14 Days Classic China Tour with Suzhou, Chongqing, Guilin

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

   Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai! Our friendly driver will pick you up at the railway station or airport, and then take you to the hotel at the city center. The rest of the day totally belongs to your own arrangement.

   After a long journey on the way, it’s nice to refresh yourself with a shower and a short nap. Shanghai is a sleepless city noted for the colorful nightlife. Take this opportunity to feel it! You can either go to a bar in the stylish Xintiandi Block, or watch an acrobatic show in Shanghai Circus World.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
2. Day 2: Shanghai City Highlights
   A Close Encounter with a Double-faced Shanghai Blending Tradition and Modernity

   Today, we’re gonna touch this city’s vibrant pulse like a real resident in Shanghai. In the morning, our guide will see you at the hotel lobby. After a warm greeting, we’ll start a one day trip to Shanghai’s historical as well as modern icons.

   The first stop is definitely the Bund, a seemingly division of Shanghai’s past and present. On your one hand, there is a cluster of western buildings dating back to over 100 years ago. On the other hand, you can see ultra-high modern buildings towering into the sky across the Huangpu River. It feels indeed like a time travel!

   Then, we dive into a sea of art in Shanghai Museum. The breathtaking bronze wares, porcelain, and calligraphy and paintings in ancient times are prominent stroytellers of China’s history and culture.

   

   The Jade Buddha Temple, an escape from the noisy neighborhood, is the next destination. We will admire the exquisite Buddha statues carved from a single piece of Burmese jade, and pray for tranquility and peace amid the smoke of burning incense.

   After that, take a genuine urban life adventure in Fuxing Park, where locals dance and practice Tai Chi. This is not a performance, but their authentic way of life. If you’re swept up in this joy, feel free to join them!

   Bugaoli is a well-preserved alleyway filled with Shikumen residences. Also, savor authentic Shanghai dim sum at a food market. Finally, we’ll ascend to the 118^th-floor observation deck of Shanghai Tower, where the entire city is beneath your feet. After the tour, a dedicated vehicle will take you back to the hotel.

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
3. Day 3: Shanghai to Suzhou
   A Leisurely Stroll Around the Exquisite Classical Garden

   After breakfast, we’ll drive for about 1.5 hours to Suzhou, a city often compared to a Paradise on Earth. As a riverside land, Suzhou is mentioned frequently in ancient Chinese literary works for the small bridges, streams, and quaint houses hidden in vast gardens. Our tour in Suzhou begins with the Lingering Garden that was left from the Ming Dynasty. The garden features grand halls, exquisite wood structures, and serene courtyards. Zigzag corridors skillfully divide the space into distinct areas, so that you can see different scenes as you move through. Pay special attention to the Guanyun Peak, a 9-meter-high rockery that is hailed as a masterpiece of rock formation art in China.

   

   After the visit, you may opt to explore the old town of Suzhou by rickshaw if you are interested. This is a unique way to mingle with the locals and get closer to the city’s heartbeat.

   Later, we wander around Pingjiang Old Street stretching approximately 1,600 meters. Here you can admire the quintessential water town composed by small bridges over flowing waters and houses with white walls and black tiles.

   Last, you will be escorted back to the hotel and helped with check-in.

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   4-Star Hotel in Suzhou
4. Day 4: Tongli Back to Shanghai
   One Day Tour to Tongli - A Mini Venice in Suzhou

   Good morning! After breakfast, we drive to Tongli Water Town for about 40 minutes, allowing you to enjoy the crisscross waterways, orderly rice fields and peaceful villages along the way.

   Tongli is a representative of water towns in the south region of China. It’s divided into seven islets by 15 rivers, which are in turn connected by 49 bridges. Here, every household resides by the river, preserving the rich ambience of old-fashioned waterside life. The ancient Ming and Qing Street is bustling with numerous stores and stands selling traditional hand-made crafts and delicacies. The Three Bridges, namely Taiping, Jili, and Changqing bridges, stand at the confluence of three rivers. It’s a folk tradition to walk across the Three Bridges to pray for peace and happiness. Tuisi Garden is also worth your visit. The pavilions, terraces, towers, gazebos, corridors, bridges, and halls, are arranged elaborately to center around the pond, as if they were floating on the water.

