Summary What scenery you expect mostly from a scenic tour? A grand mountain? A crystal river? Or a quiet water town suffused with China's flavor? TCT scenic tour has all you are looking for. This journey brings together a visit to serene Li River, modern Shanghai, quiet Xitang, magnificent Mt.Huangshang, picturesque Anhui villages and Beijing for every International traveler. Features Local specialties and night shows listed at the bottom for your delight Fine Selected hotels at wide range of choices for your comfort Comprehensive and unique program Knowledgeable guides, experienced drivers and vans in good-condition
Day 01 Arrival, Guilin(No meals)
Arrive in Guilin, your gateway city of this tour. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Located 259 miles northwest of Guangzhou (about one hour's flight), Guilin is world-famous for its serene landscape, Karsts limestones formations, mist-covered hills and bamboo groves. Meanwhile it is the home to more than ten ethnic groups, such as Han, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Hui and Dong. On the way from airport to your hotel, you see 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 02 Guilin --Yangshuo--Guilin (B/L)
Depart from hotel in the morning and be transferred to the Pier for Li River Cruise(about 4 hours and the lunch will be served on board). Savor the fairy-tale scenery when sail down the meandering river to Yangshuo. Be transferred back to Guilin in the late afternoon. Optional Banquet of Rice Noodle and Longji Minority Show are available.
[ Itinerary Description ]
A double-decker cruiser is waiting for your coming in the pier. The landscape from Guilin to Yangshuo is the masterpiece of nature. The Li River, the mother river of Guilin, belongs to the pearl River System, and is one of the inland rivers with the best water quality in China, as well as the representative of the landscapes of Guilin. The crystal water, picturesque mountains, peaceful farm field, hard-working fishmen and wondering water buffalos compose a poem of Guilin scenery and life. The cruiser floating on the river makes you in an unreal dream. After about four hours' sailing, the one-thousand-year-old Yangshuo Town comes into sight. Then disembark and browse around this small oriental but western-influenced town. The West Street earns its name since almost everyone in West Street can speak fluent English and every restaurant or bar offer menus in several languages. You will feel no boarder and distance here and fall in love with the town at the first sight. Moreover, it is flanked by small shops and vendor stands selling different kinds of souvenirs, which are the best gifts for your friends and relatives. In the late afternoon, drive back to Guilin to finish today's fantasy tour.
Guilin Rice Noodles, which can be either in the shape of round or flat, are the most popular snack in Guilin. If you want to know Guilin's culture deeply, you are recommended to choose Banquet of Rice Noodle as your optional dinner. The thing that sets one dish apart from another is the soup, which is made of pork, steak, Lo Han Kuo, and other seasonings. Depending on different kinds of ingredients used in the soup, rice noodles can be divided into vegetable, three-fresh, original soup, spicy and sour, beef, and horse meat ones.
Tonight you could choose Longji Minority Show as your optional night show. By taking Longji Terraced Rice Paddies as the cultural background, This grand show of minority nationality songs and dances is made with all great efforts. Combined harmoniously with the minority folk lifestyle and customs from the Miao, Yao, Dong and Zhuang nationalities, the show will be all-side unfolded before your eyes.
Day 03 Guilin--Shanghai(B/L/D)
After breakfast visit Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin. Then be transferred to the airport for the flight to Shanghai.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Reed Flute Cave is named after a certain kind of reed grown near the carve gate, which is used for making a flute instrument. There are too many things for your eyes to take in. The natural beauty of a large amount of stalactites and stalagmites, with their endless variety of remarkable scenes in the cave could undoubtedly evoke breathless admiration from you. Thus, the cave is highly praised as the Huge Art Palace of the Nature. Then return to the city center for the next spot, the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin. Looking from a far distance, you see an elephant-like hill stand majestically at the confluence of the Li River and Yang River. Arching its long trunk into the river, this seeming elephant sucks water ceaselessly, lifelike in shape and full of energy in posture.
After about two hour's flight, the plane will be landed at Shanghai. Among the big cities in China, Shanghai maintains the look of a Western metropolis. It is fascinating and sophisticated. The city started out in the 4th century as a fishing village and became a town till the middle of the 13th century. After the Opium War, Shanghai was gradually opened as a 'treaty port' in the mid year of the 19th century when it had been opened to the foreign trade and led to its partition into British, French and later Japanese concessions. From that time on, foreigners began to flood into this paradise for adventurers. Covering out their own sphere of influence, England, France, the US and Japan settled here by seizing their respective concessions which was known as the territory of each country. It was considered as the colonial period with number of the featured buildings and architectures of cosmopolitan by those owners of the concessions which made Shanghai as a fascinating mixture of East and West.
