Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Beijing Arrival (no meal)

   Upon your arrival at Beijing airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Beijing

2. Day 2: Beijing
   Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace ( B,L)

   AM: At 08:00, our English speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up from the downtown hotel. You will start today’s tour with the largest city square in the world - Tian'anmen Square. The square has a very important role in China’s history and visiting it is a dream for many generations of Chinese people. So don’t be surprised when you see the square is teeming with Chinese people. You can just wander around the square and take in the rich history.

   Then you will follow your tour guide into the incredible Forbidden City, which was once the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with more than 70 big and small palaces and over 9,000 rooms. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Walking into the grand and majestic complex, you will steep in China’s long history and marvel at this architectural masterpiece.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, continue your visit to Temple of Heaven. Famous for its meticulous layout, unique architecture and magnificent decoration, this grand complex was built for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to the heaven and pray for good harvests. It was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1998. You will definitely marvel at the craftsmanship and learn more historical facts about ancient China.

   The last scenic site will be Summer Palace. With an area of 2.9 square kilometers, this palace was the best place where the emperors of the Qing Dynasty spent their summers. Here you will enjoy the amazing lake view, explore the exquisite long corridor, appreciate precious cultural relics, step on the elegant stone bridge, see high old trees, etc. You will love every minute here with so much to see. You also can take the option of boat ride to enjoy the stunning Kunming Lake ( optional).

   Besides, you will also stop by a Chinese Herb Medicine Market to learn about traditional Chinese pharmacy and meet many kinds of herb medicine.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Beijing

   

3. Day 3: Beijing - Guilin Tour by Flight
   Mutianyu Great Wall ( B,L)

   AM: Today will be the highlight of your stay in Beijing as you will be visiting the famous world’s heritage - Mutianyu Great Wall. It would be around 2 hours’ driving, you can take this 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 pure-hiking is too much for you, there are also options of cable car and toboggan to see the spectacular scenery from different angles ( 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.

   Noon:Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Finish the hiking, transfer to Beijing Capital Airport for your evening flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to Guilin downtown hotel for checking-in. Have a good rest for tomorrow!

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

   

4. Day 4: Guilin - Yangshuo
   Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street ( B,L)

   AM: Today you will experience another highlight of your China tour since you will  embark on a ship to cruise down the picturesque Li River!

   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… Our 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.

   Friendly Tips: The Li River Cruise takes around 4 hours, and you will be staying on the boat to enjoy the scenery for most time, so 3-star boat as included would be  adequate according to most tourists’ experience. Besides, you are suggested to have a good breakfast at your hotel and take some snack as there will be only simple box lunch be provided on the boat.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After the 4 hours’ cruise, you will disembark at Yangshuo. Follow your guide to explore the famous Yangshuo West Street to admire the antique buildings and local crafts, hanging out in bars and coffee shops, and try some delicious local snacks.

   Last, transfer back to your Guilin hotel by our private vehicle.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

   

5. Day 5: Guilin Departure
   Reed Flute Cave, Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park (B, L)

   AM: Guilin is famous for its picturesque landscape and featured local culture. Today, you’ll begin the city exploration with the amazing Reed Flute Cave. The cave got its name because there were reeds at its entrance and people can make flutes by using the reeds. Walking into the cave, you will be surrounded by all kinds of stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, flowers, and curtains created by water erosion and carbonate deposition day after day and year after year.

   After that, move on to another wonderful site in Guilin, Fubo Hill. The hill boasts both natural beauty and historical relics. You just breathe the fresh air, enjoy the beautiful landscape, and feel the charm of grotto art.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Later, heading to the Elephant Trunk Hill. The hill got its name from the shape of an elephant sipping water by the riverside. You will see a round opening between the elephant’s trunk and legs, and it has a beautiful name of Water Moon Cave. You can take beautiful pictures to record the pleasant time at this extraordinary place.

   Afterwords, walk around the Seven Star Park to indulge yourself in the natural and cultural beauty of Guilin. The park is called Guilin’s green lung and has become the epitome of Guilin’s landscape and culture integrating mountains, water, caves, stones, courtyards, buildings, and cultural relics.

   After all the activities, transfer to Guilin airport for your departure.

   Friendly Tips: You are suggested to depart after 8PM to ensure no rush for the tour.