   Afterwards, we drive back to Shanghai and arrive at the hotel in about 1.5 hours.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Shanghai
5. Day 5: Flight to Guilin from Shanghai

   Today we’ll head to another city - Guilin - by a two-hour flight. On the plane, you can overlook the ground from the porthole. As the continuous karst peaks gradually come into view, you know that you are about to arrive in this picturesque city blessed by nature.

   We've kindly arranged for a local driver to pick you up at the airport and escort you to the hotel. After check-in, the afternoon and evening time is completely at your discretion. We have specially selected some activities for you to experience the charm of Guilin. The most classic way is boarding a cruise ship and sail leisurely along two rivers and four lakes at night. You will pass by various natural landmarks under the light and bridges of different styles. A gourmet Guilin exploration can also be started with local specialities like a bowl of rice noodles, Beer Fish, and Braised Pork with Lipu Taro.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Guilin
6. Day 6: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
   Travel in A Picturesque “Gallery” on Li River

   In the morning, our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and then set off to Mopanshan Pier. From there, we will board the Li River Cruise to Yangshuo. As the ship glides along the river, you will find yourself in a poetic landscape gallery unfolded slowly. Buffalo are busy plowing the fields. Majestic emerald karst peaks rise abruptly from the earth, each with its own unique shape. It’s time to test your imagination by guessing their names according to the shape! Our guide will lead you to see the iconic wonders along the way. Prepare your camera to capture a perfect shot of the Yellow Cloth Shoal - the very spot for the background of China’s 20RMB banknote. Do not miss the Nine Horses Fresco Hill either! It’s said that there are nine fake horses of varying poses on the hill. If you can find more than seven, you are proved to be a talented man.

   Tips:

   • This is a 3-star ship. You can pay extra to upgrade it to four-star as you wish.
   • The entire journey takes about 4 hours.
   • A simple lunch is included, and you can also bring some snacks and fruits.

   

   After we disembark at Yangshuo, the tour guide will escort us to the hotels. After a brief rest, our guide will lead us to explore the uniquely charming West Street of Yangshuo.

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   4-Star Hotel in Yangshuo
7. Day 7: Yangshuo to Chongqing by High-speed Train
   Cycle on Countryside Pathways in Yangshuo

   In the morning, accompanied by our guide, you will explore Yangshuo by cycling along rural trails. On the way, see lush green rice fields and diverse karst peaks. You may also encounter unexpectedly local farmers working in the fields, witnessing the most genuine life of locals.

   After lunch, head to the high-speed railway station to board a train to Chongqing, the Mountain City. The journey takes about 5 hours.

   Chongqing is a magic 8D city perched atop the mountains. More than just a pilgrimage site for spicy hotpot, the city is also renowned for modern marvels - light rail lines weaving through buildings and cableways spanning the skyline.

   

   Our driver will wait for you at the station and then escort you to the hotel. When night falls, the charm of Chongqing begins to unfold. We highly recommend you experience the stunning nightlife on your own. A casual stroll around Qiansimen Bridge or Hongya Cave is fantastic.

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   4-Star Hotel in Chongqing
8. Day 8: Chongqing Essence Exploration
   One Day Highlight Tour in Chongqing

   Good morning, today our guide will first accompany you to E'ling Park. Climbing onto the Kansheng Tower, you will get a panoramic view of the below Yangtze River and Jialing River. The next stop is Kuixing Tower, where you will know why Chongqing is called a magic 8D city. Subsequently, we will proceed to a trail in this mountain city. Walking on the winding stone steps, we can see the hustle and bustle of the locals’ real life.

   Afterwards, we take the light rail to the famous Liziba Station. It’s really amazing to see a train pass through a building! Later, wander around Jiefangbei CBD, the busiest of its kind in Chongqing. As night falls, our climax of today’s tour is about to come - Hongya Cave. The red lanterns are lit up and the layered stilted houses look opulent in the lights. After the tour, send you back to the hotel.

   

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   4-Star Hotel in Chongqing
9. Day 9: Chongqing to Xi'an by High-speed Train

   Wake up early in the morning. After breakfast, we’ll take a comfortable high-speed train ride of 5-6 hours to Xi’an. Our local driver will wait for you at the railway station, holding a welcome sign with the words “China Xian Tour”. The driver will assist you in moving your luggage and efficiently transport you to the hotel.

   The rest of the day is for your own arrangements. You are advised to appreciate the Bell Tower outlined by dazzling lights at night or watch exciting street performances at Datang Everbright City.

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   4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
10. Day 10: Terracotta Warriors Tour in Xi'an
    Visit the World’s Eighth Wonder - Terracotta Warriors and Horses

    After breakfast, meet your tour guide and drive for about 1 hour to the Terracotta Warriors Museum, an underground army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. We’ll have 2.5-3 hours to visit the three pits under the guidance of a professional guide. Standing before the pits, we’ll witness hundreds of life-sized terracotta soldiers and horses clad in armors.

    After the tour, you can voluntarily visit a nearby workshop and create a mini Terracotta Warrior guided by an artisan (additional fee applies). You can take this soldier home as a special souvenir.

    

    After lunch, let’s drive back to downtown and ascend the Ancient City Wall. You may choose to cycle along the wall by paying extra as you like.

    Then we’ll head to the city’s iconic center - the Bell Tower and the adjacent Muslim Quarter. It’s a paradise for foodies. You must try the delicious local food such as Biangbiang Noodles, Chinese hamburger, and shredded bread in mutton / beef soup.

    Later, we’ll accompany you back to the hotel for a good rest.

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    4-Star Hotel in Xi'an
11. Day 11: Xi'an Family Visit, Fly to Beijing
    Learn How to Cook Dumplings at a Local Household in Xi’an

    In the morning, visit a local family and cook traditional Chinese dishes with them. A hospitable housewife will teach you how to make dumplings or hand-pulled noodles. Then we will gather together around a table and savor the food made by yourself with a few home-style side dishes.

    After lunch, we set off to the train station to catch a high speed train to Beijing, the last city of our 14 days China tour. 5 hours later, we arrive in Beijing, and a local driver will pick up us promptly at the exit and transfer us to the hotel.

    After checking in, you’re advised to hang out and enjoy the vibrant vibe in Houhai Bar Street if you don’t feel tired.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Beijing
12. Day 12: Beijing City Sightseeing
    A Travel Back to the Royal Court in Ming and Qing Dynasties

    Today, we will spend a whole day touring the essence of the capital Beijing. The first place to visit is Tian'anmen Square, which has witnessed countless moments in China’s history. Continuing forward, we’ll enter the Forbidden City, a complex of ancient royal architecture that was not opened to commoners in the past. During the 3-hour visit, we’ll pass through various halls and palaces dominated by red and yellow colors. The tour guide will tell us a lot of interesting tales set in that place.

    In the afternoon, shuttle through the Hutongs by the traditional human powered tricycle. The quadrangle courtyards and warmhearted neighborhood are one of the most significant features of Beijing. Then we spend late afternoon in the Summer Palace, the best-known royal garden throughout China. You can take a boat at an additional fee on the Kunming Lake to feel the solemnity and beauty of this garden like an emperor. As the tour ends, you will be escorted back to the hotel.

    

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    4-Star Hotel in Beijing
13. Day 13: Beijing Great Wall Adventure
    Take a Hike on the Most Beautiful Section of the Great Wall

    The first stop today is the Temple of Heaven, a holy place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped the heaven and prayed for good harvests. The core area to visit must be Qinian Hall, literally the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. You will be amazed by the unique circular architectural structure and the design philosophy of “round heaven and square earth”. Afterwards, we’ll stroll around the nearby Tiantan Park. We’ll have the opportunity to see the elderly practising Tai Chi or calligraphy on the ground using brushes soaked in water.

    The afternoon is arranged for a visit to Mutianyu Great Wall. Compared with Badaling Great Wall, it’s more luxuriant and less crowded, thus a better choice. To save your time and effort, we recommend taking a cable car to the top. It needs an additional ticket, and our guide can assist in purchasing the ticket on site. Toboggan is also recommended for going down the mountain. It will bring you great excitement and joy. But it’s not applicable to seniors over 60. Children younger than 10 should be accompanied by an adult.

    

    Then it’s time to return. On the way to your hotel, we may stop near the Olympic Park for you to take photos in front of the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) if there is enough time.

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    4-Star Hotel in Beijing
14. Day 14: Departure from Beijing

    It’s time to bid farewell to our 2-week China tour. After breakfast, our driver will send you to the airport or train station at appointed time. Thanks for choosing China Xian Tour! Looking forward to meeting you next time in China.

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