Great Wall, China
Off the Beaten Path - Classic Tour - 10 Days
Visiting Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai, & Wuzhen
Good time to visit: from Feb. to Jun, from Sep. to Dec.
The tour includes four famous cities. It could give you a favorable impression of China, not only in Nature and traditional culture, but also in modernization and economic development. We will try to give you enough time to visit the Capital - Beijing, explore the ancient city - Xian. Then fly to Guilin, which is primarily known for its enticing and unique scenery. Chinese frequently refer to it as the world's most beautiful scenery. The last sta tion is Shanghai as well to its nearby ancie nt water town of Wuzhen. Al l of these will make you a wonderful experience of real China. HIGHLIGHTS:
Learn Chinese Kung fu, Taichi in the Temple of Heaven ; Escorted hiking on the stunning Simatai Great Wall - the No.1 site on the list of the "must - see - s ite - in - your - life - time" by The Times ; E xplore Qin Terracotta Warriors – one of the world cultural heritages and enjoy the Chinese traditional shadow show in Xi’an ; 4 hours cruise down the picturesque Li River and 1.5hrs bamboo rafting on Yulong - a fascina ting insight into the life in rural China ; Take an idyllic cycling tour through the Chinese countryside; A unique experience of the Chinese Venice - Wuzhen
Day 1 - Arrival Beijing (D)
Your guide will meet the group at the airport and, after picking up the luggage, will transfer the group by private vehicle to a 4 - star hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, enjoy leisure time until dinner, to recover. We will get together again for a welcoming dinner at the Noodle Loft, which has been featured on Anthony Bordain’s "No Reservations" TV Show. Patrons are mostly local and the food is fantastic. Downstairs we can watch them make the noodles by hand, starting from a small piece of dough and ending up w ith long strips.
After dinner, transfer to the hotel and have a good sleep to recover from any remaining jet - lag.
Overnight at 4 star hotel
Day 2 - Beijing highlights (BL)
Today, we will get up early to see the local people doing their morning exercises in Temple of Heaven, where emperors worshipped and prayed for Harvest during the Ming & Qing Dynasties. Every morning, locals take time to start their day doing Tai - chi, group aerobics, or even group chorus. We all have chance to learn Ch inese Kung fu, Taichi in the Temple of Heaven.
After that, drive to Tian’anmen Square, walk cross the Square, then visit the Forbidden City, the symbol of China, also called Gu Gong. This was the Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then transfer to the Summer Palace, one of the best preserved summer resorts of the Royal Family.
Overnight in the same 4 star hotel.
Day 3 - Beijing - Watertwon at Simatai - Great Wall Hiking (B,L,D)
We will start the day with a rickshaw tour to Hutong. Hutong has a long history in Beijing. As the Forbidden City is the symbol of China's royal family, the Hutongs in Beijing show the real life of the common people. When you visit Hutong by rickshaw, you could really taste the life of common people in Beijing.
Lotus Market, located in Houhai area, is famous for old hutong and modern bars. You will also have chance to have a view of the Beijing drum show today to get close to the Chinese traditional art.
In the afternoon, drive to Simatai Great Wall, do the hike on Simatai section wh ere we will appreciate the beauty of the original Wild Great Wall! Stay in the beautiful watertown boutique hotel at the bottom of Simatai Great Wall
Day 4 - Water Town - Great Wall hiking - Xi’an (B,L,D)
This morning, we will have a leisure time in Gubei Water town.
The town is a resort located in north Beijing, spread out across an area that includes the Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town. We will wondering around the water town, experiencing the traditional Chinese culture - learn tie-dye, kite-painting, etc (not include). After that, we will do hike on the spectacular Jinshanling Great Wall.
After lunch, we will drive to the airport for the flight to Xian. Upon arrival, if time permit, we will have the chance to do the biking round the City Wall.
In the evening, have the Chinese Dumpling Dinner with Tang Dynasty dancing show.
Overnight in a 4 star Hotel
Day 5 - Xi’an - Guilin (B,L)
In the morning, before we drive to Qin Terracotta Warriors, we first visit the Gao family courtyard to see the Chinese traditional shadow show. We will have enough time to explore Qin Terracotta Warriors. It was built in about 2500 years ago and contains more than 6000 warriors, soldiers and horses. UNESCO listed it in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. At the end of the visit today, we will drive directly to the airport for the flight to Guilin. Transfer to the hotel upon arrival.
Day 6 - Guilin - Yangshuo (B,L)
Li River Cruise with lunch aboard. Depart from the hotel in the morning. Be transferred to the landing place for a 4 - 5 hours wonderful cruise. After arrival, you will bike onto the country roads, lanes and tracks through the paddy field and orchards that surround the famous mountains. Then relax yourself on the narrow bamboo rafts. The 1 - 1.5 hours’ rafting on Yulong river will give a fascinating insight into life in rural China.
This evening we will take a private boat to see Cormorant fishing on Li River - a traditional mode of fishing in China involves the use of cormorants to catch fish. Fishermen on bamboo rafts use strong lights suspended over the water to attract the fish. T he cormorants, which are tethered with rings round the base of their necks, catch the fish and then disgorge them for the fishermen. If you like, you can ask the fisherman to let Cormorants fly to your boat and put fish in your hand, and also you can take photos with these smart and lovely birds.
Overnight in 4 star hotel
Day 7 - Yangshuo - Guilin 0 Shanghai (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel, then drive back Guilin, visit Elephant Trunk Hill and the Reed Flute Cave. Located five kilometers northwest of the downtown of Guilin, the Reed Flute Cave Scenic Area is one of brilliant and marvelous caves in Guilin and a must for home and abroad visitors. Transfer to the airport for flight to Shanghai. Arrive at Shanghai, check in hotel and enjoy the rest free time in the nice city. Overnight at 4 star hotel
Day 8 - Shanghai - Wuzhen (B,L)
Today we will have a city tour to visit the Bund, Yu Garden, Oriental Pearl Tower, Xintiandi Bar street. Then transfer to Wuzhen, S tay in boutique hotel at Wuzhen Watertown.
Yu Garden is one of the most famous gardens in China and is national heritage listed. It was built in 1559 and extended in 1577. Each section of the garden is separated by curved white walls crowned with the head and body of a dragon on them. It's named after the original owner.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the highest TV and radio tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world. It was built in 1994 and soon became shanghai`s landmark.
Xintiandi Entertainment Complex:
Located in central Shanghai just south of Huaihai Zhong Road, Xintiandi isa state-of-the-art warren of upscale shops, bars and restaurants based on the theme of "where old meets new". Here you find the oddly complimentary combination of the traditional hou ses of old Shanghai (the 'Shikumen') hosting ultra modern restaurants, bars and shops. Moreover Xintiandi is most famous for its nightlife when the Western style bars open their doors for business.
Day 9 - Wuzhen (B,L)
Morning your guide and driver will pick you up from hotel and begin to visit a wine making plant, a local printing workshop. Have a Chinese lunch and continue to visit an exhibition of antique beds from the Ming & Qing Dynasties. After that, pay a visit to a local folk culture museum.
Stay in the same in a boutique hotel at Wuzhen Watertown.
Day 10 - Wuzhen - Shanghai (B)
Free morning and transfer to the Shanghai airport for your departure.