Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai 10 nights $2495

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Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing

Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing, Flight not included
Today’s Activities: Airport Transfer (Beijing), Guide delivers your CH cell phone (one for each group). Pay no rental, call time only

- Guide delivers your CH cell phone (one for each group). Pay no rental, call time only: A Free CH cell phone package includes free rental for the cell phone and SIM card and at least 30 free minutes, delivery and collection in China. Return the phone to your guide when you depart. A recharge at standard rate is available if the free minutes are used. Note: Our rental phones do not work in Hong Kong. You must return the phone to your guide before leaving for Hong Kong. * Free minutes vary from 30-60 mins depending on the destination of the calls. Ask the travel advisor for details. For more about the cell phone rental service, please click cellphone rental information .
Note: You may receive text messages in Chinese on your cell phone. These messages are advertisements or possibly weather information. We cannot block or turn these off. If anyone in China needs to contact you, the message will be in English. If you are concerned, please ask your guide to read the message.

Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Beijing (Superior) Sunworld Hotel (Deluxe) Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing (Economy)

Day 2 Beijing -Tiananmen Square

Place & Transport: Beijing
Today’s Activities: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Li Heng Tang pearl store
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Beijing Ba guo bu yi Restaurant

- Tiananmen Square (50 minutes): Tian’anmen Square is the largest city square in the centre of Beijing, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history. As the world’s largest city square and enduring symbol of China’s national pride, it is surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum.
- The Forbidden City (2 hours): The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this ‘city within a city’. The exhibitions, both permanent and temporary, are also absolutely fascinating.
- Summer Palace (1.5 hours): Much-loved summer retreat of the Imperial families, the lovely landscaped gardens, halls, pavilions and corridors are set around the lake and rivers in natural harmony. You can expect to spend 2-3 hours here. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- Beijing Ba guo bu yi Restaurant: Ba Guo Bu Yi is located in Xizhimen next to the Beijing Youth Palace at No. 68 Nanxiao Road. It serves some of the heartiest and most authentic Sichuan fare in town with its traditional Chinese style decorations. Favorite dishes include dandan noodles in spicy peanut-sesame-garlic sauce, lazi jiding (chicken smothered by chilies), steamed fish served with chili-oil sauce and huiguorou (twice-cooked pork).
- Li Heng Tang pearl store: Lihengtang Pearl Store is a state-run enterprise that cultivates processes, manufactures and sells all type of fresh water and sea pearls. China is the largest fresh water pearl producer in the world with the main base being in Jiangsu and Zhejing provinces. Famous varieties of seawater pearls include: The Tahitian Black Pearl and Nanyang Golden pearl. The Lihengtang Pearl Store offer pearls of all types and quality pearls and caters to all price ranges. China Highlights customers will see the seeds being planted in the live mussel and also how learn how to differentiate real pearls from fake. This is a great opportunity to buy genuine pearls, with that come with a guarantee, for your family and friends but there is absolutely no pressure to buy.
Tel: 010-88467845
Address: No.2 North Gate Kongjunzhihuixueyuan

Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Beijing (Superior) Sunworld Hotel (Deluxe) Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing (Economy)

Day 3 Beijing – The Mutianyu Great Wall

Place & Transport: Beijing
Today’s Activities: Temple of Heaven, The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car), Tai chi Experience at the Temple of Heaven , Cloisonne Factory
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant

- Temple of Heaven (1.5 hours): The Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing, Chongwen District. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese Heaven worship, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism.
- The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car) (2 hours): This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a about 2.5 hours’ drive from downtown Beijing. A cable car takes you to a good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Tai chi Experience at the Temple of Heaven : Tai Chi is an internal martial art system which places emphasis on the development and control of Chi (Consciousness) energy within the body. In the largest park in Beijing – the Temple of Heaven, you will be able to practice Tai Chi in the morning under the guidance of your teacher.
What happens during the class?
1. Full illustration of Tai chi by Tai Chi master.
2. Demonstration by Yang Style Tai Chi master.
3. Tutor to learn Tai Chi Quan
4. After class, you will have the change to compete doing Tai Chi.
Tai Chi Experience on the Great Wall is optional.
Time: 0.5
- Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant: Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant is near Great Wall of Mutianyu section. This garden style restaurant serves farmhouse dishes, specializing in rainbow trout, sturgeon and salmon. The fabulous taste will leave you with great memories.
- Cloisonne Factory: Cloisonne is an intricate and detailed process, dating back over 700 years, to produce fine enamel on a copper base. You can watch the workers at all stages of the process to see how these beautiful objects are produced. There’s a showroom attached for those who would like a souvenir of the visit, big or small, and all objects are guaranteed. This is a popular place for those looking for special, quality souvenirs. China Highlights customers have the opportunity to see the manufacturing process. This is an exclusive offer for our customers! There is no pressure to buy!
Tel: 010-69620914
Address: No.488, Wujia village, Huanrou town, Beijing City

Accommodations: Crowne Plaza Beijing (Superior) Sunworld Hotel (Deluxe) Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing (Economy)

Day 4  Beijing – Bird’s Nest

Place & Transport: Beijing to Xian, Flight No. TBA
Today’s Activities: Beijing Olympic Green, Hutong Tour in Xicheng District, Making a Chinese Paper Cut , Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport Transfer (Xian)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Jing Mian Da Wang Restaurant(Di’anmen Branch)

- Beijing Olympic Green (1 hour): Located at the north end of the central axis of Beijing City, with a large area of 1215 hectares, it contains National museum, exhibition area, Olympic Village and Olympic competition avenues. Approximately 31 venues are used in Beijing Olympics, including National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest and National Aquatics Center. You will explore the park, but it doesn’t include going inside the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube.
- Hutong Tour in Xicheng District (1 hour): Hutong is a maze of historic alleyways with old single storey traditional courtyard houses, which are now fast disappearing. In this one hour tour, you can hop on a rickshaw to ride through the narrow alleys as well as visit a local family then walk on the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Bridge) and find out about the different thresholds of the courtyards.
Making a Chinese Paper Cut : The Chinese paper cut is a national handicraft with profound cultural connotations. It is an opportunity to make a traditional Chinese handicraft in the Hutong area. It is easy to learn and only requires a pair of scissors and paper, but a good paper cut requires a great deal of skill in cutting and paper selection. The teacher will share the basic skills of this craft. You can ask your teacher If you want to take home the fruit of your labor.
What happens during the class?
1. Introduction of the history of Chinese paper cut.
2. Illustration of the method of making a paper cut and demonstration by the teacher.
3. Tutor to learn how to make a paper cut.
Time: 0.5
- Jing Mian Da Wang Restaurant(Di’anmen Branch): This restaurant of typical Chinese style, it serves traditional-style food(mainly noodle) in a active Old Peking atmosphere. Waiters clad traditionally shout and cry around the room to announce customers arriving or leaving. Having the taste of the tasty noodles, usually eaten with a thick sesame and soy-based sauce, it is very noisy! You have some real experience of Old Beijing.

Accommodations: Grand Noble Hotel (Deluxe) Xian Skytel Hotel (Economy) Sofitel On Renmin Square Xian (Superior)

Day 5 Xi’an – Terracotta warriors

Place & Transport: Xian
Today’s Activities: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant(Qinling Branch)

- Big Wild Goose Pagoda (1 hour): A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci’en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
- The Terracotta Warriors and Horses (2 hours): Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. 1.5 hours from Xian, there is also an excellent museum and film about the history of the vaults. Photos (no flash) are allowed. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory: Chongde Handmade Pottery Factory manufactures copies of the famous Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses from Jing De porcelain. This is a popular place for those looking for special, quality souvenirs. China Highlights customers have the opportunity to see the manufacturing process but also try it with their own hands. This is an exclusive offer for our customers! There is no pressure to buy!
Tel: 029-83577031
Address: No.2 East Chanhe bridge, Hua Qing Rd., Xian.
- A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant(Qinling Branch): A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant was established in 2004, mainly specializes in Hunan and Sichuan cuisine. It provides delicacy by using the material from Shanxi, obtaining a nationwide reputation from customers. It would be a nice choice to dine while traveling the nearby Terra cotta Warriors and Horses.

