20 Days China Ethnic Custom Experience

Day 1

Arrival Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, be met at the airport and transferred 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. Peking Opera is available for your optional night entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing 

Day 3

Beijing
The star attraction of China is its Great Wall, a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from entering the mainland. Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. Then take a short visit to Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Peking Roasted Duck is available for your optional dinner.  
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Day 4

Beijing    Urumqi
Enjoy your leisure Hutong Tour by rickshaw in the morning, to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. And then, be transferred to the airport for the flight to Urumqi. On arrival, be transferred to the hotel to catch up on some rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Urumqi

Day 5

Urumqi 
In the morning, take a driving to visit the Heavenly Lake (cruise and spots shuttle bus are available in the scenic area). Be transferred back to your hotel in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Urumqi

Day 6

Urumqi    Turpan
After breakfast, be transferred to Turpan (3hours driving) for a visit to Gaochang Ancient City, once an important garrison town on the Silk Road, Grape Valley, The Flaming Mountains and Bezeklik Caves. Uygur Ethnic Minority Dance Show is available as your optional night show.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Turpan 

Day 7

Turpan    Liuyuan
Have a full-day excursion to Ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City,  Astana Tombs and Karez Well - the underground irrigation system with the history of 2,000 years. After the tour, be transferred to the train station for an overnight soft-sleeper train to Liuyuan. It will take you about seven or eight hours on the train.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: On the train 

Day 8

Liuyuan    Dunhuang
On arrival, your local guide will meet you at Liuyuan train station then transferred to Dunhuang. You will spend about 2hours to reach Dunhuang (120km). Check in the hotel for a short rest, then, enjoy your trip to Mogao Grottoes at first, the site is considered the great treasure house of Buddhist arts in existence. Later, continue your visit to Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Dunhuang 

Day 9

Dunhuang    Xian
Enjoy your own free time then be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Xian. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel. You can then take a visit to Shaanxi History Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian 

Day 10

Xian
Today, you will have a full day sightseeing to those famous spots, including Qin Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Xian Ancient City Wall.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian 

Day 11

Xian    Lhasa
In the morning, be transferred to the airport for the flight to Lhasa. On arrival, be met at the airport then transferred to the hotel to adjust your body to the thin air. No activities will be scheduled today. Please don't hurry to explore outside and just take a rest for tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Lhasa 

Day 12

Lhasa
Depart from hotel in the morning, you will have a full day city tour that covering the visit to Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lhasa 

Day 13

Lhasa
After breakfast, enjoy your one day city tour today that starts with a visit to Drepung Monastery, then continue your tour to Norbulingka and Sera Monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lhasa

Day 14

Lhasa    Kunming
Depart from Lhasa and head to Kunming by plane. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel to catch up some good rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kunming

Day 15

Kunming
Depart from your hotel in the morning, you will take a visit to the Stone Forest, created by ancient winds and water erosion over millions of years. After the tour, you will be driven back to Kunming.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kunming

Day 16

Kunming    Lijiang
Take a morning flight to Lijiang, you will then take a leisure visit around this Ancient Town, and also have chance to see the Black Dragon Pool where you can gain the insight of Naxi people and their history.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang
 

Day 17

Lijiang
Get up early in the morning, you will take a driving to visit Jade Dragon Mountain (cable car and green vans available in the scenic area), Yufeng Temple and Baisha Mural. Be transferred back to Lijiang after visiting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang
 

Day 18

Lijiang    Guangzhou
Today, you will take flight to Guangzhou direct from Lijiang. Arrive in Guangzhou, you will be met at the airport & transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Guangzhou

Day 19

Guangzhou
Today, you will take a city tour of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, Temple of Chen Family and Shamian Island. Pearl River Cruise is available for your optional night entertainment if you are interested (at your own expense).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Guangzhou
 

Day 20

Departure Guangzhou
Free at leisure until to be transferred to the airport for your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends

Day 1

Arrival Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, be met at the airport and transferred 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. Peking Opera is available for your optional night entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

As the biggest city center square in the world, Tian'anmen 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.

