Tripology

Commercial Flight

International Flight on your own arrangement.

Hotel

Upon your arrival at Beijing airport, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel.

Relaxation

The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Sightseeing

Today you will first visit the historic Tiananmen Square, and then the magnificent Forbidden City. In the afternoon, you will marvel at the exquisite Summer Palace. Enjoy the Peking Opera Show at Liyuan Theatre in the evening.

Sightseeing

Tiananmen Square: the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised exactly at sunrise everyday.

Sightseeing

Forbidden City: located in the center of Beijing, used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years, it is the grandest integral palace complex still remaining in China.

Sightseeing

Summer Palace : Located on the northwestern outskirts of the city, it was an imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. With its perfect layout, magnificent buildings and enchanting landscape, it is the most splendid classical garden in China.

Performing Arts

Peking Opera Show: a kind of singing drama which is an ingenious and colorful combination of elements from many sources: traditional music, poetry, singing, recitation, dancing, acrobatics, and martial arts.

Hotel

Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel. Meals: B,L

Sightseeing

Today you will vist the majestic Great Wall (Badaling section), the Ding Tomb of Ming Tombs and Sacred road. Enjoy a famous Peking Duck Banquet for dinner.

Great Wall: the most famous symbol of China and one of the world's most remarkable architectural wonders, it was built over 2,000 years ago and stretches about 6,700km.

Ding Tomb: the burial site of the emperor Wanli, the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty who ruled for 48 years until his death in 1620, it is the only underground tomb of the thirteen Imperial Ming tombs ever excavated.

Shopping

Sacred Road: the path lined with stone statues of animals, mystical beasts and officials who are supposed to serve the emperor in his afterlife, through which the sitting emperors would go to perform memorial rituals for the ancestors once a year.

Peking Duck Dinner: Peking Roast Duck is regarded as one of the most delicious dishes throughout the world. A Peking Duck Dinner is usually a fixed item on any Beijing tour itinerary. At time-honored restaurants such as Quan Ju De, you can savor the mouth-watering traditional Beijing specialty, and at the same time the chefs will show you how they cuts the meat into exactly 108 slices from one duck, each having a piece of skin.

Hotel

Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel. Meals: B,L,D.

Sightseeing

After breakfast,you will visit Hutongs by rickshaw. Lunch will be served in one of the local people's home during the tour, when you can learn how to make dumplings.

Hunting

Hutongs: the old narrow paths with lots of courtyard homes where common people are living. They are like villages within a megalopolis. Through the hutongs' teeming maze of alleyways, you will see the old houses and learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens.

Shopping

Then do some shopping at Xiushui Street.



Xiushui Street: a market near the embassy area and known as Silk Street market among foreigners. The main commodities include garments, silk products and tourist souvenirs. You can enjoy bargaining with the vendors and may have a pleasant surprise of finding a real treasure if you are lucky enough. Since early this year, an indoor five-story building with three underground stories claimed as the new Xiushui Market has been opened to substitute the old outdoor one.

After then have a visit to Beijing's splendid Temple of Heaven.



Temple of Heaven: the place which was visited yearly by the emperors who performed intricate rituals to insure a good harvest for the whole nation at ancient times.

Hotel

Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel. Meals: B,L.

Train

In the morning, our local guide will help you transfer to the railway station for your train to Chengde. Soft-seat train on our arrangement.

Hotel

Arrive at Chengde, and you will be met and escorted to the hotel. Accommodations: ShengHua Hotel.

Sightseeing

The tour this afternoon will bring you to the Imperial Summer Villa. Meals: B,L

Imperial Summer Villa: started to be built in 1703 and finished in about 90 years, it is now the biggest Imperial Garden in China covering 590 hectares. The area, encircled by a splendid 10km wall, was where the emperors and dignitaries in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD)retreated from the summer heat, and where they would also handle political affairs and meet envoys during their stay, so the Villa actually served as the second political center of the Qing government. Set in a mountain valley, with its own lakes, pine forests, hunting ground and pavilions, now it is a great place to wander around.

