16-Day China Culture And Natural Views Tour

Day 1 Arrival/ Hong Kong (no meals)

Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement

Upon you arrive at Hong Kong, you will be met and transfered to the hotel. Lunch is on your own arrangement. You will explore Hong Kong's unique blend of Chinese heritage and colonial influences. Your tour will include the Victoria Peak, the floating community of Aberdeen, Repulse Bay and Stanley Market of Hong Kong Island.

- Victoria Peak: It overlooks all of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, Standing atop the peak to have a bird's-eye view of Hong Kong you will be amazed at the breathtaking view of the surrounding city skyline. In this peak, there is an old-fashioned Peak Tram, aged over 110, and the icon of Hong Kong-the famous Peak Tower.

-Aberdeen: a waterfront harbor resort holding tourist attractions like dinghies, floating restaurants and jumbo kingdom. In Aberdeen, besides experience the traditional life of boat-dwellers, tourists may also enjoy tasty seafood and waterscape.

-Repulse Bay: famous for the long and broad beach, soft and clean sand, calm and gentle wave. As the most representative of its kinds in Hong Kong, it enjoys the reputations of ""the First Bay under the Sun"" and ""Oriental Hawaii""

-Stanley Market: located in the Stanley Town, the market is a must–see when trip to Hong Kong Island. Many of the stalls or shops in Stanley Market sell Hong Kong tourism souvenirs, such as antiques, paintings, calligraphy work, Silk goods...it has been a small shopping paradise for the locals and the tourists from abroad.

Day 2 Hong Kong (B)

Transfer to pier for Star Ferry to Kowloon side. Walk along promenade back to hotel. The afternoon is free to explore Hong Kong.

Day 3 Hong Kong / Guilin (B)

Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement

Be free at leisure until our local guide meets and escorts you to the airport for the flight to Guilin.
Upon you reach Guilin, be met and transferred to the hotel.

Day 4 Guilin / Yangshuo (B, L)

Transfer via: Cruise ship on our arrangement

After breakfast, be picked up to Zhujiang Pier (about 40-minute drive), from there you will set sail down to Yangshuo County along the Li River. After that, visit the Yangshuo West Street.

- Li River Cruise: a famous river cruise (3.5-5 hrs) in China, boasts of the beautiful stunning karst scenery on the river banks. Along the river, tourists will see the green peculiar-looking peaks, luxuriant bamboo forest, buffalos, villages, fruitful orchards, paddy fields and farmers.

-West Streets: located in the centre of Yangshuo County, the New West Street and the Old West Street are connected and end on the bank of Li River. They are famous for selling tourism souvenirs, antiques as well as the western food restaurants, Chinese food restaurant, cafes, bars, language schools, Chinese art schools, Taiji (Shadow Boxing) and Kungfu schools.

Day 5 Yangshuo (B)

Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement

After breakfast, you will have a cycling trip to the Big Banyan Tree and the Moon Hill. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful countryside scenery. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.

-Big Banyan Tree: located 7.5km south of Yangshuo. It is said that this banyan tree was planted in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234A.D.) and is famous for its age and towering beauty.

-Moon Hill: a limestone pinnacle with a moon-shaped hole (about 50 meters in height and width) penetrating the hill, hence the name. With an elevation of 380 meters, the hill is 230 meters in relative height and 410 meters in length. Via the over 800 marble stairs on the hill, you can reach the hole to make a bird's eye view of the around scenery.

Day 6 Yangshuo/Guilin / Chengdu (B, L)

Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement

Your full day trip in Guilin today includes the Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave and Yao Hill. After that, be escorted to the airport for the night flight (19:30-21:00) to Chengdu. Meet your guide at Chengdu airport and transfer to the hotel.

- Elephant Trunk Hill: situated majestically at the southeast of Guilin City and west bank of Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill is regarded as the symbol of Guilin City.

- Reed Flute Cave: the largest and most impressive Karst cavern in Guilin. In it you will see many beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and many fantastic spectacles.

-Yao Hill: the highest hill in Guilin, 12 km away from the downtown. Standing atop the beautiful hill, you can make a bird's eye view of around Guilin.  You can take cable car up or down the hill and pay a free visit to its tea plantation

Day 7 Chengdu (B, L)

Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement

Today's full-day tour will bring you to Giant Panda Breeding Research Base first, and then Du Fu's Thatched Roof Cottage and Marquis Wu Shrine. After the sightseeing, enjoy a cup of tea at one of the local tea houses.

- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base: 18km from the city center, housing 12 pandas in natural environments: it is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous residents and you can get to know more about this precious species in the museum there.

- Du Fu's Thatched Roof Cottage: located on the side of the Flower Washing Brook in the western suburbs of Chengdu. It is the former residence of the celebrated Tang dynasty poet, Du Fu (712-770AD) who was born in Henan province. At the age of 20 he left his home to travel within China. He used to be an official for 10 years in Chang'an (present Xian), the capital of the Tang dynasty, and was captured by rebels after an uprising. He then fled to Chengdu where he built this humble cottage and stayed for about four years.

- Marquis Wu Shrine: built by Li Xiong in the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316AD) in memory of Zhuge Liang, prime minister of Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280AD). Zhuge Liang (181-234AD) was not only a great statesman and military strategist but also the hero of the novel Sanguo Yanyi (the Romance of the Three Kingdoms).

- Tea houses: Chengdu is one of the few remaining cities in China with a really authentic tea house (Chadian) culture. Thousands of teahouses dotted about Chengdu are hugely popular with locals, especially the elderly. Teahouses throughout the city are still important locations for social gatherings. Its distinct and unique atmosphere will let you get a good feel for Chengdu.

Day 8 Chengdu / Chongqing Embarking (B)

Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement

Be free until our guide meets and helps you transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Board your ship in Chongqing.

Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise (B, D)

Transfer via: Cruise ship on our arrangement

Depart Chongqing at 08:00AM. Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City.

-Fengdu Ghost City: constructed on the Mingshan Hill by the river bank, it is so called because of the legend which goes that about 1,700 years ago, two officials, Yin and Wang (the combination of their surnames means ""Ghost King "") became Taoists here and eventually Immortals. Now with fantastic temples of underworld demons and gods, it shows the Chinese ghost culture and is a place for punishing the devil and awarding the good.

Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Cruise ship on our arrangement

Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges by smaller vessels this morning.

- Shennong Stream: a famous tributary of the Yangtze River, also known by its Chinese name of ""Shennong Xi"". Rising in the north face of the Shengnong Jia Natural Protection Area and twining through Badong County, the stream meets the Yangtze River at the Wu Gorge. Boating along the Shennong Stream is one of the highlights of the Yangtze Cruise. Along the stream, tourists will hear the cry of monkeys; spot the dzerens, river deer, and Moschus moschiferouses; enjoy the boat trackers' songs; see the mystic time-honored coffins suspended on the cliffs, ancient plank roads built along the cliffs, primitive environment, and old villages...anyone who visits the stream will be intoxicated by its mystery.

Day 11 Disembarking Yichang / Xian (B, L, D)

Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement

Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site (08:00-10:30). Disembark the ship in Yichang at 11:30AM. Fly to Xi'an. Be met and transferred to the hotel. Welcome you with a savory dumpling dinner.

-Three Gorges Dam: The Three Gorges Dam is nicknamed the ""Great Wall across the Yangtze River in China. Construction began in 1994 the dam is now the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. The Dam will be 2,335 meters long, 18 meters wide, and its bottom will be 130 meters wide after completion in 2009. When completed, the water level will rise to 135 meters above sea level. The reservoir began filling on June 1, 2003, and it will occupy the present position of the scenic Three Gorges area, between the cities of Yichang, Hubei, and Fuling, Chongqing Municipality.

-Dumpling Dinner: Chinese dumpling has a long history and is an essential part of celebratory meals such as those prepared for the Chinese lunar Spring Festival. At the dinner, nearly 20 varieties of dumplings that are steamed and stuffed with different delicious fillings such as vegetables, meats and seafood are served. These dumplings are not only tasty, but also characteristic with their colors and fragrance, style and culture meanings. All these make the dinner so unique that you should not miss it when traveling in Xi'an.

Day 12 Xian (B, L)

Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement

Today, your will be stunned by the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors and Horses, after that, proceed to see the Ancient City Walls.

- Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum: a much lauded destination in China, in which the terracotta warriors and horses have been extolled as ""the eighth great wonder of the world"" and ""the greatest discovery of the 20th century"" since they were dug up in 1974. Nearly 10,000 pieces of unequalled terracotta warriors and horses constitute a big commanding legion in the big pits of the museum. Two exquisite pieces of Bronze Chariots with Horses, uncounted bronze weapons such as crossbows, arrows, spears, swords, lances, and halberds etc also found in the pits. They were all listed on the World Cultural Heritage Catalogue by the UNESCO in 1987.

