19 Days Best of China and Thailand

Day 1Arrival Beijing

Meals: No Meals
Accommodation: Citadines Ritan Beijing or similar ★★★★

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, you will be greeted by our local guide at the airport with TCT signboard. Then our guide will transfer you to check in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day for you to get over the jet lag.


Beijing City View
 

Day 2Beijing

Meals: Breakfast, A la carte Chinese lunch
Accommodation: Citadines Ritan Beijing or similar ★★★★

TCT local guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at the appointed time. It will be an exciting day as we will explore the world well-known wonders today. The 1st stop is Temple of Heaven, the existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven and a place where the emperors prayed for a year of abundance. In the visit of Temple of Heaven, you will be astonished by the exquisite ancient Chinese architectures. Besides, you will see local seniors doing morning exercises in the square and full of vigor. You will have chance to watch Chinese Kongfu, Taichi, square dancing, playing cards, playing chess etc.

Then our group will move to a less commercial Hutong nearby. A short walking along the authentic Beijing Hutong will give you a deep impression of the local residents’ live. A la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant to have a taste of the authentic Chinese food at noon time and have a break at the restaurant.

Then continue this Beijing city treasure city by a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest city center square, the locality of numerous major political and historical events. It is the witness of Chinese development. It is only a walking distance from Tian'anmen Square to Forbidden City, the world's existing largest and most complete ancient wooden structure buildings. You will explore the glorious palace halls and gardens for more than 2 hours in Forbidden City, learning the legendary story of the emperors and how the royal family lived there. You will be stunned by the numerous old art treasures exhibited in halls. Drive back to hotel, we will have a stop at pearl store en route. Please feel free to consult with your local guide about the evening activities in Beijing, such as the night shows of Beijing.


Forbidden City
 

Day 3 Beijing

Meals: Breakfast, A la Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Citadines Ritan Beijing or similar ★★★★

It will be an exciting day today. In the early morning, guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby. Today we will visit the must-visit spot in Beijing--- Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the famous sections of China Great Wall. It takes about 2 hours driving from the downtown of Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section. (***Cable car and slideway are available at Mutianyu Great Wall. It is optional and excluded from our price***)

A la carte lunch is arranged at a good restaurant at the foot of Mutianyu. Drive back to downtown of Beijing. We will have a stop at a tea store en route. When we reach Beijing, we will have a photo stop outside the Bird Nest and Water Cube, which were the famous sites constructed for 2008 Beijing Olympic. The tour finishes by dropping off at your hotel. If you would like to try local specialty tonight, you could ask for some suggestion about Peking Roast Duck Restaurant.


Mutianyu Great Wall
 

Day 4BeijingXi'an

Meals: Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an or similar ★★★★

In the morning, check out from hotel and start to visit the last spots in Beijing --- Summer Palace, the existing largest, best-preserved imperial garden in China. The Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake are regarded as the representative of Summer Palace. In the park, you could choose to take a boating trip on the lake, enjoying the beautiful royal garden view. Walk along the Long Corridor--- the longest corridor in the world, admiring the extremely rich and prestigious paintings on the beams of the corridor.

A la carte lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant on the way to Beijing West Railway Station to take high speed train (2nd class seat, duration: about 5-5.5 hours) from Beijing to Xi'an. TCT guide will wait at the exit of Xi'an train station with our signboard and transfer you to check in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the time.


Summer Palace
 

Day 5Xi'an

Meals: Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Somerset Xindicheng Xi'an or similar ★★★★

Today we will have a full day to explore this historical and cultural city in China. Pick up from hotel in the morning, and then have a visit to the landmark of Xi'an---Xian City Wall. You could choose to have a bicycle riding on the city wall (***Bicycle riding is optional and excluded from our price***). An impressive Tai Chi Chuan course is arranged at the City Wall for you. Originating from the roots of classical Chinese culture, Tai Chi Chuan absorbed a variety of sources including the Book of Changes, Taoism and Buddhism. With a professional Tai Chi Master's teaching, you will understand Chinese culture better.

After that, we will drive to the highlights in Xi’an ---the Terracotta Warriors. On the way to Terracotta Warriors, we will have a stop at a pottery workshop, where you will have chance to learn how to make a pottery figure.  A la carte lunch is arranged at a local restaurant nearby Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon, we will have enough time to visit this world wonder --- Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation.

The tour finishes by dropping-off at the hotel lobby. You could ask your local guide for some information about evening entertainment or night show, such as Tang Dynasty Show.