Enjoy a tour to Puning Temple and Putuozongcheng Temple.
Putuozongcheng Temple: built in 1767 for visiting minority group leaders from all over China to celebrate Emperor Qianlong's 60th birthday, it is a replica of Lhasa's Potala Palace and the largest of the eight remaining outer temples in Chengde with an area of 220,000 square meters. The temple is set against a backdrop of piney hills offering a stunning view from the top.

Puning Temple: puning means "universal tranquility", mixing Chinese and Tibetan styles, it was built by Emperor Qianlong in 1755 AD to commemorate his victory over Mongolian tribes. The huge Mahayana Hall of the temple houses an enchanting golden statue of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Mercy , which is made from five different types of wood (pine, cypress, elm, fir and basswood) and is the highest of its kind in the world at 22 meters (about 67 feet). The statue has 42 arms with an eye carved into the palm of each hand.

Train

Take your train back to Beijing. Soft-seat train on our arrangement.

Hotel

Accommodations: Jianguo Garden Hotel. Meals: B,L

Commercial Flight

After breakfast, our guide will escort you to the air port to take the noon flight to Xian. China domestic flight on our arrangement.

Hotel

Upon your arrival, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Accommodations: Hotel Royal Garden. Meals: B,L

Relaxation

The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Sightseeing

Today, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors and Horses. After lunch, visit the Ancient City Walls and the Bell Tower. Complete the day with a savory dumpling dinner and the Tang Dynasty show both at Shaanxi Grand Opera Theatre.

Terracotta Warriors and Horses: discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, this is one of the most significant archeological finds of the 20th century. These 6,000 life-size painted Terracotta Warriors and Horses --individually sculpted from real-life models and arranged in battle formation have been protecting the mausoleum of the first emperor in Chinese history--Emperor QinShihuang for 2,200 years ago.

Sightseeing

Ancient City Walls : built during the 14th century on Tang dynasty foundations and they date from the Ming dynasty. The walls are the largest and best-preserved ancient fortress in the world. There is a gate in each of the four sides, and the gate towers built over each gate look lofty and magnificent and form a tight defence engineering system.

Bell Tower: standing in the center of the city and built in 1582, the Bell Tower is a three-story wooden structure with traditional Chinese architectural features. It is so called because an iron bell is hung in the tower to give the correct time.

Dumpling Dinner: Dumpling or Jiaozi in Chinese is a traditional and popular food in China, especially in the north. At the dinner, nearly 20 varieties of dumplings that are steamed and stuffed with different delicious fillings such as vegetables, meats and seafood are served. These dumplings are not only tasty, but also characteristic with their colors and fragrance, style and culture meanings. All these make the dinner so unique that you should not miss it when traveling in Xi'an.

Performing Arts

Tang Dynasty Show: the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) was one of the most glorious dynasties in China's history, and Xi'an was the capital during the Tang Dynasty and called as Chang'an. Tang Dynasty Show is a performance of Chang'an music and dances in Tang Dynasty style laid out according to various historical records and ancient arts and relics discovered in Xi'an. During the show, the musicians present the music with the Tang-Dynasty-style musical instruments and the dancers dance by wearing a Tang-Dynasty-style robe with long white silk sleeves, and you will certainly enjoy this national art that reflects the glory and richness of the Tang Dynasty era.

Hotel

Accommodations: Hotel Royal Garden. Meals: B,L,D

Sightseeing

After breakfast, you will have city tour to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and then the Great Mosque. If you feel like, you can spend some time strolling along the backstreets of the mosque which have been home to the city's Muslim community for centuries.

Museums

Shaanxi Provincial Museum: opened in 1991, the largest comprehensive museum in the province. The museum exhibits over 3,000 historical relics which is just a fraction of their collection. Most of the exhibited items are rare treasures, showing you the splendid Chinese culture.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda: regarded by many as a symbol of the city Xian, the pagoda was built in 652 A.D. in the Tang Dynasty to house the sutras brought back from India by the famous monk Xuan-zang.

Great Mosque: the largest mosque in Xi'an and one of the four grand Islamic mosques in China with more than 1200 years' history. The mosque possesses not only traditional Chinese architectural style, but also features peculiar to Islamic mosques and now it is a major spot for religious activities of 50,000 Muslims in Xi'an.

