8Days China Panorama
Price from: $3398 per person on twin sharing basis
Beijing – Xian – Guilin – Yangzhou – Guilin
Besides taking you to the two of the most popular cities of Beijing and Xian, this tour will take you to the most beautiful part of China where you will see the natural abundance combined with rural life of China in Guilin and Yangzhou. Within the Beijing city, you’ll find some of China’s most stunning sights – the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Park, the Lama Temple and the Great Wall. Visit Xian, often referred to as a “natural history museum”. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is praised as the eighth major miracle of the world, the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang appears on the World Heritage List and the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty is the largest and most intact Ming Dynasty castle in the world, as well as showcasing numerous pagodas, mosques and towers.
Guilin and Yangzhou are famous in China and around the world for their unique scenery. Actually, the landscape of China – at least the image that most westerners have – is the landscape of Guilin. The strangely shaped hills (or karsts) with the prolific vegetation ranging from to conifers, together with intricate caves, make Guilin a naturally beautiful city. Here you’ll find green mountains, crystal clear waters and beautiful stones. You will visit attractions like Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River, Reed Flute Cave and Seven Star Park Each of these places will leave you with lasting memories of your visit.
Day 1: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Beijing (B/L)
Today a full day City tour visits Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple and Summer Palace. Located at the centre of Beijing City is Tiananmen Square, where you can visit Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People’s Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and see the national flag raising ceremony. The Square was the front door of the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City, so called because it was off limits to commoners for 500 years, was the Imperial residence of the Ming and Qing Emperors. Now known as the Palace Museum it is the largest and best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in all China.
Also visit the Summer Palace, this was where the Imperial court would come to escape the heat of Beijing’s summer, and today it is a popular recreation spot.
Day 3: Beijing (B/L)
A day tour to the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs, the burial ground of 13 of the 16 Emperors and the Sacred Way, an avenue flanked by real & mythical animals, that guard the tombs.
The world renowned Great Wall, a symbol of ancient Chinese civilizations, has stood for more than 2000 years. The wall originally a series of feudal defences built in the 5th Century BC and were linked up during the reign of the Emperor Qin, first Emperor of a United China, to form this 5000 km man-made barrier. The section of the wall that you will visit is at Badaling, 80kms from Beijing and was restored in 1957.
The Ming Tombs are the burial ground of 13 of the 16 Emperors (1368 – 1644 AD). Wander along the Sacred Way, a broad avenue flanked by twelve sets of animals, real & mythical, that guard the entrance to the tombs. The tomb of the 14th Emperor, Ding Ling, is the only one that has been excavated and you can tour the underground passages and caverns.
Day 4: Beijing-Xian (B/L)
Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Xi’an. On arrival, transfer to the Hotel. Afternoon tour the city visiting City Wall, Museum and the Great Mosque.
Day 5: Xian (B/L/D)
A full day tour to the 2000 year old Army of Terracotta Warriors which remains stunningly well preserved: a vigilant force standing guard over an ancient imperial burial site. The 6000 life-sized terracotta warriors and warhorses were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well! There is speculation that the sculptors used fellow workers as models, each of the figures differs in facial features and expressions. On the way back, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Village.
Tonight enjoy a different taste of China at a Dumpling Dinner with Tang Dynasty Show
Day 6: Xian-Guilin (B/L)
Transfer to airport to connect early morning flight to Guilin. On arrival, visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Flute Cave and Seven Star Park.
Day 7: Guilin-Yangzhou (B/L/D)
The Li River meanders south for 85km between Guilin and Yangzhou through the finest scenery that this part of the country can provide, and the six-hour cruise from the docks above Elephant Trunk Hill is, for some, the highlight of their trip to China. The cruise is a generally tranquil experience despite the legend that the spirit of every sailor who ever drowned on the Li River rocks boats as they navigate the rougher shoals. Along the way you’ll pass cormorant fishermen poling their almost submerged bamboo rafts, buffaloes wallowing in the fields and, of course, scores of grotesquely shaped hills with exotic names. About a third of the way down is Wanfu Shi (Yearning for Husband Rock). The story goes that while sailing downriver a family ran out of rice and moored on an island so that the husband could look for help. When he failed to return, his wife picked up their baby and eventually found him fossilized on a hill top; mourning for him, she turned into stone too. The atmosphere ends abruptly after docking at Yangzhou.
Day 8: Yangzhou-Guilin (B)
Back to Guilin and proceed to the airport to connect onward flight.
Private program - can start any day of the week and can be modified or operated in reverse
Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.
Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.
Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2023. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.