Memories of Splendid China, from US$2536

Arrive in Beijing, our guide (CET representative) will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The capital city of the People’s Republic of China Beijing (Peking) is a fast-growing, dynamic metropolis with high-rise buildings, shopping malls and vast international hotels connected by an intricate freeway system crisscrossing the city.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, let’s go to have a visit to the [Temple of Heaven], which is a complex of buildings, gardens, and pathways. Its organization indicates relationship between Earth and heaven. Next stop will take a walk on the [Tian'anmen Square]. It is one of the largest city squares in the world, located on the central axis of old Beijing. In the center of Tian'anmen Square stands the [Monument to the People's Heroes]. Then we will go to the [Forbidden City]. They are imperial palaces for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. And the Forbidden City also named the Palace Museum, shares the honor of being one of the five world-famous palaces with the Versailles Palace in France, Buckingham Palace in England, the White House in the U.S. and the Moscow Kremlin in Russia. Later the day will be on your own to explore more about this city.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

China’s Great Wall is the world’s longest architectural structure and is widely renowned as one of the seven great wonders of the world. There is a famous saying in China that "You are not a hero unless you climb on the Great Wall." This morning we will drive to the [Jinshanling Great Wall], the less developed and commercial section of the Great Wall. This historic construction is somewhat dangerous to climb because it winds up and down the precipitous ranges, but as a reward, splendid views are available.

People say that a visit to Beijing isn't complete without trying the crispy and tasty Peking duck dinner, so we highly recommend a featured dinner for you at one famous restaurant.

Stay overnight in Beijing.

This morning we will go to visit the [Summer Palace]--one of China's architectural masterpieces. a masterpieces of traditional Chinese gardening art, the Summer Palace combined artificial and natural attractions into a picturesque landscape. Of all the attractions inside the garden, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat, Suzhou Street and the Garden of Harmonious Delights are the most famed.

After lunch we will drive to the airport for a pm flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will be met by the guide and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day will be on your own to relax.

Stay overnight in Xi'an.

With a history of more than 3,000 years, Xi'an has abundant collection of archaeological relies to express its rich history. This morning we will go to visit [Banpo Museum], where you can see lots of precious unearthed cultural relics and artworks, indicating the prehistoric civilization and showing you the productive activities in ancient time. Followed will be a renowned spot. Situated east of Xi'an city, the [Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum] is famous throughout the world for life-sized terra-cotta warriors and horses. The three pits of the terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated shows you how magnificent the structure of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum was.

Later this evening you may choose local special Dumpling Dinner and the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show to experience some typical custom.

Stay overnight in Xi'an.

This morning we will go to visit the ancient [City Wall]. The wall now stands 12 meters (40 feet) tall, 12-14 meters (40-46 feet) wide at the top and 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length with a deep moat surrounding it. And the [Provincial Museum], it is a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. Also included is a visit to the [Big Wild Goose Pagoda]. It is one of the city's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, possibly the most beautiful building left in Xi'an today. And then we will drive to airport for a pm flight to Kunming.

Upon your arrival at Kunming airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Kunming. 

In the morning, we will go to the [Green Lake Park] (Cuihu Gongyuan), which is one of the most picturesque parks in downtown Kunming. All year round the park is venue of one sort of exhibition or another, and with its snug seclusion it is frequented by local residents who come here for few hours of leisure. In November and December every winter, a huge flock of red-beaked gulls migrate here from Siberia. In winter and spring, Kunming residents flock to the Cuihu Park to feed red-beaked gulls. There are tens of thousands of them which have descended upon the lake. This lovable scene, man, birds and nature mingle in such harmony, has kept occurring over the last ten years. The rest of the day will be on your own to explore the city.

Stay overnight in Kunming.

Today we will enjoy a whole day tour in wandering in the [Stone Forest]. Those magnificent stone masterpieces, various strange and steep intricate formations, and countless labyrinthine vistas in Stone Forest (Shi Lin in Chinese) will definitely make you be marvel at. It is worthy of the fame as the 'First Wonder of the World'. And there goes a local saying: “It is a waste of time without being in the Stone Forest while visiting Kunming”.

Later this afternoon we will drive to Kunming Train Station to catch an overnight train to Dali after dinner.

Stay overnight on train.

