10 Days Great China Tour of Beijing-Xian-Guilin-Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to Beijing!  Your driver will greet you at the exit of arrival hall by holding a name sign and transfer to your Beijing downtown hotel.

   Before getting off the plane, please double check your belongings to ensure you have collet all your staff. The rest of the day is for your own arrangement. If you need any suggestions on your free time, we will be very happy to help you.

   Accommodation: Beijing local 3* hotel

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Ming Tomb, Mutianyu Great Wall (B + L)

   AM: After breakfast, meet your guide at hotel lobby. First we will drive to visit the Ming Tomb and see the underground palace of Dingling (one of the 13 Ming Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums). Dingling is the tomb of Emperor Shenzong, Zhuyijun, who reigned the nation for 48 years as the longest-serving monarch among all Ming emperors.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: We will drive about 1 hour to Mutianyu Great Wall. It would be a good chance to see the urban and suburban scenery of Chinese capital. Mutianyu Great Wall is the most scenic part of Chinese Great Wall. It was built in the early Ming Dynasty at 1368 and stretches for 5400 meters. 90 percent of the Mutianyu is covered by vegetation. So in each season this part of the Great Wall will treat visitors with its unique scenery. If hiking is too much for you, cable car is available and optional. During today’s tour you will also stop by Jade Carving Factory to learn about Chinese jade culture and appreciate some exquisite jade artworks. After all the activities, you will be transferred back to your downtown hotel.

   Accommodation: Beijing local 3* hotel

   

3. Day 3: Beijing - Xian by Overnight Train
   Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Sumer Palace (B + L)

   Today you will follow your guide to explore Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Sumer Palace, and take overnight train to Xian. Please pack your belongings in advance.

   AM: Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby in the morning and start the tour with Tiananmen Square, the heart and symbol of Beijing and the largest city square in the world. The spacious square has been used for many public celebrations, ceremonies, and demonstrations for over a hundred years. Next you will pay a visit to Forbidden City, one of the largest and most completely preserved palace complex built of wood. It functioned as the imperial palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). 24 emperors of the two dynasties once lived here.

   

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, we will go to Temple of Heaven. Located at southern part of Beijing, it served as a complex of sacrificial building where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed for peace and harvest. Today’s last scenic site will be Summer Palace. It is located at the west skirt of Beijing and covers an area of 290 hectares. During the Qianlong Era of the Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace was built by imitating the layout of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Now it is the largest and most completely preserved imperial garden in China. Today you will also stop by Chinese Herb Medicine Market to learn about traditional Chinese pharmacy and meet many kinds of herb medicine.

   After the whole day tour, escort you to the train station for the overnight train to Xian (Z19/20:40-08:31). You will spend the night on the train.

   Accommodation: Overnight Train (4 pax sharing 1 cabin)

   

4. Day 4: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda (L)

   AM: Your guide will wait for you at the exit of the train station by holding a name sign. Your Xian tour will start with Terracotta Warriors. Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors slept under the ground for 2,200 years before the accidental discovery by local farmers who were digging wells. The life-size terracotta warriors differ from one another in clothing, hairstyle, posture and facial expression. Since its opening to public in 1979, it attracts millions of people from all over the world each year and has become one of the things that represent China throughout the world.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After a Chinese style lunch, we will drive back to Xian downtown to visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It was built to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and travelers Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty. At the end of the tour, escort you to downtown hotel to have a good rest.

   Accommodation: Xian local 3* hotel

   

5. Day 5: Xian - Guilin by Flight
   Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall, Great Mosque, Muslim Street (B + L)

   AM: Today’s first stop is Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the twin of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Both the two pagodas are important witnesses for the history of Great Tang Dynasty. Same as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda was also built to store the Buddhist scriptures brought from Ancient India by the master monk Xuanzang. Different from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Goose Pagoda attracts visitors with its special charms of keeping quiet and peaceful in the bustling downtown area and has precious value on architecture and Chinese garden aesthetics. Then you will move on to the Ancient City Wall, a military defensive system in old times. You can optionally ride a bike on the top of City Wall and enjoy the amazing view of the entire area inside the City Wall.

   

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: You will have a walk on Bell Tower & Drum Tower Square, a landmark building in Xian. Next visit Great Mosque, a main Islam place for religious activities in Xian. Different from the mosques in Arabic, the mosque here in Xian possesses much Chinese traditional style in both its design and artistic outlook. The last stop is the famous Muslim Street, which is a paradise for food lovers where you will find all kinds of delicious local snacks such as Biang Biang Noodle, Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger), and Yangrou Paomo (Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup).

