Classic China Discovery with Guilin

Itinerary

• Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

  Welcome to Shanghai, China! When you arrive at the airport, your private tour guide will be waiting for you outside the arrival hall with a warm smile. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel near the city downtown for check-in. On the way to the hotel, the guide will briefly introduce this metropolis and confirm the next morning's departure time with you.

  • Shanghai

• Day 2: Shanghai City Tour

  Today's journey begins at Shanghai's most iconic landmark - the Bund, where historic European facades meet futuristic skyscrapers. Continue to the peaceful Jade Buddha Temple, a spiritual oasis in the heart of the city.

  Then, step into the classical beauty of Yu Garden, a serene retreat filled with pavilions, ponds, and arched bridges. Later, discover the laid-back elegance of the former French Concession. Stroll through Fuxing Park, browse the boutiques of Bugaoli, and sample snacks at a nearby market. A visit to the Shanghai Tower with an excellent bird's eye view of the city's skyline will bring your day excursion to a close.

  This evening is yours to explore at leisure. Follow your nose to a hidden eatery for authentic Shanghainese cuisine, or opt for a mesmerizing night out with ERA: Intersection of Time, a world-class Chinese acrobatics performance.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 3: Fengjing Ancient Town

  Head out to Fengjing Ancient Town, approx. 1.5 hours' drive, a tranquil water town with stone bridges and traditional Ming - and Qing-style houses. Visit the Jinshan Peasant Painting Village to discover a folk-art tradition - and try your hand at creating a framed piece to take home.

  After a local lunch, explore the Fengjing Distillery, where you'll witness the time-honored craft of brewing Huangjiu, a fragrant rice wine with deep cultural roots.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 4: Shanghai - Guilin, Odynovo Headquarters Visit

  Today, say goodbye to the fast-paced glamour of Shanghai and fly to Guilin, a city famed for its idyllic landscapes and karst peaks. Upon arrival, your local guide will take you to Odynovo's headquarters for a special behind-the-scenes look at how your journey was thoughtfully designed. Afterward, check in at your hotel and relax - perhaps take a peaceful walk along the nearby scenic lakes to soak in the charm of this laid-back city.

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  • Guilin

• Day 5: Guilin - Yangshuo, Li River Cruise

  Drive 50 minutes to Zhujiang Pier to get on board for your Li River cruise down to Yangshuo. The cruise usually lasts about 4 hours, depending on the water level. During the cruise, you will be amazed by the picturesque pastoral views along the river consisting of karst hills, cliffs, fascinating caverns, luscious bamboo, and rural villages. Lunch will be served on board.

  Arrive in Yangshuo at about 1:30 p.m., walk through bustling West Street, and then be transferred to your hotel in Yangshuo. The rest of the day is yours to rest at the hotel or walk around.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 6: Cooking Class & Yangshuo Countryside Hiking Tour

  At 9:00 AM, arrive at the local kitchen where a warm welcome with local tea and fresh fruit awaits. Explore the organic garden, pick seasonal vegetables, and dive into a hands-on cooking class. Prepare four local dishes, including Yangshuo beer fish and a savory omelet with minced pork, then enjoy the delicious results of your efforts.

  In the afternoon, take a light guided hike through the Yangshuo countryside, with time to soak up idyllic views of rice paddies, limestone peaks, and village life.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 7: Yangshuo - Guilin - Xi'an

  Bid farewell to the pastoral beauty of Yangshuo as you head to the airport for your flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital steeped in history. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest.

  Later, head to the vibrant Great Tang All Day Mall, a lively pedestrian street glowing with lights and Tang-style architecture. Here, enjoy a fun traditional Chinese costume experience - try on elegant Hanfu or ornate Tang-style robes, and immerse yourself in the grandeur of ancient China.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 8: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors

  The highlight of today's journey is the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors. Spend 2 to 2.5 hours there to marvel at the grand array of thousands of life-size clay soldiers, horses, and chariots, and see how powerful the first emperor of China - Qin Shi Huang was.

  Driving back to the city area, take a stroll through the vibrant Muslim Quarter - a lively network of alleys brimming with aromas and energy. Here, sizzling grills and bubbling pots line the streets, offering local favorites like roujiamo, wide biangbiang noodles, and crisp, juicy pomegranate juice.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 9: Xi'an - Beijing

  After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and board your high-speed train to Beijing (approx. 4.5-6 hours depending on schedule). Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

  In the afternoon, explore the Xicheng Hutong district, visiting the courtyard homes of famous historical figures and enjoying the tranquil charm of Dingfu Street. Experience a live demonstration of Peking Opera with a traditional tea, and visit Qin Wangfu and Furen University, once the residence of Prince Tao-an elegant blend of Chinese and Western design.

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  • Beijing

• Day 10: Beijing, Forbidden City

  Kick off your exploration of Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, and then you'll step into the Forbidden City to feel its splendor. With its extensive past, you'll see many priceless structures and artifacts. Your guide will take you to explore the three main halls and palaces and introduce you to their used purposes and the stories behind them. Later, climb up to the top of Jingshan Park, where you will see a magnificent panorama of the Forbidden City.

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  • Beijing

• Day 11: Beijing, Great Wall

  This morning, you'll visit the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors used to worship the heavens, and now it is a leisure center for the nearby residents.

  The Great Wall, which stands for 2300 years and winds over twenty thousand kilometers, is absolutely a must-see site in Beijing. Today, you will have a close encounter with it. Drive about 1.5 hours to visit the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall, with a cable car up and down. Here you can do light hiking on the Great Wall to enjoy the majestic scenery.

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  • Beijing

• Day 12: Beijing, Departure

  Today, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport, assist with check-in, and see you off at the security gate.

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