Hotel

Accommodations: Hotel Royal Garden. Meals: B,L

Commercial Flight

Be free until our guide meets and helps you transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. China domestic flight on our arrangement

Hotel

Upon your arrival at Gonggar airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel in Lhasa city (2-hour drive), and you will view the Stone Giant Buddha engraved in the mountain face en route. After checking in the hotel, rest in the afternoon to get adapted to the high altitude. Accommodations: Tibet Hotel. Meals: B,D

Sightseeing

Lhasa: the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region with an elevation of 3650 meters (12,000 feet) above the sea level, is nicknamed Sunlight City. It is the highest city in the world. This ancient sprawling city, settled 1,300 years ago, is the region's political, economic and cultural center as well as a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism.

Sightseeing

Your sightseeing today will include the Lhasa's cardinal landmark -- Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and flourishing Barkhor Street.

Potala Palace: the symbol of Lhasa, perched upon Marpo Ri Hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa Valley, it is the greatest monumental structure in Tibet and one of the most famous architectural works of the world. The construction was started in 641 AD and it was rebuilt by the Fifth Dalai Lama in three years, while the Thirteenth Dalai Lama extended and repaired it into what it is now. As the religious and political centre of old Tibet and the winter residence of Dalai Lamas, the palace witnessed the life of the Dalai Lamas and the important political and religious activities in the past centuries. The Potala Palace also houses great amounts of rare cultural relics including the gold hand-written Buddhist scriptures, valuable gifts from the Chinese emperors and a lot of priceless antiques.

Jokhang Temple: located in the center of the old section of Lhasa, built in 647 AD by Songtsen Gampo and his two foreign wives, and later extended by successive rulers. It has now become a gigantic architectural complex and it is the spiritual center of Tibet.

Shopping

Barkhor Street: a circular street around the Jokhang Temple in the center of the old section of Lhasa, it is the oldest street in a very traditional style in Tibet, where you can enjoy bargaining with the local Tibetan vendors for the handicrafts which are rarely seen elsewhere in the world. Barkhor Street is one of the most important religious paths along which pilgrims walk around Jokhang Temple while turning prayer wheels in their hands. They have been doing this for countless centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths in a clockwise direction. This walk can continue all day and well into the night.

Hotel

Accommodations: Tibet Hotel. Meals: B,L

Sightseeing

The whole day tour will bring you to the Norbulingka Park, the Drepung Monastery and the Sera Monastery.

Sightseeing

Norbulingka Park: Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden", built in 1751 AD as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama where they handled political affairs and practiced religious activities. It is now a large-scale palace complex and garden in Tibetan style covering an area of 40 hectares. The whole complex 370 rooms of different sizes and lawns shaded by green trees and enclosed by various flowers. Before 1959, commoners had no access to this park. Nowadays, on festivals and holidays, the local people in their colorful costumes come here with food and tents to sing and dance overnight.

Drepung Monastery: the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Tibet, standing on the slope of the majestic Mount Gambo Utse; it was built in 1416 AD and is the place where each reincarnation of the Dalai Lama received his training. In its heyday, it had more than 10,000 monks. Now it is home to about 700 monks.

Sera Monastery: Sera means "Wild Rose Garden" in Tibetan because lush wild rose woods once grew around it. The monastery is one of the three largest monasteries in Tibet. Located at the northern outskirts of Lhasa, it was built in 1419 AD by Jamchen Choje (or Sakyayeshe), one of the eight disciples of Tsong Khapa who was the founder of the Gelugpa Sect. The Sera Monastery houses three colleges built in the 15th and 16th centuries, and it is famous for the "Buddhism Scriptures Debating".

Hotel

Accommodations: Tibet Hotel. Meals: B,L

Bus

Today's drive is from Lhasa to Gyantse (about 256km, 5.5-hour drive). Along the way you will visit Yamdrok Lake and a Tibetan family.

