13Days Splendors of China
Prices from: $3781 per person on Twin sharing basis
Small Group Tour - Departure on Wednesdays
Beijing – Xian – Guilin – Shanghai – Suzhou – Shanghai
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 Yangshuo. 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 Yangshuo 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 together with intricate caves, make Guilin a naturally beautiful city. Here you’ll find green mountains, crystal clear waters and beautiful stones. Enjoy a day excursion to Suzhou included in your itinerary.
Day 1 (Wed): Beijing
Arrival at Beijing Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure
Day 2 (Thu): Beijing (B/L)
Today a full day City tour visits Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City 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. Optional: Kung Fu Show with Peking Duck dinner
Day 3 (Fri): Beijing (B/L)
Enjoy a day tour to the Great Wall. The world renowned Great Wall, a symbol of ancient Chinese civilizations, has stood for more than 2000 years. The wall was originally a series of feudal defences built in the 5th Century BC 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. Jade stone workshop visit enroute. Photo stop at the Bird Nest & Water Cube.
Day 4 (Sat): Beijing (B/L)
Enjoy a morning visit to Temple of Heaven and watch local people doing all kinds of morning exercises. Visit a local Pearl Factory and enjoy a tour of Hutong by rickshaw including a visit to a traditional Chinese home.
Day 5 (Sun): Beijing-Xian (B/L)
We take late morning flight from Beijing to Xian – the ancient capital of China. In the afternoon visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Provincial Museum. The Big Wide Goose Pagoda Temple was regarded the landmark of Xian. When the dynasties expanded its territories enormously to the west with many Buddhism Scriptures, Monks and the envoys came to China, the temple was built and a larger team of scholars was organized here for translation of the Buddhism Scriptures into Chinese and it became a holy place for pilgrimages. Behind the pagoda is the courtyard, which tells great Buddhism envoys story. The provincial Museum shows us Chinese archaeology’s excavation at Xian Areas from very beginning of Chinese primogenitors of Neolithic Age 20000-8000 years ago to the glorious dynasties 980AD. It has numerous collections and treasures on display.
Day 6 (Mon): 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. Enroute visit ceramics & pottery workshop. Tonight enjoy Dumpling Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show.
Day 7 (Tue): Xian – Guilin (B/L)
Flight to Guilin, known for its magnificent natural landscape. The serene mountains and strangely shaped peaks & shimmering waters inspired visitors for centuries. Many ethnic minorities represented here enrich the cultural life, thus adding truly unique features to Guilin’s already beautiful scenery, and rewarding it as UNESCO site. On arrival check into hotel. In the afternoon visit the Reed Flute Cave with a tour to the underground crystal palace.
Day 8 (Wed): Guilin – Yangshuo (B/L)
We start our cruise this morning on the deluxe upper deck of an air-conditioned boat along the Li River for 60 miles, revealing the haunting beauty of the mist-wrapped peaks and ethnic villages. Enjoy lunch on-board and an afternoon free to explore Yangshuo before returning to Guilin.
Day 9 (Thu): Guilin (B)
Day at your leisure. Optional tour to Longsheng, where you can enjoy the mountain villages and rice terraced fields of ethnic minorities.
Day 10 (Fri): Guilin – Shanghai (B)
Drive to Guilin Airport and take flight to Shanghai. Transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 11 (Sat): Shanghai (B/L/D)
This morning we start visit Old Downtown, classical Yu Garden, the Bund. Old Downtown has many narrow zigzag lanes, small squares, fish pond and pavilion linked by stone bridges. It collects many favourite local bars, restaurants, tea houses and souvenir shops. The Yu Garden (UNESCO Site) built 400 years ago, is a famous ancient private garden with architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties. It became a real museum of Chinese ancient architecture. The vividly brick-carving figures of warlords & warriors, unique animals standing on the roofs of ancient buildings and the huge dragons decorated on the range of walls, all features of this unique garden. Afternoon we visit Shanghai Museum. The attractions include enormous finest stone sculptures, bronze-ware, porcelain, calligraphic works, Chinese paintings and ancient furniture. Visit Xintiandi and Pudong New Development Zone. Tonight we enjoy the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.
Day 12 (Sun): Shanghai – Suzhou – Shanghai (B/L)
Enjoy a full day coach excursion to the water town of Suzhou. Visit Garden of Master of Nets, Silk Spinning Factory, and cruise on the Grand Canal and visit Pingjiang Road Old Town Area before returning to Shanghai.
Day 13 (Mon): Shanghai (B)
Departure transfer to airport for homeward flight.
** This is a Small Group Tour where you may have guests from other English speaking countries joining the same program. All transfer, sightseeing, guide services etc. will be provided to you on non-exclusive basis. Guaranteed departure with minimum 2 persons.
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.