China Highlights - Discovery Your Way! (Since 1959)

 

Relaxing Tour of Both Ancient & Modern Flavor

Day 1

Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)

Day 2

Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: The Forbidden City, The Tian'anmen Square, Temple of Heaven
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- The Forbidden City: 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. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, wear good walking shoes and protection from the weather.
- The Tian'anmen Square: The world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
- Temple of Heaven: Situated in the southern part of the city, the temple of heaven covers the total area of 2,700,000 square meters. The temple was built in 1420A.D. It is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. The main buildings of the temple including the Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.The surrounding gardens are full of interesting activities, particularly weekend mornings.

Day 3

Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Mutianyu Cable Car(One way), Great Wall at Mutianyu
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch, Chinese Dinner at Roasted Duck at Hepingmen

- Mutianyu Cable Car(One way): This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of Beijing. A one way 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.
- Great Wall at Mutianyu: This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is a pleasant drive 90km NE of 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.
- Roasted Duck at Hepingmen: In the evening enjoy the Peking Roasted Duck which is renowned as the most delicious food of Beijing

Day 4

Place & Transport: Beijing to Xian, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian), Hutong Tours in Rickshaw
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Hutong Tours in Rickshaw: A maze of historic alleyways and old single storey traditional courtyard houses, now fast disappearing. Dotted around the hutong are the Drum and Bell Towers, Tea House, and local people's houses. Your tour includes a visit with a local family.

Day 5

Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Terracotta Warriors, Forest of Stone Steles Museum, Tany Dynasty Show
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Terracotta Warriors: 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.
- Forest of Stone Steles Museum: A fascinating collection of inscribed stone tablets (steles), from very ancient to quite modern (Han-Qing Dynasties, 206BC-1911). All kinds of calligraphies and scripts tell stories, poems, classics, reports from around the Empire. Other exhibits include early sculptures and objects from Imperial tombs. This was once a Confucian temple, and the architecture and grounds are well worth a visit on their own account.
- Tany Dynasty Show: It’s a must for each tourist to Xi’an to experience the local color and pageantry of Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. According to various historical records and ancient arts and relics discovered in Xian, the performance holds the mirror up to the music, dance and colorful costumes that are originated in the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago. Enjoy this stunning optical and acoustic feast and you will immerse in the glory and richness of the Tang Dynasty.
Time: After 8:30pm

Day 6

Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: Shaanxi Historical Museum, Xian City Wall, Gao's Courtyard(includes Shadow Play)
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Shaanxi Historical Museum: 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: It is a major landmark, and the best preserved, as well as the oldest and largest of the city defense systems in China.You also can bike along the city wall (the rental fee is included).
- Gao's Courtyard(includes Shadow Play): A traditional Chinese dwelling in the Muslim quarter that belonged to the founder of the successful Gao family, who produced many officials, officers and businessmen. The repairs won the 2002 UNESCO Asia-Pacific prize for cultural heritage protection. The courtyard buildings have exhibitions of period furniture, paintings, pottery, porcelain, photos and demonstrations of folk art, including a ‘shadow puppet’ play with traditional music.

Day 7

Place & Transport: Xian to Lhasa, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Lhasa), Barkhor Street
Meals: Breakfast

- Barkhor Street: Watch the pilgrims, wearing local dress from many different parts of Tibet, as they circle clockwise around Jokhang Temple with prayer wheels, or prostrate themselves near the front gate. Join the locals and visitors to shop for local goods at the colourful stalls, or relax in a coffee shop or tea house to enjoy the passing parade.

Day 8

Place & Transport: Lhasa
Today's Activities: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Potala Palace: Former winter home of the Dalai Lama, a vast, awe-inspiring maze of corridors and stairs leading through countless rooms of richly decorated statues, tombs, murals and antiques. You will climb past the White Palace into the Red Palace, where the file of pilgrims offering silk scarves, coins or yak butter to burn in the shrines combine to make this an unforgettable experience. Note: you need to be fit for the long stairways.
- Jokhang Temple: Smaller and more manageable than the Potala, this 4-storey, golden-roofed temple is at the heart of a rich and living Tibetan Buddhism. Many locals pray here regularly; the Temple is surrounded by Barkhor Street and thronged with pilgrims and visitors. Yak butter lamps burn in front of rich statuary that includes the Sakyamuni Buddha brought to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng in the 7th Century.
- Norbulingka: Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden". It was constructed as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama and later served the whole governmental administration.

