Selected Picturesque China Tour
12-Day Shanghai, Huangshan, Hangzhou, Guilin and Hong Kong Tour
This tour offers many choices to maximum your comfort with your guide's help. Experience a modern and ancient Shanghai, enjoy cozy trips in china water town, on the West Lake and the Li River. Learn more about Chinese tea culture and tasty the Dragon Well Tea in Hangzhou. Get close touch of China's minority in Guilin.
Highlights
- View Shanghai's fast modernization at the Bund
- Take a leisure boat at Tongli Water Town
- See four wonders and a sunrise of the Yellow Mountain
- Relax on the West Lake with a boat
- Take a river cruise along the Li River
What Our Customers Said
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Chinese lantern festival and Sophie Lee. Actually March 2018 not Feb 2022
When we were there, one of the highlights was the Chinese Lantern Festival in Old Shanghai, which is both colourful and has an excellent festival atmosphere. She bought us a Chinese desert item that was small sweet sticky balls that were very good. moreJan 2023, Dave H
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Our family trip to China ended with a couple of days in historical Shanghai. We loved seeing and visiting the historic centers, traveling up the Shanghai Tower, eating delicious dumplings, and visiting the best Chinatown we have ever experienced. Our guide, Quing Quing, and driver Ken were fantastic, informative, professional and fun. Quing Quing even took us to experience the marriage market where Chinese parents try to help their children find potential mates after we expressed that it would be an interesting thing to see. Quing Quing, her American name is Clair, is an excellent and vivacious tour guide. Ask for her when you book with China Highlights you will be in good hands. --Inspire819460 moreDec 2019, Inspire819460
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With other two friends I have visited Shanghai in October 2018 and our tour guide was Mary, who has been wonderful with us. She had the smart idea to adapt the schedule of our planned tours in order to visit the city centre with few crowds, even if we were visiting Shanghai right during the Chinese national holidays. Besides the city centre with the panoramic towers, we visited the old French district, the Bund, the old city with the market and Tonglizhen, a water village just outside of Shanghai. Mary gave us also very nice suggestions about restaurants and hotels with panoramic terrace to visit in the evenings during our free time. In the end Mary was so kind to give us some Chinese salty pastries as lunch for our long train journey back to Beijing. Totally recommended!!! ---Vittorio C, Germany moreNov 2019,
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We have been in China 2 weeks and our last day was spent in Shanghai! Our guide Candy Shao was the best...Candy was so helpful in planning the highlights of the city and what we absolutely needed to see and do on our last day. Her English was great and she was young and fun...seemed more like we were hanging out with a friend. Candy also took some great photos of us to capture our experience! I would definitely recommend Candy and China Highlights to all my friends! --Vody, USA moreNov 2019,
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First of all, Daniel is a very friendly, entertaining & knowledgeable tour guide.Not only had he brought us to places in the schedule, but also helped in bookings when we went around the city on ourselves. He is online 24/7 and provided immediate responses for all the questions and inquiries. In addition, he ensured our safety not only during the trip with him, but also texted us to make sure we were back to hotel safely after our own schedule. Overall, he is more than excellent for us, as not only he had fulfilled his duty to guide us as scheduled, but more of providing us hospitality, help and knowledge beyond our exceptions and beyond what we have booked with the tour. Therefore, I would 100% recommend Daniel if any of you are planning for a trip to Shanghai. ---Catherinenodnod moreOct 2019,
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Sophie was an amazing tour guide! She is very knowledgeable about the city, and more importantly, knows all the best places to get food! I was traveling with my wife, her dad, and her grandmother. Sophie did an amazing job at making sure all four of us traveled safely and created an amazing Shanghai experience for us! If you're considering booking through China Highlights I would strongly suggest you request Sophie if possible! She felt like a part of the family at the end of the trip! ---GokiburiTTV, USA moreOct 2019,
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Our guide Karen Wen made our trip to Shanghai, the garden city of Suzhou and the Water Village of Tongli very memorable and wonderful. Karen is very passionate with her job as a local guide. She has a lot of knowledge of every place that we visited which made us relate to and understand what we’re visiting. She took us to restaurants that served the best xialongbao and to an old restaurant in Suzho where we ate the best garlic shrimp and steamed fish. She also changed our itinerary when she saw how tired we were coming from Zhangjiajie. Our driver is excellent . I highly recommend you book your trip to China Highlights. It’s local guides are all excellent. ---oesca,USA moreOct 2019,