Accommodations: Grand Noble Hotel (Deluxe) Xian Skytel Hotel (Economy) Sofitel On Renmin Square Xian (Superior)

Day 6 Xi’an – The City Wall

Place & Transport: Xian to Guilin, Flight No. TBA
Today’s Activities: Shaanxi History Museum, Xian City Wall with Bicycle, Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport Transfer (Guilin)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Qianzhou Restaurant(Xiao Yanta Branch)

- Shaanxi History Museum (1.5 hours): The history of Shaanxi is said to be the history of China, and this museum is quite simply one of the nation’s best. Four major galleries in large, Tang-style buildings house a vast and impressive collection, beautifully displayed. Most of the item labels are in English, although some other information on the exhibitions is not, but your guide can help here. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Xian City Wall with Bicycle (1.5 hours): The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre, it is a major landmark, and the best preserved, as well as the oldest and largest of the city defense systems in China. We operate this with bicycle. If the weather is not good for biking on the city wall, we will substitute a visit to the Bell Tower. Your guide will be very glad to take you the Bell Tower after you have been to look at the city wall.
- Qianzhou Restaurant(Xiao Yanta Branch): Qianzhou Restaurant is well-known for its local flavors and ingredients originating from Qian County. The style, Qianzhou Four Treasures is considered to be famous nationally. The specialties are of ancient origin from the Tang Dynasty and leave customers with great culinary memories.

Accommodations: Sheraton Guilin (Superior) Guilin Bravo Hotel (Deluxe) Guilin Osmanthus Hotel (Economy)

Day 7  Guilin – Longsheng

Place & Transport: Guilin
Today’s Activities: Minority village and Longsheng Terraced Field
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Longji Ping’an Restaurant

- Longji Ping’an Restaurant: Ping’an restaurant is one of the popular restaurants in Longji terrace, which is located half way up of the terrace field and will take some steps to get there. The restaurant mainly serves Guilin local dishes and is especially famous for roasted Bamboo Rice and fresh vegetables.
- Minority village and Longsheng Terraced Field: The Longji Terraces are built into the steep mountain range named “The Dragon’s Backbone” about 2 hours from Guilin. The terraces look like ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the mountain. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scarce arable land and water resources in the mountainous area. There are about 66 square kilometers of terraced fields in the district. The Terraces were first built in the Yuan dynasty and completed in the Qing dynasty by the Zhuang people. Zhuang and Yao minority villages dot the area and feature traditional unique architecture where no nails are used in construction. The different minority customs and dressing styles are especially interesting. Sedan chairs are available from the parking lot to the top of the mountain for customers who would like to see the great views but fail to climb all the way up to the top, it takes about CNY350 per person for the round trip.

Accommodations: Sheraton Guilin (Superior) Guilin Bravo Hotel (Deluxe) Guilin Osmanthus Hotel (Economy)

Day 8  Guilin – Yangshuo Li River Cruise

Place & Transport: Guilin to Yangshuo (Watch the Video )
Today’s Activities: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Chinese Cookery Class
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Li River Cruise (4 hours): A cruise along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is an unforgettable experience. As you take in the stunning scenery there’s something interesting to see at almost every bend in the river. Between spectacular limestone peaks you’ll see graceful bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and lumbering water buffaloes pulling carts or cooling off in the river. You may see fishermen gliding along on their narrow bamboo rafts, and if you’re very lucky you might see one of the famous fishing cormorants. Boats depart from various wharves, according to the height of the river at different times of the year.
Yangshuo Chinese Cookery Class: This class begins at the local market where ingredients for the dishes are chosen by students. Back at a covered, rooftop patio-classroom, you have an opportunity to learn three dishes and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You can choose other favorite dishes at the lunch.
What happens during the class?
1. Meet the teacher in cooking school and choose two meat dishes and one vegetable dish from the menu.
2. Walk to local farmer’s market and see different kinds of seasonable vegetable and meat sell in the market.
3. Back to school to start the class, there are three steps to learn: chopping, frying and seasoning.
4. Taste the dishes you cook and receive the recipes after class.