Day 9

Place & Transport: Lhasa to Shigatse
Today's Activities: Yomdrok Lake, The Palgor Chorten
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Yomdrok Lake: It lies within the boundary of Nankartse county, on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhokha Prefecture, surrounded by mountains. Beautiful Holy lake which everybody is looking forward to.
- The Palgor Chorten : Pelkhor Choede (Kumbum), also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. Built as a Tibetan monastery, its structural style is very unique, reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas. In addition, it is famous for the architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. It lies about 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.

Day 10

Place & Transport: Shigatse to Lhasa
Today's Activities: Tashilunpo Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Tashilunpo Monastery: Painted in red and white, the buildings in the kloster stand closely together in terraced rows, offering a grand and majestic view. Tashilunpo Kloster represents the Tibetan super architecture art in the Last Tibetan spirit. The Kloster attracts thousands of Buddhists and tourists from domestic and abroad to travel and worship every year.

Day 11

Place & Transport: Lhasa to Chengdu, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Lhasa), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Chengdu), Wu Hou Temple, Jinli Street
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Wu Hou Temple: The Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang (181-234) was the outstanding military strategist immortalized in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and in the saying wise as "the Marquis of Wu". Peaceful and attractive gardens surround several halls, including one dedicated to his memory and another to that of his emperor Liu Bei, some impressive statues, a small museum, a famous Tang Dynasty stele and the classic red wall leading to Liu Bei's tomb. A delightful complex.
- Jinli Street: Once the commercial heart of the old kingdoms this ancient street has been fully restored in traditional Sichuan style. Picturesque, bustling, and cheerful, you can sample local arts and craft, traditional Chinese goods, food and delicacies, and even a Starbucks, local style.

Day 12

Place & Transport: Chengdu
Today's Activities: Panda Keeper--International Internship Program Plan
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Panda Keeper--International Internship Program Plan: Today's Panda keeper experience at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base will be a highlight of you trip. Some of your tasks may include feeding the pandas or helping the cool down with a cool bath. You probably won't escape the cleaning duties in the enclosure or collecting and weighing the panda poop.

Day 13

Place & Transport: Chengdu to Guilin, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Chengdu), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Guilin), Du Fu Cottage, Chunxi Street
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Du Fu Cottage: The poet Du Fu lived in Chengdu for years. In the west suburbs of the city, he built for himself a thatched hut and wrote a lot of poems here. The poet's thatched cottage is an important scenic and historic spot in Chengdu.
- Chunxi Street: Bright, contemporary, and the centre of the biggest, busiest shopping area in town.A chance to enjoy the action browsing alongside the locals in modern China. Brand stores and boutiques, malls and department stores, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants make this a fun area to visit.

Day 14

Place & Transport: Guilin to Yangshuo
Today's Activities: Li River Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Li River Cruise: 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.

Day 15

Place & Transport: Yangshuo to Guilin to Hong Kong, Flight No. TBA
Today's Activities: Airport Transfer (Guilin), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Hong Kong), Yangshuo Moon Hill, Yangshuo Big Banyan Tree, Biking in Beautiful Yangshuo, Reed Flute Cave, Fubo(Whirlpool) Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch

