China Odyssey Vacation

31 Day Tour Itinerary

Tour Code: ExtensiveTour-Mix-01

• Day 1-3 in Beijing
• Day 1

  Welcome to Beijing, the capital of ancient China! When your flight lands in Beijing airport, your local guide will greet and escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of the day is yours to acclimatize or explore the dynamic metropolis on your own.

  Day 2

  Today you will first visit Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. Walking through Tiananmen Gate, you will enter the magnificent Forbidden City, China’s No.1 palace complex graced with imperial treasures.

  In the afternoon, you will marvel at Temple of Heaven where emperors in ancient times performed intricate rituals for a nation-wide good harvest, and then drop by a Jade Gallery.

  Day 3

  In the morning, you will tour the breathtaking Great Wall (Mutianyu section), the 8th Wonder of the World.

  Built over 2,000 years ago, the Wall stretches about 4,000 miles through mountains and deserts across Northern China. Flexible visiting time assures you of getting life-time sweet memories by hiking and photographing.

  Later, you will take a leisurely stroll along the quiet Sacred Road, a royal road guarded by many vivid stone statues of divine beasts and officials.

• Day 4-5 in Chengde
• Day 4

  In the morning your local guide will escort you to the railway station for your train to Chengde.Upon arriving in Chengde, you will be met by your guide and escorted to the hotel.

  In the afternoon you will visit the Imperial Summer Villa, one of China's four most beautiful gardens. Built in 1703, it is the villa emperor retreated from the summer heat and handled political affairs, serving as the 2nd political center of the Qing government.

  Day 5

  Today you will visit ancient Puning Temple, a mixing Chinese and Tibetan styles temple built by Emperor Qianlong in 1775 to commemorate his victory over Mongolian tribes.

  Then visit the famous Putuozongcheng Temple, a majestic replica of Lhasa's Potala Palace and the largest of the eight remaining outer temples in Chengde with an area of 220,000 square meters, offering a stunning view from the top.

  After be escorted to the train station for your train back to Beijing and check into your hotel.

• Day 6-7 in Beijing
• Day 6

  After breakfast, you will take a rickshaw to explore the Hutongs, the disappearing alleys with lots of Beijing typical courtyard homes. You will see the old houses, learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens, drop by a local home and chat with the host and have a real homemade lunch.

  In the afternoon tour the enchanting Summer Palace to amaze at the beauty and regality of this 260-year-old imperial summer retreat.

  Day 7

  On this day you will be free until your local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Xian, one of China's 4 greatest historical capitals.

  Upon your arrival in Xian, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

• Day 8-9 in Xian
• Day 8

  The incredible Terracotta Warriors is your first stop today. These 6,000 life-size terra soldiers and horses are an amazing form of funerary art, buried with China’s foremost Emperor Qin Shihuang to help rule another empire in the afterlife. Then visit a Ceramic Factory to witness how these statues can be made in ancient times.

  In the afternoon, visit the Banpo Museum to gain a insight of 6000-year-old Neolithic Yangshao culture and then come to the ancient Bell Tower.

  Round off the day with a savory Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show in the evening.

  Day 9

  This morning you will ramble atop the Ancient City Walls, the largest and best-preserved city wall on earth, and enjoy the views looking down the city and tour the age-old Big Wild Goose Pagoda which is the city symbol of Xian.

  In the afternoon, you will visit the impressive Great Mosque and Muslim Community to have a taste of the exotic Muslim culture as well as flavorful snacks.

• Day 10-12 in Lhasa
• Day 10

  On this day you will be free to explore this history-steeped city on you own until your guide escorts you 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. En route you will see a Stone Giant Buddha engraved in the mountain face.

  After check-in, you're advised to rest at your hotel to get adapted to the high altitude.

  Day 11

  Your sightseeing today begins with Lhasa’s cardinal landmark Potala Palace. As a holy land of Tibetan culture, everyday hundreds of common Tibetans trek miles and months to worship the Palace for their tradtional beliefs and family's blessing.

  Later you will admire the sacred temple Jokhang Temple, the cradle of Tibetan Buddhism and the city center of Old Lhasa, and then walk the pilgrimage route with local devotees and wheel the holy wheelers at Barkhor Street.

  Day 12

  After breakfast, you will tour the charming Norbulingka Park, which is known as "the Summer Palace of Tibet", and then come to Drepung Monastery, an ancient temple once housed 10,000 monks in its heyday.

  You tour ends at Sera Monastery. Built in 1419, the monastery is one of the three largest monasteries in Tibet and quite famous for its traditional Buddhism scripture debates.

• Day 13 in Gyantse
• Day 13

  Today you will be transferred from Lhasa to Gyantse (5.5-hour drive).

  En route, you will stop to see Yamdrok Lake, one of three most famous holy lakes in Tibet. The scenery of turquoise blue water in the lake with the reflection of surrounding snow-capped mountains is awesome. Then another stop takes you to a Tibetan family where you can chat with common Tibetans and try some their self-made food.

  After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Palcho Monastery to admire fancy frescoes, statues and sculptures.

• Day 14 in Shigatse
• Day 14

  After breakfast, you will be driven from Gyantse to Shigatse (1.5-hour). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery, the oldest and largest Gelugpa monastery in Tibet. Here you will see a giant statue of Future Buddha, the largest one of its kind on earth, decorated with precious pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. Then proceed to a free market to experience the stylish local life.

• Day 15 in Lhasa
• Day 15

  Today you will travel back to Lhasa (6-hour drive) along the legendary Yaluzangbu River, the mother river of Tibet. Along the journey, you will view fantastic landscape of the valley and snow mountain, and get the special feeling of traveling in the outback far from modern civilization.

