The Best of China
If you are looking for classic destinations and would like to experience the best of China while enjoying a measure of luxury, then this tour is for you. Expert guides deepen your understanding of historical sites at the Forbidden City and the Bund; you meet Terracotta Warriors both at distance and just one meter away; and enjoy Guilin's dramatic, pinnacle-dotted landscapes.
This tailor-made luxury journey not only includes featured accommodation and fine dining, but also offers many insiders' insights and thoughtful service. Choosing which operator you travel with makes a big difference.
You deserve a pleasant vacation, to have a sweet time with family or friends. Take the hassle out of your trip. We'll set you up with the following unique experiences in China.
Highlights
- Skip long queue and guide's ipad helps you discovering the Forbidden City in a different way
- Admire a less-crowded part of the Great Wall and have lunch at a mountain top restaurant with the view of World Wonder
- Meet the Terracotta Warriors both in distance and stand just one meter away
- Experience minority people's life at the incredible Longji Terraced Fields
- Enchanted by rejuvenating treatments at Banyan Tree Spa after several days travelling
- Avoid crowds and enter the colonial historical buildings with an expert at the Bund
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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An amazing experience in Beijing !
We had a wonderful time visiting the Beijing Zoo and the Great Wall with our guide Paul! He was exceptionally kind and knowledgeable and took exceptionally good care of us. We enjoyed conversing with him and learning about life in Beijing as well as the history of the Great Wall. He was also helpful in finding us food to fit my dietary needs which I appreciated. Everything about our trip has been smooth and we had such good fun. I would absolutely recommend China Highlights and Paul for their professionalism! more
Sep 2024, Ann-Marie M@E2527CAannmariem
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Family Fun Beijing!
Great experience with China Highlights!!! Great sightseeing, wonderful people! Thank-you Selinda (Tour guide) for a wonderful time! more
Sep 2024, DSD
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Guide Olivia
Olivia was an excellent and thoughtful guide. Would highly recommend. H as d an excellent trip to Beijing in September 2024 more
Sep 2024, RupertL
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Suggested Itinerary
Hotel: Hotel éclat Beijing(deluxe room) (Travelers' choice 2016 winner on tripadvisor)
After your flight lands in Beijing, you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred by private van to your luxury downtown art-deco hotel. Your guide and driver will help you with luggage and hotel check-in, and ensure your arrival in Beijing is worry-free.
Free Time for Exploration
The rest of the day is free for you to be on your own. You may need some time to relax and recover from the long-distance flight and possibly from jet-lag. If you feel like going for a walk and checking out places nearby, feel free to ask your guide for recommendations for good dining or good places to see.
Hotel: Hotel éclat Beijing(deluxe room)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch & dinner
After a sound sleep, start finding a morning rhythm at the Temple of Heaven, the place where emperors went to worship heaven and to pray for good harvests. Nowadays the Temple has become the choice place for local people to do their morning exercises to musical accompaniment. A visit there helps one gain a feeling for the pace of life of Beijing's citizens.
From the Temple, move on to the heart of Beijing Tian'anmen Square. Tian'anmen has great cultural significance, having been the site of several key events in Chinese history. Next, visit the mysterious Forbidden City, the world's largest imperial palace. It's said to have 9,999½ forbidden imperial chambers, and was home to 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties (from 1420 to 1911 AD). Skip the long queues at the entrance. Your guide will lead you to the most popular and the less-crowded parts of the palace, explaining the history with the help of an ipad, which stores photos and portraits of emperors and concubines. Visit their houses, examine their appearance and listen to their stories. Everything becomes vivid. It feels as though the palace is inhabited once again.
Enjoy a welcome dinner at Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant, a high-end establishment emphasizing healthy and scientific eating, and featuring duck which has "crispy skin, less fat, less oil and less sugar".
The Forbidden CityHotel: Hotel éclat Beijing(deluxe room)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch
The whole day is reserved for you to explore this world wonder at your own pace, without any hurry. A guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby. This less-crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is about a 2.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing.