- Yangshuo Moon Hill: Moon Cave is named for its giant archway (about 50 meters, 980steps). Be prepared for the local hawkers, who will pester you to buy water, and are very persistent and don't forget to wear your hiking shoes, for it's so many steps to climb.
- Yangshuo Big Banyan Tree: Big Banyan Tree, located 7.5km south of Yangshuo, is one of the main scenic attractions of Yangshuo County. It is said that the banyan was planted in the Jin Dynasty and is famous for its age and towering beauty. The banyan tree is now 17 meters high, 7.1 meters around the trunk, and covers an area of 1000 square meters.
- Biking in Beautiful Yangshuo: Experience the hustle & bustle of the Yangshou traffic for 5 minutes before you escape onto the country roads, lanes and tracks of the distinctive and beautiful Yangshou countryside. Biking through the paddy field and orchards that surround the famous mountains will give a fascinating insight into life in rural China. Centuries old farming methods sit side by side with mobile phones and satellite dishes.
- Reed Flute Cave: Known as 'the Palace of Natural Arts' this large and well-presented cave system has some remarkable formations. Make sure you have some small change for the children who sell flutes for as little as one yuan if you've got nothing less than a dollar you'll end up with their whole stock.
- Fubo(Whirlpool) Hill: It is located in the city proper. Fubo Hill is a 4A scenic spot of national grade. It is cliffy, propping up from the ground, famous for the Pearl-Returning Cave (nearly 350 steps to enjoy the view).
- Elephant Trunk Hill: At the confluence of Li River and Peach Blossom River in the southwest of Guilin city
It is a national 4A scenery spot. The Water Moon Cave is close to the river. The water flows through it and the cave looks like a moon floating in the water. The stone drooped into the water like an elephant drinking the water of the Li River.

Day 16

Place & Transport: Hong Kong
Today's Activities: Half day tour to Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay
Meals: Breakfast

--Half day tour to Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay: Hong Kong is a fascinating combination of East and West but it has its own unique and distinctive culture. Your half day tour will take in Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's number one tourist destination. It features the 112 year old Peak Tram and Hong Kong's most unusual building, The Peak Tower. Next stop is Aberdeen Harbor which is home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks. If you would like close up look at this unusual way of life, you can take a sampan ride (US$10-12). Repulse Bay is the last stop today; it is one of Hong Kong's most exclusive residential areas.

Day 17

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

 

Featured Hotels

City Superior Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
Beijing Crowne Plaza Beijing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing
Xian Sofitel on Renmin Square Xian Meihua-Goldentang International Hotel Xian Citylion International Hotel
Lhasa Brahmaputra Grand Hotel Lhasa Hotel Shangbala Hotel Lhasa
Shigatse Shigatse Hotel Shigatse Hotel Shigatse Hotel
Lhasa Brahmaputra Grand Hotel Lhasa Hotel Shangbala Hotel Lhasa
Chengdu Crowne Plaza Chengdu Green Land Hotel Chengdu Quanxing Hotel
Guilin Sheraton Guilin Guilin Bravo Hotel Guilin Osmanthus Hotel
Yangshuo Paradesa Resort Paradesa Resort Aiyuan Hotel
Hong Kong HARBOUR PLAZA H.K. HOTEL(KLN) Salisbury YMCA Hotel The Cityview Hotel

 

Price of this tour

Tour ClassYour Group Size 1 person 2-5 persons 6-9 persons Single room supplement
Superior Class 8708* 5381 4629 1799
Deluxe Class 7228 4641 3889 1059
Tourist Class 6616 4298 3590 757

* Prices are in US dollars, for one person. Prices are for references only and may vary according to your travel time . Click here to change prices to your Currency

* Better discounts are available when traveling in low season (from November to March) or when traveling in a large group. Please Contact Us for more details.

* The Price quoted for one person includes the single "Single room supplement".

 

Your Choices for This Tour

Take it as a PRIVATE tour: You have choice to make this tour be customized as a Private Tour for your own party of 1, 2 or more people that you know. To be in a private tour, you will have freedom to change the travel dates. Inquiry about this tour
Customize this tour and allow others to join your group: You may also want to customize this tour programs and dates to fit your needs, but at the same time to enjoy group tour benefits, China Highlights can help you to achieve this by advertising for people from all over the world who may love your tour and fit your schedule to join your China tour. Inquiry about this tour and allow others to join in

 

 

- Top -