   After the tour ends, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon your arrival in Guilin, your driver will greet you at the exit of arrival hall by holding a board with your name and transfer to Guilin downtown hotel.

   Accommodation: Guilin local 3* hotel

   

6. Day 6: Guilin
   Li River, Yangshuo West Street (B + L)

   Today is about the cruise on the beautiful Li River and old Yangshuo West Street. It’s an enjoyable journey for both your eyes and souls.

   AM: Taking the cruise on the Li River, you will admire the picturesque scenery of this land with a harmonious combination of the green hills, rivers, lakes and fields. But its beauty is not like a still painting, it’s alive when vivid – brisk bamboo rafts leaving wrinkles on the water and cormorants hovering under the working fishermen…

   Your guide will uncover the hidden history and culture behind the natural screen before you during your cruise. You will learn from the local expert about how the city formed and developed and how local people manage their life along the famous Li River.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant

   PM: After 4.5-hour cruise, you will embark at Yangshuo. Follow our guide to visit the famous local West Street where you will find local crafts and snacks gathering. Listen to the guide’s introduction to explore the place better. Finally, go back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Guilin local 3* hotel

   

7. Day 7: Guilin - Shanghai by Flight
   Longji Terraces (B + L)

   It would be hardly complete without a visit to the impressive Rice Terraces if you travel to Guilin. Rice Terraces is an incredible work with amazing combination of ancient Chinese wisdom and local geographic conditions.

   AM: After about 2 hours’ drive, you will arrive at Longji Terraces Scenic Area. You will first enjoy a Long Hair Show performed by Yao Minority women in Huangluo village which was awarded “World’s Longest Hair Village” by Guinness World Records. The women here are famous for long and shiny hair, and you may not believe that they only cut their hair once upon turning 18.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Move on to the highlight of the day, the Terraces. On the way, you will have another special experience as the coach winds its way on the hilly roads with the steering wheel well controlled in the hands of the experienced driver. You will marvel at the beautiful scenery alongside and meanwhile awe at the driver’s skill. The Terraces has been managed by the local Zhuang Minority people for thousands of years, hence today’s large-scale rice fields with the stilted buildings inset. You will be definitely stunned by the rolling terraces especially when you look down from the top. There are cable cars available on your own cost if the hiking is too much for you.

   After a joyous day at this fantastic place, you will go to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. When you arrive in Shanghai, your driver will greet you at the exit of arrival hall by holding a board with your name and transfer  to Shanghai downtown hotel.

   Accommodation: Shanghai local 3* hotel

   

8. Day 8: Shanghai
   Shanghai Museum, People Square, Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, Bund (B + L)

   AM: Transfer to Shanghai Museum. The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings and calligraphy works. Then you will stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals. The square now is most famous for its match-making corner where parents try to seek partners for their children.

   

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, you will move on to Yuyuan Garden. It is a famous classical garden which was originally built by the owner as a place for his parents to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. Next you will visit former French Concession, a perfect place to learn the history of Shanghai from 1849 to 1943. Then wander around Nanjing Road to see traditional department stores and optionally try some authentic Shanghai snacks. The last stop is the Bund. You will admire buildings of various styles, enjoy the beautiful Huangpu River, and listen to your guide explaining its history. After a leisure walk at the Bund, escort back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Shanghai local 3* hotel

   

9. Day 9: Shanghai
   Zhujiajiao Water Town (B)

   Enjoy your free time in the morning. At 12:00, meet your guide and driver in your hotel lobby. Then depart toward Zhujiajiao Water Town.

   You will stroll along the old-time town while listening to the guide’s introduction about its history. The town could be dated back to even 1,700 years ago, as early as the time of Three Kingdoms. In the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the village grew into a town and got the name “Zhujiacun Village”. The appearance of the town we see today was left from the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays the ancient town is best known for its bridges, old streets, and gardens built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The highlight things to see here are: Fangsheng Bridge, Baoguo Temple, Town God’s Temple, and Zhuxi Garden. Capture snapshots of charming alleyways and ancient stone houses. You can also take the optional boat cruise here if you are interested.

   After the tour ends, we will transfer you back to your downtown hotel.

   Accommodation: Shanghai local 3* hotel

   

10. Day 10: Shanghai Departure (B)

    Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (usually 4 hours in advance for international flights and 3 hours for domestic flights). Our 10-day Beijing Xian Guilin Shanghai tour will end here. Wish you a pleasant journey!