A Private China Tour – Beijing, Xian, Lijiang, Chengdu, Guilin, Shanghai

Day 1 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Beijing for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. 

Day 2 Beijing (The Great Wall)
This morning, journey northwest bound by road to the less crowded and best preserved section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Here, enjoy a cable car ride, followed by a trek on the wall comprised of 22 watch towers stretching over two kilometers. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the city and enjoy a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s Old Quarters (Hutongs), visiting a local family residence, and the Bell & Drum Tower. This evening, enjoy one of Beijing’s specialties – Peking Duck at one of the city’s famed restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Beijing
Enjoy a full day tour of the ancient capital’s most revered sites. Visits include the Forbidden City (closed Mondays*), the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties built in 1420; the Summer Palace, a grand imperial palace and a royal garden of the Qing Dynasty built in the sixteenth century; Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world and a symbol of New China; and Temple of Heaven (closed Mondays*), the largest temple compound and one of the most strictly protected and preserved cultural heritages of China. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. (B,L)

*Note: City tour will be switched to the day prior in case this day lands on a Monday due to venue closures. 

Day 4 Beijing / Xian
This morning, board a super-fast high speed Train, with speeds up to 300km/hour, for an exhilarating 4.5 hour ride for Xian. Upon arrival, commence sightseeing of Yangling Tombs, the mausoleum of the Han Dynasty Emperor Liu Qi and his Empress, dating back to 153 A.D. Its intricate relics of miniature figures and burial objects offer revelations to the strict hierarchical social structure during this period. Afterwards, visit the City Wall, one of the oldest and best preserved city walls of China, as well as one of the most comprehensive ancient defensive systems in the world. Check in to your hotel for brief rest before heading out for dinner and show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre. (B,D)

Day 5 Xian
Today’s highlight takes you to the awe-inspiring Terracotta Museum, the excavated tomb of Qin Shi Huang Di, China’s first Emperor. Discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers, this massive burial site is comprised of 7,000+ life-sized Terracotta Warriors and Horses depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, constructed to protect the emperor in his afterlife. Return to the city for lunch followed by a visit of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening, enjoy a stroll through Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City (a.k.a. The Great Tang All Day Mall), a 1.5km pedestrian street lined with buildings featuring Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) architecture, street performances, and array of of food stands and shops. (B,L) 

Day 6 Xian / Chengdu
Today, we’ll embark on a 3-hour high speed train journey for Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and spicy cuisine, of course the Giant Pandas. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour of Chengdu, including People’s Park and Jin Li Street for a stroll through its colorful cobblestone marketplace lined with shops, tea houses and restaurants. Check in to your hotel for your overnight accommodations. (B)

Day 7 Chengdu
Enjoy a morning tour of the Panda Research & Breeding Center. Also known as the “Panda Base,” it was specially designed to imitate the pandas’ natural habitat, making it suitable for breeding. Covering an area of 92 acres, the Center also cares for other rare and endangered wild animals, including lesser pandas, black-necked cranes and white storks. Additionally, over 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred there throughout the year. After lunch, continue to Mt. Qingcheng, one of the cradles of Taoism and a famous summer retreat where a number of Taoist temples are nestled amid the ranges of hills and lush forests. (B,L)

Day 8 Chengdu / Lijiang
Fly to Lijiang, a stunningly beautiful ancient town in Yunnan Province, a UESCO World Heritage Site famed for its well-preserved architecture, serene natural scenery, and vibrant cultural heritage. Time permitting, enjoy a stroll around town spectacularly lined with willow trees, tranquil streams and red lanterns before checking into your hotel for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. (B) 

Day 9 Lijiang
This morning, enjoy a visit to the Black Dragon Pond followed by a walking tour of UNESCO Old Town, with lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Day 10 Lijiang (Yulong Snow Mountain or Tiger Leaping Gorge)
Full day excursion to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with cable car to the Yak Level (weather permitting) followed by a visit to a Naxi Minority Village. Includes lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Note: Cable car to Yunshan level (spruce tree level) will be provided if weather conditions are poor. A visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge can be arranged in lieu of Yulong Snow Mountain depending on passengers’ preference and/or local conditions. 

Day 11 Lijiang / Guilin
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, commence brief sightseeing of the city before transferring to your hotel. This evening, enjoy an International Buffet Dinner at your hotel, followed by a cruise on Four Lakes and Cormorant Fishing demonstration. (B,D)

Note: Lijiang / Guilin Flight operates on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun Only

Day 12 Guilin (Li River Cruise – Yangshuo)
A full-day tour today features a boat cruise on the picturesque Li River. Enjoy sightseeing of Yangshuo’s beautiful countryside before returning to Guilin in the afternoon. (B,L)

Day 13 Guilin / Shanghai
Morning tour of Guilin visiting Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave followed by afternoon flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel in the city center. (B) 

Day 14 Shanghai
A full-day tour takes you to Shanghai’s Old Town and its Yu Garden, Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Shanghai Museum, and the Art District of Tianzifang. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. This evening, enjoy a breathtaking Shanghai Acrobatics Performance. (B,L)

Day 15 Depart Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (B)