18 Days Golden China Tour (Deluxe)

Day 01 Beijing arrival

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 5-star Raffles Beijing Hotel.

Day 02 Beijing (B, L)

Today's highlight is a visit to Forbidden City, which was served as the home of the Emperor and his household, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government for almost five centuries. Our expert will guide you to appreciate the history and beauty of Forbidden City. Afternoon features the Temple of Heaven. It was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. And then continue to visit the Summer Palace, once served as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi. In December 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List. It declared the Summer Palace an "outstanding expression of the creative art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole." Lunch will be arranged at Jiangnafu Restaurant which is famous for its Hangzhou style cuisine.

Day 03 Beijing (B, L)

Morning program takes you to the Mutianyu Great Wall, which stands as a monument to both the strength and the weakness of the Chinese Ming Dynasty. You will learn, touch, and explore the history of a wall built over 300 years ago, yet which remains largely intact as it snakes endlessly across the mountain ridgelines. You will have lunch at Xiaolumian restaurants, a family style one in Huai Rou district. And then drive to enjoy the 798 Art Zone, which houses a thriving artist community, among 50-year old decommissioned military factory buildings of unique architectural style. It is often compared with New York's Greenwich Village.

Day 04 Beijing (B, L)

Today you will be dazzled by the murals in Fahai Temple, which are represented by the mural painting the auspicious clouds behind the three-life Buddha, the mural painting the Buddhists attending a meeting, the mural behind the shrine painting the three Masters and the mural on the back wall depicting Brahma worshiping the Buddha. They all adopt the traditional Chinese realistic painting method characterized by fine brush work and close attention in detail. Fine, delicate strokes, meticulous painting and exquisite coloring have made the murals distinguished among murals found in Beijing. Spend the afternoon exploring the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, a highlight of Peking University's verdant campus. It offers not only a wealth of treasures but also well-cured exhibits. With over 10,000 objects, it presents many collections as they were excavated. Lunch today will be booked at Lulu's Restaurant, a Shanghai style cuisine popular restaurant for local Beijing people.

Day 05 Beijing (B, L)

Today you will have a chance to experience the rural life of China on a tour to the Chuandixia Village, where you will not only see the typical local buildings of Ming and Qing Dynasties that survived from the long history, but also can learn the modern life of rural family. Enjoy your local cuisine at this unique town. The beautiful countryside scenery will also be a highlight of the tour. Enjoy a local cuisine at the village restaurant.

Day 06 Beijing / Xian (B, L)

Fly to Xian in the morning. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Shangri-la Xian to have a rest. You will have your lunch at the luxury decorated Chinese Restaurant: True Love Restaurant, which serves the Shaanxi local cuisine. In the afternoon, you will visit the Shaanxi History Museum, the first huge state museum with modern facilities in China. It has been called the "bright pearl of ancient city, treasure house of China.

Day 07 Xian (B, L)

A full day of sightseeing features one of tour highlights, the army of Terra-cotta soldiers, created 2,200 years ago to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Pay a short visit to the local family to experience their daily life. Today you will have your lunch at the Old Xian Restaurant, a famous one for its Shaanxi local cuisine. After lunch drive back to the city and visit the Great Mosque, one of the oldest and most renowned mosques in China. It is really well worth a trip to see the Great Mosque, not only for its centuries-old history but also for its particular design of mixed architecture - traditional Muslim and Chinese styles..

Day 08 Xian / Guilin (B, L)

Today you will have the chance to further expose to cultural relics by joining the white-grove activities in Small Pagoda Museum. Enjoy a Sichuan cuisine lunch at Sichuan Huiguan Restaurant. In the afternoon, fly to Guilin. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Hotel of Modern Art.

Day 09 Guilin (B, L)

Today you will enjoy the masterpieces of nature by visiting Reed Flute Cave, which is paired as a "Palace of Nature Art". The beautiful stalactites here experience a long formation process: calcium carbonate of rocks had being dissolved in groundwater; then after millions of years’ depositing, accumulating and riming; it had turned into the stalactites we see now. You will have your lunch at Zeng San's Family Restaurant, a popular Guilin cuisine local restaurant. Go on to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill, another two symbols of Guilin landscape.

