13 Days China Essence Tour

Day 01 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. You are greeted by your guide at the airport outside the luggage claim area with your name displayed and then transferred to the four-star Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel or similar.

Day 02 Beijing (B, L)

Morning program takes you to Tian'an Men Square and the Forbidden City, the residence of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. Afternoon sightseeing features the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. If time permits, you will pay a short visit to the Olympic Stadium.

Day 03 Beijing (B, L)

The highlight today is to conquer the Badaling Great Wall, a symbol of the Chinese ancient civilization and to the Dingling, one of the Ming Tombs, the burial grounds for the 13 Ming Dynasty emperors and the Sacred Way. Drive back to city and go for some shopping at the famous Silk Markets.

Day 04 Beijing (B, L)

Today you will have a chance to experience the real life of local Beijing residents on a tour to the Hutongs by rickshaw. Beijing Hutongs are regarded as the last embodiment of old Beijing’s spirit. Walking along the back street of Hutongs and meeting people there will leave you a different understanding of China. Following is a visit to the Summer Palace, a summer resort for Empress Dowager Ci Xi. The rest of day is free at your leisure. Or you can choose some ready-made programs from our option menu to enrich your stay in Beijing.

Day 05  Beijing / Xian (B)

Free at your own arrangement. You may spend the day shopping or just walking around to get a better understanding of Beijing and its people. Or you can take some suggested activities from our ready-made option menu to enrich your stay in Beijing. In the late afternoon, fly to the ancient city of Xian. Meet and check into the four-star Aurum International Hotel or similar.

Day 06 Xian (B, L)

A full day tour recalls the glories of ancient Xian as you visit the burial site of an incredible army of 8000 lifelike Terra-cotta soldiers. After lunch drive back to the city and visit the Bell Tower in the very heart of Xian City. Following is the Great Mosque at the Muslim square. This Mosque is only one in China that perfectly combines the Muslim customs and Chinese culture, and features like a unique garden.

Day 07 Xian (B, L)

Today you will take a city tour to the majestic Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shaanxi Provincial Historic Museum. After lunch enjoy a leisure stroll on the top of the Ancient City Wall, the best preserved in the world, followed by a wander on the famous Shuyuanmen Culture Street to appreciate the delicate traditional art crafts. The remainder of the day is free at your own pace, or you can choose some suggested programs from our ready-made option menu to make your Xian tour more memorable.

Day 08 Xian / Guilin (B, L)

In the morning fly to the mystical city of Guilin. With its thousands of limestone outcroppings, Guilin has inspired generations of silk scroll painters. Check into the four-star Guilin Park Hotel or similar. The city tour features the Reed Flute Caves where spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and the mirror lake dazzle visitors, followed is the Elephant Trunk Hill.

Day 09 Guilin (B, L)

Spend the day aboard a scenic Li River Cruise through the mist-shrouded limestone mountains, passing picturesque farms and fishing villages. Your cruise disembarks at the charming small Yangshuo Town. After a leisure stroll on the West Street, proceed to visit the Big Banyan Tree Park and the Moon Hill.

Day 10 Guilin / Shanghai (B,L)

After breakfast in the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, the commercial center of China. Meet your guide and proceed to visit the fabulous Yu Garden at the Old Quarter. Following is a leisure stroll at the famous waterfront Bund and Nanjing Road at the shopping center. Check into the four-star Shanghai Hotel or similar.

Day 11 Shanghai (B, L)

Take a city tour to visit the city's major attractions and get a general understanding of this city. First you will visit the Shanghai Museum, one of the best in China, to learn the history of this city, then to see its modern development plan at the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum. After lunch you will have the chance to get a bird’s view of the whole Pudong new area on top of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Day 12 Shanghai (B)

Free day at your own arrangement. You may spend the day shopping or just walking around to get a better understanding of Shanghai. Or you can take some suggested activities from our ready-made option menu to enrich your stay in Shanghai.

Day 13 Shanghai (B)

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your departure flight.