16 Days China Yunnan 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)

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 03 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 Jiangnanfu Restaurant which is famous for its Hangzhou style cuisine.

Day 04 Beijing / Xian (B, L)

Fly to Xian in the morning. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Shangri-la Xian to have a rest. 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. You will have your lunch at the luxury decorated Chinese Restaurant: True Love Restaurant, which serves the Shaanxi local cuisine. And then you will have the chance to further expose to cultural relics by joining the white-grove activities in Small Pagoda Museum.

Day 05 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 06 Xian / Kunming (B, L)

In the morning, fly to Kunming, the City of Eternal Spring. Located on the east edge of the Tibet Plateau, Kunming is accompanied by warm weather year round. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Green Lake Hotel. In the afternoon, you will climb the Western Hill where you will find both Taoist and Buddhism temples on the top. A very beautiful lake view of the Dianchi Lake, surrounded by temples and lake-and-limestone hill landscapes, comes into sight while you are on the top of the Dragon Gate. On the way down, you will visit the Huating Temple, the oldest temple in Western Hills. The temple is famous for its rare flowers and trees. Many camellia, magnolia, sweet-scented Osmanthus and others trees were planted in and outside the temple, made the temple the best place to enjoy the flowers. Today you will have your lunch at 1240 Garden Restaurant, where you can enjoy the authentic Yunnan cuisine.

Day 07 Kunming (B, L)

A full day excursion takes you to the Stone Forest, one of the natural wonders of the area, and a typical Karstic Landscape. The Stone Forest was formed by karst two million to thirty million years ago. The Forest was contains peaks, pillars, stalagmites, depressions, underground rivers, and caves. The fantastic stone pinnacles rising abruptly from the ground resemble a huge, dense forest. Many of the stone pinnacles are associated with legends. It is surely be a wonderful tour. On the way, you will enjoy a visit to a typical Chinese village and meet the local people. Lunch will be arranged at Liren Garden Yunnan style hot pot restaurant.

Day 08 Kunming / Dali (B, L)

You will take an early flight to Dali, an important stop on the Yunnan-Tibetan Highway. It was the capital of Bai kingdom Nanzhao. And it is also famous for the many types of marble it produces, which are used primarily in construction and for decorative objects. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Regent Hotel. In the afternoon, tour the Erhai Lake and enjoy the Folk Songs and Dances of the Bai ethnic minority while the famous Three Course Tea presented. You will find the crystal blue lake and the green mountain range nearby look alike a Chinese painting. Then take a look of the symbol of Dali, the Three Pagodas, built 1,300 years ago. As its name implies, the Three Pagodas comprise three independent pagodas forming a symmetric triangle. The elegant, balanced and stately style is unique in China's ancient Buddhist architectures, which makes it a must-see in the tour of Dali. You can have a leisurely stroll in Old Town Dali at evening. A special vegetarian lunch will be arranged at Xinru Restaurant today. This restaurant is operated by a famous female movie star in China.

Day 09 Dali / Lijiang (B, L)

Today, you will drive to Lijiang. Lijiang, bordering Tibet, is a small town with a spectacular mountain backdrop. After refresh at 5-star Treasure Harbour International Hotel Lijiang, you will have the Imperial Banquet of Mu in the ancient town. After lunch, you will visit the Black Dragon Pool, and the Dongba Culture Exhibition Museum, which represents the Dongba Pictographic Characters and Naxi Minorities mysterious Culture, some of which still use the matriarchal social system up till today. Late afternoon, tour the ancient Town of Dayan, a World Heritage Site in China recognized by the United Nations in 1999.

Day 10 Lijiang (B, L)

Take cable car ascending Jade Dragon Snow Mountain where you can enjoy four different kinds of sceneries at the same time, the alpine snow area scenery, the water scenery, the forest scenery and the meadow scenery. On your way back to the city, pay a visit to another ancient town in Lijiang, Beam River Ancient Town. It was once a key pass on the ancient Tea-Horse Trail. Well-preserved roads and 100-year-old dwelling houses are telling witnesses of the village's past prosperity. Today you will go to the newly opened Chinese Taste Restaurant to have lunch.

Day 11 Lijiang / Zhongdian (B, L)

Extending for 15 kilometers from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang to the Haba Xueshan Mountain in Zhongdian, the Tiger-Leap-Gorge with a drop of 3,000 meters is believed to be the world's deepest canyon. The name of the gorge is attributed to the legend that a tiger had once jumped across the gorge at its narrowest section 30 meters in width. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery as well as take photos here. On the mountain at the river's bend stands Stone Drum Town. This ancient town is named after a drum-shaped marble plaque. It is said that the stone drum would rupture prior to any war and then fold when peace returned. Stop at Sean's Spring Lodge and lunch. You will also have a chance to talk with the owner about the stories along the Tiger-Leap-Gorge. In the afternoon, you will drive to Zhongdian. Upon arrival, check into the 5-star Paradise Hotel.

Day 12 Zhongdian (B, L)

Explore Zhongdian and the surrounding Tibetan cultural areas, including the large Songzanlin Monastery and the alpine Bita Lake. Songzanlin Monastery is a typical Lama monastery. The architectural style of the building is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Bita Lake is an intact natural attraction with various species of flora and fauna and, of course, picturesque landscapes. In Tibetan language, Bita means "a piece of land as soft as cattle hair felt". Lunch will be arranged at Nanka Mingdian Restaurant, a Tibetan style one with unique decoration. After lunch, you will also visit a local Tibetan family on the way. Fly back to Kunming in the late afternoon.

Day 13 Kunming / Shanghai (B, L)

In the morning, fly to Shanghai, the biggest city and commercial heart of People's Republic of China. Transfer to 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. 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 14 Shanghai (B, L)

Today you will visit Zhujiajiao which lies in suburban Shanghai. It is a time-honored and well-preserved old town. About 10,000 homes flank the riverside, forming an elegant and graceful ink painting. The unique houses, quaint streets and rustic folk customs are always attractive to visitors. Enjoy a local flavor lunch at this ancient town. Drive back to Shanghai and experience the local life of Shanghai people by visiting the unique Shikumen, the traditional houses for them.

Day 15 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.

Days 16 Shanghai (B)

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