In the evening, we offer you an opportunity to enjoy Peking Opera. Expert performers convey powerful emotions to the audience through song, dance, facial make-up, exquisite masks and costume, skilled use of body language and sympathetically integrated musical accompaniment. 

Day 3

Beijing
The star attraction of China is its Great Wall, a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from entering the mainland. Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. Then take a short visit to Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Peking Roasted Duck is available for your optional dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section.  It is connected with Jiankou in the west and Lianhuachi and Jinshanling in the east. In 1569, the Mutianyu Great Wall was rebuilt, mainly with granite and is one of the best-preserved sections with the largest construction scale and best quality among all sections of Great Wall, being 7-8 meters high and 4-5 meters wide with 22 watchtowers on this 2,250-meter-long section. It served as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs..

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'll 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.

For today's optional 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'll 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'll 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 4

Beijing    Urumqi
Enjoy your leisure Hutong Tour by rickshaw in the morning, to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. And then, be transferred to the airport for the flight to Urumqi. On arrival, be transferred to the hotel to catch up on some rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Urumqi

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

About two hours later, your plane will be landed at Urumqi, an isolated out-post of the ancient Silk Road. The city once was an important transportation hub on the Silk Road, and now serves as the capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In the hinterland of the Eurasian continent, the city is on the northern slope of Mt. Tianshan and at the southern edge of Jungar Basin. With unique natural beauty and rich folk customs, Urumqi is an ideal tourist destination in China. 

Day 5

Urumqi  
In the morning, take a driving to visit the Heavenly Lake (cruise and spots shuttle bus are available in the scenic area). Be transferred back to your hotel in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Urumqi

Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) is located half way up Bogda Peak in Fukang County, 110km east of Urumqi City. As a natural alpine lake, it has an elevation of 1,980 meters. In the shape of a half moon, the lake is 3,400 meters long, about 1,500 meters wide, and 105 meters at the deepest point. With limpid water, the lake shines like a sapphire under the sun and is surrounded by green mountains. At the southeast end of the lake is the magnificent Bogda Peak, meaning 'Sacred Mountain' in the Mongolian language.

Day 6

Urumqi    Turpan
After breakfast, be transferred to Turpan (3hours driving) for a visit to Gaochang Ancient City, once an important garrison town on the Silk Road, Grape Valley, The Flaming Mountains and Bezeklik Caves. Uygur Ethnic Minority Dance Show is available as your optional night show.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Turpan

Gaochang Ancient City located at the east of Turpan, the city-state that ruled the area from the 9th century to the 13th. The city was actually founded a few hundred years earlier than that, and gradually became known as a trading post on the Silk Road. Most of the ruins are gone, but enough remain to give a feeling of the true size and majesty of this Silk Road city. The city was divided into an outer city, an inner city, and a palace compound. The best-preserved structures in the ruins are two temples in the southwest and southeast corners of the outer city section.

The Grape Valley is located in Flaming Mountain. From ancient times, this place has been famous for the cultivation of the sweetest, tastiest grapes. Be enticed by the sight of bunches of green pearl-like grapes hanging from the vines in splendid profusion. It’s a great relief to recline in the shade of the green leaves and delight in the fresh juicy fruit, appreciating the coolness after the heat outside.

The Flaming Mountains are so named because in the evenings the red clay mountains reflect the heat and glow of the desert and seem to burn. Situated on the northern edge of the Turpan Basin, and stretching over 100 km long and 10 km wide, this is an intensely hot part of the desert without a single blade of grass to be seen for miles. In the severe heat of July, the mountains seem to be on fire in the burning sun and become a purplish-brown color. Hot steam rises upwards from the burning cliffs and it is no surprise that this is where the hottest temperatures in China ever, were recorded.

Bezeklik Caves is located in a gorgeous valley of the Flaming Mountains. More than 100 caves were hewn out of this cliff face between the 6th and 9th centuries by Buddhist monks who farmed the valley below. They were abandoned at about the same time as Gaochang Ancient City and Jiaohe Ancient City after the Muslim take over of the region in the late 14th century.