You are picked up by your guide at Dali Train Station in the morning, transferred to your hotel in the Old Town. The rest time in the morning will be your own.

After lunch, we will set out to visit the most outstanding landmarks in Dali, [Three Pagoda Temple]. As its name implies, Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. They are used as a symbol of the town and appear on just about every calendar decorated of Chinese scenery. Then we will continue to visit a [local Bai Minority Family] for the first hand experience of the local daily life. The Bai, a branch of the Yi people, first settled this area some 4,000 years ago. Their hospitable and their traditional way of life and finished handicrafts will surely impress you.

Stay overnight in Dali Old Town. 

Today we will depart Dali for Lijiang by private van/bus after lunch. It is roughly a 3.5 hour drive. The beautiful scenery along the way will surely impress you with some unique feeling. We may stop on the way for you to relax and take some photos. We will arrive in Lijiang before dinner time.

Stay overnight in Lijiang.

Lijiang is the old capital of the Naxi people, kin of the Tibetans, who are traditionally matriarchal and whose music and Dongba script are unique to them. Badly damaged by an earthquake in early 1996, the delightful town sits on a plain dominated by the snowcapped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. This morning we will go to the [Jade Dragon Snow-capped Mountain]. With skyscraping snow-capped peaks and its imposing body, it reflects in the interlaced rivers flowing under the old town, composing a fabulous picture. Viewed from afar, the snow-capped range resembles a silver dragon with snow curling up its middle. Rich forest, herb and animal resources thrive on the mountain and a giant tram cart up here is one of the highest of its kind in China. We will take cables to climb the mountain and be intoxicated in the picturesque scenery. And we also will organize a [Naxi Minority family visit] for you in the afternoon.

Stay overnight in Lijiang.

Depart for Tiger Leaping Gorge by private car, van or bus after breakfast. Before trekking, you'll have lunch at Qiaotou Town on the way and we will head on to Tiger Leaping Gorge and go straight to our first guest house.

Stay overnight at Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Relax in the morning and enjoy the view before we take the high trail to our second guest house. Wedged tightly between steep cliffs, the [Tiger Leaping Gorge] is one of the great, and mostly unspoiled, scenic spots in not only Yunnan province, but surely in China as well. It is a well-known gorge of Yangtze River，where the river is so narrow here. As described in legend, a hunted tiger made his escape to the other side in a single bound. The whole day will be a over three hours walk.

Stay overnight in Tiger Leaping Gorge.

We will walk out from the Tiger Leaping Gorge before lunch time. After lunch in Qiaotou Town, we will head to Zhongdian, the town now officially recognized as "Shangri-La". This is actually the old Tibetan Province of Kham and was used as a winter grazing area for the livestock. The surrounding countryside is much as it always has been, preserving mysterious and ancient atmosphere. Eventually we will arrive at Shangri-la before dinner time.

Stay overnight in Shangri-la.

Let’s go to visit [Songzanlin Monastery] today. It is a spiritual hub for people to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, a famous Tibetan style Buddhist temple in China. This scenic spot attracts the tourists for where they can enjoy the view and be lucky to take photos of girls wearing exquisite Tibetan costumes holding perfectly white fluffy lambs against the imposing mountains and blue sky. Also we will arrange to visit the [old part of the town] and have a [Tibetan family visiting]. The Tibetan built their houses in distinctive religious styles influenced by Buddhism. You can taste Tibetan specialties of yak butter tea, local yogurt and Tibetan barley. Later this afternoon will be on your own to walk around. We suggest you get a feeling of local people's daily life by visit the local market to get a feeling of local people's daily life.

Stay overnight in Shangri-la.

Take a morning flight back to Kunming. Then catch another flight to Guiyang in the afternoon or in the evening. Guiyang situates in the southwest China with a population of about 3.5 million, of which 65% is Han and the rest a mixture of minorities such as Miao, Bouyei, Dong, Yi, Shui, Hui, Gelao, Zhuang, Yao, Bai, Tujia, etc. The most populous minority ethnic group is the Miao, and less populous are the Buyi, the Dong, and the Tujia. It becomes a developing tourist resort of China due to its beautiful scenery, pleasant climate and abundant tourist resources. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day will be leisure at relax.

Stay overnight in Guiyang.