Day 10 Guilin (B, L)

After breakfast, you will head for the pier and then enjoy an exploration of Li River Cruise through the mist-shrouded limestone mountains, passing picturesque farms and fishing villages. Arrive in Yangshuo, an enchanting town, where the limpid water, verdant pinnacles and hillocks, and spectacular caverns compose a captivating tableau. You can visit the local primary school to experience their life or explore it by bike. At night visit the famous West Street with cafe and bar.

Day 11 Guilin / Shanghai (B, L)

In the morning, fly to Shanghai, the biggest city and commercial heart of People's Republic of China. Check into the 5-star Le Royal Meridien Hotel for rest and then have lunch at Shanghai Uncle Restaurant, a cavernous and brash red-themed restaurant in the basement of the Bund Center where old Shanghai favorites are given a modern makeover. And then take a city tour to visit the city's major attractions and get a general understanding of this city. You will enjoy a wonderful tour to Yu Garden, one of the four finest Chinese gardens, and Bund area, the former French Concession area.

Day 12 Shanghai (B, L)

Today you will roam in the art paradise by visit the Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Art Museum. As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. Located on busy Nanjing Road in People's Square, Shanghai Art Museum has 12 exhibition halls, covering more than 5,000 square meters. The building itself is a charming area to walk around as it used to be the club house of Shanghai's Race Club built in the 1930's. Whilst enjoying the architecture, you can also peruse the different exhibits that change throughout the year. A lavish lunch will be arranged at Kathleen's 5 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, combines fine dinning with a spectacular view of People's Square. And then you will also have a chance to experience the local life of Shanghai people by visiting the unique Shikumen, the traditional houses for them.

Day 13 Shanghai / Suzhou (B, L)

A private chartered drive will take you to the Oriental Venice, Suzhou. On your way, you will pay a visit to Tongli, the well-preserved ancient water township. There are many ancient bridges and houses. It is really a wonderful place to experience Chinese traditional culture. And then continue to drive to Suzhou to visit the Lion Grove Garden which has richly ornamental pavilions and towers in different styles, each having its own history and story. Check into the 5-star Suzhou Sheraton. Lunch will be arranged at Wudi Renjia Restaurant where you can enjoy the authentic Suzhou Cuisine.

Day 14 Suzhou / Wuxi (B, L)

Today you will visit Suzhou Museum. It is designed by world famous architect I. M. Pei and is highly regarded as regional museum with a number of significant Chinese cultural relics. Have your lunch at Songhelou, a brand restaurant since the ancient China. Enjoy your lunch and admire the food culture as well in this restaurant. Go on to visit the landmark of Suzhou, Panmen. In the afternoon, you will drive to Wuxi where you will be transferred to your Wuxi 1881 Peninsula Hotel.

Day 15 Wuxi / Hangzhou (B, L)

Wuxi with its charming and picturesque Tai Lake will welcome you in morning. You will then move on to experience a sightseeing tour to beautiful Zhi Park and Turtle Head Islet. After lunch at Grandma's Family Kitchen, you will continue your tour to Hangzhou. An old Chinese saying declares, "There is heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Centuries later, Marco Polo called Hangzhou the most enchanting city in the world. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Shangri-la Hangzhou.

Day 16 Hangzhou (B, L)

"Rippling waters shimmering on a sunny day, Misty Mountains shrouded in rain; plain or gaily dressed like Xizi; West Lake is always alluring." These are the words used by the celebrated Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo to describe Hangzhou's West Lake. Today you will enjoy this beauty of West Lake by yourself. Enjoy your lunch at Louwailou Restaurant to enjoy the famous Hangzhou cuisine. And then go on to visit the Lingyin Temple. With many old trees, groves of bamboo, and quiet and beautiful surroundings, the Lingyin Temple is one of the most famous temples south of the Yangtze River. By visit the Tea Plantation, you will get a general understanding of the process of making tea. In the evening, drive back to Shanghai.

Day 17 Shanghai (B)

Free at leisure.

Day 18 Shanghai (B)

After leisure breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.