Sightseeing

Yamdrok Lake: one of the three largest lakes of Tibet and one of the three holy lakes. It covers an area of 638 square kilometers with a coastline of 250 kilometers. The deepest point is 60 meters. The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture where you can enjoy the intoxicating, picturesque, and natural scenery.

Tibetan Family: where you will be greeted and warmly welcomed by common Tibetan people in their traditional way and entertained with their typical food.

After arrival in Gyantse, you will tour Palcho Monastery.

Palcho Monastery: built in 1414 AD, it is unique because three Sects of Buddhism-Sakya, Gedan and Gelug are living harmoniously under one roof. The Palcho Pagoda beside the Monastery has 9 stories, 108 doors and 77 rooms housing some 100,000 statues of Buddha, so it is famed as the "100,000-Buddha Pagoda." The frescoes, statues and sculptures in the monastery are exquisite, succinct and life-like.

Hotel

Accommodations: Gyantse Hotel. Meals: B,L

Bus

After breakfast, drive from Gyantse to Shigatse (about 90km, 1.5-hour drive). In Shigatse, you will visit Tashilumpo Monastery and free market.

Tashilumpo Monastery: built in 1447, it is the oldest and largest Gelugpa monastery in Tibet and is the seat of Banchen Lama. It is painted in red and white and the buildings in the monastery stand closely together in terraced rows. This presents a grand and majestic view. The most amazing image in this monastery is the giant statue of Maitreya (Future Buddha). It is the largest such statue in the world and was erected by the 9th Panchen Lama in 1914. It stands 26 meters in height and is 275 kg in weight. It is covered in solid gold and inlaid with a number of precious jewels such as pearls, turquoises, corals and ambers. The image of the Buddha is kind, generous and vivid.

Hotel

Accommodations: Shigatse Hotel. Meals: B,L

Bus

Today, drive back to Lhasa (280km, about 6 hours driving) along the Yaluzangbu River, and enjoy the beautiful view of the valley en route.

Sightseeing

Yaluzangbu River: At 2,051 km in length, the Yaluzangbu River turns and twists like a silver dragon from the west to the east into the valleys of South Tibet. It runs through Muotuo County. After a 90-degree turn, the river runs from Tibet into India and empties into the Indian Ocean.

Performing Arts

After a rest in Lhasa, the farewell dinner will be arranged at the Typical Tibetan restaurant for you to enjoy the local food with Tibetan dances and songs.

Hotel

Accommodations: Tibet Hotel. Meals: B,L,D.

Commercial Flight

Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination--Chengdu. China domestic flight on our arrangement.

Hotel

Upon arrival at Chengdu, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for a rest. Accommodations: Yinhe Dynasty Hotel. Meals: B,D

Have a delicious dinner of Sichuan food at a local restaurant.
Chuan Food: Sichuan Cuisine, known more commonly in the West as Szechuan Cuisine, is one of the most famous Chinese cuisines in the world. Prepared with a wide variety of ingredients and characterized by its spicy and pungent flavors, Sichuan cuisine emphasizes the use of chili and peppercorn. It can be said that one who doesn't experience Sichuan food has never reached China. Savor the flavor of Sichuan, and it is becoming hotter and hotter!

Sightseeing

Today we will bring you to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base first, then Du Fu's Thatched Roof Cottage and Wenshu Temple where you can spend some time sitting in its tea house to enjoy a cup of tea and absorb the special atmosphere of Chengdu.

Sightseeing

Giant Panda Breeding Research Base: 18km from the city center, housing 12 pandas in natural environments: it is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous residents and you can get to know more about this precious species in the museum there.

Sightseeing

Du Fu's Thatched Roof Cottage: located on the side of the Flower Washing Brook in the western suburbs of Chengdu. It is the former residence of the celebrated Tang dynasty poet, Du Fu (712-770AD) who was born in Henan province. At the age of 20 he left his home to travel within China. He used to be an official for 10 years in Chang'an (present Xian), the capital of the Tang dynasty, and was captured by rebels after an uprising. He then fled to Chengdu where he built this humble cottage and stayed for about four years.

Sightseeing

Tea houses: Chengdu is one of the few remaining cities in China with a really authentic tea house (Chadian) culture. Thousands of teahouses dotted about Chengdu are hugely popular with locals, especially the elderly. Teahouses throughout the city are still important locations for social gatherings. Its distinct and unique atmosphere will let you get a good feel for Chengdu.

Hotel

Accommodations: Yinhe Dynasty Hotel. Meals: B,L

Sightseeing

Enjoy a free day to explore this interesting city.

Hotel

Accommodations: Yinhe Dynasty Hotel. Meals: B.

Train

After breakfast, take the early train to Chongqing. Soft-seat train on our arrangement.

Sightseeing

Upon your arrival at Chongqing, the largest city in Southwest China, our local guide will meet you and escort you to the city to have a half day city tour including Erling Park, Stillwell Museum and Ciqikou Old Town.

Sightseeing

Ciqikou Old Town: it was Chongqing's old harbor and was once the home of many of Chongqing's rich merchants, where you can still see lots of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, local shops, tea houses, local Sichuan street performance and so on.

Museums

Stillwell Museum: the private residence of General Stillwell - the commander of the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II, now it is a museum displaying the wartime heroics of the Flying Tigers and honoring the US participation against Fascist in World War II.

Sightseeing

Erling Park: one of the old private gardens in Chongqing, built in late Qing Dynasty around 1909 AD, due to its relatively high altitude, there you can have a bird's eye view of the whole city.

Enjoy a hot pot dinner. The hot pot (huoguo) has a long history in China. It originated in the north, where people have to fend off the chill early in the year. It spread to the south during the Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-906).

River or Barge Cruise

Transfer to get on board the ship-American Victoria. Departs Chongqing at 21:00. Accommodations: On the Cruise. Meals: B,L,D.

River or Barge Cruise

Shore excursion to Shibaozhai this morning. Accommodations: On the Cruise. Meals: B,L,D.

Sightseeing

Shibaozhai: a gem of Chinese architecture, literally means Stone Treasure Fortress in English. It is a 12-storey red wood tower which was first built in Qing Dynasty with a history of 300 years. It was built against a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs on the river bank, 56 meters high, on the top of which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the rapid river and the surrounding countryside.

River or Barge Cruise

Shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges by smaller vessels this morning. Accommodations: On the Cruise. Meals: B,L,D.

Sightseeing

Lesser Three Gorges: indicating three separate valleys along the Daning River, the chief tributary of the Yangtze River, they are called "Dragon-Gate Gorge", "Misty Gorge" and "Dicui (Emerald) Gorge" respectively. You can take a small boat to enjoy the spectacular views and experience a water-borne sensation you have never had before when the natural scenic wonders unfold in front of you with clear water flowing fast through the gorges, sheer cliffs and steep mountains rising on either side to create one fine art gallery.

River or Barge Cruise

Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site this morning.

Three Gorges: spanning the Yangtze at Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei province, China. Construction began in 1994, and the 'Three Gorges Dam' is now the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. The Dam will be 2,335 meters long, 18 meters wide, and its bottom will be 130 meters wide after completion in 2009. When completed, the water level will rise to 135 meters above sea level. The reservoir began filling on June 1, 2003, and it will occupy the present position of the scenic Three Gorges area, between the cities of Yichang, Hubei, and Fuling, Chongqing Municipality.

Commercial Flight

After lunch, you will disembark the ship in Yichang at 13:30. Then you will take the flight to Shanghai. China domestic flight on our arrangement.

Hotel

Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown. Meals: B,L

Relaxation

The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Sightseeing

Today, your full-day excursion of incredible Shanghai will include: Shanghai Museum, the Bund and the Nanjing Road, Yu Garden and Yuyuan Market. Enjoy a wonderful Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre tonight.

Museums

Shanghai Museum: often ranked as China's best museum, it is the biggest museum in China with a fine collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese artifacts.

The Bund : where the great trading houses and banks had their headquarters in the 1920s and the 1930s. The Bund is about about a mile long, it is the city's fulcrum.

Shopping

Nanjing Road: known as "China's No.1 Shopping Street" with a huge selection of merchandise on sale.

