Classic China Tours: Twelve Days China Tour - 01

Tour Map

Itinerary :

DAY1
Arrive in Beijing
Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts - an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites and a bustling modern metropolis getting ready to host the 2008 Olympics. Upon your arrival in Beijing, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your Hotel. The guide will give you some tips on local restaurants that we recommend and shopping in streets nearby. The rest of the day is free to rest to recover from jetlag or to explore yourself.

DAY2
Beijing
After breakfast, our guide will accompany you to the Great Wall - Mutianyu Section which has some unique characteristics over other sections. It is surrounded by wonderful landscape and has a rarely seen structure formed by three connected watch towers and the cable car provides a safe comfortable assent and decent. Lunch is at local restaurant near the Wall. Dinner is at Quanjude which serves the world known Beijing roasted duck.

DAY3
Beijing
Be Chinese for the morning as we join with the thousand of local people as they practice Tai Chi at the Temple of Heaven before breakfast. Join in or just watch, it's your decision. Later we continue to Tian'anmen Square, the symbol of Beijing and ranked No. 1 of the 16 scenic highlights in Beijing. Walk through - it's much bigger than you think - to check out the many points of interest. After a real local lunch, you will be able to experience the ancient emperor's daily life at the Forbidden City from where the Emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties governed for over 500 years. It is the essence and a "must see" in Beijing. The magnificent and solemn palaces will arouse your imagination of the life of Chinese emperors.

DAY4
Beijing - Xian
Your last stop in Beijing is a trip through the Hutongs by rickshaw. This maze of narrow alleyways winding around the Forbidden City is fast disappearing, and you'll get a precious glimpse into their distinctive culture as you zigzag through. We will drop into a primary school and a flea market and the house of a local Hutong family. You will be able to talk to the family members to gain a true understanding their life. We can guarantee you will have impressive stories to tell your friends. Later you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Xi'an, one of the oldest cities in China. Xian was the national capital for over 1,000 years and the starting point of the Silk Road.

DAY5
Xian
After breakfast in the hotel, you will set off for the incredible 2000 year-old Terra cotta warriors. The Warriors are part of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. Well over 7000 figures in full battle array are formed for battle in several large pits. Many of the figures - soldiers, archers, horses and chariots have been restored. The repairs and excavations continue at the site where you can see both repaired and broken warriors in a truly impressive display. There is also an excellent museum which includes bronze chariots unearthed nearby, and a film about the history and discovery of the tomb. It will takes about 15 minutes to walk from parking place to the entrance, so we have provided an electric car to make the day a little easier. In the afternoon we're going to the Bell Tower where you can get a bird's view of the city from the top. There is a music performance of the ancient music and a display of the instruments. We will continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda where widely renowned Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India.

DAY6
Xian - Shanghai
Spend the morning at one of the best museums in China, the Shaanxi Historical Museum. Among the 400,000 items on display are treasures from many Dynasties including some magnificent bronzes and porcelain which have never before been on permanent display. Before flying Shanghai you will be able to take a half-hour stroll along the Ancient City Wall. For the energetic, we recommend biking along the top of the wall (Bikes can be rented for around 20 yuan/hour).

DAY7
Shanghai
Shanghai with its phenomenal mixture of space-age buildings, gorgeous shops, and the remnants of the old Concession areas, lures many tourists from home and abroad. Today you visit the lovely old Yuyuan Garden (the most famous garden in Shanghai) which is decorated by beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rock formations. The Jade Buddha Temple follows. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the monk's tea ceremony. We conclude the day with Nanjing Road "shopper's paradise" and the Bund, part of Shanghai's colonial past. It is home to a myriad of European styled buildings that face the Huangpu River. The Bund is a must-see site when visiting Shanghai. Architectural styles include gothic, baroque, Romanesque, and renaissance.

DAY8
Shanghai - Guilin
On arrival in Guilin, you will visit Elephant Trunk Hill (which really does look like an elephant drinking from the river) and Reed Flute Cave, which is a vast and very impressive cave system, are two of the best attractions in the city. Make sure you have plenty of small change with you are at the caves - the children there sell flutes for about 1 yuan, and if you only have an American dollar, you're likely to end up with a whole basketful of flutes!

DAY9
Guilin
Guilin is famous for its stunning scenery and the best way to see it is from the deck of a Li River Cruise boat. The boats leave from various wharves according to river height at different times of the year. You'll be transferred to the appropriate pier for an unforgettable trip downriver to the lovely old town of Yangshuo. The afternoon will give time to explore the area which is famous for its shopping.

DAY10
Guilin - Guangzhou - Hong Kong
This morning we transfer to Guangzhou for a half day tour. After lunch our guide will accompany you to visit Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, which is built in 1931 with the funds raised by the Guangzhou People and also overseas Chinese in memory of Sun Yat-sen. Then on to the symbol of Lingnan traditional architectural achievement - Chen Ancestral Shrine, which is reputed to be "Pearl of Lingnan Architecture". We catch the express train to Hong Kong where the rest of the day is your own to you can explore this city or rest in your hotel.

DAY11
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a fascinating combination of East and West but it has its own unique and distinctive culture. Your half day tour will take in Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's number one tourist destination. It features the 112 year old Peak Tram and Hong Kong's most unusual building, The Peak Tower. Next stop is Aberdeen Harbor which is home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks. If you would like close up look at this unusual way of life, you can take a sampan ride (US$10-12). Repulse Bay is the last stop today; it is one of Hong Kong's most exclusive residential areas.

DAY12
Hong Kong
Your time is your own, until you are ready to be transferred to the airport for your departure.

Price Includes :

1. Entrance fees as it listed.
2. Scheduled sightseeing by private air-conditioned deluxe coach with English-speaking guide service
3. China domestic flights, with airport tax included.
4. Accommodations in 4/5-star deluxe hotel based on twin sharing, with daily breakfast included.
5. Transfer service RT Airport-Hotel
6. Entrance fee in Schedule sightseeing.
7. Meals

Price Excludes :

1. Personal expenses.
2. Tipping to tour guide and drive.
3. Excess baggage.
4. International air tickets.

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China Photo Album

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The Great Wall

Wolong Panda

Yangtze River

Guilin

Guangzhou Museum

Victoria Harbour

West Lake

Stone Forest

Potala Palace

Yangtze River Bridge

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Sanya

Urumqi

The Terracotta Warriors