After breakfast, we will drive to the [Huangguoshu Waterfall]. World famous Huangguoshu Waterfall reaches a width of 81m (about 266feet) with a drop of 74m (about 243feet). Behind the Fall, lies the 134 meter-long (about 0.1miles long) Shuilian-dong (the Water Curtain Cave) where one can watch the grand fall inside which makes you feel like you are in a fairyland. The view from this amazing spot is particularly stirring at sunset. Xiniu Tan, the pond into which the waterfall pours, is accessible. Standing by the pond, tourists can be closer to the natural spectacle. In addition to the Huangguoshu, there are over ten waterfalls and water-eroded caves along the Baishuihe River. Spotting in the scenic zone, are other falls with distinct features and charm respectively. After visiting the scenic zone, one would feel as if he has visited all the falls in the world. Later the day we will drive back to Guiyang.

Stay overnight in Guiyang.

Today let’s go for a visit to the [Qianling Park]. It is located on Qianling Mountain, northwest of Guiyang. Qianling Mountain situated in Guiyang's northwestern corner provides a vast comprehensive garden for the city. As one of the noted attractions on the Guizhou plateau, it boasts clear water, green mountains, tranquil forests and old temples. About 1500 kinds of trees and flowers as well as 1000 kinds of herbs have been found there in the Qianling Mountain. And there are gregarious macaques and flocks of birds too. More than 500 energetic and enchanting macaques live in the mountain in the park and add to the features of the park. There is a "holy fountain" up the mountain whose water is so clean that local people consider it coming from the heaven. The flowing steams from the fountain and the mist surrounding the forest make it one of the greatest eight scenic spots in Guiyang. After visit the park, the rest of the day will be on your own.

Stay overnight in Guiyang.

After breakfast, we will go for a flight from Guiyang to Guilin. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day will be leisure at relax.

Stay overnight in Guilin.

Today we will go to Longji, a minority area with magnificent terraced rice paddies. During the tour to the [Longji Terraces], you may have a chance to take some wonderful pictures of minority people wearing exquisite costumes along the way. Located southeast of Longsheng, the rice terraces are built into the hillsides which look like great chains or ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the hill. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scare arable land and water resources in the mountainous area. Later this afternoon we will drive to visit [Huangluo Red Yao minority village]. Women there all keep their hair to a length of more than one meter. You will be marvel at their characteristic red costumes and beauty.

Stay overnight in Longsheng. 

Early this morning we will drive to the Longsheng town. By visiting the local market, you can explore more interesting things in daily life of local people. Then we will drive to Guilin city. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel, enjoy a leisure afternoon.

Stay overnight in Guilin.

This morning we will begin one of your highlights in China tour. That is having [Li River cruise]. Cruising downstream with a pleasant breeze greeting, you can sit on cushion comfortably or enjoy the open-air viewing platform. Bring lots of film because this is a photographer's dream, where you are able to capture the dramatic landscapes that Chinese artists have been painting for centuries. Lunch will be served onboard. Enjoy the Li River picturesque scenery to Yangshuo. Disembark and walk to the West Street, which has received countless foreigners from all over the world and reputed as "Earth Village in China". Today, the 600 meters (about 0.37miles) long street has more than 300 cafes, restaurants, hotels art crafts and tourist stores, foreign language clubs, internet centers and Kungfu schools. This afternoon you will be free at leisure, you can enjoy a coffee time at the West Street, or walk around the small Yangshuo town.

Stay overnight in Yangshuo. 

After breakfast, we will drive back to Guilin city. It will take the rest of the day in Guilin to discover its shinning scenic spots that make the city unique and especially beautiful. The symbol of Guilin, [Elephant Trunk Hill] is standing in the Li River and looks like an elephant drinking water from the river. The [Reed Flute Cave] is one of the most spectacular caves displaying karst geographical formation in various shapes. After the visit, we will continue to the nearby [South China Sea Pearl Museum], where we can learn some knowledge of pearls and have the chance to purchase real sea pearl at competitive prices. After dinner, we recommend a cruise in the city's central area on a water system, which will absolutely give you a deep impression of Guilin.

Stay overnight in Guilin.

Today will be on your own to relax or explore more about the city and until you are ready to be transferred to the airport for a flight to Hong Kong to continue your tour or for departure. Our service will end at the airport of Guilin.