China 14 Days Private Highlight Tour of Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Guilin, Xi’an and Hangzhou

Attractions: Take high speed train to Suzhou, Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate, Pingjiang Road

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Suzhou

Check out from hotel after breakfast and take a morning train to Suzhou. The high speed train will arrive at Suzhou about noon time. After lunch, we will start to explore this historical and cultural city. Suzhou is famous for its Chinese style gardens and silk products. We will firstly visit Lingering Garden, one of the great four gardens in China, together with the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Summer Resort in Chengde, and the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou.

Then we will move to visit Panmen Gate, the only existing water and land gate in China. Panmen Gate, which is under a provincial relics protection unit, was one of eight prominent gates in old Suzhou and was built in 514 BC. It got the name Panmen from a a wooden carving, a Pan Long at the top of the gate to frighten State of Yue. It later got the name Panmen Gate, meaning winding  gate. The current gate was built during the Yuan Dynasty, and the gate tower was refurbished in the summer of 1986.Then have a leisure walk at Pingjiang Road.

Attractions: Mutianyu Great Wall, exterior of Bird Nest and Water Cube

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Beijing

A la carte lunch will be arranged in a picked local restaurant at the foot of Juyongguan Great Wall.Drive back to downtown of Beijing. We will have a stop at a jade carving factory en route. When we reach Beijing, we will have a photo stop (around 0.5hour) outside the Bird Nest and Water Cube, which were the famous sites constructed for 2008 Beijing Olympic.

Afterwards, we visit the famous National Museum of China, one of the largest museums in the world, playing an important role in displaying systematically Chinese culture, cultivating national spirit, leading the development of the cultural relics and museum field. The number of collections in the museum is more than 120 million pieces, being the richest museums with the largest number of collections. There are a total of 48 exhibition halls and there are exhibitions showing the collections and Chinese culture often. It is closed on Monday. 

Attractions: Longji Rice Terraces, Ping'an Zhuang Village

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Guilin

We will have an exciting day to visit the ethnic group villages and the stunning rice terraces today. The local tour guide picks you up from hotel lobby in the morning. It takes about 2 hours driving from downtown of Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area (Dragon's Back). The magnificent terraces are built into the hillsides and look like great steps cut into the slopes as they wind around the mountainsides.

Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant in Ping'an Zhuang Village, which is just located in the rice terraces. You will have chance to try the local food cooked in bamboo, such as bamboo rice, chicken, ect. It tastes with the light fragrance of bamboo, quite different from which we eat in downtown.

Attractions:Tongli Water Town, Drive to Shanghai

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Shanghai

After breakfast and check out from hotel. We will firstly to visit the famous Tongli Water Town, established in the Song Dynasty, with a history of over 1,000 years. It is very rich in cultural heritage. For its long history and special beauty, in 2004, Tongli together with Zhouzhuang and Luzhi were listed in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lunch is arranged in a local restaurant in the water town. Then drive to Shanghai directly.

Attractions:Summer Palace, Take high speed train to Xian

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xian

In the morning, check out from hotel and start to visit the last spots in Beijing --- Summer Palace, the existing largest, best-preserved imperial garden in China. The Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake are regarded as the representative of Summer Palace. In the park, you could choose to take a boating trip on the lake, enjoying the beautiful royal garden view. Walk along the Long Corridor--- the longest corridor in the world, admiring the extremely rich and prestigious paintings on the beams of the corridor.

A la carte lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant on the way to Beijing West Railway Station to take high speed train (2nd class seat, duration: about 5-5.5 hours) from Beijing to Xi'an. Our guide will wait at the exit of Xi'an train station with our signboard and transfer you to check in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the time.

Attractions: Li River Cruise, West Street

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Guilin

Take a cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Li River is the essence of the landscape in this area, especially the section from Guilin to Yangshuo, which is reputed as 'A Hundred Miles Gallery'. The cruise ship will arrive at Yangshuo in about 4.5 hours.Xianggong Mountain is about 1 hour drive from Yangshuo, It is best place to have a bird view of Li River. It takes you about 15 minutes hiking up the hill.

After docking at Yangshuo, you will walk through the well-known West Street.West Street is a historic pedestrian street in Guilin and a favourite shopping and dining area for tourists. West Street retains the traditional architecture and atmosphere of southern China, with many quaint shops and snack stalls. Then you will enjoy the amazing rural scenery as we drive along the surrounding country roads of Yangshuo. En route, you will be invited to visit a villager's home. After that, transfer you back to Guilin.huo in about 4.5 hours.

Attractions:Fly to Hangzhou, Hefang Street

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xian

Enjoy a leisure morning before check out from hotel in the morning and then transfer to catch the noon-time flight to Hangzhou, where our local guide is waiting for you at the exit of airport and transfer to hotel. Check in hotel and then with out guide's escort, to explore the famous Hefang Street and taste the local snacks/food at night, which is different from food in other cities.

Attractions: Shikumen, Yuyuan Garden,The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Bund

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Shanghai

The last day but still an inspiring day to explore the city of Shanghai,the largest and most modern city in mainland China. We will start the tour by walking into Nong Tang, the alleys in Shikumen, where you could witness the locals' relaxing and plain life. You will also find the unique architectural feature of Shanghai.

Then continue the day trip to Yuyuan Garden which is a Chinese classic garden in city downtown. Then continue to explore the Yuyuan Bazaar (Chenghuangmiao Old Street) nearby.