Terracotta Warriors
 

Day 6Xi'anGuilin

Meals: Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Guilin Bravo Hotel or similar ★★★★

You will have a leisure morning for your to walk around. We will check out at noon time and drive to have lunch directly. In the afternoon, Visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda ,  one of the most well-preserved Tang Dynasty buddha temples. It is  reputed as the Tang Dynasty elaborate and valuable Buddhist architectural heritage. While visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, you will have chance to watch the traditional shadow play, visit Jianfu Temple as well as Xi'an Museum.

Take a flight to Guilin, the local guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to check in the hotel.


Guilin City View
 

Day 7Guilin

Meals: Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: Guilin Bravo Hotel or similar ★★★★

We will have an exciting day to visit the ethnic group villages and the stunning rice terraces today. The local tour guide picks you up from hotel lobby in the morning. It takes about 2 hours driving from downtown of Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area (Dragon's Back). The magnificent terraces are built into the hillsides and look like great steps cut into the slopes as they wind around the mountainsides.

Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant in Ping'an Zhuang Village, which is just located in the rice terraces. You will have chance to try the local food cooked in bamboo, such as bamboo rice, chicken, ect. It tastes with the light fragrance of bamboo, quite different from which we eat in downtown.

After lunch, you will have enough free time to explore the ethnic villages, where the Yao and Zhuang people have been dwelling for generations in wooden houses. You will understand how the locals' life is, and you will see the locals working in the paddy fields, the women in their national costumes doing needlework by the village path or beneath her roof, ect. We will drive back to downtown of Guilin from Longji at around 15:00 and you may arrive at hotel about 17:00. A Four Lakes Night Cruise is recommended as an optional activity in Guilin.

Longji Rice Terraces
 

Day 8GuilinYangshuoGuilin

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box
Accommodation: Guilin Bravo Hotel or similar ★★★★

In the morning you will be driven to the Zhujiang Pier for the Li River Cruise (about 4 hours from Guilin to Yangshuo). Savour the fairy-tale scenery while cruising down the meandering river to Yangshuo. After disembarkation, you can have a walk along the famous West Street and enjoy the free leisure time there before driving back to overnight in Guilin. If you would like to stay in Yangshuo longer and know more about the night show or evening entertainment, do not hesitate to ask your local guide, who'd be very willing to help you. The Show of Impression Liusanjie is highly recommended as an optional activity in Yangshuo if you are interested in.


Li River
 

Day 9GuilinShanghai

Meals: Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund or similar ★★★★

After breakfast, start to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill (1 hour) – the symbol of Guilin. After that, have a trip to Reed Flute Cave (1 hour) - the showcase of distinctly-colored stalactites and stalagmites. After a la carte lunch at local restaurant, transfer to airport to catch the flight for Shanghai.

The Shanghai local guide will meet you at Shanghai airport and transfer you to check in the hotel.


Shanghai city view
 

Day 10Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast, A La Carte Lunch
Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund or similar ★★★★

The last day but still an inspiring day to explore the city of Shanghai,the largest and most modern city in mainland China. We will start the tour by walking into Nong Tang, the alleys in Shikumen, where you could witness the locals' relaxing and plain life. You will also find the unique architectural feature of Shanghai.

Then continue the day trip to Yuyuan Garden which is a Chinese classic garden in city downtown. Then continue to explore the Yuyuan Bazaar (Chenghuangmiao Old Street) nearby.

After a la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant, we continue our trip to Shanghai Silk Museum before moving to the foot of The Oriental Pearl TV Tower to visit Shanghai City History Museum(The Former Shanghai Wax Museum), where you will know more about the history and development of Shanghai. Then take the elevator up to the 2nd ball of the TV tower, from which you will have a bird-eye view of Shanghai. Go on driving through Lujiazui, the finance & trade zone in Pudong of Shanghai, where you will find many skyscrapers. We will have a view of the modern skyline of Shanghai.

Then back to the Bund, admire the illuminated buildings lining the Huangpu River. From the Bund, you could see the landmark of Shanghai--- The Oriental Pearl TV Tower as well as other high-rised buildings, just on the opposite of Huangpu River. 


The Bund
 

Day 11Shanghai Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Silom Serene Hotel or similar ★★★★

After a leisure breakfast and check out the hotel, our guide will excort you to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Upon Arriving at Bangkok, you will be met by our local representative at arrival gate hall and be transferred to hotel by private minivan. The local tour guide will help you with the hotel check-in. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.