Day 04 Shanghai -- Xitang -- Shanghai (B/L/D)
Rise early in the morning and drive to Xitang, a small water town near Shanghai. Upon arrival, take a half-day visit of the town. Be transferred back to Shanghai in the late afternoon.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Xitang, once called Xietang or Pingcuan, is a typical water town in the south China. The town is located in the joint part of Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province and Shanghai. It is 90 kilometers away from Shanghai. We'll drive along G320 Highway or Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Highway to Jiashan then to Xitang, which will take about 2 hours.
Xitang lies in the Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou Plain with flat terrain and crossed rivers. In Tang and Song Dynasties, it was a village and in Yuan Dynasty it was given the name of Xietang and became a town in Ming Dynasty. There is 250,000 square meters of well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasties complex which is seldom in China speaking of the scale and integrity. The street and the houses were built at the side of the rivers. There are 27 old bridges, 122 small lanes and 1000-meter-long corridor in one square kilometer old town area. Ceiling corridors are the most special scene in xitang construction. These corridors were originally built to make convenience for the residents trading on boats by the side of the rivers. Each shop has a ceiling over the stone-slate road in front of its own house, and the ceilings connect with one another to form corridors. The longest ceiling stretches 1,300 meters, like a silk belt winding along the river. Now the town has been in the preliminary name list of World Culture Heritage.
Day 05 Shanghai -- Huangshan (B/L/D)
Today's highlights should be Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, and the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade. After dinner, be transferred to the airport for the flight to Huangshan and check in at the hotel in the city.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Today you'll find a Buddhism shrine - Jade Buddha Temple, located in a crowd of Shanghai City. It was first built in 1882 in Jiangwan on the southern outskirts of Shanghai. In order to make it convenient for the adherents to visit , it was bodily moved to Shanghai City at the present sire in 1918. It is named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha. It receives thousands of visitors and worshipers everyday while keeps its sanctity and charming. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the sitting jade Buddha statue is translucent with a solemn expression, displaying the excellent skill and extraordinary art of Chinese people. Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19 th 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.' Then it comes to the Bund, 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. Standing at Pudong New Area at the east side of Huangpu River, Oriental TV Tower was completed on October 1 1994. The tower has a height of 468 meters. With multi-functions of sightseeing, catering, shopping, amusement and accommodations, this tower has become the symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction in Shanghai.
After one hour's flight, the plane will touches down at Huangshan City. The city is located at the south of Anhui Province and famous for the Mt. Huangshan and the scattered serene villages. Tomorrow we'll find out more.
Day 06 Huangshan (B/L/D)
Be transferred to well-known Mt. Huangshan scenic area from the city and climb up by cable car to explore. Lunch and dinner will be served at the restaurant on mountain. Stay overnight at the top of the mountain.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Climb up the mountain by Yungu cable car and stop at White Goose Ridge. The distance between is about 7.5km, which will take about half an hour. Then visit Bright Top, Stone Flow from Afar, Big Valley of Xihai. After lunch and a good rest, head to Shixin Peak, and many sites can be seen on the way.
Mt. Huangshan in east China's Anhui province is one of China's ten best-known scenic spots. It is characterized by the four wonders, namely, odd-shaped pines, grotesque rock formation, seas of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs. Mt. Huangshan is celebrated for having all the features of mountain scenery. Known as the No. 1 Mountain Under heaven, it features numerous imposing peaks(77 exceed an altitude of 1,000m), forests of stone pillars and evergreen sturdy pines; other features include grotesquely-shaped rocks (many of which are individually named, such as 'pig-headed monk eating water melon'), waterfalls, pools and hot springs. Because of its mists and clouds, natural scenery in the area changes beyond prediction. Xu Xiake, a noted Chinese geologist and traveler in Ming Dynasty, praised Huangshan Mountain as the best of all mountains.
Because of the limited water and food resources, the price climbs high on mountain. Please be careful while sight-seeing and environmental-friendly to the beautiful scenery. Take a good rest for tomorrow's soul-stunning sunrise.
Day 07 Huangshan (B/L)
Rise early in the morning, if you desire, to enjoy the fantanstic sunrise amidst a sea of clouds in the summits. Go to the exit of the scenic area by cable car before. Return to the city and visit Tunxi Old Street which is regarded as a span of the old-time memory of the area.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Tunxi Old Street, located at the center of Tunxi District of Huangshan City, has been the distribution center of south Anhui Province knowing for the production of green tea and ink.
It is the witness of the flourish of Anhui merchant's for a period of time. The street is 1.5 kilometers long and 7 meters wide. There are long lines of shops along two sides of the street.