Sightseeing

Yu Garden: located in the Old Town of Shanghai and laid out in 1559 AD by a powerful Ming official, Yu Garden recreates a beautiful landscape of pagodas, pavilions, rockeries, fountains, ancient trees and precious flowers.

Shopping

Yuyuan Market: outside the Yu Garden, a bustling market with different snacks and trinkets.

Performing Arts

Acrobatic Show: Chinese Acrobatics is one of the oldest performing arts with its history tracing back to Neolithic times, during its development in the history, it has been absorbing plentiful merits from the opera, dance and Chinese Kungfu, and formed its own artistic features. In Portman Acrobatic Show, in a very typical Shanghainese setting and atmosphere, you will enjoy many breathtaking and stunning programs such as Calvaria Skills, Silk Suspending, Hoop Diving and so on performed by very skillful performers, you will truly have an unforgettable experience of your life.

Hotel

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown. Meals: B,L,D

Train

After breakfast, you will take the train to Suzhou (100km away from Shanghai), which has been known as the Venice of the East. Soft-seat train on our arrangement

Sightseeing

Upon your arrival, be met by your local guide, and your tour in Suzhou today includes: the intimate Garden of the Master of Nets, the ancient Tiger Hill Park and then the Pan Gate, and the No.1 Silk Factory.

Sightseeing

Master of Nets Garden: The Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou, also known as Fisherman's Garden, is the smallest of 27 gardens in the city. It was a peacful place to escape the incessant Suzhou crowds on a gray morning. The Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou, also known as Fisherman's Garden, is the smallest of 27 gardens in the city. It was a peacful place to escape the incessant Suzhou crowds on a gray morning. The Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou, also known as Fisherman's Garden, is the smallest of 27 gardens in the city. It was a peacful place to escape the incessant Suzhou crowds on a gray morning.

National Parks

Tiger Hill Park: a symbol of the city, with a history of over 2,500 years, the Tiger Hill has had the reputation of being the No.1 sight of Suzhou, with a Song-dynasty leaning pagoda on top which was built in brick to imitate wood architecture.

Pan Gate: the only remaining city gate dating from the 12th century. It is built over Suzhou's former moat.

Sightseeing

The No.1 Silk Factory: Suzhou is famous for its silk production. In the factory you can learn more about silk production and detailed steps of the silk making process, and you will have an opportunity to purchase some of the incredibly delicate works as well.

Hotel

Overnight at Suzhou. Accommodations: Bamboo Grove Hotel. Meals: B,L.

Sightseeing

Today, you will visit the classical Humble Administrator's Garden. The Garden covers 10 acres and is the largest garden in Suzhou. It was built in 1509 during the Ming Dynasty and is divided into the eastern, middle and western parts. All of this centers upon the broad expanse of a lake to form the poetic and picturesque garden landscapes and waterscapes with exquisite buildings and luxuriant vegetation.

Train

Take the train to Hangzhou. Soft-seat train on our arrangement.

Hotel

Upon your arrival at Hangzhou, you will be escorted to your hotel. Accommodations: Lakeview Hotel. Meals: B,L.

Sightseeing

After your arrival at Hangzhou early in the morning, you will be met by our local guide. The city tour in this beautiful city will include: West Lake by boat, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak and Dragon Well Tea Plantation.

Sightseeing

West Lake: There are 36 West Lakes throughout China, but the one in Hangzhou is the inspiration for them all. The name of the West Lake originated during the Tang Dynasty from its lying to the west of Qiantang County. Another saying is that the lake is also named after Xi Shi, a famous ancient beauty, because of the apt comparison made between the two by the famed poet Su Dongpo (1037-1101AD). Originally a lagoon, the lake was dredged in the 8th century and later diked. The entire lake is ringed on three sides by mountains and one side by the city proper. With the green hills, willow trees, elegant bridges and clean spring water around, the view of the West Lake is simply enchanting.

Lingyin Temple: a celebrated Chan (Zen) Buddhist temple founded in 326AD, despite being destroyed and rebuilt 16 times, it remains one of Hangzhou's main attractions. The current structure dates from the late Qing dynasty. Its highlights are the Great Hall with its 65 foot camphor-wood statue of the Buddha and the FeilaiPeak opposite the temple.