After a la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant, we continue our trip to the foot of The Oriental Pearl TV Tower to visit Shanghai City History Museum(The Former Shanghai Wax Museum), where you will know more about the history and development of Shanghai. 

Then take the elevator up to the 2nd ball of the TV tower, from which you will have a bird-eye view of Shanghai. Go on driving through Lujiazui, the finance & trade zone in Pudong of Shanghai, where you will find many skyscrapers. We will have a view of the modern skyline of Shanghai.Then back to the Bund, admire the illuminated buildings lining the Huangpu River. From the Bund, you could see the landmark of Shanghai--- The Oriental Pearl TV Tower as well as other high-rised buildings, just on the opposite of Huangpu River.

Attractions: Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Beijing

Beijing Airport Parking Lot

Upon your arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Relax in the hotel during the remainder of the day, or you can have a self-exploration with suggestions from your guide.

Attractions: Ancient City Wall, Tai Chi Chuan Course, Terracotta Warriors

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Xi'an

Today we will have a full day to explore this historical and cultural city in China. Pick up from hotel in the morning, and then have a visit to the landmark of Xi'an---Xian City Wall. You could choose to have a bicycle riding on the city wall. An impressive Tai Chi Chuan course is arranged at the City Wall for you. Originating from the roots of classical Chinese culture, Tai Chi Chuan absorbed a variety of sources including the Book of Changes, Taoism and Buddhism. With a professional Tai Chi Master's teaching, you will understand Chinese culture better.

After that, we will drive to the highlights in Xi’an ---the Terracotta Warriors. On the way to Terracotta Warriors, we will have a stop at a cave dwelling pottery workshop, where you will have chance to learn how to make a miniature terracotta warrior.  A la carte lunch is arranged at a local restaurant nearby Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon, we will have enough time to visit this world wonder --- Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation.The tour finishes by dropping-off at the hotel lobby. You could ask your local guide for some information about evening entertainment or night show, such as Tang Dynasty Show.

Attractions: Meijiawu Tea Plantation, Chenghuang Pavilion, West Street with boat trip, Grand Canal Museum

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Hangzhou

After hotel breakfast, we will go to visit Meijiawu, a tea village where you can enjoy a peaceful and fresh morning far away from the busy city. The Longjing tea is considered as one of the top green teas in China. In the village, you will have chance to learn how to pick up tea,cook tea and make tea in a local tea farmer's house. And then we will transfer to the bank of West Lake, having a bird-eye view over the West Lake at Chenghuang Pavilion. 

In the afternoon, we will have a leisure trip , boating on West Lake, enjoying the beautiful views in the park. And then drive to the Canal Square and visit Grand Canal Museum, which is located at the Gongchen Bridge area in north part of the city. The construction of the museum stands like a fan. The museum is divided into five sections with the topic “Canals in the world and the Grand Canal in China” in the lobby. Here you can know the history, the formation, the digging and changes of the Canal. After the Grand Canal museum, we will bring you to another museum, the workmanship and demonstrations pavilion. Here you have a change to use your imagination to draw a picture on an umbrella.The tour will end by dropping you off at your hotel. The night show of Impression West Lake can be an optional entertainment tonight. 

Attractions:Not Included

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Not Included

Free day at leisure and be transferred to the airport for return flight. We can arrange the Maglev train ride to Pudong airport if you are interested in, or we will drive you directly to the airport.

Attractions: Temple of Heaven, Hutong,Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City,Hutong 

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Beijing

local guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at the appointed time. It will be an exciting day as we will explore the world well-known wonders today. The 1st stop is Temple of Heaven, the existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven and a place where the emperors prayed for a year of abundance. In the visit of Temple of Heaven, you will be astonished by the exquisite ancient Chinese architectures. Besides, you will see local seniors doing morning exercises in the square and full of vigor. You will have chance to watch Chinese Kongfu, Taichi, square dancing, playing cards, playing chess etc.

Then you will enjoy a Beijing Hutong tour by rickshaw with a local family visit, which will give you a deep impression of the local residents' live.  Then we will have a stop at a Chinese courtyard and take a Chinese culture experience - Peking opera facial mask painting.A la carte lunch is served at a local restaurant to have a taste of the authentic Chinese food at noon time and have a break at the restaurant.

Then continue this Beijing city treasure tour by a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest city center square, the locality of numerous major political and historical events. It is the witness of Chinese development. It is only a walking distance from Tian'anmen Square to Forbidden City, the world's existing largest and most complete ancient wooden structure buildings. You will explore the glorious palace halls and gardens for more than 2 hours in Forbidden City, learning the legendary story of the emperors and how the royal family lived there. You will be stunned by the numerous old art treasures exhibited in halls. At night, we will arrange a lively and dramatic Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theater. The memorable Beijing city tour for the 1st day ends by dropping off at your hotel lobby. 

Attractions: Gao's Courtyard, Muslim Quarter, Fly to Guilin

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Guilin

You will have a leisure morning for your to walk around. We will check out at noon time and drive to have lunch directly.In the afternoon, visit Gao's Courtyard, which is a wonderful choice for you to appreciate ancient residences and explore the local culture of paper-cutting and shadow puppetry. Continue to walk around Muslim Quarter and enjoy your shopping time there and you can also challenge the various local snacks.Take a night flight or late afternoon from Xi'an to Guilin, a small city in Southern China with the best natural beauty of China.