They are all made of brick and wood and have double floors in Ming-and-Qing-Dynasty style. The street is regarded as the living picture of Qingming Shang He Tu. So far, over 100 movies have been shot in the old street. Here you can buy featured souvenirs such as traditional Chinese medicine, Qimen Black Tea, Anhui ink stick, Shexian ink stone and Anhui Four Carvings.
Day 08 Huangshan - - Beijing (B/L/D)
Depart from Huangshan City, journey to the original residential style including Xidi Village and Hongcun Village in Yixian County. Be transferred to the airport to board the domestic flight to Beijing after dinner.
[ Itinerary Description ]
The distance between Tunxi and Xidi is about 54km, and Xidi-Hongcun 30km. Reputed as ¡®a living ancient residential museum', these two villages were listed as world heritage site by UNESCO in 2000.
Xidi is known for its unique and elegant wooden houses: prettified walls preventing rain infiltration, black tiles recording the history of the town, decorative gate towers standing for the particular flavor of the architecture. The exquisite wood carvings, stone engravings and tile carvings are also very representative. Rockeries, fish ponds, various parterres can be seen in the courtyard, where the ground is paved with cobbles. Well-arranged lanes, streams and architectures in Xidi are really garden-like scenery. Hongcun Village is an ancient village with a history of 400 to 500 years. The original residential style and features of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were preserved perfectly there. Hongcun Village has a cattle-like plan, a stream passes by every door in the village like a cattle's gut, a semi-lunar pond looks like the cattle's stomach, and the four bridges over the stream from the cattle's feet. With marbled ground, black tiles, fresh red lanterns, elaborate woodcarvings and amazingly comprehensive water system, it is known as ¡®the folk imperial palaces'.
Board the flight to Beijing at night, and then be transferred to the hotel. Beijing, China's capital and a well-known tourist city of the world, offers sights and cultural relics found no where on earth. The city has its own individuality, that's the flavor of Beijing. The quadrangle, small alley, tricycle, boiled mutton, roast duck, Peking Opera, arts and crafts you can see, hear and feel them all only when you come to the city yourself. After a good rest in a comfortable hotel TCT recommended, you are ready for the incoming exciting tour with full energy.
Day 09 Beijing (B/L)
Depart from hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square and Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. Peking Opera is available for your optional night entertainment.
[ Itinerary Description ]
As the biggest public square in the world, Tian'anmen Square conquers us with its grandeur at the first sight. It is the place where history-changing events and ceremonies took place. Then north entrance gate is the magnificent Gate of Tian'an, meaning Heavenly Peace in Chinese. Your first-day tour Will start from here. Then you are leaded to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace for 24 emperors during Ming and Qing Dynasties and the biggest ancient architecture complex in the world. It represents the splendor and lavishness of the Chinese Imperial Court and features elaborately-carved buildings, exquisitely-painted rooms, temples and gardens. After enjoyed a nice Chinese lunch, continue to visit the Temple of Heaven, the largest temple in China and the sanctuary where the emperors worshiped for a good harvest. The magnificent Qinian Dian(Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest) is one of the most important and impressive buildings in China and the traditional landmark of Beijing City. Different from the red and golden in the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heave is based on a color of blue, which stands the color of sky. The perfect harmony can be felt between the architecture and nature and the peace spirit of Chinese people.
At night, it is lucky that you'll have an opportunity to enjoy the opera of nation- Peking Opera. Skillful performers convey their exact feelings to you through various facial making-ups and featured musical instruments. The Chinese culture is completely revealed.
Day 10 Beijing (B/L)
In the morning drive 75km to visit the Great Wall(Badaling Section) first and 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.
[ Itinerary Description ]
The Great Wall (Badaling Section) is located in the suburb 75km northwest of Beijing. The highway from Beijing to the Great Wall is smooth and comfortable. The Great Wall is the symbol of China and the wisdom of Chinese people. It is very unbelievable that Chinese succeeded in building such a great architecture with simple tools in ancient time. The construction of the Great Wall began in the 5th century BC. The wall has a total length of 6,700km, traveling up and down over numerous mountains and valleys. Starting in the east at Shanhaiguan Pass, it cross Heibei Province, Beijing, Shanxi Province, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shaanci Province, and ending up in Jiayuguan at Gansu Province. It is said the Great Wall is the only man-made project which is visible from the moon. Badaling Section is one of the best preserved and most accessible parts with the essence of the whole Great Wall.
The Ming Tombs are located in the northern suburbs of Beijing, consisting of 13 tombs of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty after the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. Now there are only two tombs, Changling and Dingling, open to the visitors. The Lingsi Palace in Changling Tomb's second yard as really deserves a visit. This is unique as it is the only huge palace made of camphor wood. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor is decorated with gold bricks.