Day 7

Turpan    Liuyuan

Today, take a visit to the mysterious dead city- Jiaohe, meaning in Chinese where two rivers meet, was once the most forward outpost in the West for ages. Historical records and excavation reveal evidence of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold from 1,600 years ago. Owing to the arid climate and remote location, Jiaohe remains relatively intact, leaving us a rare example of an earthen castle, the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world.

 

Karez is reputed as one of the three major construction projects in ancient China, together with the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. The history of this unique underground irrigation system can be traced back over more than 2,000 years: The combined lengths of the underground Karez channels in Xinjiang amounts to 5,000 meters. It provided an innovative and elegant resolution to several problems, capturing melting snow and ice from mountains, and channeling it underground to where it was employed for irrigation, overcoming the interruptions to flow caused by sandstorms, wind and huge losses from evaporation that plague a ground-level, open canal system.

Dunhuang is located on the western end of Hexi Corridor, at the juncture of Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang in the Northwest of China. Known as Shazhou (sand bank) in ancient times, Dunhuang served as a rest stop for traders and due to its unique geographical location, it was the gateway through which Buddhism, Islam and Christianity entered China.

 

Day 8

Liuyuan    Dunhuang
On arrival, your local guide will meet you at Liuyuan train station then transferred to Dunhuang. You will spend about 2hours to reach Dunhuang (120km). Check in the hotel for a short rest, then, enjoy your trip to Mogao Grottoes at first, the site is considered the great treasure house of Buddhist arts in existence. Later, continue your visit to Crescent Spring and Singing Sand Dune.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Dunhuang

Lying at the foot of Sighing Sands Dune, Mogao Grottoes has more than 700 caves, of which 492 caves hold more than 2,000 painted sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals. It is the largest, oldest and best-preserved array of Buddhist grottoes in the world, and three famous ancient sculptural sites of China, together with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes.

Singing Sand Dune starts from East of Mogao Grottoes. It is 40 km from East to West, and 20 from South and North. Described as the dune with an elegant shape; when people slide down along the slopes, the sands make a distinctive sound, hence the name. Encircled by the sand dunes is Crescent Spring, an oasis shaped like a crescent moon. It is a miracle that the spring has never dried up over the past thousand years. Alongside the Crescent Lake is a traditional Han Chinese pagoda. 

Day 9

Dunhuang    Xian
Enjoy your own free time then be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Xian. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel. You can then take a visit to Shaanxi History Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Xian

The flight to Xian will take about two and a half hours. Xian, 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's 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.

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 Museumintroduces the visitor to area's 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 dynasties.

Day 10

Xian
Today, you will have a full day sightseeing to those famous spots, including Qin Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Xian City Wall.
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 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.

The Xian City Wall, which stretches round the old city. Xian was always a walled city, and today's 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. 

Day 11

Xian    Lhasa
In the morning, be transferred to the airport for the flight to Lhasa. On arrival, be met at the airport then transferred to the hotel to adjust your body to the thin air. No activities will be scheduled today. Please don't hurry to explore outside and just take a rest for tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Lhasa

Lhasa is the capital of Tibet. Located at the foot of Mt. Gephel, Lhasa's altitude is 3,490 m and the air contains only 68% of oxygen compared to sea level. Traditionally, Lhasa is the seat of the Dalai Lama, and the location of the Potala Palace and Norbulingka Palace. In Tibetan Buddhism the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa is regarded as the holiest centre in Tibet. 

Day 12

Lhasa
Depart from hotel in the morning, you will have a full day city tour that covering the visit to Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street in Lhasa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lhasa

Tips: When you enter into a temple or monastery in Tibet, please take off your hats at the entrance to show your respects and follow the clockwise direction for visiting. No smoking, do not touch the Buddha statues, turn the Buddhism scriptures or toll the bell.

