14 Day Classic China Tour


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Detailed Trip Description

If you have about two weeks and are looking for a general tour of China with many exciting experiences then then The Classic China Tour may be exactly what you are looking for! This tour includes the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Soldiers, the gardens of Suzhou, the fantasy-shaped mountains of Guilin and Yangshuo and many special experiences not included on any standard tour. It combines the Classic beauty of Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Suzhou and Shanghai. Join us and see some of the Wonders of China!


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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
Commercial Flight

Leave LAX or SFO for Beijing The adventure begins!


Day 2 - Beijing

 
Welcome to Beijing.

When you arrive in Beijing, you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel.

Beijing  picture

Day 3 - Beijing

 
Sightseeing

The day begins with a tour of a Chinese Hutong. This begins with a rickshaw ride through the old neighborhood, then a short walking tour into the narrow streets of the Hutong. You will be able to visit the home of a family who lives there; feel free to ask any questions. This is the traditional housing in old Beijing that was generally four small houses surrounding a court area. The Hutong has been home to both the poor and the rich. These quaint dwellings are disappearing in the continual modernization of China. (If you have a group of 10 or more we can arrange for you to have lunch prepared by a local family in the Hutong). After lunch you will go to TianAnmen Square and then to the Forbidden City. In addition to seeing the buildings and grounds of the Emperor's palace, you will also see the Emperor's clock collection and the Qing Dynasty Jewelry, Robes and Relics collection (which Westerners rarely see). B, L, D.


Day 4 - Beijing

 
Sightseeing

Today you will visit the Ming Tombs, including the Sacred Way and the Ding Ling Museum. You will be able to enter one of the tombs. In the Ding Ling Museum you can see artifacts and replicas from the tomb itself. After lunch you will go onto the incredible Great wall of China (at Badaling). It is an incredible feeling to be standing on one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which is over 3,900 miles in length!

Beijing Sightseeing picture
Hotel

Afterwards, you will be returned to your hotel. B, L.


Day 5 - Beijing

 
Sightseeing

Today you will experience the Temple of Heaven, which is the site where the emperor would go to pray and commune with the gods. This is a magnificent temple that is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Beijing Sightseeing picture
Shopping

After lunch you will visit the 2nd Hand Street Market. This market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays and is where the Beijingers shop. You will find a wide array of items from Jade, jewelry, art, cloth, chopsticks, furniture, etc. etc. If you know how to bargain you can get deals that are dimes or even pennies on the dollar. If the 2nd Hand Street Market is closed you will be taken to what is popularly called the “Knockoff Mall” which features knock-offs of many name brands. This is typically where many Beijingers and foreign residents shop.


Day 6 - Xian

 
Commercial Flight

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Xian.

Hotel

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Sightseeing

After you are settled you will be taken on a tour of the city, including the old city wall (which 4 chariots could ride abreast). After lunch you will go to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which has an extensive collection of artifacts from the various Chinese Dynasties. B, L, D.


Day 7 - Guilin

 
Sightseeing

Today you will visit what has been called the 8th Wonder of the World the Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum. Oftentimes, one of the farmers who discovered the site is actually there. After lunch you will go to the Hua Qing Hot Springs. Although the hot springs are inactive, the scenery is beautiful, there are interesting buildings and you will see the ancient Emperors used as a Jacuzzi.

Commercial Flight

Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin.

Hotel

You will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel. B, L.


Day 8 - Guilin

 
Sightseeing

Today you will see Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, and the natural beauty of the Reed Flute Caves. B, L, D.


Day 9 - Guilin

 
River or Barge Cruise

We will take you on the 3-4 hour Li Jiang River Cruise. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the whole world, showing the magnificent limestone mountains rising along the river banks, usually shrouded in clouds and catching a glimpse of the people who live along the riverbanks. Cormorant fishermen still use these unusual birds to catch their daily fish.

Sightseeing

As the cruise ends, you will disembark in Yangshuo, a quaint village with a very nice street market. You are very close to the beautiful mountains and you can go into the countryside to see the beautiful vistas.

Bicycling

You can take a bicycle ride or a drive through these fantasy-shaped mountains.

Hotel

We will check you into your hotel in Yangshuo. B, L.


Day 10 - Shanghai

 
Sightseeing

The morning is free to enjoy the scenery in Yangshuo.

Commercial Flight

Today you will be driven to the Guilin airport for your flight to Shanghai.

Hotel

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Sightseeing

We will take you to dinner and then to see the Bund, which is particularly beautiful at night. B, L, D


Day 11 - Shanghai

 
Sightseeing

The day begins with a tour of the classic Yu Yuan Gardens, which is a gorgeous example of a classic Chinese Garden. This area exits into the main shopping center of Shanghai. Shanghai is such an East-Meets-West city that they call this area China Town. After lunch, you will be taken to the world-class Shanghai Art Museum. This fantastic museum has a number of quality exhibits including an ancient coin collection and on the fourth floor an ethnic minority exhibit which features their costumes, masks, and various implements and tools. B, L.


Day 12 - Suzhou

 
Sightseeing

The day begins with a drive to Suzhou. On the way to your hotel we will take you to beautiful Tiger Hill and the Leaning Pagoda. Tiger Hill is a beautiful public garden area which is quite beautiful. The Leaning Pagoda is the 2nd largest leaning structure in the world. Afterwards you will be checked into your hotel.

Food and Dining

Once you are settled you will be taken to lunch.

Sightseeing

After lunch, we will take you to Humble Administrators Garden. This is a classic beautiful large Chinese Garden Then you will be taken to the much smaller, yet still gorgeous Master of the Net garden. B, L, D.


Day 13 - Shanghai

 
River or Barge Cruise

Today the day starts with a 1-hour Grand Canal Cruise.

Sightseeing

Then you will be visit the incredible Embroidery Institute, where Chinese masters do with thread what our Western masters did with oil paint. After lunch we will take you to the Silk Factory and the Pearl Factory. Then you will be driven back to Shanghai. B, L, D.


Day 14 - Shanghai

 

The morning is free. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the USA with many wonderful memories. B.


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