Today's dinner should be a highlight of your tour if you desire to taste the most famous Peking Roasted Duck. From the whole roasted duck to the soup of duck tones, you'll enjoy a banquet of every part of duck. Moreover, the chef shows his skill of cutting the skin of duck on live. Not only your taste is fulfilled but also your eyes are entertained.
Day 11 Departure, Beijing (B)
The day is free for leisure activities until board the home bound International flight, bidding a fond a fare well to China.
Service Ends
TCT Optional Local Specialties & Night Shows:
City
Local Specialties
Nights Shows
Guilin
Banquet of Rice-noodle
Longji Minority Dance
Shanghai
Traditional Dim-sum Banquet
Chinese Acrobatics
Huangshan
Anhui Cuisine
-
Beijing
Peking Roasted Duck
Peking Opera
TCT Recommended Hotels :
City
Standard Hotels
First Class Hotels
Deluxe Hotels
Guilin
Universal Hotel Guilin
Bravo Hotel Guilin
Sheraton Hotel Guilin
Shanghai
Pacific Luck Hotel
Golden River View Hotel
Howard Johnson Shanghai
Huangshan
Huaxi Hotel
International Hotel Standard Room
International Hotel Deluxe Room
Mt. Huangshan
Paiyunlou Hotel
Beihai Hotel
-
Beijing
Dongfang Hotel
Holiday Inn Central Plaza
Crowne Plaza
Price Details (per person in US$) :
Standard hotels
First Class hotels
Deluxe hotels
Standard Class Hotels
Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1335
249
1473
369
1508
405
6-9 pax
1671
342
1773
444
1804
475
2-5 pax
1999
342
2102
444
2132
475
1 pax
3098
3303
3364
First Class Hotels
Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1469
383
1635
532
1704
601
6-9 pax
1838
509
1963
634
2007
678
2-5 pax
2167
509
2292
634
2335
678
1 pax
3433
3683
3770
Deluxe Class Hotels
Low Season
Standard Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1522
436
1767
664
1998
894
6-9 pax
2053
724
2211
882
2326
997
2-5 pax
2382
724
2539
882
2654
997
1 pax
3864
4178
4408
* High season: April, May, Sep, Oct, & 1-15 Nov; Shoulder Season: Jun & Jul; Low Season: Jan, Feb, Mar, 16-30 Nov & Dec
* S.Supp: Single Supplement
TCT Member Price :
Remarks:
All the "0" in the above form indicate that the prices to be advised, and S.Supp(Single Supplement)means one client occupying one standard room.
Prices in USD are based on two sharing one twin-bed standard room,exclusive of the price for ONE passenger occupying one twin-bed room of his own.
The prices quoted here are only valid in 2008, period of 2008 Beijing Olympic excepted.
The availabilities of rooms, flights and so on are subject to change until the actual booking is being made. TCT reserves the right to adjust the prices of any portion of the tour due to the reasons beyond our control.
Prices are based on the current exchange rate and are subject to change without prior notice. For the most up to date prices, please contact with the sales.
Children under 12 have discount from above prices. Please advise all details about kids concerned with bookings.
Price includes:
Mentioned domestic air transportation in economy class with airport tax and fuel surcharge. The tax and surcharge are subject to change at any time.
Private transfers between airports/railway stations, hotels and all sightseeing spots. Separate arrivals and departures will incur extra charges.
Hotel or cruiser accommodation based on two adults sharing one standard twin-bed room/cabin; a client who travels alone or desires is required to pay a single supplement rate. A single room is subject to availability based on prior request at an additional cost; if the recommended hotel is not available, it will be substituted by a similar one.
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in the cruise fee as well as the cruise shore excursion in groups and daily activities. The arrangements are subject to the different cruiser companies and subject to change without prior notice.
One driver and one English-speaking guide on normal sightseeing activities in each destination.
All entrance fees to scenic spots as shown in the itinerary. The final arrangement will be determined by local tour guides based on the local circumstances which are beyond the control of TopChinaTravel. TCT will adhere to the original itinerary as accurately as possible.
Tibet Travel Permit application fee in the packages related to Tibet.
Price excludes:
Round International airfare or train tickets.
Visa fee, passport application or renewal fee.
Tips for guides, escort, drives, bellman, etc.
Personal expenses such as excess luggage fees, laundry, postage, communications and beverages.
Travel insurance.
Optional meals and shows mentioned in the itinerary, which will be added up if the clients desire to take the activities.
Applicable taxes or government fees.
Any other changes caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority orders, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or injury caused by accident beyond the control of TopChinaTravel and that has incurred due to the tourist action violating the laws.
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