10 Days Essence China Group Tour

Day 1

Arrival Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China. Be met at the ansferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Meals: No Meals 
Accommodation: In Beijing
 

Day 2

Beijing
Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. If you are interested, you can taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck as your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing
 

Day 3

Beijing
Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Badaling Great Wall first, then Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing
 

Day 4

Beijing    Xian
In the morning, take a relaxing Hutong Tour by rickshaw to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. Be transferred to the airport for the flight to Xian in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian
 

Day 5

Xian
Enjoy your full day visit to the Qin Terracotta Army, one of the world most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation and the massive Xian City Wall. After that, you can have a short tour to Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian
 

Day 6

Xian    Guilin
Finish up your Xian tour by visiting the famous Shaanxi History Museum. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport to board a short flight to Guilin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Guilin
 

Day 7

Guilin      Yangshuo    Guilin
In the morning you will be driven to the Pier for the Li River Cruise (about 4 hours, lunch served on board). Savour the fairy-tale scenery while cruising down the meandering river to Yangshuo. After disembarkation, have a walk along the famous West Street. After the tour, be transferred back to Guilin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Guilin 

Day 8

Guilin    Shanghai
Before flight to Shanghai, you will have a half day city tour to Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin City and then the amazing Reed Flute Cave, the showcase of distinctly-colored stalactites and stalagmites. After lunch, be transferred to Shanghai in the afternoon by air.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai
 

Day 9

Shanghai
Today, you will take a visiting to the elegant Yuyuan Garden. To the opposite site, is the Mid-lake Teahouse and old Chinese quarter of Shanghai (Chenghuangmiao Temple), where cobbled streets are lined with traditional shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, Chinese tea and a variety of tantalizing snacks. After lunch, take a stroll around the French Concession area with its unique Shikumen houses and traditional clinics, cobblers and tailors. Continue the trip to Shanghai's new landmark- Shanghai World Finance Center. The highlight of the day is perhaps the stroll along Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade, the Bund, to admire the illuminated buildings lining the Huangpu River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai
 

Day 10

Departure Shanghai
Your China Experience is over all too soon as you transfer to the airport and board the homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends

Day 1

Arrival Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China. Be met at the ansferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Meals: No Meals 
Accommodation: In Beijing

Beijing, China capital and one of the great travel destinations of the World, offers sights and cultural relics found no where else on Earth. The city has a character all its own; there are quadrangles, small alleys, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, arts and crafts, Peking Opera, The Great Wall, the 2008 Olympics venue and a vibrancy that is the distinctive flavor of Beijing.
 

Day 2

Beijing
Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. If you are interested, you can taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck as your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

As the biggest city center square in the world, Tiananmen Square covering 44 hectares in the heart of Beijing. It is the place where history-changing events and ceremonies occurred. A few steps away, come to visit the Forbidden City, which was the Imperial Palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and, it is one of the largest, and certainly the most completely restored, ancient architectural complex in the world. Walk in the footsteps of Emperors; come to the museum and see with your eyes, and feel with your hearts; you'll begin understand what life in this richest of feudal realms was like for the Imperial Rulers, their concubines and their slaves.

After enjoying a delicious lunch, continue on to the Temple of Heaven. Departing from the Imperial vermilion and gold hues of the Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven is decorated in blue, the color of the Heavens. The perfect harmony between the architectural environment and nature can be felt here; you might easily imagine the vivid spectacle of a great sacrifice to the Heavens for a good harvest. The magnificent Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest is one of the most important and impressive building in China.

For today dinner, how about taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck, as it is the best-known dish in Beijing. It is very tender and unforgettably delicious. You will visit a local restaurant to enjoy a full meal and learn the proper way to experience Peking Roasted Duck. From the whole roasted duck to the soup of duck bones, you will enjoy a banquet made from every part of the duck. Moreover, the chef will demonstrate his skill of cutting the skin of the duck for your entertainment. 

Day 3

Beijing
Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Badaling Great Wall first, then Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Just 75km North-west of Beijing, along a smooth and comfortable highway is the Badaling Great Wall, which is one of the best-preserved and most accessible sections. The Great Wall is an internationally admired structure, symbolic of the cruelty of the ancient rulers, and the stoicism and determination of the Chinese people. The construction of the Great Wall began in the 5th century BC.