The awe-inspiring Potala Palace, perched high above much of Lhasa, is the landmark of the city. The palace which consists of the Red Palace, the White Palace and some attached buildings was a complex of political and religious function. Now it is a huge treasure house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts.

Located at the center of the old Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. Built in 647 by Songtsen Gampo, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. The temple is the fine product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architecture techniques. Visitors will be treated to the sight of various exotic and sacred sculptures. Jokhang Temple also houses many invaluable cultural relics. Every year, the Great Prayer Festival is held here.

Barkhor Street is a famous commercial and commodity-distributing center in Lhasa, consisting of more than 120 handicrafts shops and more than 200 stalls. It is a good choice that should never be missed by tourists coming to Lhasa, for you can buy anything Tibet-related, from sacks of incense, chunks of yak butter to monk outfits. Barkhor is the road that pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through centuries. When walking along Barkhor Street, you should move in the clockwise direction.

Day 13

Lhasa
After breakfast, enjoy your one day city tour today that starts with a visit to Drepung Monastery, then continue your tour to Norbulingka and Sera Monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lhasa

Located 5 km from Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery is considered one of the three great monasteries in Tibet. It was first built in 1416, and held 7,700 monks in its heyday. In Tibetan language, Drepung Monastery means monastery of collecting rice.

Norbulingka means Jewel Garden. First built in 1751, it borrowed architectural style from the inland areas of China while maintaining local ethnic and religious features. Norbulingka served as a traditional summer palace and residence starting with the 7th Dalai Lama, and now it is the largest garden in Tibet.

In the afternoon, the Sera Monastery will be a good choice as well. It is the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries built in Lhasa. The setting itself is very beautiful with cobbled alleyways, temples and colleges. The highlight of visiting Sera Monastery will be watching monks debating inside the shady courtyard behind the main temple. Every day, hundreds of red-robed monks assemble in small groups and practice their debating skills.

Day 14

Lhasa    Kunming
Depart from Lhasa and head to Kunming by plane. Upon arrival, be transferred to the hotel to catch up some good rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kunming

Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan in southwest China. Located in the middle of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau just north of the Tropic of Cancer, at an altitude of 1,900 meters above the sea level, Kunming enjoys a year-round temperate climate and is often called the 'Spring City'.

Day 15

Kunming
Depart from your hotel in the morning, you will take a visit to the Stone Forest, created by ancient winds and water erosion over millions of years. After the tour, you will be driven back to Kunming.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Kunming

Stone Forest is a notable set of karst formations in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, approximately 85km from Kunming. The tall rocks seem to emanate from the ground in the manner of stalagmites, with many looking like trees made of stone, creating the illusion of a forest of stone. It has been known since the Ming Dynasty as the first wonder of the World. Approximately 270 million years ago this region was a vast ocean. Over time, the waters retreated and the limestone landscape was left. Due to a process of weathering and erosion, nature has created an art gallery of stone sculpture- present-day Stone Forest. The magnificent, strange and steep landscape creates labyrinthine vistas around each corner. Each formation has a story about animals or people associated with it.

Day 16

Kunming    Lijiang
Take a morning flight to Lijiang, you will then take a leisure visit around this Lijiang Ancient Town, and also have chance to see the Black Dragon Pool where you can gain the insight of Naxi people and their history.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang

Lijiang Ancient Town is well-preserved and known as a centre for the Naxi people's brilliant culture. With a history of more than 800 years, the town was built in the interval as the Song Dynasty changed to the Yuan Dynasty, and occupies an area of 3.8 square kilometers. It is built along the lie of mountains and the flow of rivers with the ancient water-supply system which is still in use today, providing a precious example for research on ancient architecture. As a result of selective adoption of ideas from other cultures by the Naxi group, the buildings in town incorporate the best of the architectural styles of Han, Bai and Tibetan, developed into the unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free and flexible, the houses are close and diverse and the lanes are narrow and meandering. Along both sides of the lanes, there are shops selling superb handicrafts. Here you also have the chance to trace the ancient Tea-Horse Road.

