China 360: Cities & Guilin Mountains

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a tour of the most important sights of Beijing including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Olympic Park. Explore iconic Tiananmen Square, then head to the Forbidden City, an impressive palace complex and home to the former Imperial Chinese Palace for the years spanning from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is the world's most visited attraction and showcases immaculate Chinese design and architecture. Afterwards, visit a traditional Chinese Medicine Centre, for an insight into this ancient practice. Lunch. Finally, visit the famous Olympic Park, where you can admire the beautifully architected Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube Aquatics Centre. Transfer to the hotel. We recommend an optional Red Theater Kung Fu Show.* Overnight stay in Beijing.

* Optional Red Theater Kung Fu Show: Admire the intricacies of this martial art as you enjoy a professional show.

Please note: the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so the order of the itinerary may be changed to accommodate this closure.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station for an exciting Bullet Train journey to Xian. Arrive and check-in to the hotel. Afterwards, visit the South Gate Old City Wall, which is the most complete city wall to have survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. In the evening enjoy a delicious Dumpling Banquet for dinner. Overnight stay in Xi'an.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover one of China's most iconic sights as you enjoy a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Approximately 8,000 sculpted figures were buried alongside Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, and today you can see this once in a lifetime sight for yourself. Each figure is impressively crafted and unique. Be blown away by the intricacy and the sheer number of the figures as you learn about their significance. Also visit the local Terracotta Factory and the Yanyuan Art Museum, to learn about the ancient art of Chinese Calligraphy, and even try it out for yourself. Afterwards, visit the Muslim Quarter and enjoy some shopping time there. Return to the hotel. We recommend an optional Tang Dynasty Show for an evening of entertainment.* Overnight stay in Xi'an.

* Optional Tang Dynasty Show at Shanxi Theater: Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with fabulous music and dancing from the era of the Tang Dynasty, China's golden age. The show is a unique way to get to know the historical culture of the ancient city of Xi'an.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a free day to explore Xi'an at your own pace. Be sure to dive into the local food scene and sample the delights of one of Xi'an's street food markets. Alternatively, take part in a full day tour of Mt. Huashan*. Overnight stay in Xi'an.

* Optional Mt. Huashan daytrip with Cable Car: Known as one of China’s Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, Mt. Huashan has five main peaks and only one hiking trail that is 15 kilometres long from south to north. You will explore this mountain of great religious significance by cable car.

Please note: This optional activity is not apt for people with vertigo, fear of heights, reduced mobility, etc.

Early breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Guilin, located in the south of China and famous for its stunning limestone hills, or karsts, and dramatic natural landscapes. Upon arrival, head to the Yangshuo region and enjoy a boat cruise on the Li River to admire the landscape which unfolds itself like a scroll of Chinese ink painting. Afterwards, head to the natural wonders of Moon Hill and the Big Banyan Tree which has survived the wind and rain over the centuries since it was planted nearly 1500 years ago. Walk along West Street and enjoy the bustling atmosphere. Return to the hotel and, in the evening, we recommend an optional Liusanjie Impression Show, performed in the landscape of the Li River.* Overnight stay in Yangshuo.

* Optional Liusanjie Impression Show: Admire the unbelievable beauty of the Li River at night as it is lit up in an Impression Light Show. The waters of the Li River set the stage and a dozen beautifully lit rock formations form a natural backdrop. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore unique Elephant Trunk Hill, a trunk shaped rock which extends into the river. Afterwards, visit a local Pearl Factory. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Guilin. We recommend an optional Four Lake Night Cruise with Cormorant Fishing Show*. Overnight stay in Guilin.

* Four Lake Night Cruise with Cormorant Fishing Show: Downtown Guilin lights up at night, and the best way to enjoy its beauty is to take a night cruise around the city’s Four Lakes scenic area. Enjoy panoramic views of the city’s multicoloured nighttime skyline and enjoy a Cormorant Fishing Show. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure, exploring the landscapes and lakes by boat or visiting the various pagodas. Alternatively, take part in a full day tour of the Longji Terrace Fields*. Overnight stay in Guilin.

* Optional Full Day Longji Terrace Fields Tour: Drive to Longsheng to visit the Longji Terrace Fields—rice terraces built into the hillsides, a true sight to be seen. From here, get to know Yao and Zhuang villages.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai, the global financial hub which sits on China's central coast. Transfer to the hotel and after getting settled, take a walking tour of Nanjing Road and the Bund to get to know Shanghai's diverse neighbourhoods. Return to the hotel and, in the evening, you have the option to enjoy a Huangpu River Cruise.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Huangpu River Cruise: View the Shanghai's city skyline from the comfort of the river cruiser as you enjoy an evening of spectacular views.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a full-day visit of the highlights of Shanghai. Step back in time in the charming traditional Yu Garden, learn about the city's history at the Shanghai Museum, and explore the modern side of the city. Visit an authentic Silk Factory to discover how this coveted fabric is manufactured. Return to the hotel. We recommend an optional Acrobatic show this evening.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Optional Acrobatic Show: Experience one of the world's oldest performing arts as you are immersed in an evening of culture and entertainment. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, shopping, exploring the city's sights or simply relaxing in one of the city parks. We recommend an optional complete full-day tour of Shanghai*. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Optional Shanghai Full day city tour: The tour will start with a train ride of Meglev train in Shanghai, the first and only commercial rail line of its type in the world. The train is the fastest one in the world with a top speed of 431 kilometres per hour, which is much faster than the Bullet Train in Japan. Then we will have an admission to the Observation Deck on the 88th Floor of Jinmao Tower where you will have the best view of the entire city of Shanghai. Next stop will be A.P Plaza. A.P. Plaza is Shanghai’s biggest market and is famous for “fake branded good”. Located underground, it has more than 1,000 stores where you can find purses, suitcases, watches, jewelries and much more. You will have 2 hours of shopping time to find many bargains you can ever imagine. Final stop will be Xintiandi Area. As a world-class restaurants, business, entertainment, culture, leisure walking Street, Shanghai Xintiandi in Shanghai is an historical and cultural character of the city.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, searching for bargains or souvenirs in one of the many shopping centres, strolling around the colonial Bund or sampling the diverse street food. Otherwise, we recommend an optional tour of Suzhou Gardens*. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Optional Tour of Suzhou Gardens: Acquaint yourself with Suzhou, known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and one of the most historically significant cities of Southern China where you will visit Lingering Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Suzhou Museum before taking a boat ride on Pingjiang River to make your way to the charming Old City and gaze at the Wumen brigde and Prince Zhonog's Mansion.