Then, you will have chance to visit the Ming Tombs which located in the northern suburbs of Beijing. Altogether there are thirteen tombs of Ming Dynasty Emperors from the period after the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. You visit the Changling Tomb, burial site of Emperor Yong Le, the biggest and first built at this historic site. The Lingsi Palace in Changling Tomb's second yard really deserves a visit. This is unique, a magnificent palace made of camphor wood. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor is decorated with gold bricks. 

Day 4

Beijing    Xian
In the morning, take a relaxing Hutong Tour by rickshaw to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. Be transferred to the airport for the flight to Xian in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

If exploring the Forbidden City has improved your understanding of the lifestyles of China ancient Imperial Court, then this 1 hour short Hutong Tour will give you an insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people and reveal their social culture in today Beijing City. The narrow streets of old Beijing are known as Hutongs. You will take a pedicab tour along the Hutongs and see the 100-year-old houses, courtyards and a vanishing way of life in today's Beijing.

Wonderful time always passes so quickly, in the afternoon, you have to take a flight to Xian, the city that steeped in history and still giving up secrets, is your gateway to ancient Chinese civilization. In its 3,100 recorded years of evolution, it has been home to 13 dynasties. Xian was also the end of civilization for those setting out on the famous Silk Road. Today Xian is a vibrant, modern city, but surrounded by history, even underfoot! So there can be no underground railways due to the obligation to preserve the wealth of ancient treasure still awaiting discovery.

Day 5

Xian
Enjoy your full day visit to the Qin Terracotta Army, one of the world most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation and the massive Xian City Wall. After that, you can have a short tour to Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

As an ancient capital city to 13 dynasties, Xian has a rich recorded history, frequently enhanced by the evidence of new discoveries, like the 1974 unearthing of the fabulous Qin Terracotta Army, the long forgotten army created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb. In accordance with ancient beliefs, this grand project was mounted at enormous cost by the cruel and tyrannical Emperor, only to be attacked, plundered, burnt and buried after his funeral by the peasants who'd labored under the whip to build it. Then, over two thousand years later, this 'Eighth Wonder of the World' was rediscovered by farmers digging a well. The fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation are a National ancient art treasure. Three excavation pits are now opened to the public and a fourth is nearing completion. You can, like US President Clinton, now gaze in wonder upon this historic site, listed by UNESCO in 1987 as a world cultural heritage.

The first landmark visitors will encounter in Xian is the ancient City Wall, which stretches round the old city. Xian was always a walled city, and today wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The first city wall of Chang'an was begun in 194 BCE. The existing wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1370; it is massive, measuring 13.7 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base. The South Gate and North Gate are the two main entrances to the inner city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall. This impressive structure is just a precursor to the remarkable discoveries awaiting visitors to Xian. 

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories, although the structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and its exterior brick facade renovated during the Ming Dynasty. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and travelers Xuanzang. Now this well-preserved holy place for Buddhist has been the symbol of Xian.  

Day 6

Xian    Guilin
Finish up your Xian tour by visiting the famous Shaanxi History Museum. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport to board a short flight to Guilin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Guilin

As the regional capital and doorway to the Silk Road, Xian was one of the richest, most well-protected cities in all of China. The famous Shaanxi History Museum introduces the visitor to area rich culture, from Emperor Qin Shihuang to the present day in this walled city. The museum is house in a striking Tang Dynasty-style pavilion and features an enormous collection of 113,000 historic and cultural relics. This is where you experience history, with chronological dynasties exhibits that take you through the ancient dynasties.

After the tour in Xian, you will have a different experience for the visiting in Guilin, which is famous for its serene landscape, Karst limestone formations, mist-covered hills and bamboo groves. It is home to more than ten ethnic groups. On the way from the airport to your hotel, you will find dozens of pretty hills everywhere in the city of Guilin. It is a city of hills and green trees and boasts one of the most photographed areas of China.
 

Day 7

Guilin      Yangshuo    Guilin
In the morning you will be driven to the Pier for the Li River Cruise (about 4 hours, lunch served on board). Savour the fairy-tale scenery while cruising down the meandering river to Yangshuo. After disembarkation, have a walk along the famous West Street. After the tour, be transferred back to Guilin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Guilin

In the morning, be driven to Pier for your Li River Cruise. A double-decker river boat is waiting for you. The landscape from Guilin to Yangshuo is truly a masterpiece of nature. The crystal waters, straight-out-of-a-painting mountains, peaceful farm fields, hard-working-but- ever-smiling fishermen and wandering water buffaloes inspire poetic musings of Guilin charming life. Under the blue sky, your river boat transports you in an unending daydream.

