11 Days China Tour Package of Beijing Zhangjiajie Shanghai

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival

   Welcome to our 11 days China tour to Beijing, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai! Upon arrival, meet your private driver who will hold a welcome sign “China Xian Tour” at the exit. Then you will be transferred to the hotel in the downtown area.

   The rest of the day will be free for your own exploration. The capital of China, Beijing, blends ancient history and modern development. You can try authentic Beijing cuisine - Peking Duck is a must-try! Enjoy a relaxing foot massage after your flight. Or just wander around in one of Beijing's parks to see locals' daily life: practice Tai Chi, write brush calligraphy using water, walk their birds...

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
2. Day 2: Beijing Exploration
   Explore Royal Heritage and the Lives of Locals in Beijing

   Your visit to Beijing begins at Tian'anmen Square, which holds the title of the biggest city square in the world. Then, from the square, walk to the Forbidden City, the royal residence for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Palace Museum is extremely vast, but your available tour time is restricted. Your guide will take you on a classic and time-saving route. The majestic palace buildings and valuable historical artifacts surely deserve your admiration.

   After lunch, take time to relax at Summer Palace. The Qing Dynasty emperors selected this 2.9 square kilometer palace area as their preferred summer residence. The location offers you a stunning view of the lake while walking through the beautiful long corridor and discover valuable historical artifacts and cross the beautiful stone bridge and observe the ancient tall trees. You also have the option to take a boat ride on Kunming Lake (at an extra fee).

   The next activity will lead you to discover the historic area of South Luogu Lane which local people also refer to as Nanluoguxiang. The residential area represents the only surviving traditional neighborhood in China which maintains its original Yuan Dynasty street pattern. Your guide will take you through the alleys where you will discover hidden cultural elements of the area while stopping at bars and souvenir shops and cafes whenever you want to.

   The artificial lake known as Houhai Beijing Bar Street originates from the Yuan Dynasty era. In ancient times, the place was only for the royal family. Numerous bars and restaurants and cafes and shops line the waterfront area. After the visit, drive you back to your hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
3. Day 3: Beijing Great Wall Hiking
   Hike on the Most Beautiful Section of the Ancient Great Wall in China

   Today's schedule first leads you to Dingling Mausoleum - one of the 13 Ming Tombs in Beijing.

   The trip proceeds to Mutianyu Great Wall which represents the main attraction of the China holiday. This section of the Great Wall in China shows its best condition. The cable car system enables you to reach the wall while you experience the beautiful environment (the system helps you save both time and physical strength). You can choose to hike through the Mutianyu Great Wall at your preferred speed. The ancient pathways allow you to walk. You can take pictures of beautiful views. You can climb up or down when you have enough energy to do so instead of cable car.

   Optional: If you are traveling with your children, you can choose the toboggan that is more fun when going down the mountain. Please note that kids under the age of 10 cannot ride it alone and must be accompanied by an adult.

   The return drive to Beijing includes a stop to view two of the city's most recognizable contemporary attractions which are the Bird's Nest National Stadium and the Water Cube. These two landmarks stand as proud symbols which demonstrate how China achieved modernization through its successful organization of the Olympic Games. You will have 20-30 minutes to stroll around and take photos.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Beijing
4. Day 4: Beijing to Zhangjiajie by Flight

   Free and easy on your own in the morning. Take an afternoon flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon your arrival, the local driver will meet you at the airport by holding the name board. Then transfer to the hotel for check-in.

   Enjoy a free and easy morning at your leisure before taking an afternoon flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival, our local driver will pick you up at the airport, then transfer you to the hotel for check-in. For your free time in Zhangjiajie, you're recommended to explore ‌Xibu Street (溪布街)‌ - the most popular pedestrian street in Wulingyuan District. It combines Tujia minority culture with modern entertainment facilities. Sample authentic Hunan snacks and the street comes alive at night with bars and music.

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie
5. Day 5: Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountains
   Witness the Real Hallelujah Mountain in the Movie Avatar

   The start of your guided Zhangjiajie adventure begins at Tianzi Mountai. The saying exists that after visiting Tianzi Mountain you will not desire to see any other mountains. The sea of clouds after rain creates one of the most beautiful views which only appears if you have good fortune. You will see rough stones together with a forest of stone peaks which resemble soldiers who await their commanding officer's instructions.

   You then proceed to discover Yuanjiajie within Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - the first national forest park in China. The Yuanjiajie Scenic Area served as the basis for creating Hallelujah Mountain which shows in the widely known movie Avatar. The Bailong Elevator functions as the highest outdoor elevator in the world. The elevator ascends to the topmost point within 66 seconds which will astonish you. A magical landscape painting unfolds before your eyes when you exit the elevator. The enormous quartz-sandstone pillars stand either above you or beside you.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie
6. Day 6: Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain
   Experience the Longest Cableway in the World for 28 Mins

   After breakfast, follow your guide to explore another highlight in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Challenge yourself at the longest and highest Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in the world, with a length of 430 meters. You can have a panoramic view of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon while walking on the transparent glass floor.

   You will be taken to Tianmen Mountain National Park after your lunch break. The first step requires you to take the sightseeing bus to the cableway base where you will ride the cable car to the mountain summit. The Tianmen Mountain cableway operates as the world's longest cableway with its 7445 meter length. It provides a one-way journey which takes approximately 28 minutes. The almost half-hour ride lets you experience the beautiful mountain landscape.