A cable-car takes you to a good starting point (avoiding a steep climb), from where you can walk along the wall and through watch towers, enjoying superb views as the wall snakes across hills and mountains. You can either return by cable car, or walk down, or walk along the wall for about an hour and then descend by chairlift or toboggan.
Have lunch at a mountain-top restaurant with a view of the Great Wall in the distance.
The Mutianyu Section of the Great WallHotel: Wyndham Grand Xian South (executive room) (Ranked the no. 1 hotel in Xi'an on tripadvisor in 2016)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch
Enjoy visiting the classic highlights of Beijing – the Summer Palace and the hutongs (i.e. alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences).
First have a pleasant stroll around the luxury gardens of the former royal family. Different kinds of pavilions and long corridors give you the full flavor of China. Later, hop on a rickshaw and ride through a maze of hutongs to discover old Beijing neighborhoods. Visit a hutong family and explore a hidden courtyard house. Meet local residents and have a nice chat with them.
Baijiadayuan Restaurant, located in an imperial garden from the Qing Dynasty over 300 years old, serves exquisite imperial dishes. Enjoy the food and the garden without tourists.
In the afternoon, get on board the high-speed train to Xi'an. The journey takes about six hours. You'll have the best business-cabin seats, with nice views outside, giving you a fresh experience of China's recent high-tech revolution. Your Xi'an guide will be waiting for you at arrivals, and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
The Summer Palace and HutongsHotel: Wyndham Grand Xian South (executive room)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch
This day reserves enough time for you to discover the soul of Xi'an: the Terracotta Warriors and horses. In the morning, uncover the mystery of the underground army which originated thousands of years ago, at the Terracotta Warriors Museum and site. People are surprised by the magnificent man-made life-sized statues. Stand there and engage in silent conversation with these soldiers. After the visit, we will have lunch at a local restaurant.
Though you inspect the museum contents at a respectful distance, we are also able to lead you to a place where you can stand just a meter away from a few real Terracotta Warriors, without glass or crowds. Let's go there and discover some archeological marvels.
The Terracotta WarriorsHotel: Shangri La Hotel Guilin (Horizon River View room) (Ranked the no. 2 hotel in Guilin on tripadvisor in 2016)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch
Wake up to a good breakfast at the hotel; then visit the elegant Big Goose Pagoda, which has survived more than a millennia of war and earthquakes. Proceed tothe ancient City Wall that has been guarding the inner city for 600 years. Walking along the wall provides a good view of the city. You can alternatively rent a bike to cycle around.
Take some time to walk around the Muslim Quarter,which exists as a result of former Silk Road cultural exchange. Wander through the alleyways to explore and taste local Muslim cuisine, like Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, or Jiasan Steamed Soup Dumplings.
Transfer to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Guilin. Check-in at the Shangri-La Hotel near the Li River.
Good to Know
China Highlights gives a helping hand to local charities and has built a good relationship with the Xi'an Hui Ling Service Station for Intellectual Disabilities, an NGO near the Muslim Quarter. If you would like to know more about NGOs in China, we are happy to arrange a visit there, to see the NGO's handicraft workshop and have some interaction with the people there.
The Big Goose PagodaHotel: Shangri La Hotel Guilin (Horizon River View room)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch
Wake up to birds singing in the morning, with your guide and driver ready to escort you to the Longji Terraced Fields. Built into the hillsides, the terraces are especially beautiful when the sun reflects on the water of the paddy fields, or when the harvest is ripe and the fields glow with yellow ears. Longji ('the Dragon's Back') is always a feast for the eyes.
The Yao minority have lived in wooden houses near the fields for generations. Yao women have long black hair, but they never use shampoo; they have their own mysterious method for keeping their hair clean and shining, which works even for women who are over 50.
It takes about 2½ hours to drive from Guilin to Ping'an Village in Longji. After the day tour, you will return to your hotel in Guilin.