Wat Pho
 

Day 12Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Silom Serene Hotel or similar ★★★★

Today after a leisure breakfast, we will start our exploration of Bangkok City Temple and Grand Palace. First visit Wat Trimit, known for its famous Golden Buddha. The beautiful image of solid gold is three meters high and weighs 5.5 tons. Continue the tour by passing through beautiful city scenery of the colorful flower market and Chinatown. Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), founded in the 16th century, the oldest and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all) in the city.

We won't miss the Grand Palace and Wat Phra kaeo, the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Before transfer back to hotel, have a visit Gems Gallery for some free shopping time.


Wat Phra kaeo
 

Day 13BangkokChiangmai

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:  Brique Hotel Chiang Mai or Similar ★★★★

Enjoy a leisure breakfast and check out the hotel, your guide will escort you to the airport for the flight to Chiangmai. Welcome and transfer to hotel by private car.

Visit Wat Prathat Doisuthep sacred temple, is over 700 years ago ,wat prathat doisuthep is “must place” of chiangmai lived on mountain about 11 kms from chiangmai Zoo and temple with population and the most sacred temple containing a holy relic of lord Buddha.


Wat Prathat Doisuthep
 

Day 14Chiangmai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Brique Hotel Chiang Mai or Similar ★★★★

Lying smack in the heart of the city is Wat Chedi Luang. The large chedi was constructed by King Saen Muang Ma around 1401. Originally 90 meters high, it is now a mere 40 meters as the result of an earthquake in 1545. A small building near the main entrance encloses the "Sao Intakin" (spirit of the city). Wat Chiang Mun is the oldest temple within the city walls. Constructed by King Mengrai (1296-1311) the founder of Chiang Mai, it is said that the king spent his last years at this temple. After all this heavy stuff, how about something light.

Visit Elephant Show & Painting on mae rim route about 29 km from chiangmai city to see elephant at work, play a football, enjoy with games, and painting (The first elephant painting in the world). Stop at beautiful many kind of orchid & butterfly farm,  a lot of butterfly and a garden atmosphere. Return to the hotel.


Wat Chedi Luang
 

Day 15Chiangmai

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Brique Hotel Chiang Mai or Similar ★★★★

Enjoy your free time on your own arrangement.

Optionals for your reference:
Longneck karen village-Leave from chiangmai to village overland 100kms across mountain , vally and picturesque , landscapes , visit a biggest cave in northern Thailand amazing stalagmite , stalaglite inside , lunch with delicious thai food ,then walk  from akha to longneck Karen about 10 minutes , return to chiangmai across the same mountainous route with happiness.



Chiangrai & Golden triangle tour-Visit hot spa at chiangrai province , Wat Rong Khun temple, chiangsean the ancient city in chiangrai and a meeting point of Thailand Laos Myanmar called “GOLDEN TRIANGLE“ Then go to Maesai a big market of thai and Myanmar border city, Akha and Yao hilltribe village.


Wat Rong Khun
 

Day 16ChiangPhuket

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: The Charm Patong Phuket or Similar ★★★★

Leisurely enjoy breakfast and check out the hotel. Our guide will transfer you to Chiangmai airport for your flight to Phuket. Our Phuket local guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to hotel in Phuket. Enjoy the leisure free time on your own.


Phuket
 

Day 17Phuket

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Charm Patong Phuket or Similar ★★★★

Meet our tour guide at lobby for Phi Phi island tour by Cruise join in group. Cruise by express boat to Phi Phi Island, located just 48 km to the east of Phuket, off the western coastline of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea. It is renowned worldwide for its natural scenic beauty with silver sand beaches fringed with palm trees, towering limestone cliffs and hills full of lush greenery. Snack, Fruit and Soft drinks are served throughout the journey.

Once arrive at Phi Phi Island, enjoy sightseeing around Phi Phi Lay Island then visit Phi Phi Don: Enjoy Swimming & Snorkelling in Maya Bay - secret lagoon which will be seen in the movie "The Beach", or Ton-Sai Bay, and "Monkey Beach" one of the beach corner of Phi Phi Don Island, where you will be amazing with wild monkeys leaving on the hillside and their great swimming. Have lunch at Phi Phi Don and some free time to e relax on the beach.

Depart from Phi Phi back to Phuket (Rassada port). Transfer back to your hotel by Minibus.


Phi Phi Island
 

Day 18Phuket

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Charm Patong Phuket or Similar ★★★★

Enjoy your free time on your own arrangement.


James Bond Island
 

Day 19Departure Phuket

Meals: Breakfast

How time flies! It's time to leave Thailand for your returning to home or next destination. Our guide will transfer you to the Phuket airport for your flight. Farewell and hope to see you soon again.

Service ends.