12 Days China Discovery Tour

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 and then transferred to the four-star Tiantan 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 Summer Palace, a summer resort for Empress Dowager Ci Xi.

Day 03 Beijing (B, L)

The highlight today is to conquer the Great Wall, a symbol of the Chinese ancient civilization. Continue to visit the Olympic Venues including Bird Nest and Water Cube.

Day 04 Beijing / Xian (B)

Enjoy free day to explore the city on your own or join our optional tour to Lama Temple, Hutong and Temple of Heaven.

Visit Lama Temple (Yonghe Palace), the only Beijing city temple that survived the Cultural Revolution. It is the largest Lama Temple outside Tibet. Then tour Hutongs, the 700-year-old narrow streets and visit the old quadrangles by the old fashioned rickshaw and learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing residents. Enjoy the lunch with the home of a local family. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests.

(Optional tour: $60 including guided sightseeing with lunch) 

At night transfer to the railway station and catch the express overnight soft-sleeper train to Xian Enjoy a typical Chinese travel experience.

Day 05 Xian (B, L)

Meet and transfer to the four-star New World Hotel or similar. Then you will take a city tour to the majestic Wild Goose Pagoda. 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.

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 / Guilin (B, L)

Take your flight to beautiful Guilin, known for its unparalleled scenery in China. Meet and transfer to the four-star Guilin Park Hotel. An afternoon tour takes you to the lovely Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill.

Day 08 Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin (B, L)

Appreciate the beauty surrounding Guilin on your Li River Cruise to Yangshuo. You will take an interesting bicycle ride in this charming town to the nearby mountain areas and explore its breathtaking sceneries. Continue to visit the local market and walk through the famous West Street before being transferred back to Guilin.

Day 09 Guilin / Shanghai (B, L)

After breakfast in the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, the commercial center of China. Meet your guide and proceed to visit the fabulous Yu Garden at the Old Quarter, the Bund and Nanjing Road. Check into the four-star Shanghai Greenland Jiulong Hotel or similar.

Day 10 Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai (B, L)

Travel to Suzhou, the Oriental Venice. Upon your arrival, visit Lingering In Garden, Tiger Hill Scenic Resort and observe the interesting silk manufacture process during a traditional China silk spinning mill visit. Later in the afternoon, transfer back to your hotel in Shanghai.

Day 11 Shanghai (B)

Enjoy free day to explore the city on your own or join our optional tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Acrobatics.

Visit the Zhujiajiao, the best-preserved ancient water town among the four ancient towns in shanghai with a history of 1700 years. Wonder along the old lanes and see local people selling local snacks like rice dumplings stuffed with pork with bamboo leaves, or old people sitting outside on the streets to get some sun shine. You might feel like you were back to "ancient China". After lunch, travel back to Shanghai and visit the Shanghai Museum, one of the best Chinas museums of ancient Chinese art. At night enjoy the famous Shanghai Acrobatics.

(Optional tour: $60 including guided sightseeing with lunch) 

Day 12 Shanghai (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.