National Parks

Feilai Peak (Peak Flying From Afar): opposite the Lingyin Temple, 209 meters (about 700 feet) high,it is a hill covered with inscriptions and reliefs carved into the rock dating from the 10th to 14th centuries.

Sightseeing

Dragon Well Tea Plantation: Dragon Well Green Tea is one of the most famous brands in China. In this Tea Plantation you can pick the tea leaves, taste a nice cup of tea and learn the history and processing procedure of tea.

Hotel

Accommodations: Lakeview Hotel. Meals: B,L.

Commercial Flight

Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination--Guilin. China domestic flight on our arrangement.

Hotel

Upon your arrival at Guilin, the most scenic city in China, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Accommodations: Guilin Park Hotel. Meals: B,L

Relaxation

The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Bus

After breakfast, drive to Zhujiang Pier (about 40-minute drive) to start the boat cruise along the tranquil Li River, the highlight of your sightseeing tour in Guilin, until you get to Yangshuo County.

River or Barge Cruise

Li River Cruise: Along the river, you will be inspired by the breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and reflections in the water together with the serene pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes.You will certainly feel like you are walking into a traditional Chinese painting by cruising on this wonderful river.

Hotel

Free time in the afternoon after checking in the hotel in Yangshuo. Accommodations: Paradesa Yangshuo. Meals: B,L

Shopping

West Street(Yangshuo): a busy and exotic slate street in Yangshuo County, about 2km long crammed with shops, pubs, cafes and hotels, where you can relax yourself and do some souvenir shopping.

Bicycling

After breakfast, you will experience an interesting and enjoyable cycling tour to the Moon Hill by taking the countryside road partly along the picturesque Yulong River. Pay a visit to one of the local farmers' home en route.

Sightseeing

Moon Hill: viewed from different places, the moon takes on different shapes, sometimes full moon, sometimes half-moon and sometimes crescent, forming a marvelous spectacle in Yangshuo. Climbing about 800 steps up to the very top, you will have a fantastic view of the whole county.

Hotel

Accommodations: New Century Hotel. Meals: B,L

Bus

Today, drive back to Guilin (1.5-hour drive) and have a city tour of the Elephant Trunk Hill, the Fubo Hill and the Reed Flute Cave.

Sightseeing

Elephant Trunk Hill : the symbol of Guilin, which resembles a giant elephant drinking water from the Li River.

Sightseeing

Fubo Hill: where you can see lots of Buddha statues left about 1000 years ago in the Returned Pearl Cave and have a birds' eye view of the whole city after climbing up to the very top.

Sightseeing

Reed Flute Cave: 5 kilometers away from the city center, famed as "A Natural Palace of Art", in which you can see lots of stalactites & stalagmites illuminated by the lights of different colors. You will also learn how they were formed.

Commercial Flight

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong.

Hotel

Upon your arrival at Hong Kong, a vibrant metropolis, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Accommodations: Miramar Hotel (H.K.). Meals: B,L

Sightseeing

Today, you will explore Hong Kong's unique blend of Chinese heritage and colonial influences. Your tour will include Victoria Peak, the floating community of Aberdeen and Repulse Bay of Hong Kong Island and the Wong Tai Sin Temple and the Jade Market in Kowloon.

Sightseeing

Victoria Peak: the island's highest point with 552 meters high, which has spectacular views of city's famous skyline, Victoria Harbour and the romantic South China Sea on a clear day.

Sightseeing

Aberdeen: a harbor area crowded with junks and sampans, where 6,000 people live and work on junks.

Sightseeing

Repulse Bay: one of the most famous beaches in Hong Kong where you can enjoy a more relaxed holiday atmosphere.

Wong Tai Sin Temple: one of the most famous temples in Hong Kong with 75 years old, lots of people go there and worship for good luck. Fortune-tellers often work outside the temple.

Shopping

Jade Market: this famous Jade Market has about 450 stalls selling jade of all colors, where you need bargain hard!

Hotel

Accommodations: Miramar Hotel (H.K.). Meals: B

Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight back to your sweet home.