Best of China

Nihao! Welcome to Shanghai, China’s greatest metropolis, renowned for its blending of a modern skyline with old-world character. Meet in the hotel lobby at 6pm and your guide will go over more details about your trip including the logistics of meeting up with local guides in each city. After that take an orientation walk, followed by a welcome dinner.

Accommodation:
• Metropolo Jinjiang Classiq Shanghai Nanjing Road or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
•Dinner

Today we will visit the City God Temple area, a folk temple neighboring Yuyuan Garden. The City God Temple in Shanghai originated as the Jinshan God Temple, dedicated to the spirit of Jinshan or "Gold Mountain", an island off the coast of Shanghai. It was converted into a City God Temple in 1403, during the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty. Its popularity turns the surroundings into a large pedestrian area that hosts an array of shops, restaurants and teahouses, as well as annual temple fair events.
Then we will reach the French Concession; this was a concession area from 1849-1943 and over the century developed its own distinct character, a cultural mix of Chinese and European.
In late afternoon, we will head to the train station for fast train to Hangzhou (approximately 1 hour).

Accommodation:
• Zhongshan International Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
•Breakfast

Our day starts with a visit to the West Lake, regarded as a symbol of Hangzhou and as one of the most beautiful sights in China. Stroll around the lake exploring the famed sites in the area such as Lotus park, view fish at the Flower Harbor and Spring Dawn at Su causeway while learning interesting local folklore and history from your guide.
A short drive takes us to the Longjing Tea Plantation. Longjing (Dragon Well) is considered the ultimate in green teas. The tea farmer will take us out into the field, where we will learn a lot: from how to choose and pick the best tea sprouts to different regions of Tea. Try your hand at tea picking before sitting down for a taste – more stories to share. As with wine, there is Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir in tea as well!
Catch an evening flight to Guilin from where it is a 2-hour drive to the rural resort town of Yangshuo.

Accommodation:
• Floral Hotel Qinghui Villa or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Set within a dramatic limestone karst landscape Yangshuo offers excellent opportunities for biking and hiking. This morning head out of town on bikes to cycle through the surrounding countryside to gain an insight into China’s rural life and marvel at the surroundings. Each turn in the road reveals another picture-postcard view. Stop at Moon Hill, easily recognizable by its crescent-moon-shaped natural arch. If you are feeling fit you can ascend to the summit via a steep and rough path, for which you will be rewarded with spectacular vistas.
Stop for lunch at the house of our local friends and savor a tasty meal made from locally grown produce. Then, ride back to town and enjoy an evening at your leisure.

Accommodation:
• Floral Hotel Qinghui Villa or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

A free day to explore Yangshuo. You may start your morning by joining a Tai Chi class with a local Master. After that, you might choose to take a cooking class or visit a local farmers' market where you can get a feel for the regional produce and daily life. Yangshuo is also famous for rock climbing and caving. Your expert tour guide will help you to organize any activities you might want to try.

Accommodation:
• Floral Hotel Qinghui Villa or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

It’s about 5 hours by fast train from Yangshuo to Chongqing from where we will begin our 3-night cruise on the legendary Yangtze River. Your deluxe Yangtze River Cruise is amazing way to see the beautiful passing scenery as well as keep a lookout for wildlife. Don't miss being on deck for sunset.

Accommodation:
•Overnight on Yangtze River Cruise ( 3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Wake up and look out of your window to watch the stunning scenery. Take a short excursion to Fengdu which earned its reputation as a “Ghost City” during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Visit the temples and get a taste of Chinese Ghost Culture. In the evening, enjoy a dynasties culture show by Chinese minorities. This performance will entertain as well introduce you to some of the lesser-known ethnic groups of China.

Accommodation:
• Overnight on Yangtze River Cruise (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today pass through two of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze, the Qutang and Wu Gorges. There will be an excursion to the Shennv Valley (the Goddess Stream) where you will have a breathtaking view of thousands of cliffs hanging in the sky. The water of the narrow stream is colored green by the hundreds of meters of cliffs which almost completely block the sky.
In the evening, the captain’s farewell banquet. Say a toast to the wonderful crew and take in the river views for one last time.

Accommodation:
•Overnight on Yangtze River Cruise (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning arrive at Huang Ling Miao and visit the Three Gorges Dam. This is the most significant hydro-electric project in the world, completed in 2009 and brings benefits of flood control, power generation, tourism, ecological protection, South-North water transfer and irrigation. It also achieved a world record in 2014 for the enormous amount of power generated. Reaching Yichang disembark and transfer to the station for an overnight train to Xi’an.

Accommodation:
• Overnight soft sleeper train Yichang/Xi'an (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Arriving in Xi’an head to the hotel for breakfast. Your local adventure starts with a walking tour of the ancient City Wall, the most significant and best-preserved wall extant in China stretching over 13 kilometers around Xi’an.
Later, take a walk around the Muslim quarter, home to the Hui Muslim community for centuries. Stroll through these narrow streets dotted with small shops, halal butchers, sesame-oil factories, small mosques markets and restaurants to reach the Great Mosque. The Great Mosque of Xi'an is the most significant mosque in China and is a fascinating blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture and aspects. It was constructed during the Hongwu region of the Ming dynasty, with further additions during the Qing dynasty. Previous religious complexes are known to have stood on the same site, dating back as far as the Tang dynasty.

Accommodation:
• Manxin Hotel Bell Tower or similar (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Dinner

The Terracotta Warriors are an unequalled archaeological wonder. More than 6000 warriors, archers and chariots were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height and even facial expression. They still stand in battle formation after having been buried for 2,000 years before being discovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well.
Three of the main pits are open to view.
After marveling at this incredible display, we will lunch in a local village before returning to Xi’an city. The afternoon is free for your own explorations before boarding an overnight sleeper train to Beijing.

Accommodation:
• Overnight on soft sleeper train Xi'an-Beijing (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning arrive in Beijing and head to your hotel for breakfast before heading out to explore the city on foot and by subway. First stop Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares and home to the Monument of the People's Heroes and the Great Hall of the People. Then into the Forbidden City, built 1406-1420; ceremonial and political center of the Chinese government for more than 500 years. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the most extensive collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
From here continue on foot through the alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyards known as Hutong to explore and experience the local lifestyle of old Beijing.

Accommodation:
• Chongwenmen Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
•Breakfast

Mutianyu (about 2 hours out of Beijing is one of the best-preserved and restored sections of the Great Wall so it is easy to climb, but you can still appreciate the difficulty and scale of its construction. A picnic lunch on the Wall is provided.
Return to Beijing in late afternoon and relax or spend some time exploring the local market and build up your appetite for a succulent Beijing roast duck dinner.

Accommodation:
• Chongwenmen Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Peking Duck dinner

Today is your last day in Beijing. You are free until being transferred to the airport for your departure.

Meals Included:
• Breakfast