- Ancient City Walls : 15 meters wide and 11.9 kilometers in perimeter, it is the most intact city defensive fortification in China, including moat, drawbridges, turrets, ramparts, sentry towers, gate towers, battlements and a number of other military facilities.

Day 13 Xian / Beijing (B)

Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement

Be free until our guide meets and escorts you to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Upon you arrive at Beijing, our local guide and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Day 14 Beijing (B)

Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement

Today you will first visit the historic Tiananmen Square, and then the magnificent Forbidden City. In the afternoon, you will marvel at the exquisite Summer Palace. Enjoy the Beijing Opera Show at Liyuan Theatre in the evening.

-Tiananmen Square: the world's largest public square, it was the front gate of the Forbidden City in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate, Museums, government buildings and Mao's Mausoleum.

- Forbidden City: home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has over 9,000 unique buildings and houses numerous ancient works of art. The site was designated the world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.

-Summer Palace: originally built in 1750, this royal garden of the Qing Dynasty is a masterpiece of Chinese landscaping that harmoniously incorporates the works of man and nature. With its magnificent buildings, perfect layout, artistic collections and enchanting scenery, it is known as the most splendid garden in China.

-Beijing Opera: also known as Peking Opera. It is a comprehensive performing art that combines traditional music, singing, dialogue, dance, pantomime, acrobatics and martial arts. It has a history of over 200 years and regarded as the national opera of China.

Day 15 Beijing (B, D)

Transfer via: Private car on our arrangement

Today, your full-day excursion includes the majestic Great Wall (Badaling section), the Sacred Way and the Dingling Tomb of the 13 Ming Tombs. Enjoy a famous Peking Duck Banquet for dinner.

- Great Wall: one of the symbols of Chinese nation. It is considered as one of the eight architectural wonders of the planet. Built over 2,000 years ago and stretches about 6,700km. The Badaling section is known as one of the nine famous passes in China, which was built in 1505AD.

- Sacred Way: an attractive way which leads to the Ming Tombs, bordered by 12 sets each of animal and human statues, and includes the Great Red Gate, housing a stele on the back of a tortoise, and marble memorial archway.

-Dingling Tomb: the burial site of the emperor Wanli, the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty who ruled for 48 years until his death in 1620, it is the only underground tomb of the 13 Imperial Ming tombs ever excavated.

- Peking Duck Dinner: Peking Roast Duck is regarded as one of the most delicious dishes in the world. A Peking Duck Dinner is usually a fixed item on any Beijing tour itinerary. At time-honored restaurants such as Quan Ju De, you can savor the mouth-watering traditional Beijing specialty, and at the same time the chefs will show you how they cuts the meat into exactly 108 slices from one duck, each having a piece of skin.

Day 16 Beijing / Departure (B)

Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement

Pay a morning visit to the Temple of Heaven. After that, be escorted to the airport for your homebound flight.

-Temple of Heaven: a place where the emperors offered sacrifice to Heaven and pray for bumper harvest. This beautiful traditional temple is the largest complex of existing ancient sacrificial buildings in China.

Services End

·Hotel Accomodation-the hotel accommodation is based on two persons sharing one twin room with private facilities.
·All transportation, transfers and tours with private guide and car or van in each destination.
·All the admission tickets, English speaking guide service.
·Daily breakfast at the hotel, Chinese lunch and dinner with one cup of soft drink are offered outside the hotel or as specified in the itinerary.
·The government tax.
·Travel Agencies' Liability Insurance with the tour inside China. (Include China Life Tourist Accident Insurance/Casualty Insurance. We highly recommend that you purchase full coverage travel insurance from you country of origin.)

·Charge of obtaining your visa to enter China.
·In/out flight, domestic airport fee and departure tax is not included. (We can help you book the cheap tickets!)
·Gratitude to guide and driver is not included.
·Expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, telex, optional activities or sightseeing, telephone calls or overweight baggage charges or meals not indicated etc.
·The airport construction tax.

·The hotel, guide and transfer are all based on double occupancy. If the visitor travels alone, he or she must pay for the other person. This additional charge is called single supplement.

· If the traveler number is odd (such as 3, 5, 7...), the odd number person who stays in one single room has to pay the single room supplement. Since the hotel is on the double occupancy.

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