Escorted China Tour With Serene Hangzhou and Guilin

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing, Arrival

  Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, meet your guide waiting for you 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 some overview information about China's capital city and set a starting time for tomorrow.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Beijing, Forbidden City

  Start your city exploration at Tiananmen Square, the strongest symbol of the political center of today's China. The next stop is the grand Forbidden City, which was the power seat of ancient China starting from 600 years ago. You will be amazed by the imposing royal building complex and its many old stories. Finally, experience authentic Beijing life by taking the rickshaw through the Hutongs.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Beijing, Great Wall

  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.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: 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, this has now become an earthbound park where you can see how retired people often like to spend their morning. If you like, you can join the locals to play Tai Chi.

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

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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, the most scenic city in China.

  After taking a brief rest at the hotel, stroll 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 make your Guilin trip more relaxing and memorable.

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  • Guilin

• Day 8: Guilin - Yangshuo, Li River Cruise

  Check out the hotel after breakfast and take a 50-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 stunned by the picturesque pastoral views formed with towering peaks and crystal waters. Lunch will be served on the board. Disembark in Yangshuo at about 1:30 pm, get through West Street, rammed with various shops, cafés, and restaurants, and be transferred to your hotel.

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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 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

  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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