Longji Terraced FieldsHotel: Banyan Tree Yangshuo (Pagoda Lake suite) (Certificate of excellence winner in 2016)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch
Board a luxury boat and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Li River as you cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, in about four hours. Get your camera ready and record the unforgettable scenery and moments. You'll reach Yangshuo wharf near the bustling West Street at about 13:30.
It takes about half-an-hour to drive to your Banyan Tree hotel near Fuli Ancient Town. Peaceful and picturesque countryside views jump into view. Relax and be enchanted by rejuvenating treatments at Banyan Tree Spa. Allow energy to flow through your whole body.
Good to Know
Impression Liu Sanjie is a quality outdoor performance highly recommended for your evening. Put together by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou, the show is set on the Li River, with karst peaks as a backdrop, and features magnificent folk music and dance. It might not be performed if weather conditions are not amenable; ask your guide to check availability on the day.
The Li River CruiseHotel: Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai(Club River View room) (Ranked the no. 1 hotel in Shanghai on tripadvisor in 2016)
Meal provided: breakfast
This morning is reserved for you as free time. Have a lie-in, then enjoy the soft caress of water in the hotel swimming pool, or reserve a free one-hour bamboo rafting expedition at the hotel front desk. If you prefer more active things, biking, cooking and rock climbing are also available.
In the afternoon, your guide and driver will escort you to Guilin airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, meet your Shanghai guide at the arrivals hall, and transfer to your nice hotel, with a river view.
Hotel: Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai(Club River View room)
Meals provided: breakfast & lunch & dinner
China's most prosperous city oozes vibes of both tradition and modernity. Travel with our expert guide to the Bund in a unique way: not only walk the standard tour route but also avoid the crowds and enter the historic colonial buildings. Take a break with a cup of coffee from inside an old building with its special architecture. Your guide's descriptions will transport you back to the past.
Later observe the typical Shanghainese life at Shikumen and visit South China's classical landscape garden at Yuyuan Garden. Savor the flavor of modern, traditional and historic Shanghai.
We prepare a farewell dinner for you at the stylish Lost Heaven Yunnan Cuisine Restaurant, surrounded by the gleaming skyscrapers of the modern city. It is a perfect combination of style, comfort and world-class service.
Good to Know
There are many evening shows in Shanghai. The most highly recommended ones involve acrobatics, some of the best in China. Ask your tour guide to help you obtain tickets. This is optional.
The Colonial Historical Building and Yuyuan GardenHotel: Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai(Club River View room)
Meal provided: breakfast
Enjoy a full free day in Shanghai. You can choose either to relax at your comfortable hotel or to go out for souvenir shopping. If you would like to see more on this day, please feel free to ask your travel advisor to customize a day tour to a water town, or a visit to Suzhou or Hangzhou.
Day 12 Leave from Shanghai
Meal provided: breakfast
You've experienced the best of China in 12 days. As your trip comes to end, your tour guide, driver and car will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your flight home. Your guide will assist you with flight check-in and luggage, and see you off at the security check-point.
Meal provided: breakfast
You've experienced the best of China in 12 days. As your trip comes to end, your tour guide, driver and car will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your flight home. Your guide will assist you with flight check-in and luggage, and see you off at the security check-point.
Our Service Includes:
- One-to-one consultancy with our travel expert
- Versatile and knowledgeable local guides
- Your own chauffeur and comfortable vehicle
- Hand-picked hotels to suit your preferences
- Hotel buffet breakfasts and local restaurant lunches
- Entry to all attractions on the itinerary
- The booking of internal transportation per your preferences
- A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling
Trip Notes
Extend the tour:
- Yangtze River Cruise: add 4–5 days (Chongqing to Yichang or vice versa)
- Chengdu: add 2–3 days — visit a Panda Research Center, the Giant Buddha, and Mt. Emei
- Suzhou and Hangzhou: add 2–4 days — visit scenic gardens, West Lake, and water towns
- Hong Kong: add 2–3 days — visit Victoria Peak, Disneyland, and day-tour Macau
Shorten the tour:
If you have only one week, and it is your first time to China, we suggest leaving Shanghai or Guilin for another time. Shanghai is suited to lovers of modernity, and is easily connected with your international flight; while Guilin is a good choice for scenery lovers, and Guangzhou or Hong Kong offer international flights, just one hour's flight away.