Accommodations: Yangshuo Aiyuan Hotel (Economy) Green Lotus Hotel (Deluxe) Green Lotus Hotel (Superior)

Day 9 Yangshuo Countryside Biking – Shanghai

Place & Transport: Yangshuo to Guilin to Shanghai, Flight No. TBA
Today’s Activities: Yangshuo Countryside Cycling, Our guide and driver will escort you from Yangshuo to Guilin, Airport Transfer (Guilin), Airport Transfer (Shanghai)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Café Del Moon

- Yangshuo Countryside Cycling: Experience the hustle & bustle of the Yangshuo traffic for 10 minutes before you escape onto the country roads, lanes and tracks of the distinctive and beautiful Yangshuo countryside. Biking alongside the paddy field and orchards that surround the famous mountains will give a fascinating insight into life in rural China. You will have a family visit on the half way. It is an opportunity to see a real country life and talk to the local farmers.
- Café Del Moon: Café Del Moon is one of the most popular restaurants in Yangshuo West Street, it serve western cuisine especially for firewood pizza, as well as variety of ground coffee are provided in the restaurants, people can choose to take the upstairs seat to enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.

Accommodations: Radisson Shanghai New World (Superior) The Bund Hotel Shanghai (Deluxe) Hengsheng Peninsula International Hotel Shanghai (Economy)

Day 10 Shanghai – Pujiang River Cruise

Place & Transport: Shanghai
Today’s Activities: Yuyuan Garden, The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, A Short Visit to Shanghai Old Alleys, Jiangnan Silk Shop and Workshop
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Old Shanghai Restaurant

- Yuyuan Garden (1 hour): Located at a very busy marketplace in a complex of traditional-style buildings, backing onto Yu Gardens, you can find everything there from popular local snacks and food, crafts, antiques and souvenirs to Starbucks, teahouses and some great restaurants. There is a small (reconstructed) Temple (Chenghuang: Temple of the City Gods) in there as well.
- The Bund (40 minutes): Once the home of the foreign traders and major banks, the embankment has taken on a new vitality; lovely old European-style buildings mix with futuristic developments, chic restaurants, top end shops and bars offer plenty to see and do – and by night it’s magic!
- Oriental Pearl TV Tower (1.3 hours): One of the tallest TV towers in the world, known for its distinctive spheres, or “pearls”, it stands across the river from the Bund, among the exciting architecture of the east bank. The Shanghai History Museum is Located on the first floor of the Oriental TV Tower. There you can see the four major exhibition units reflecting Shanghai’s history, modern and recent revolutionary history respectively.
A Short Visit to Shanghai Old Alleys: Experience the real life of the Shanghainese. Find out how they think and what they do over an enjoyable tea and chat with locals in their home. Visiting the old alleys of Shanghai is a great way to discover the traditional culture of this city.
Time: 1.5
- Old Shanghai Restaurant: Old Shanghai Restaurant is an old and famous local restaurant which serves typical Shanghai Food as well as different flavors from other parts of China.
- Jiangnan Silk Shop and Workshop: See how silk is produced from the cocoons of silk worms, and turned into the beautiful fabric we all know and love. Silk filled duvets are excellent value, and the showroom offers everything from small souvenirs to larger items. The beauty of real silk is that it’s so light, and packs really easily.
Tel: 021-62660378
Address: 289, Ao’men Road, Putuo District, Shanghai

Accommodations: Radisson Shanghai New World (Superior) The Bund Hotel Shanghai (Deluxe) Hengsheng Peninsula International Hotel Shanghai (Economy)

Day 11  Shanghai departure

Place & Transport: Depart Shanghai, Flight not included
Today’s Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai)
Meals: Breakfast