China Scenic & Cultural Tour With Hangzhou & Guilin

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing, Arrival

  Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, meet your guide at the arrival hall. You can identify the guide by the sign in his hand with your name and the Odynovo logo.

  It will take about one hour to drive from the airport to your hotel. On the way, the guide will give you an overview of this capital city and confirm the schedule for tomorrow.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Beijing, Forbidden City & Rickshaw Ride in Hutongs

  Start your city exploration at Tiananmen Square, the strongest symbol of the political center of today's China. From there, enter the grand Forbidden City, once the imperial palace of 24 emperors throughout China's history. You will be amazed by the imposing royal building complex and its many old stories.

  After the visit, head into Beijing's hutongs - narrow alleyways that form the living veins of the old city, carrying its memories and traditions. Hop on a traditional rickshaw and weave through these winding lanes, where the authentic daily life of locals unfolds in a scene that history lingers.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Beijing, Great Wall Tour

  It is your day to visit the Great Wall! After breakfast, drive about 2 hours to Mutianyu, where you can visit the magnificent Great Wall by cable car up and down. After getting on the wall, some moderate hiking is suggested to enjoy more of the superb scenery.

  Today is dedicated to exploring the Great Wall. In the morning, drive about 2 hours to the Mutianyu section. With its gentler slopes, it is more senior-friendly, and the relatively fewer crowds make for a more enjoyable visit. Round-trip cable car rides are arranged for your comfort, allowing you to conserve energy for a relaxed walk along the Wall while taking in this remarkable feat of ancient military engineering, now seamlessly blending into the surrounding mountain scenery.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Temple of Heaven, Beijing - Xi'an

  Enjoy your last morning in Beijing at the graceful Temple of Heaven. Once a holy place where the emperors would worship heaven and pray for abundant crops, it has now become a public park where you can see how retired people like to spend their mornings. If you like, you can join the locals in playing Tai Chi.

  In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Xi'an. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 5: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors

  Pack the morning with an exciting tour of the legendary Terracotta Warriors and Bronze Chariots and Horses.

  The world-renowned archaeological site is the burial pit of the first emperor of ancient China - Qin Shihuang - and displays thousands of grand-scale terracotta warriors and horses, each vividly lifelike, showcasing the spectacular scenes of ancient warfare.

  In the evening, we will indulge in a Tang Palace Court Banquet. In an elegant setting, savor meticulously prepared traditional dishes while enjoying ancient melodies and dance performances, as if Xi'an transported back to the grand banquets of the Tang Dynasty.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 6: Xi'an, Local Life and Cultural Immersion

  Indulge in a leisurely morning with a local family, mastering the craft of crafting dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and traditional home-cooked dishes. Should time permit, follow the hosts to the market, where you can handpick fresh ingredients and soak in the lively local ambiance.

  Following that, head to the Gao's Courtyard to enjoy a splendid shadow puppetry performance, delving deep into traditional Chinese stories, and participate in a calligraphy experience session, learning the art of Chinese brush. You can even take home your handwritten work as a memento.

  Next, walk back to Muslim Street, where you can savor various authentic Hui Muslim delicacies and specialty snacks, experiencing the unique food culture and rich folk customs of Xi'an.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 7: Xi'an - Guilin

  This morning, head to the airport for your flight to Guilin, a city often celebrated by the saying, "Guilin's scenery is the finest under heaven."

  After taking a brief rest at the hotel, stroll through the park hosting the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin. As night falls, a short walk along the Banyan Lake and Cedar Lake (two of the four most famous lakes in Guilin) will create a charming first impression of the city.

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  • Guilin

• Day 8: Guilin - Yangshuo, Li River Cruise

  Check out the hotel after breakfast and take about 40-minute drive to Zhujiang Pier to embark on the Li River Cruise down to Yangshuo. The cruise usually lasts about 4 hours, depending on the water level. Along the river, you will be stunned by the picturesque pastoral views formed with towering karst peaks and crystal waters. Lunch will be served on board. Disembark in Yangshuo at about 1:30 pm, walk through West Street that rammed with various shops, cafés, and restaurants. You will then be transferred to your hotel after experiencing the vibrant local culture and lively street atmosphere.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 9: Yangshuo - Guilin - Hangzhou

  Have a leisure morning to relish in the idyllic countryside of Yangshuo.

  In the afternoon, drive to the airport and head to Hangzhou by air. On arrival, be picked up and transferred to your hotel by your tour guide.

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  • Hangzhou

• Day 10: Hangzhou, West Lake

  Follow your tour guide to discover the poetic charm of West Lake in the morning. Whether rainy or sunny, you can always enjoy a typical picture of the classical beauty of China: tree-lined causeways, exquisite pavilions, stone bridges that contrast with the water, and leisurely boats on the lake.

  In the afternoon, continue to visit the Lingyin Temple and a traditional Chinese Medicine Drugstore, observing people come and go to buy different Chinese herbal medicines, just as could be seen hundreds of years ago. Then, at Hefang Street, taste a local snack made with lotus root powder.

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  • Hangzhou

• Day 11: Ancient Water Town of Wuzhen

  Explore the ancient Water Town of Wuzhen, about 80km out of Hangzhou, and step into a live painting of old China. Stroll through the cobbled streets and narrow alleys, and admire the quaint architecture and picturesque canal views. The breathtaking century-old bridges and traditional residential buildings all reveal the history and legends of the ancient town.

  Xizha, the western part of the old town, also offers a variety of authentic Jiangnan cuisine and opportunities to experience the charm of traditional handicrafts. Take a relaxing boat cruise along its historic canals and enjoy yourself in the beauty of local life.

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  • Hangzhou

• Day 12: Hangzhou - Shanghai

  Before heading to Shanghai, visit Meijiawu for a unique cultural experience - tea picking. Don traditional tea farmer clothing, carry a tea picking basket, and join local tea farmers in the tea gardens. After picking, you may participate in some initial tea processing steps, learning about the tea-making process and tasting local teas.

  In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 13: Shanghai, the Bund & City Walk

  Begin your exploration of Shanghai at the iconic Bund, where historic European-style architecture meets the glittering skyline of Pudong across the Huangpu River. Then, stroll through Yu Garden, a classical Chinese garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Visit the silk workshop to admire intricate silk weaving techniques, showcasing centuries of artisanal excellence.

  For lunch, indulge in dim sum at the famed Jade Garden Teahouse, where the delicate flavors and ambiance reflect Shanghai's rich culinary heritage.

  Take a leisurely walk from the tranquil surroundings of the rejuvenated Fuxing Park to Bugaoli Stone Gate and Sipailou Road. Here, vibrant local markets offer a taste of authentic street food, a browse through traditional crafts, and a glimpse into the bustling daily life of Shanghai residents.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 14: Shanghai, Departure

  It is time to say goodbye now. When you are ready, your personal guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

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