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong are China's major entry cities.
Optional Activities
It must be clearly understood that enjoying these extras would be at your own discretion. They are not included in the itinerary or tour price, so you would need to pay separately. The ticket price depends on seating. Ask your guide to book tickets if you want to see any of the following.
- Beijing — Legend of Kungfu Show
- Xi'an — Tang Dynasty Cultural Show
- Xi'an — Tang Dynasty Cultural Show plus Dumpling Banquet
- Yangshuo — Impression Third Sister Liu Night Show on the Li River (outdoor)
- Shanghai — Chinese Acrobats Show
Upgrading This Luxury Tour
This private luxury tour can be tailor-made according your needs. If you would like to upgrade it, there are several options: airport VIP lounge service in each city, business seats on airplanes, Audi 6A private transport in each city, upgrade your hotel rooms to suites…
Useful Information for Traveling in China
What's the difference between 3, 4, and 5 -star hotels?
We usually arrange centrally-located and Western-standard hotels. Five-star hotels are usually palatial with huge lobbies and comfortable rooms, their standards not quite matching the best of Paris or New York, but very close. Four-star hotels have quality facilities, but are not as luxurious as five-star hotels. Three-star hotels meet the needs of most Westerners, but breakfasts have less choice.
We also recommend some courtyard hotels or Chinese-style hotels with local features and architecture. These hotels have a good ranking, or positive feedback from our customers, and TripAdvisor.
Usually hotels in big cities, small cities, and rural areas are a bit different, even if they have the same star level. We try to use the best available hotel in each place.
What are train conditions like in China?
A soft sleeper is recommended for overnight and long-distance travel. Each soft sleeper compartment is enclosed, and contains four bunks, two on each side. The bunks are wider and more comfortable than hard sleepers, with decent bedding. Soft sleeper compartments may vary between trains. You may have both over-head storage and under-bed storage, or just under-bed storage.
For short distance train travel, G and D high-speed trains are recommended. G trains are the fastest trains in China, with a speed of 250 km/h to 400 km/h, and their prices are highest.
Currency Exchange
As currency exchange rates in China fluctuate, we suggest you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. In 2015 the yuan (NCY or RMB) has been around 6.2 USD (6.1–6.3 USD), and the HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) has been more stable around 7.75 USD (7.74–7.77 USD). There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Master card, but these are limited to cities. We also recommend the use of cash and travelers checks in USD currency. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but they may charge a 2–4% transaction fee.
Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service.
Food
Eating is an important part of your China experience. Generally breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. China Highlights recommends local Chinese restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities.
If you are vegetarian or you are looking for e.g. halal food, please feel free to inform your travel advisor, who can arrange a restaurant to fit your needs.
Vehicles
We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles.
Responsible Tourism:
Environment
We encourage our staff to reduce the use of paper, and fax machines and copying machines. Instead of using printed paper, we send documents by Wechat or QQ. We send orders and bills to local suppliers by our online system, which saves lots of paper.
CH usually uses cars or vans with low exhaust emissions. Our light vehicles damage the village roads less. We understand that it is hard work for villagers to build/maintain their roads.
We do not recommend customers use disposable chopsticks and disposable bathroom supplies.
Community
We make use of local suppliers and services. These include locally owned and family run accommodation, local drivers, locally produced and prepared food. This ensures that the local economy is supported. We also only employ local guides. We do visit local community projects and remote schools where our contributions are greatly appreciated.
Our guides teach customers some short phrases in the local language, translate, and suggest customers show their photos to local people, particularly if they take photos together. They also remind customers not to step into rice fields to protect crops, especially when they are taking photos.
We have had an excellent long-term relationship with our guides and suppliers and this helps to stabilize their income generation and so helps to create a more sustainable future.
Price includes: