China Culture & Nature in a Nutshell

Itinerary

• Day 1: Beijing, Arrival

  Say hello to China! When your flight lands in Beijing, your local guide is ready to welcome you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or to explore this dynamic capital city on your own.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Beijing, City Highlights Tour

  This morning, you will visit Tiananmen Square, and then the splendid Forbidden City. Admire these grand royal architectures and immerse yourself in the wonderful stories behind them because you may not find it in history book. Proceed to some old hutongs to see Siheyuan (courtyard houses) and peek the daily life of Beijingers.

  Optional: The recommended show for tonight can be the thrilling Chinese Kung Fu show. It is a chance to know more about Chinese martial art.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Beijing, Great Wall

  No Beijing tour is complete without a visit to the Great Wall.

  Today, you will visit the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall, a well-preserved section of the wall. Hiking atop the venerable ramparts, you will marvel at this man-made wonder, enjoy the breathtaking landscape surrounding it and trace back the country's long history.

  Descending the wall, you will drop by a jade gallery and take a leisurely stroll along the Sacred Road, a tranquil path charmed with vivid stone statues of divine beasts and officials.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an

  This morning, marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heaven and enjoy watching the locals doing their morning exercises. Join them and experience their healthy lifestyle. Continue to wander in the Summer Palace and then take a 15-minute boat ride on the Kunming Lake if the weather permits.

  Later, be escorted to the airport for your flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will be met and driven to the hotel.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 5: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors

  The incredible Terracotta Warriors is your first stop today. These life-size terracotta warriors and horses were buried for China's first Emperor, Qin Shihuang. In there, you can really feel the strong military strength in Qin Dynasty. Afterword, learn how these statues can be made in the Xi'an Art Ceramic Factory.

  In the afternoon, you will visit the Ancient City Wall and Muslim Street, a narrow bazaar street lined with shops selling a large variety of interesting local delicacies, snacks, and souvenirs.

  Optional: The Tang Dynasty Show, a wonderful experience of the Chinese traditional culture, is highly recommended.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 6: Xi'an - Guilin

  Fly to Guilin after breakfast. Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal tour guide will meet you and take you to visit the Reed Flute Cave, which is reputed as "a Palace of Natural Art". You may admire various stalactites and stalagmites under colorful lights. Go to a pearl store before heading to your hotel for a restful night.

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  • Guilin

• Day 7: Guilin - Longsheng County - Guilin

  Today, drive about 2 hours to Longsheng. It is famous for Terraced Rice Fields. You will see that its undulating and soaring mountains look like a sky ladder there. In addition to admiring the breathtaking scenery, you will see the ethnic minority villages there.

  After the tour, be driven back to Guilin.

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  • Guilin

• Day 8: Guilin - Yangshuo

  Today, you will go on a leisurely Li River cruise down to Yangshuo. As the boat sailing on the crystal-clear river, the peculiar limestone rocks, dense vegetation, and local villages would show you a traditional Chinese landscape painting. After checking in, take a bike tour (or by private car at your pleasure) to explore this wonderful countryside, and then roam through the boisterous West Street.

  Optional: It is highly recommended the open-air show of Impression Liu Sanjie as your evening entertainment.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 9: Yangshuo - Guilin - Chongqing

  In the morning, you will be escorted to Guilin for your high-speed train to Chongqing. Upon your arrival, your private guide will meet you and take you to the dock to embark your ship. It will depart at around 9:00 pm.

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  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise, Shibaozhai

  Today, your memorable Yangtze River cruise begins. Various onboard activities, such as Tai Chi Lesson, will give you good preparation for Yangtze exploration. You ship will stop for a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, a tower built from the natural element of the mountain.

  Optional: In the morning, there is an optional tour to Fengdu Ghost City at an additional cost.

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  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise, Shennv Stream

  Besides the enchanting landscape along the Yangtze River, today's sightseeing will be highlighted by the shore excursion to Shennv Stream, a great place to appreciate the natural scenery and original life of the locals.

  Optional: This morning, the ship also offers an optional tour to White Emperor City with an extra cost.

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  • Yangtze River Cruise

• Day 12: Yichang - Huangshan

  After breakfast, the last shore excursion will take you to the Three Gorges Dam Site, the world's largest hydroelectric complex. You will disembark your ship in Yichang at around 11:00 am. After that, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Huangshan. Upon your arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel, and then recover from your journey.

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  • Huangshan

• Day 13: Huangshan - Mt. Huangshan

  After breakfast, an hour's drive will take you to the foot of the Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan) for one cable car up to the mountain top. After getting off the cable car, you need to walk to your hotel around 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on what hotel you are going to stay. Along the way, you will see all manners of pines and peaks. If lucky enough, you may meet up with the sea of clouds. Finally, enjoy the fascinating sunset at Cloud Dispelling Pavilion.

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  • Mt. Huangshan

• Day 14: Mt. Huangshan - Huangshan

  Get up early this morning to watch the breathtaking landscape at sunrise and then get back to your hotel for breakfast. Afterward, continue to explore the picturesque West Sea Scenic Area and then take a cable car down to the foot of the Mt. Huangshan where your driver is waiting for you. Return back to the urban area and have an authentic lunch. After that, move to the Tunxi Ancient Street to get close to the local culture and taste some local snacks.

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  • Huangshan

• Day 15: Huangshan - Hangzhou

  Today, drive to Hongcun Ancient Village - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It seems like a charming Chinese landscape painting. Strolling across in this antique village, you may get a deep understanding of their customs.

  After the tour, drive to the railway station for your train to Hangzhou. On arrival, be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

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  • Huangshan

• Day 16: Hangzhou, City Tour

  As one of the most beautiful cities in China, Hangzhou offers too many highlights. You will enjoy West Lake inviting scenery by boat first. Later, visit Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, where you will find numerous Buddhist grottos in which there are many statuses in all manner of postures from standing, sitting and lying. In the afternoon, continue the tour to the Museum of Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Drugstore. While in the drugstore, another fun is to watch how the pharmacists distribute and package herbals to the people who come to buy Chinese herbal medicine.

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  • Hangzhou

• Day 17: Hangzhou - Suzhou

  Enjoy a relaxing morning at Meijiawu Tea Village. Here you can learn about traditional Chinese tea culture, watch how the tender leaves are processed into delicate Longjing tea, and enjoy a graceful tea art performance. If weather permits, you can also pick tea leaves and experience processing work with farmers. Afterward, sample some pollution-free dishes prepared by farmers. In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station for your train to Suzhou. Upon arrival, be picked up and escorted to your hotel.

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  • Suzhou

• Day 18: Suzhou - Shanghai

  Pay a visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden to marvel at its unique architecture and art. Later, visit the No.1 Silk Factory. An afternoon excursion will bring you to Tongli Water Village, which is famous for its rivers, ancient bridges and houses. Have a leisurely stroll along the ancient streets and experience a hand-rowed boat ride on the canals while seeing the lives of locals on both sides of the canals. In the late afternoon, get to the railway station for a high-speed train to Shanghai.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 19: Shanghai, City sightseeing

  Today, your tour of incredible Shanghai will start from the Shanghai Museum (including the translator), and then relax on quiet Yu Garden. Later, move to the nearby Yuyuan Market, where you can feel the local life. Finally, walk down the Bund along the Huangpu River and get a bird's-eye view of this city at the Shanghai World Financial Center.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 20: Shanghai, Bye-bye

  Say goodbye to China! You will be escorted to the airport for your homebound flight.

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