Trip Highlights:
This 16 days China tour will bring you to enjoy the Li River Cruise and Yangtze River Cruise, as well as the well-known World Expo 2010 Shanghai. The cruise will bring you to go into an art gallery of Chinese hills and rivers, and the World Expo 2010 Shanghai will let people all around the world feel at home. Besides, we will take you to appreciate the splendid history and culture in Beijing and Xian by visiting the spectacular Great Wall, Forbidden City, and incredible Terracotta Warriors, etc. At the same time, the wonderful architectures of Chinese traditional gardens in Suzhou, and the tranquil water town Tongli, must give you an unforgettable memory.
Tour Route:
Beijing (China's Capital) → Xian (Home of the Terracotta Warriors) → Guilin (Li River & Yangshuo) → Yangtze Cruises (Majestic Landscapes) → Shanghai (Cosmopolitan Metropolis) → Suzhou (Classical Gardens) → Shanghai (Cosmopolitan Metropolis)
Trip Type: Landscape and Nature, River Cruise Holidays, Culture and History Journey
Activity Level: Regular itinerary, Moderate walking, Easy cycling
Special Experiences:
● One-day exploration of World Expo 2010 Shanghai.
● Cycle around the picturesque mountains and paddy fields after cruising down the beautiful Li River.
● Boating on a scenic tributary, and shore excursions to the Ghost City and the Three Gorges Dam on the way of the Yangtze River cruise.
● Stroll in ancient water towns with artistic stone arch bridges and dwellings, and unwind youself at traditional gardens full of classic Chinese aesthetics.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival / Beijing
Transfer via: International flight arranged by you
Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel ★★★★
Upon arriving at the Beijing airport, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or step out into this amazing metropolis for an adventure on your own.
Day 2 Beijing (B)
Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel ★★★★
Sites visited: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven
On this day you will visit Tiananmen Square, and the magnificent Forbidden City. In the afternoon, you will marvel at the spectacular Temple of Heaven.
Day 3 Beijing (B)
Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel ★★★★
Sites visited: Great Wall, Sacred Road
You will visit to the magnificent Great Wall (Badaling section) and Sacred road.
Day 4 Beijing / Xian (B)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Grand New World Hotel ★★★★
Sites visited: Olympic Green, Beijing National Aquatics Center, Beijing National Stadium, Beijing Olympic Village
After breakfast, you will visit the Olympic Green which is the heart of 2008 Olympic Games and the site of thirteen venues. You will have a chance to visit the stunning Olympic Stadium- Bird's Nest, National Swim Center- Water Cube and the Olympic Village before your forward flight to your next destination. Upon arriving in Xian, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or step out to discover what this amazing city has to offer.
Day 5 Xian (B)
Accommodations: Grand New World Hotel ★★★★
Sites visited: Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Walls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
You will visit the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors in the morning. After lunch, you will visit the Ancient City Walls and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Day 6 Xian / Guilin (B)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Guilin Park Hotel ★★★★
Sites visited: Great Mosque
After breakfast, you will tour The Great Mosque and visit the local Muslim community before being escorted to the airport for your flight to your next destination. Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or step out into this dynamic city for a little adventure on your own.
Day 7 Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin (B)
Accommodations: Guilin Park Hotel ★★★★
Sites visited: Li River Cruise, West Street(Yangshuo)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Zhujiang Pier (40-minute drive) to start your boat cruise down the picturesque Li River, which is the highlight of any visit to Guilin, until you get to Yangshuo County. Along the river, you will be inspired by breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and picturesque pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes. Visitors feel they have stepped into a traditional Chinese painting. In Yangshuo, after roaming through the famed West Street, A cable car takes you from the West Street to the bus station and you will be driven back to Guilin (1.5-hour drive).
Day 8 Guilin / Chongqing /Yangtze River Cruise (B)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise ★★★★★
Sites visited: Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave
Today's excursion will bring you to Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave before your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination. Upon your arrival at Chongqing, be met and escorted to the dock. Embark the ship.
Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise ★★★★★
Sites visited: Fengdu Ghost City
Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City.
Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Accommodations: Ship of Yangtze Cruise ★★★★★
Sites visited: Lesser Three Gorges
Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges by smaller vessels.
Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai (B,L)
Transfer via: Domestic flight arranged by China Odyssey Tours
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown ★★★★
Sites visited: The Three Gorge Dam, The Bund, Nanjing Road
Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site this morning(08:00-10:00). After lunch, you will disembark the ship in Yichang at 13:30. Upon your arrival at Yichang, be met and excorted to the airport for your flight to the next destination. Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon you will stroll down the Bund, and Nanjing Road.
Day 12 Shanghai (B)
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown ★★★★
Sites visited: Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Unique Cultural Performance: Acrobatic Show
Today you will visit the Shanghai Museum, where you will spend at least two hours marveling at its collections. You will immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the Jade Buddha Temple, and then have a bird's eye view of the Shanghai from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. In the evening you will witness an exciting Acrobatic Show tonight.
Day 13 Shanghai (B)
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown ★★★★
Sites visited: World Expo 2010 Shanghai
After breakfast, you will be escorted to the Expo site. You will have one day to explore the World Expo 2010 on your own before you are transferred back to your hotel.
Day 14 Shanghai / Suzhou (B)
Accommodations: Bamboo Grove Hotel ★★★★
Sites visited: Lingering Garden, Grand Canal, The No.1 Silk Factory, Pan Gate
On this morning you will be driven to Suzhou (about 1.5 hours drive). You will arrive in Suzhou in the late morning with your local Shanghai guide and personal driver. Your tour in Suzhou includes: the quiet Lingering Garden and the Pan Gate. Enjoy the gentle breeze while cruise on the Grand Canal. Later visit the No.1 Silk Factory to learn how the pure silk products are made from a small cocoon.
Day 15 Suzhou / Tongli /Shanghai (B)
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown ★★★★
Sites visited: Tongli town
In the morning you will be driven to water town of Tongli (20 minute drive from Suzhou). There you will pay a visit to the Garden of Seclusion and Meditations, the Pearl Pagoda, the Triple Bridge, and Ming and Qing Dynasty Street. After your trip to this beautiful village, you will be driven back to Shanghai (1.5 hours).
Day 16 Shanghai / Departure (B)
Transfer via: International flight arranged by you
You will be free on this day until your personal guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.