China Highlights This is the ultimate China experience, a true top to toe immersion into one of the oldest and grandest countries in the world. Starting in Beijing where you will walk in the footsteps of the country s great rulers from the Ming to Mao, the adventure will then kick up a gear with a tour de force of China s national treasures. From the Terracotta Army of the First Emperor to an awesome display of Kungfu by the Shaolin monks and glistening Shanghai by night, this is China at her best. Route Beijing Luoyang Xian Guilin Yangshuo Hangzhou Suzhou Shanghai Duratio n 13 Days/ 12 Nights Validity Nov 2013 Oct 2014 Highlights : Great Wall The Forbidden City The Longmen Caves Shaolin Monastery Terracotta Army Meijiawu tea plantation Li River Cruise Cruise on the West Lake The Bund & Yu Garden of Shanghai Day 1: Sunday Beijing: Arrival in Beijing. Transfer to Hotel Free time or optional tour of the Summer Palace Day 2: Monday Beijing: (Breakfast / Lunch) Photo stop at the Bird s Nest Tour on the Badaling Great Wall Visit the Ming Tomb
Day 3: Tuesday Beijing Luoyang: (Breakfast / Lunch) Visit Tiananmen Square Tour in the Forbidden City Visit the Temple of Heaven Transfer to the train station for the night train to Luoyang Day 4: Wednesday Luoyang: (Breakfast / Lunch) Arrival in Luoyang in the morning Transfer to the hotel for breakfast Tour in the Longmen Grottoes Day 5: Thursday Luoyang Xi an: (Breakfast / Lunch) Visit the Shaolin Monastery In the afternoon, transfer to the train station Express train from Luoyang to Xian (about 2 hours) Arrival in Xi an and transfer to the hotel Day 6: Friday Xi an: (Breakfast / Lunch) Visit the Terracotta Warriors Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Day 7: Saturday Xi an Guilin: (Breakfast / Lunch) Transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin Tour around Fobo Hill Day 8: Sunday Guilin Yangshuo: (Breakfast / Lunch) Cruise on the Li River Visit the Yangshuo Market Day 9: Monday Yangshuo Guiin Hangzhou: (Breakfast / Lunch) Free time in Yangshuo and nearby Transfer to Guilin Flight from Guilin to Hangzhou Visit the Meijiawu tea plantation Day 10: Tuesday Hangzhou Suzhou: (Breakfast / Lunch) Cruise on the West Lake Visit the Lingying Monastery In the afternoon, transfer to the train station for the high-speed rail trip to Suzhou Day 11: Wednesday Suzhou Shanghai: (Breakfast / Lunch) Boat tour on the Grand Canal Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden In the afternoon, transfer to the train station Take the train to Shanghai Day 12: Thursday Shanghai: (Breakfast / Lunch) Explore the Bund Visit Jinmao Tower Tour the Yu Garden and the Old City Enjoy free time around Nanjing Road Day 13: Friday Departure Shanghai: (Breakfast)
After breakfast at your hotel, we will transfer you to the Shanghai airport for your departure flight. Accommodation Information City Accommodation Cat. Room Type Beijing Tangram Hotel Xin Yuan Li Beijing or hotel Standard 4* similar Beijing Night Train Soft Sleeper Luoyang 4-bed cabin Luoyang Hotel Peony or hotel similar 4* Standard Xi an Hotel King Dynasty or hotel similar 4* Standard Guilin Green Lotus Hotel or hotel similar 4* Standard Yangshuo Yangshuo New Century Hotel or hotel similar 4* Standard Hangzhou Best Western Hangzhou Meiyuan Hotel or hotel similar 4* Standard Suzhou Holiday Inn Youlian or hotel similar 4* Standard Shanghai Rendezvous Merry Hotel or hotel similar 4* Standard Available Starting Dates Dates in 2013 (Arrival in Beijing) Dates in 2014 Nov. 03 Feb. 16 Jul. 6,20 Dec. 01 Mar. 16 Aug. 10,24 Apr. 06,13 Sep. 7,21 May. 11,25 Oct. 12,26 Jun. 8
Included Service: 11 nights in mentioned hotels in standard rooms with WC and shower/bath Meals as mentioned in the program All transfers mentioned in the program Flight from Xi an to Guilin and from Guilin to Hangzhou in Economy Class (incl. airport tax & fuel surcharge) 1 overnight ride on the night train from Beijing to Luoyang, in a soft sleeper class 4-bed cabin Express train from Luoyang to Xian, from Hangzhou to Suzhou, and from Suzhou to Shanghai (in 2nd class) All sightseeing mentioned in the program (incl. entrance fees) Local English-speaking guide Excluded Service: Optional Tour on Day 1: Summer Palace incl. Lunch, English-speaking tour guide and entrance Visa Costs not mentioned above Personal costs and tipping International flights Note: Price is subject to availability Flights and hotels are subject to changes Latest notification: 30 days before departure Sites of Interest Beijing Summer Palace The former site of retreat for the imperial family, the Summer Palace provides a range of striking views and the opportunity to take in Kunming Lake. Its buildings and courtyards are beautifully decorated and charged with history. The Bird s Nest This was the iconic stadium that hosted the official opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. Due to its cutting-edge design and international significance, the structure has become one of the most well-known landmarks of modernizing China. Badaling Great Wall The Badaling section of the Great Wall was built in 1505 and is the most visited portion. Having been reconstructed to represent its original grandeur, this section gives a realistic and astounding picture of the Great Wall's immensity. Ming Tomb (incl. Changling tomb) The Ming tombs are located about 31 miles from Beijing. Thirteen emperors are buried in a complex that spreads over about 15 square miles. Visitors approach the tombs through The Great Red Gate. Tiananmen Square Having witnessed the founding of the People s Republic of China, Tiananmen Square is of one the world s most impressive public plazas and stands at the center of Beijing. The Forbidden City
This palace complex is located at the center of the ancient city of Beijing and was home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the Forbidden City is a public museum and World Heritage site, attracting millions of tourists from around the world. Temple of Heaven This temple was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifices to Heaven requesting good harvests. The extensive grounds and pleasant gardens are now a popular public park where local people engage in all sorts of leisure activities and traditional pastimes. Luoyang/Songshan The Longmen Grottoes From north to south, the grottoes cover a distance of about 1 kilometer. Longman Shiku (Dragon Gate Grottoes) was built over several dynasties and is one of three major grottoes in China. The grottoes boast 1,352 caves, more than 100,000 statues, 40 pagodas and about 3,600 tablets with Buddhist inscriptions. Shaolin Monastery Founded in the 5th century, the monastery has long been famous for its association with Chinese martial arts and particularly with Shaolin Kung Fu. As a result, it is perhaps the best-known Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Western world Xi an Terracotta Warriors The 2000 year old Army of Terracotta Warriors remains stunningly well-preserved. The amazingly lifelike figures are arranged in traditional battle formations and stances. Every figure of the several thousand figures of warriors, horses and chariots unearthed to date is unique and individual. Big Wild Goose Pagoda Originally built in the 7th century AD, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda has been added to and renovated many times. Its purpose was to house the Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the travelling monk Xuan Zang. Guilin/Yangshuo Li River Cruise Enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the Li River as it twists through the sweeping mountains of Guizhou. The karst peaks and meandering river provide a perfect backdrop for photographic snapshots of your time in China. Fubo Hill Named after a famous general in ancient China who built a temple on its peak, Fubo Hill towers over the Li River. Aside from its own natural beauty, the hill plays host to several other sites of interests, including the Pearl-Returning Cave, the One-Thousand-Buddhas Cave, and the Big Iron Clock. Yangshuo Town Located idyllically along the Li River and framed by the region s signature karst peaks, Yangshuo Town is a popular destination for backpackers and tourists. Relax in one the town s cafés and admire the surrounding natural beauty or meander through the market to buy some cultural souvenirs. Hangzhou/Suzhou Meijiawu Tea Plantation Hangzhou and the overarching Yangzte Delta region are known for their fertile land and stunning natural environment, which is especially suited to tea cultivation. Enjoy a visit to one of the tea plantations for which this region of China is famous. West Lake
Hangzhou is most famous for its revered West Lake with its romantic mists, jade-hued waters and graceful gardens. Take a walk along the lake s perimeter or enjoy a boat ride to admire its fabled beauty. Lingyin Monastery Lingyin Temple (the Monastery of Hidden Souls) is one of the ten most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. It houses Buddhist literature and treasures with more than 470 stone carvings of Buddhist figures, dating from the 10th to 14th centuries. Grand Canal Stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou, the Grand Canal is one China s most astounding manmade feats. Along with having been a major commercial artery in the ancient world, many of the towns along its course are fabled for their whimsical beauty and charm, including Hangzhou, Suzhou and Wuzhen. Humble Administrator's Garden This Ming-era garden is also the largest garden in Suzhou. But, fear not, its size does not cut corners on beauty. In fact, it is widely regarded to be one the most exquisite gardens in all of Southern China. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the other classical gardens of Suzhou. Shanghai The Bund This riverfront location is a time-honored symbol of Shanghai and shows pieces of the city s Neoclassical European imperial past. Jinmao Tower This 88-story tall building is a famous landmark in Shanghai s skyline and was the tallest building in China until 2007. Yu Garden Located in the old city center, this sublime site is a great example of classical design. Constructed 400 years ago in the Ming period, the colossal city of Shanghai has sprung around this older relative but left it to grow old peacefully, providing a tranquil respite from the modern pace of life. Old City The "Old City" is a well-preserved portion of the original metropolis and offers a enchanting window into Shanghai's rich history. Nanjing Road This is a well-known shopping boulevard with the immense energy, bright lights and spectacle of Shanghai all condensed into one place.