Day 1 Hong Kong
We are met at the airport in Hong Kong by our Tour guide, and drive to the hotel.
Day 2 Hong Kong (B)
After an early breakfast, we set off for Victoria Peak. Overlooking the west of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak is the highest peak on this island. It is the most enduring tourist attraction in Hong Kong.
Then we will visit Aberdeen Harbour, which is home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks. Their traditional lifestyle is dramatically juxtaposed against a modern high-rise community that spreads up the nearby hillsides. In the evenings, the thousands of twinkling lights reflected on the water are a magical sight.
Free time for your own exploration this afternoon
Day 3 Hong Kong (B)
Enjoy some free time or indulge in some shopping before your afternoon flight to Guilin. Upon Arriving at Guilin, be met & transferred to your hotel with private vehicle & tour guide. After checking in, you will feel free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 4 Guilin-Yangshuo-Guilin (B,L)
Depart from your hotel in the morning to take Li River Cruise. Li River is by far the main reason to visit Guilin. Double-decker and triple-decker river boats which weigh anchor from a pier at Zhujiang, about 40 minutes from Guilin by bus, and meander through the sleepy countryside are relaxing way to enjoy the superlative river scenery and life along its banks. In contrast to the burgeoning cities of the north, it is quiet here; the rural scenery is magnificent. You will enjoy the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffaloes, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank.
After about 4.5 hours, the one-thousand-year-old town--Yangshuo, the disembarking point, comes into sight. It is well-worth browsing around this quaint town and its environs. Have a short exploration to the old town before to be transferred back to Guilin city.
Day 5 Guilin-Chongqing (B,L)
Have city tours in the morning in Guilin. Visit the Elephant Trunk Hill. Located on the west bank of the Li River by a small branch called Peach blossom River, the hill resembles a huge elephant standing on the bank of the river, sucking up water with its long trunk. The trunk is particularly striking and lifelike when viewed either nearby or afar. A circular foot cave called Shui Yue Dong (Moon-In-the Water Cave) separates the trunk and the body. A 3-story Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D) brick pagoda rises from the top of hill.
Then visit the Reed Flute Cave. Aside ten minutes drive (half hour bike ride) from downtown, the cave is one of the largest known examples of what each tropical karst cone conceals within it. The script writers and set designers for Star Trek would have a field day in this cavernous underground stalactite/stalagmite maze-style theater. The dropping water is rich and the drip stones are not only in various types but also in big size, displaying a wonderful cave world. This cave was called "The Art Gallery of Mother Nature". Colored fluorescent lights which cast shadows and illuminate shapes of imaginary animals, fruits and vegetables complete the unworldly effect. Take afternoon flight to Chongqing. Be transferred aboard your cruise ship.
Day 6 Yangtze Cruise (B,L,D)
The ship departs Chongqing at 9:00 AM. Yangtze cruise with some shore excursion to Fengdu.
Day 7 Yangtze Cruise (B,L,D)
Yangtze cruise with some shore excursion to shore excursion to Shennong Stream.
Day 8 Yangtze Cruise-Yichang-Xian (B,L)
Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. Arrive at Yichang at noon time. Disembark from the ship, be transferred to the airport for your flight Xian. Arrive in Xian, be met & transferred to your hotel.
Day 9 Xian (B,L)
Today will be your highlights in Xian. Depart from your hotel after breakfast. To be transferred outside city to visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. The Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It has been regarded as THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD! Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang in search of immortality, ordered the construction of a vast army of 8,000 life-sized Terra-cotta Warriors and buried with him to protect his empire after his early death. They were discovered accidentally in 1974 by farmers digging a well. For history lovers, the sight is truly breathtaking.
After Lunch, back to the city, have another tour to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated at south of the Xian city,as one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple, the pagoda is one of the most distinctive and outstanding landmarks for Xian City.
Day 10 Xian-Beijing (B,L)
Have city tours in Xian to visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which is the largest comprehensive museum in the province. It is also the fist national level grand museum equipped with modern facilities. It exhibits primarily historical relics of past dynasties and displays precious art treasures and stone carvings of the Han and Tang dynasties. Walking through the exhibits in the museum is like walking through the 3000 years of China´s history.
After having lunch at the local restaurant, visit the Bell Tower. the Bell Tower is the most well-preserved and best-known one among many ancient cities of China. The Bell Tower was originally built in the Yingxiang Temple in 1384, at the intersection of West Street and Guangji Street. Then in 1582, it was moved to its present pivotal position, in the geographical center of the ancient capital at the junction of four main streets extending to the east, south, west and north, for rebuilding and later restorations.
Arrive in Beijing. Be met & transferred to your hotel.
Day 11 Beijing (B,L)
Depart from your hotel after breakfast. Spending about 1.5 hours to be transferred outside city to the surrounding countryside to visit the Badaling Great Wall, one of the most remarkable feats of mankind, built over 2,000 years ago. You will be able to climb and walk one of the best preserved sections of the ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountains scenery.
After lunch at local restaurant, visit the fabled Ming Tombs, the resting places of thirteen emperors and their splendid treasures, passing down the Spirit Way, a road lined with statues of dignitaries, as well as huge elephants, lions, camels and horses, you will encounter the marble tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors.
Day 12 Beijing (B,L)
Depart from your hotel in the morning to have city tours to visit the Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people. You will also see legendary landmarks including the Great Hall of the People and the towering 125 foot granite obelisk, Monument to the Peoples Heroes, honoring those who died in revolution.
Walking across the Golden River Bridge, enter the Forbidden City, the inner sanctum and palace where for centuries Chinese emperors ruled their world. It has 9000-room maze of courtyards, places, and ceremonial halls, where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was indeed a forbidden place, where commoners were kept out for nearly 500 years in the past.
Finally, visit Summer Palace, which was built in 1888, was once a summer retreat and the imperial park for emperors. Have a lakeside cruise on the lovely Kunming Lake, enjoy the magical views of the hills, bridges and pagodas that grace the Palace grounds
Day 13 Beijing (B,L)
Have a Hutong tour in the morning. To be transferred to the airport for flight to next city in the afternoon.
End of Service!
