China Highlights Tour with Suzhou, Hangzhou and Guilin

Itinerary

• Day 1: Shanghai, Arrival

  Upon your arrival in Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or step out to explore this amazing metropolis on your own.

  • Shanghai

• Day 2: Shanghai City Tour

  After breakfast, begin your day with a leisurely walk along the Bund, where grand colonial-era buildings stand in striking contrast to the futuristic skyline of Pudong across the river. Continue on to the Jade Buddha Temple, a peaceful sanctuary filled with the scent of incense, where the highlight is a serene Buddha statue carved entirely from pure white jade. Next, wander through the tree-lined streets of the Former French Concession, where elegant villas, art-deco apartments, and quaint cafés create a charming old-world atmosphere.

  For lunch, you'll have the chance to roll up your sleeves and try your hand at making small wontons - delicate parcels of flavor enjoyed as a beloved comfort food by locals.

  Step into the Shanghai Museum for an art history journey through the Middle Kingdom, with collections dating back as far as the 20th century B.C. From bronzes and ceramics to ancient calligraphy and painting, the galleries offer a vivid window into China's millennia-old cultural heritage.

  Optional: Shanghai Acrobatics Show is famous in the world. If you're interested in, consider enjoying it as your optional night activity.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 3: Shanghai - Suzhou, Chinese Gardens

  This morning, you will be met and transferred to the railway station for the high-speed train to Suzhou (about 0.5 h, no guide service on the train).

  Start with the Lingering Garden (Liuyuan), a classical masterpiece known for its clever layout and elegant balance, where winding corridors, pavilions, and rockeries unfold like scenes in a painting. Then head to Pan Gate, with its ancient stone gate and old city wall. Continue with a cruise on the 2,400-year-old Grand Canal, passing stone bridges and riverside houses that reveal the rhythm of local life. Lastly, drop by No.1 Silk Factory to discover the traditional process of silk making.

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  • Suzhou

• Day 4: Tongli, Suzhou - Hangzhou

  In the morning, drive to water town of Tongli (about 20-minute drive from Suzhou), there you will pay a visit to the Tuisi Garden, Pearl Pagoda, Triple Bridge, Ming and Qing Dynasty Street.

  Drive back to Suzhou railway station for the train to Hangzhou. Upon your arrival at Hangzhou railway station, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or step out into this beautiful city for an adventure on your own.

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  • Hangzhou

• Day 5: Hangzhou, West Lake & City Attractions

  Get ready to dive into the charm of Hangzhou! Begin your city tour with Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, where ancient Buddhist halls sit beneath dramatic limestone cliffs, creating a scene of quiet grandeur. Next, enjoy a tranquil boat ride on the iconic West Lake, where willow branches sweep the water and distant pagodas rise from the mist. Continue to the Flower Pond, alive with shimmering koi weaving among lotus leaves.

  Step inside the former residence of Hu Xueyan, a splendid Qing-dynasty mansion full of intricate details. Finally, at Hu Qing Yu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, shelves of herbs and the fragrance of medicine in the air bring centuries of healing tradition vividly to life.

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  • Hangzhou

• Day 6: Hangzhou - Guilin, Reed Flute Cave

  You will be free on this day until your personal guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Guilin.

  Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. After a rest, you will explore the fabulous Reed Flute Cave, where colorful lights illuminate stalactites and stalagmites that form natural palaces underground.

  Optional: In the evening, stroll through the Shijiayuan Night Market, a lively spot filled with sizzling street food, fragrant snacks, and the buzz of local life. It's the perfect chance to taste authentic Guilin flavors.

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  • Guilin

• Day 7: Guilin - Longsheng, Longji Terraced Fields

  On this day, you will take an excursion to the scenic Longji Terraced Fields. You will trek along quiet field paths, see authentic country views, visit the minority village of Yao People, admire at their colorful clothes, wooden residences and taste some homemade delicacies. Be transferred back to Guilin after the excursion.

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  • Guilin

• Day 8: Guilin - Yangshuo, Li River Cruise

  Today's highlight is the Li River cruise. Starting at Zhujiang Pier, you'll cruise down the picturesque Li River. En route, stunning limestone karst scenery, pastoral views of thriving groves, rice paddies, water buffaloes and working farmers will add pleasure to your journey.

  After disembarkation in the early afternoon, you'll first transfer to your hotel in Yangshuo. After a short break, take a countryside tour (by bike or by car, 1-2 hours) and continue enjoying the laid-back ambiance.

  Optional: If you'd like more activities, an optional night show of Impression Sanjie Liu is highly recommended.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 9: Guilin - Xi'an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

  You will be free to explore the beautiful town until your guide escorts you to the airport for your afternoon flight to Xi'an. Upon arriving in Xi'an, your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to visit the centuries-old Big Wild Goose Pagoda before taking you to your hotel.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 10: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors

  Today, visit the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Marvel at the thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots that have guarded Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb for over 2,000 years.

  Drive back to the city and stroll through the local Muslim community to experience the vibrant culture and daily life of Xi'an's Muslim. Along the way, savor local specialties such as savory lamb skewers, crispy sesame cakes, and the famous biangbiang noodles, each offering an authentic taste of the city's rich culinary tradition.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 11: Xi'an - Beijing, Cooking with a Local Family

  Spend the morning with a local Xi'an family, where you'll be welcomed into their home for a warm cultural exchange. Try your hand at making hand-pulled noodles or dumplings, and learn the secrets of preparing a few homestyle dishes in a relaxed kitchen setting. Later in the day, bid farewell to Xi'an as you board the train bound for Beijing. Upon arrival, your local guide will be waiting at the station to greet you and escort you to your hotel.

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  • Beijing

• Day 12: Beijing, City Highlights Tour

  On this day you will first visit Tiananmen Square. Passing through the iconic Tiananmen Gate, you will enter the splendid Forbidden City, famous for its grand royal buildings, exquisite ornaments and priceless treasures.

  In the afternoon, you will take a pedicab to explore hutongs, the disappearing ancient alleys of Old Beijing, and then ramble about along the Houhai Bar Street.

  Optional: A recommended night show for you is the thrilling Chinese Kung Fu Show which brings you the charm of Chinese martial art.

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  • Beijing

• Day 13: Beijing, Great Wall Tour

  This morning you will marvel the spectacular Temple of Heaven, a holy royal temple where you can enjoy watching the locals playing and doing their morning exercises.

  No Beijing tour is complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Today you will tour the magnificent Great Wall, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Walking on the venerable ramparts, you will be amazed at the unbelievable constructions and appalling landscape that surrounds the wall.

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  • Beijing

• Day 14: Beijing, Departure

  Enjoy your free time in Beijing to relax, shop, or take a last stroll through the city at your own pace. You might explore the streets near your hotel, grab some souvenirs, or simply soak in the vibrant atmosphere of China's capital one last time. Later, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight back home, marking the end of a memorable journey.

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