You will end up your cruise in Yangshuo, is a small oriental but Western-influenced town with a history of 1000 years. The West Street in the town earns its name since almost every one in West Street can speak fluent English and every restaurant or bar offers menus in several languages. You will feel no borders or distance here and will soon fall under the spell of this charismatic, welcoming small-town atmosphere. Moreover, West Street is flanked by fascinating little shops and vendor stands selling a broad variety of superior quality souvenirs, perfect gifts for friends and relatives. West Streets charms increase when night comes; countless bars, cafés and bistros open till midnight with dynamic music and live bands to ensure you can have a really memorable night with your new-found friends.
 

Day 8

Guilin    Shanghai
Before flight to Shanghai, you will have a half day city tour to Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin City and then the amazing Reed Flute Cave, the showcase of distinctly-colored stalactites and stalagmites. After lunch, be transferred to Shanghai in the afternoon by air.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai

Return to the city center for the next tour attraction, pagoda-capped Elephant Trunk Hill, or Xiangbishan, the symbol of Guilin. Observed from a distance, you will see an elephant-like form standing majestically at the confluence of the Li and Yang Rivers, with its trunk arching into the clear waters, a fantasy elephant eternally quenching a gargantuan thirst; lifelike in shape and energetic in posture.

Reed Flute Cave is named for the special reeds, used for making flute instruments that grow near the cave entrance. The caves are a feast for the eyes. The natural beauty of a profusion of stalactites and stalagmites, stele, stone pillars, stone curtains and stone flowers creating an infinite variety of extraordinary scenes, creatively illuminated, is bound to evoke gasps of admiration. It is fitting then, that Reed Flute Cave is commonly praised as Nature's Grand Art Palace.

Wonderful time always passes so quickly, in the afternoon, you have to take a flight to Shanghai. From scenic place Guilin to that modern city, you have a lot to expect. It is the bustling economic heartbeat of China that enjoys all of the comforts and amenities of a fully modern metropolis. But at the same time, it still has scenic ancient sites reminding the rich history of old Shanghai
 

Day 9

Shanghai
Today, you will take a visiting to the elegant Yuyuan Garden. To the opposite site, is the Mid-lake Teahouse and old Chinese quarter of Shanghai (Chenghuangmiao Temple), where cobbled streets are lined with traditional shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, Chinese tea and a variety of tantalizing snacks. After lunch, take a stroll around the French Concession area with its unique Shikumen houses and traditional clinics, cobblers and tailors. Continue the trip to Shanghai's new landmark- Shanghai World Finance Center. The highlight of the day is perhaps the stroll along Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade, the Bund, to admire the illuminated buildings lining the Huangpu River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shanghai

Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19th century and was restored in 1961. This garden was first built in the 16th century by provincial governor, Pan Yunduan, in honor of his father who was the then government minister. It has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools, and flora that are all connected by corridors and passageways. The delicate design and exquisite layout of the whole garden reveals a strong impression of 'garden in the garden, whole in the part.

Perched above a lake in the middle of the Yuyuan Garden, the Mid-lake Pavilion was built in 1784 and became a teahouse in the late 19th century. This Teahouse is the perfect place to take a caffeine break before or after shopping and wandering around the bustling Bazaar area. Here you can have high-class tea and delicious snacks such as preserved plums and small glutinous rice dumplings. And you can enjoy the excellent music played by traditional Chinese musical instruments.

World Finance Center is a super tall skyscraper in Pudong New Area. It is a mixed use skyscraper which consists of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls on the ground floors. On 14 September 2007 the skyscraper was topped out at 492.0 meters (1,614.2 feet) and became the second tallest building in the world; as well as the tallest structure on mainland China, including Hong Kong. It is currently the world's tallest completed building by roof. On 28 August 2008, the SWFC officially opened for business.

The Bund is the showcase with the old buildings of colonial-era leftover along Huangpu River. The renowned waterfront district is the city's most famous landmark. The word BUND is of Anglo-India origin meaning embankment on the waterfront. It is also the popular site to enjoy the night view of the city
 

Day 10

Departure Shanghai
Your China Experience is over all too soon as you transfer to the airport and board the homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends