Lhasa - Tibet Hotel

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.

Lhasa - Gyantse Hotel

This three-star hotel, with Chinese style outlook, has a gorgeous and spacious lobby. It's provides single, double and triple rooms with attached bathroom, and there is also deluxe suite. Rooms over here are clean and comfortable. It is ideally located in the center of the town, near the local market and tourist attractions including the summer palace of the previous Panchan Lama and famous Kumbum Monastery.

Lhasa - Shigatse Hotel

The Shigatse Hotel is a three-star tourist hotel founded in 1985. The structure was in typical Tibetan style with modern equipment in guest rooms. The 123 guestrooms at the hotel are medium size and are well decorated with latest amenities. The ballroom style restaurants at the hotel provide authentic local-style food.

Chengdu - Tianfu Sunshine hotel

Chengdu's Tianfu Sunshine Hotel is a four-star hotel, located in the city center, only 20 minutes by car from the airport.The interior of the hotel, designed by internationally renowned design firm Hirsch, provides an aesthetic appeal of the highest order.

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.

Suzhou - Bamboo Grove Hotel

The hotel features non-smoking rooms and each room has individually controlled air conditioning, television, internet access, trouser press, iron, and hair dryer. The hotel also offers its guests room service, morning wake-up calls, a boutique, car rental, dry cleaning, and laundry.

Hangzhou - Wanghu Hotel

The Wanghu Hotel is a four-star commercial hotel conveniently located just a few steps away from beautiful West Lake. In the downtown area and with the good view of the West Lake, the hotel is only 10 minutes' drive to the railway station and 30 minutes' drive to the airport.

Guilin - Guilin Park Hotel

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.

Guilin - New Century Hotel

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.

Hong Kong - Regal Kowloon Hotel HK

Conveniently located in Tsimshatsui East, Hong Kong's renowned commercial and entertainment district, the international standard Regal Kowloon Hotel is an exquisite blend of classical European elegance with Oriental hospitality. Catering for the needs of the most discerning travelers, the hotel offers gracefully furnished guestrooms, a diversity of excellent food ranging from Western and Oriental dishes, American grills to international buffets, as well as ample meeting space for any convention or social gathering. Providing easy access to other commercial districts in Hong Kong and Mainland China, the hotel is within walking distance from the Kowloon-Canton Railway and Mass Transit Railway stations, Tsimshatsui East Ferry Pier, Star Ferry and the world-famous shopping areas along Nathan Road.

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.

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