China Classic (13 days)

This is the most popular China travel itinerary. The tour will start in Beijing and then proceed to Xi'an and beautiful cities of Gulin, Yangshuo and Suzhou. And, of course, you will visit Shanghai - China's economic wonder.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Meet your guide upon arrival and be transferred to your comfortable hotel.
Day 2: Beijing
Begin the day's activity with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. Then, move on to the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City, the biggest palace complex in the world. In the afternoon, visit Temple of Heaven, the place where the emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvest. A Peking Duck Dinner concludes your first full day activities in China.
Day 3: Beijing
Visit the enchanting Summer Palace, one of China's largest and best-preserved royal gardens, where you can have a walk along the famous Long Corridor. In the afternoon, visit the Yonghe Lama Temple, the biggest Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple in Beijing, and the most renowned in China (outside Tibet itself).
Day 4: Beijing
Today's highlight is an excursion to the Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of the world and a symbol of Chinese civilization. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across mountains. Then, visit the Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb) area where is for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Day 5: Beijing-Xi’an
After a relaxed breakfast at hotel this morning, you will take a ride in rickshaw through some old Hutongs lanes or alleys formed by lines of Siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard). Take a flight to Xi'an, visit Forest of Steles Museum where precious stone carvings and sculptures are kept. Enjoy a characteristic Dumpling Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Xi’an
Begin the day's activity with an once-in-a-lifetime viewing of the extraordinary 2,200-year-old Terracotta Warriors of China's first feudal Emperor, Qin Shihuang. After lunch, you will visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 A.D. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk of Xuanzang. (The entrance fee for climb up the Pagoda is not in the price included, if you want to climb up, please pay the charge on spot by yourselves.)
Day 7: Xi’an-Guilin
Take a morning flight to Guilin, one of China's top attractive destinations. Pay a visit Fubo Hill for a panoramic view of Guilin and Seven Star Park, named after the tale that the Seven Peaks of Mountain Qixing (Seven Star) were the seven stars in the north sky falling down to the earth.
Day 8: Guilin-Yangshuo-Guilin
Today's highlight is cruising down the Li River, which stretches 83 kilometers from Guilin to Yangshuo. The cruise will give you a chance to savor the lovely view of the area's extraordinary limestone peaks. The cruise ends in Yangshuo. Visit local markets. Yangshuo is a charming small town with its main street lined with small hotels, countless souvenir shops and restaurants. Then, drive back to Guilin.
Day 9: Guilin-Shanghai-Suzhou
In the morning, fly to Shanghai, the bustling commercial heart of China, known as Paris of the East. And be transferred to Suzhou upon arrival. Founded in 514BC, Suzhou is known as the Venice of the East. It was so named by early travelers because the town was built around a network of canals and 300 bridges. On the way, you will visit Luzhi Village. This charming village is set in a lovely environment and maintains a traditional atmosphere with many classical buildings and bridges over streams and canals.
Day 10: Suzhou
You will begin the day with a visit to Lingering Garden and Garden of the Master of the Nets. Lingering Garden is renowned for the artistic way in which the spaces between various kinds of architectural forms are dealt with. Garden of the Master of the Nets, the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, is the most impressive because of its use of space which creates the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size. You will also visit Suzhou Silk Museum to see how the world's most beautiful silk is produced. Enjoy a boat ride on the Grand Canal reveals the traditional way of life for the people who have lived here for generations.
Day 11: Suzhou-Shanghai
Drive back to Shanghai, visit the Bund, at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen on the opposite side. The splendid row of early 20th century Europe buildings remains the quintessential Shanghai sight. Then, visit fascinating Yuyuan Garden, a well-restored Suzhou-style garden, and take a walk through the Old Town filled with antique markets and specialty stores. Enjoy a fabulous Acrobatic Show in the evening.
Day 12: Shanghai
This morning you will visit marvelous Shanghai Museum, a leading attraction of the city since it opened in 1994, containing some priceless collections of paintings, porcelains and bronzes. Move on to check out the St. Ignatius Cathedral (Xujiahui Cathedral)built in 1846. Wander around the former French Concession represented by the leafy Fuxing Park and the architecture in the area. Then pay a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple where two rare jade statues of Sakyamuni Buddha are treasured. You will have some free time in the afternoon to explore the city.
Day 13: Return from Shanghai
Be transferred to the airport and prepare for boarding on your home-bound flight.

Tour details

13 days - Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai, Suzhou.
Price: $180 per day (total $2,345 per person)

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