  After a rest in Lhasa, you will have a Tibetan-style farewell dinner in a typical restaurant, with Tibetan dances and songs.

• Day 16-17 in Chengdu
• Day 16

  Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to Chengdu, home to the cute giant pandas.

  Upon your arrival at Chengdu, your guide will meet and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

  Day 17

  In the morning you will go to Giant Panda Breeding Research Base to enjoy an intimate contact with panda and learn more about this endangered species. A panda-hug is available but requires an extra cost.

  Then visit the age-old Wenshu Temple and sit in its special tea house to have a cup of Chinese tea as locals usually do. After, you will take a leisurely stroll along Jinli Old Street.

• Day 18-21 Yangtze Cruise
• Day 18

  On this day you will be escorted to the railway station for an express train to Chongqing. Upon your arrival at Chongqing, uour local guide will meet you at the railway station.

  Then You will have a essential Chongqing city tour including the beautiful Ciqikou Old Town and Hongya Cave Folklore Street. Enjoy a hot pot dinner before being transferred to get on your Yangtze Cruise ship.

  Day 19

  As your ship sails along the Yangtze River, China's longest river, you will enjoy its amazing scenery with real countryside views; meanwhile, Taiji lessons, lectures on traditional Chinese medicine and other onboard activities make your journey full of fun.

  Besides, your ship will stop for a shore excursion to the famous Fengdu Ghost City, which depicts China's afterlife culture via ancient sculptures and paintings. Then continue your cruise.

  Day 20

  Today you will come to the Lesser Three Gorges, the most beautiful part of the Yangtze River.

  You will take a sampan, a small traditional wooden boat, to appreciate the spectacular natural beauties of the famous gorges and experience a water-borne sensation you have never had before.

  Re-boarding the cruise ship, the ball room is a nice place to pary off the evening.

   

   

  Day 21

  The morning’s shore excursion will take you to the well-known Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam on earth. Standing at a viewing spot, you will amaze at its unbelievable scale and enchanting scenes, and witness immense benefits it has brought.

  After the Yangtze Cruise, you will disembark at Yichang where your local guide will meet and escort you to the airport for the flight to Shanghai and check into your hotel.

  After a short break, you will promenade along the famous Bund to see the fantastic  skyline of Shanghai and then experience China's No.1 shopping street, Nanjing Road.

• Day 22 in Shanghai
• Day 22

  Today you will go to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to witness how Shanghai becomes a cosompolitan city from a shabby fishing village, then take a stroll through the beautiful Yu Garden and observe local people's life at the Yuyuan Market.

  After, immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the Jade Buddha Temple.Your tour perfectly ends with the wonderful Acrobatic Show.

• Day 23 in Suzhou
• Day 23

  Today comfortable transfer will take you to Suzhou, a city well-known for its traditional gardens and refined silk embroidery.

  Here you will visit the Lingering Garden, one of China’s most beautiful gardens, set foot on the ancient Pan Gate, enjoy the gentle breeze, nice scenery & local life by taking a cruise along the 2,400-year-old Grand Canal. Then drop by No.1 Silk Factory to discover the secret process of silk-making.

  Evening, enjoy a fabulous Garden Show.

• Day 24-25 in Hangzhou
• Day 24

  On this morning you will be escorted to the railway station for an express train to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Prvoince.

  Upon your arrival at Hangzhou, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

  Day 25

  On this day, you will first paddle on the West Lake to enjoy its inviting scenery and often-talked legends. After, travel to the centuries-old Lingyin Temple to admire at exquisite Buddha statues and observe how locals do their worshipping here, and then climb the serene Feilai Peak to see its reputed religious embossings.

  Later, you will take a walk in the picturesque Dragon Well Tea Plantation, watch an artistic Chinese tea ceremony and sip a cup of tasty Chinese tea.

• Day 26-29 in Guilin
• Day 26

  Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to Guilin, China's most scenic city.

  Upon your arrival at Guilin, your personal guide will meet and escort you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free at your own leisure.

  Day 27

  On this day you will take an excursion to visit the beautiful Longji Rice Terraces. Originated in Yuan Dynasty, these terraces have been well and kept for 700 years just as they were first cultivated. Their owners are ethnic tribes, Miao and Yao people.

  You will walk along the quiet countryside paths, visit a minority village, try their primitive farming lifestyle, and climb up the Longji mound to enjoy the charming landscape. Be transferred back to Guilin after the tour.

  Day 28

  Today's highlight is Li River Cruise. Starting at Zhujiang Pier, you'll cruise down the picturesque Li River until Yangshuo. En route, stunning limestone karst scenery, pastoral views of thriving groves, rice paddies, water buffalos and working farmers make your trip relaxing & enjoyable.

  Early afternoon, disembark in Yangshuo and check into your hotel. Then you will have more free time to explore Yangshuo and its famous West Street.

  Day 29

  Driven back to Guilin (1.5-hour drive) in the morning, you will tour the city symbol Elephant Trunk Hill, take a stop by a Pearl Museum and then explore the reputable Reed Flute Cave which is reputed as "A Natural Palace of Art".

  After the tour, take a flight to Hong Kong, a vibrant metropolis.

• Day 30-31 in Hong Kong
• Day 30

  Your Hong Kong sightseeing begins with Victoria Peak, the city’s highest point where you could get a spectacular panorama view of this cosmopolitan city.

  Descending the Peak, you will visit the unique floating community of Aberdeen and then head to the Repulse Bay of Hong Kong Island to enjoy the romantic beach.

  Then enjoy shopping and bargaining at the busy Stanley Market.

  Day 31

  How time flies! It is time to bid farewell to China. You will be free in the day until your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.