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Shanghai is like Manhattan on 'steroids". Not just in terms of population, but more so in the expansive geography. That's not too much of an issue if you stay near the Bund on the Pu river (BTW highly recommend Les Suites Bund Orient hotel in the perfect location with million-dollar views from the large rooms of the skyline, luxurious, great customer service, and food. Good value too). A great tour guide brings all these buildings, the river, and most importantly the history to life. Sophie gave us an in-depth tour of the Bund, then took us across the river early in the morning to the top of the Shanghai Tower before it got crowded. The river cruise in the evening was spectacular and such an easy way to see the ever-changing illuminated skyline from so many varied perspectives. The cruises (actually almost everywhere except western-style hotels don't get that they can make a lot of money selling alcohol--maybe need more time for this western habit to evolve?). so capped off the night at the "Long Bar" in the Waldorf Astoria with a nightcap (wanted to go to the rooftop bar at the Fairmont overlooking the river but it was closed for a private event. Oh well next time). We had a second day so headed out to Suzhou and Tongli old water towns. Logistically ask the tour agency to take you there by high-speed train then use a private car/bus to get around (this wasn't Sophie's fault). Traffic can be a bear. --takeaction, USA moreOct 2019,
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Suggested Itinerary
Whenever your flight lands your tour guide will be waiting for you at the arrival hall of the airport, greeting you with a smile and name plate. Transfer to your hotel by private van and driver.
A good choice for you to know Shanghai's modern and old culture life. Have a nice overview of Shanghai's development in Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. You will have an idea of Shanghai's past, present and future. Enjoy Shanghai's modernization at Shanghai World Financial Center. A new landmark to get a bird view of the city from the top floors. Walk on the Bund to see hundreds modern and exotic buildings along the Huangpu River.
A traditional and typical Chinese garden Yu Garden is on your must-see list. The inside is a huge garden with lots of rock works, water ponds and fishes to feed. The garden is built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty. You get some excellent shots with the old buildings.
Shanghai World Financial CenterHead to Tongli Water Town from Shanghai and step back to the ancient China that used to be. Tongli Water Town might remind you of Venice. This Chinese water town is famous for its ancient houses built along the river and ancient bridges. Take a small boat to stretch along the water is pleasant and cozy. Pass the resident's homes and businesses, frequently housed together, and see the local people going about their daily lives on the boat.
Good to know
Tongli Water Town is one of top 6 well-preserved water towns in China, dating back to the Song Dynasty(over 1000 years ago)
Tongli Water TownIn the morning, you will have chance to see Xintiandi and Old French Concession, where the best places to see Shanghai in 1920s. Typical local Shanghai buildings shikumen or lining are assembled in this area. Get insight into the old Shanghai in the early of 19 century. Old French Concession unfolds of old history during the period as well. Nowadays, walk along the street to see some French architectures, shops, café bars and restaurants.
Fly to Huangshan and stay in a hotel in the city center before you climb up the Yellow Mountain. Have a good rest and get ready for the magnificent mountain next day.
Old French ConcessionA whole day to spend on the Yellow Mountain(Mt. Huangshan). It takes about 1 hour to the foot of the mountain from the city hotel. You will take the Yungu Cable car up and don't miss the wonderful view on it.(A round trip cable car is included.) The cable car lasts around 10 minutes. imaginatively-named pines, oddly-shaped rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs is the Yellow Mountain's "Four Wonders".You will be guided by local expert, who spend over 200 days a year.
Yellow MountainsTwo highlights of today's journey are the Yellow Mountain's sunrise and local Hongcun Village. Get up early and get yourself warm to wait for a fabulous sunrise on the Yellow Mountain if the weather is good. It is still great scenery on rainy and foggy days. The Yellow Mountain is popular in ancient Chinese poems and paintings and photography at present.
Driven to Hongcun Village to see ancient Anhui architectures, which are composed of old mansions, canals, and ancestral halls. Reflections of the houses on the water bond in front of the village are remarkable. So you should not miss Hongcun Village when you come to Huangshan. Take a coach to Hangzhou after the tour.
