10-Day Best of China Tour to Shanghai, Guilin, Xi'an, Beijing

Day 1 Arrival in Shanghai

You'll be met on arrival at Shanghai airport. Free time rest of the day exploring the nearby streets, or resting and catching up on your jetlag.

Day 2 Shanghai

Today you visit the lovely old Yuyuan Garden, the Shanghai Museum which possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the famous Oriental Pearl TV Tower (also known as the Pearl Tower, for its distinctive shape). The second-highest platform provides wonderful views over Shanghai and the Huang Pu River, and those with a good head for heights can choose to buy a ticket to continue on to the very top(B,L).

Day 3 Shanghai to Guilin

Day 4 Guilin to Yangshuo

Li River Cruise: A cruise along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is an unforgettable experience. As you take in the stunning scenery there's something interesting to see at almost every bend in the river. Between spectacular limestone peaks you'll see graceful bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and lumbering water buffaloes pulling carts or cooling off in the river. You may see fishermen gliding along on their narrow bamboo rafts and fishing cormorants. You can spend the afternoon exploring the little town and wandering at the West Street, or take an optional excursion to the local villages(B,L).

Day 5 Yangshuo to Guilin to Xi'an

Elephant Trunk Hill : At the confluence of Li River and Peach Blossom River in the southwest of Guilin city. The stone drooped into the water looks like an elephant drinking the water from the Li River. Reed Flute Cave : Known as 'the Palace of Natural Arts' this large and well-presented cave system has some remarkable formations. Fubo(Whirlpool) Hill: It is located in the city proper, propping up from the ground. Up on top of the hill you will get a view of whole Guilin city.

Fly to Xi'an in the afternoon(B).

Day 6 Xian

Terracotta Warriors and Horses are part of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. Well over 7000 figures in full battle array are formed for battle in several large pits. Many of the figures - soldiers, archers, horses and chariots have been restored. In the afternoon we are going to the Bell Tower where you can get a bird's view of the city from the top. There is a music performance of the ancient music and a display of the instruments. We will continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda where widely renowned Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India(B,L).

Day 7 Xi'an to Beijing

Fly to Beijing in the morning. Afternoon visit Hutong by rickshaw. This maze of narrow alleyways winding around the Forbidden City is fast disappearing, and you'll get a precious glimpse into their distinctive culture as you zigzag through them, drop into a primary school and a flea market(B).

Day 8 Beijing

After breakfast head out for Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square, which is closely linked to The Forbidden City, from which the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed for over 500 years. Later you'll visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors prayed for good harvests and rain, or gave thanks for the harvest. Today's itinerary includes a visit to the old Beijing handicraft workshop.
In the evening, enjoy watching a splendid show of Shaolin Kungfu or Arocbatis on own expense, or enjoy nightlife in pubs & bars around the Houhai Lake(B,L).

Day 9 Beijing

After breakfast, we will leave for Great Wall at Badaling, which stretches for over 6000km, and was originally built to protect China from the barbarians. You can walk and climb at your own pace.
In the afternoon visit the Sacred Ways and Ming Tombs(B,L).

Day 10 Depart from Beijing

Your time is your own, until you are ready to be transferred to the airport for your departure.