   At the mountain summit, your first stop will be Tianmen Temple. The temple exists as the western Hunan Buddhist center which dates back to the Ming Dynasty. The Sky Walk leads you to experience its glass structure by suspended walking. Test your ability to handle fear! The next destination is Tianmen Cave, also called Heaven's Door Cave. The natural stone archway stands at a height of 131.5 meters and a width of 57 meters. The cave entrance requires half an hour to reach by walking through 999 steps.

   You will complete your mountain descent by taking the cableway down to the base. The driver will transfer you to Zhangjiajie Airport train station for your upcoming departure.

   Note: In winter, Tianmen Cave and Sky Walk may be closed due to heavy snow or severely cold weather. Your private guide and travel consultant will adjust your itinerary accordingly.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie
7. Day 7: Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Ancient Town by Car
   Enjoy a Leisurely Boat Cruise on the Tuojiang River

   In the morning, you will be driven for about 5 hours to Fenghuang Ancient Town. Have your lunch at a local restaurant in Fenghuang Ancient Town.

   Built in 1704 during the Kangxi Era of the Qing Dynasty, Fenghuang Ancient Town now is a popular national cultural and historical city and gets equal fame with Lijiang Ancient City in Yunnan and Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi. It was once praised by a world-famous New Zealand writer as the most beautiful town in China.

   In the late afternoon, take a boat ride on the Tuojiang River, the mother river of the ancient town. At the riverbank area you can see wooden Diaojiao buildings - traditional homes for Miao, Zhuang, Buyi, Dong, Shui, and Tujia minority groups. The boat will take you to see Wanming Pagoda - six sided and seven tiered, with six upturned corners on each floor and copper wind chimes suspended.

   The next stop is Hongqiao Wind and Rain Bridge. The Cultural Revolution destroyed the bridge's attics but workers restored them to their initial design. Its current age exceeds 600 years. The Tuojiang Jumping Rock will be last destination. The Tang Dynasty constructed this ancient bridge. The bridge measures 100 meters in length and contains 15 stone piers. You will walk on it and take beautiful pictures.

   After relaxing in Fenghuang Ancient Town, check in at a local hotel. The town is very beautiful at night. You can stroll around the town when all the lights are on.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Fenghuang
8. Day 8: Fenghuang to Shanghai by Flight

   Please enjoy your free time in the morning. After lunch on your own, your private driver will meet you in the hotel and transfer you to Zhangjiajie Airport for a flight to Shanghai. Meet your Shanghai driver and be transferred to the hotel in the city center.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
9. Day 9: Shanghai City Sightseeing
   Explore the Past and Modernization of Shanghai

   At around 08:30 am, your English-speaking guide will pick you up and start your exploration in Shanghai with Yuyuan Garden. This is a representative of classical Chinese gardens with elegant pavilions, old bridges, artistic rockeries, small ponds, etc. It was originally built by Pan Yunduan in 1559 for his parents to enjoy their old age in peace. Nearby is the lively Yuyuan Market, wander around and you can get everything from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies.

   After that, move on to your visit to the Shanghai Museum (closed every Monday). The museum houses millions of collections and especially features bronze wares, porcelain works, paintings, and calligraphy works. Then, stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals. The square is now most famous for its match-making corner, where parents try to seek partners for their children.

   The Shanghai Museum opening from Tuesday until Sunday showcases millions of artifacts which include special exhibits of bronze and porcelain and painting and calligraphy collections. People Square provides a real-life experience of local customs. The square's main attraction currently exists at its match-making corner where parents search for suitable partners to select for their children.

   The Former French Concession stands as the most extensive and prosperous area because it served as the main French concession throughout Chinese history. France maintained control over this territory from 1849 until 1943 for almost one hundred years. Your guide will show you the historical background of humiliation while you explore the area which contains many old European-style buildings that stand under the protection of French parasol trees.

   Afterward, come to the earliest shopping street in Shanghai - Nanjing Road. Your private guide will point out the four time-honored department stores, Yong’an Company, Xianshi Company, Xinxin Company, and Daxin Company, from which you can get a bitof  history of this commercial street. If you want to try some delicious food, the street definitely will not disappoint you.

   Last, enjoy your sightseeing in one of the landmarks of Shanghai - the Bund. You may not know that the area used to be a desolate tidal flat, but it turned into a British settlement and Shanghai's financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. It is the perfect place to take great photos of the amazing skyline. Make sure to bring your camera!

   Huangpu River Cruise would be a not-to-miss activity for travelers to Shanghai! The river separates Shanghai into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. Cruising on the river will give you an unparalleled view of the city’s skyline and an unforgettable traveling experience.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
10. Day 10: Shanghai Free Day

    Today you can enjoy a customized experience. Your 1-to-1 travel consultant will tailor a Shanghai day trip based on your interests, such as visiting art galleries or a Shanghai side trip to Hangzhou / Suzhou.

    What to See in Hangzhou:‌ West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site with poetic scenery; Lingyin Temple, one of China's most important Buddhist temples; Longjing Tea Plantations; Hefang Street.

    Suzhou Top Attractions:‌ classical gardens of Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, and Lion Grove Garden; Pingjiang Road; Suzhou Museum, an architectural gem designed by I.M. Pei; Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory where you can learn about Suzhou's silk production.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
11. Day 11: Shanghai Departure

    After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will meet you in the hotel 3-4 hours before the flight departs and transfer you to the airport. This 11-day China private tour ends here. Safe travels!

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