The Hongcun VillageExperience Chinese tea plantation and tasty authentic Dragon Well Tea (Longjing Tea) at Meijiawu Tea village. You can pick up tea leaves and learn about tea culture there. The Dragon Well Tea is a unique and famous Chinese green tea produced in Hangzhou. Morning is the best time to visit the place. Enjoy Buddhism relics including Linyin Temple and the Flying Peak. Lots of exquisite stone carvings and Buddha there attract plenty of visitors. Not far away from the temple, the Flying Peak has some amazing carvings on the cliff and popular for visitors to pray such as a good relationship.
West Lake is the landmark and must-see attraction in Hangzhou. You will take a small boat wandering on the lake and reach the Island in the middle. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is printed on the back of one-yuan banknote.
Linyin TempleTake a morning flight from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Guilin, a leisure city famous for karst landscapes. Leave your worries about your transfer to us. Today you will have a look at Guilin city center's Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill. Reed Flute Cave is an awesome cave with colorful lights. Each step is a matter of wonder to enjoy the stunning beauty of the natural shapes of the rocks. A great place to take pictures with a matter of joy. Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of Guilin. Visit this place and take a capture in here. A very interesting big stone, elephant look alike.
Good to know
If you are still energetic in the evening, you can have a cozy walk along the Two River and Four Lakes.
The Elephant Trunk HillAfter a western breakfast in the hotel, you will start a trip to Ping'an Village in Longji Terraced Fields, where the terraces look like ribbons spread from the bottom and top of hills. It takes about 2 hours to arrive there. Experience Chinese minority culture of the Zhuang and Yao. Enjoy a walk to take some great photos along the terraces. The minority's wooden traditional houses are no nails used in the architectures with their wisdom. Come back to stay in Guilin and get ready to Yangshuo next day.
Local Minority PeopleAppreciate the stunning natural karst hills along the Li River. Take a cruise along the Li River from Guilin stretch down to Yangshuo. This section is the most beautiful and typical karst area with fantastic hills around the river. On the cruise, you will see spectacular limestone peaks, graceful bamboo groves, water buffaloes cooling off in the river. Have your lunch on the cruise. Stay in Yangshuo for some free exploration after the cruise. You can stroll along the West Street, a must-visit street in Guilin.
Good to know:
Yangshuo is relaxed town but famous among the foreigners. The West Street is reputed as one of the Foreign Street in China. You can walk along the street, or enjoy a vivid bar life at night.
Li River CruiseHave a peaceful morning with fresh air, ride a bike along the paddy fields to see Yangshuo's countryside. Get a closer touch to the karst landscape, visit a local family on the tour. Maximum discovery the beauty of Yangshuo's countryside. After the tour, your tour guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight to Hong Kong. Free arrangement by yourself in Hong Kong when you arrive. Hotel and transfer to the hotel is arranged for you.
Cycling in YangshuoTransfer from hotel to Hong Kong's airport is included. Your guide and driver will take you to the airport in time depending on your flights. Enjoy a comfortable and hassle free transfer before you go home.
Trip Notes
1. Arrangement in Hong Kong
Hotel and transfer between airport and hotel is only included in this itinerary. Hong Kong is free arranged by yourself to maximum meet your own interests. The city is easy to discover with convenient transport web. Feel free to ask your guide for some suggestions about your exploration.
2. What is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
You can visit Hangzhou at any time. Hangzhou in every season has different beautiful scenery, famous for its Ten Scenes of West Lake. Spring and autumn are more popular because of hot summer and chilly winter. Avoid Chinese national holidays like May 1st, China National Day (Oct.1th-7th). The landmark West Lake is popular on weekends.
3. How to get Hangzhou?
From most cities
Flights/trains from most cities to Hangzhou are convenient.
From Shanghai
We suggest you arrive at Hangzhou by train from Shanghai, which can be as short as 1 hour. Private car transfer from Shanghai to Hangzhou is not offered due to the limitation of cars/buses from other cities on weekdays. We suggest you arrive at Hangzhou by train/air. High speed train tickets and flight tickets booking service are offered.
From/to Yellow Mountain
Regular coaches run between Hangzhou and the Yellow Mountain with a 3h journey.
Price includes:
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