Black Dragon Pool is the landmark of Lijiang. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its exquisite beauty. Its surroundings are all green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. In its waters, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is reflected. At the far side of the pool, there are renovated buildings used for art exhibition such as the Moon-Embracing Pavilion with its own white marble bridge across the water, and the Five-Phoenix Temple built during the Ming Dynasty.
 

Day 17

Lijiang
Get up early in the morning, you will take a driving to visit Jade Dragon Mountain (cable car and green vans available in the scenic area), Yufeng Temple and Baisha Mural. Be transferred back to Lijiang after visiting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Lijiang

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain nestles near Lijiang. It is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, consisting of 13 peaks with the highest one, Shanzidou, at an altitude of 5,600 meters. Looking from the town, the mountain resembles a jade dragon laying in the clouds, hence the name. The view of the massif from the gardens at the Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang is noted as one of China's finest views.

Built in 1756, Yufeng Temple is located at the southern foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 13km from Lijiang. The temple is surrounded by a verdant forest and river with the snow mountain at its back. It displays a harmonious mix of architectural styles of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba Religion. It is witness to the peaceful coexistence of multinational cultures and religions.  It still plays an important role in local residents' religious life.

Baisha Mural is located at Baisha Villages, 10km north of Lijiang. Although the traditional houses do not look impressive, this was the cradle of the Naxi culture and ancient capital of the Naxi Kingdom. The valuable murals are protected inside Dabaoji Palace and the colored glaze temples. The originality and figures within the murals reflect the different religious cultures and artistic forms of Buddhism, Lamaism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba religion's development into Naxi School. Each painting includes at least one hundred portraits, which are not only Buddha, but also ordinary people such as bureaucrats, farmers, citizens and even criminals. Many of the scenes and subjects are drawn from people's daily life showing fishing, riding horses, weaving, dancing and casting iron.
 

Day 18

Lijiang    Guangzhou
Today, you will take flight to Guangzhou direct from Lijiang. Arrive in Guangzhou, you will be met at the airport & transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a civilized ancient city with a history of more than 2200 years, the same age as the ancient city of Rome in Italy. It was also the earliest trade port in China that opened to the world and was the starting port of the “silk road” on the sea since the Han and Tang Dynasties. The city is now the capital of Guangdong province, you can see there ultra-modern hotels and office blocks rub shoulders with traditional temples, wet markets and historic buildings.
 

Day 19

Guangzhou
Today, you will take a city tour of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall, Temple of Chen Family and Shamian Island. Pearl River Cruise is available for your optional night entertainment if you are interested (at your own expense).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Guangzhou

Dr. Sun Yat-se's Memorial Hall is one of the most important historic buildings in Canton. It is built to honor Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great architect of Chinese revolution. The hall was constructed between 1929 and 1931, on the site of the former Presidential Palace.

Temple of Chen Family is one of the most culturally unique complexes in Southern China. Built in the 1890s, the complex is comprised of 19 buildings which are known for great decorations, woodcarvings, and iron castings and so on.

Shamian Island is a sandbank island in the Liwan District of Guangzhou city. The territory was divided into two concessions given to France and the United Kingdom by the Qing Dynasty government in the 19th century. The island is a historical area that serves as a tranquil reminder of the colonial European period, with quiet pedestrian avenues flanked by trees and lined by historical buildings in various states of upkeep. The island now is the location of several hotels, a youth hostel, restaurants and tourist shops selling curios and souvenirs.

The Pearl River is the third longest river in China and the night cruise out of Guangzhou is an excursion no to be missed. Originating from Bai'etan, the boat will take you east to Guangzhou Bridge and south to Baihe Cave. On this leisure and romantic two-hour trip, you will see millions of lights of the city and colorfully-decorated lanterns shining along the river.
 

Day 20

Departure Guangzhou
Free at leisure until to be transferred to the airport for your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast

Service Ends

Full price of this tour (per person in US$):

Recommended Hotels:

Optional Local Specialties & Night Shows: