14 Days China Hiking Tour

Highlights: Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China! Your local guide will escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of today is free for you to explore the vast metropolis on your own.

Highlights: Today you will visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace. Evening is a Kungfu Show for you to learn Chinese martial art culture. 

Tian'anmen Square: Literally means Gate of Heavenly Peace, is great cultural significance as several important events of Chinese history happened here. With 440,000 m² - 880 m by 500 m, the Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world . 

Forbidden City: As the seat of Imperial power, the Forbidden City was built between 1406 and 1420 by the 3rd Emperor of Ming Dynasty, it is also known as the Imperial Palace Museum. Being ruined and renovated for many time, what you can see today is the buildings date from the 1700’s and onwards. The complex is totally 183 acres, there are total 9999.5 rooms in the Museum, some of them are not open for visitors yet. 

Summer Palace: As the largest and best preserved imperial garden, the Summer Palace is also known as the Royal Garden Museum. It was used by royal family for 800 years, in 19th century, the famous Empress Dowager Cixi ordered massive renovations and restore by using the funds of Chinese navy. The garden is totally 293 hectares, of which the water takes 220 hectares, the highlights are Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. 

Kungfu Show: Which a great show telling a story of Chin Yu entering the monastery and making his way through life to finally becoming the Abbott. The show are with many demonstrations of Kungfu and various costumes. The show lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, visitors are not allowed to take photos or videos, but DVD of the show are available to be purchased.

Highlights:  Today's morning you will driven to a remote village near Mutianyu (1.5 hours). You will start the hiking around 9:30, and it will take about 2 hours to complete the hike (2.5km). Along the 12 watchtowers, we will spend 1.5 hours on the first 7 abandoned watchtowers at the original and untouched section which is challenging at the very beginning. There are a few sections where you have to walk along very narrow ledges which are slippery. It is practically jungle (in summer), with a few sections of climbing where you have to use your hands for some 100 meters. It is more like backcountry hiking with steep elevation changes where you have to walk slowly and carefully. Once you reach the restored part the Wall, you will find it’s much easier to walk. You have the options downhill: either by walking or by toboggan (optional). A lunch at a local restaurant will be organized after the hiking before returning your hotel.

Mutianyu offers a wonderfully satisfying experience of the Wall. It has superb scenery, dense vegetation and many fine watchtowers in an excellent restored section which is about six meters broad. The brickwork is elaborate, with crenellations on both sides and finely curved eaves on some watch-tower roofs. There are decorative gables with animal statues, and tablets bearing calligraphy above some entrances.

Highlights: Today you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperors worshipped heaven and prayed for peace and harvest. Then you will be escorted to the train station for the bullet train Xian. Upon arriving in Xian, your local guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.Rest of the day is free for you to explore the city on your own.

Temple of Heaven: Located in southeastern urban Beijing, Temple of Heaven is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods,. The Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited the complex annually and prayed to Heaven for good harvest. Now, the Temple of Heaven, as a symbol of the city, is one of the must-see attractions in Beijing and has been listed as an UNESCO'S World Cultural Heritage site in 1998.

Highlights: This morning you will visit the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors ---a lifetime view of the extraordinary 2200-year-old terra-cotta Army of China' First Emperor-Qin Shihuang., and then pay a visit to the Ceramics Factory to learn the Chinese ceramics culture. Afterwards you will visit the Ancient City Walls--a symbol of great significance of the famous historic cultural city of Xian, you might have a biking tour on the wall by paying addtional RMB45=USD7/per person, it could be very special experience. 

Terra-Cotta Warriors: As the most important site in Xian and China, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It took 11 years to finish, a group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb in 1974. It caught the attention of archeologists immediately. The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. They were tagged in the order of their discoveries.

Ancient City Walls: As the first landmark you will encounter in Xi'an, the ancient city wall stretches round the old city. Xi'an was originally a walled city, and even today the wall is considered a landmark dividing the city into the inner part and the outer part. The wall is massive - tall, long and thick. The South Gate and North Gate are the two main entrances to the inner city. Having a biking tour on the wall is special experience you should not miss.

Highlights: Today you will drive 2 hours to visit Mt. Huashan. Take 10 minutes cable car from East Gate to the North Peak, where you can get great views of the 4 peaks. Hike 2 hours to get to the East Peak. Along the way you will visit the Heavenly Ladders, Riyue Cliff, Canglong Ling, Golden Lock Pass. After some time at East Peak for specatacular landscapes, you will keep hiking 1.5 hours to the South Peak. Along the way you will visit Nantian Gate, Plankroad, which is a 4 meters long, 0.3 meters wide plank road built along the surface of a vertical cliff, and considered as the most dangerous path in Huashan. Afterwards, you will keep walking 30 minutes to reach South Peak—the highest spot of Mt. Huashan. From South Peak, you can see other four lower peaks. Lastly hike 40 minutes to the West Peak (Lotus Peak) , from where you will take cableway down to the foot of Mount Hua. Your driver will take you back to Xian.

Mt. Huashan: Located 120km from Xian, Mt. Huashan, with 2155 elevation, is one of the top Five Sacred Mountains in China. It is famous for natural vista of steep and narrow paths, precipitous crags and a high mountain range. The five peaks are the representative attractions and each has its distinctive charms: East Peak is the best place to enjoy the sunrise; South Peak has the highest altitude; West Peak is the most elegant; North Peak is famous as the Cloud Terrace Peak and Middle Peak is also called Jade Lady Peak.  The cable car from Donggoukou to West Peak of Mt. Huashan has been put into trial operation on April 1st, 2013, which provides an easy access for visitors to this steep mountain.

Highlights: Today you will visit The Shanxi Provincial Museum---a large modern museum of the national level. Then move to visit the Muslim community before your guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon your arrival in Guilin, the most scenic city in China, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax. Evening if time permits, you can walk leisurly around the famous city water system--Two Rivers and Four Lakes for zmazing night views.

Shaanxi Provincial Museum: As the largest comprehensive museum in Shanxi province, the museum was built at the site of a former Confucian temple in the southern of Xian, it occupies an area of 70,000 square meters, and exhibits historical relics and stone carvings of ancient China. If you are history lovers, Shaanxi Provincial Museum is a must on your Xian trip

Muslim Quarter: Xi'an, was the capital in Tang Dynasty (618–907), Muslim merchants followed the silk road and settled down to start their business there, and their traditions and belief have been well preserved. Muslim quarter is the community of the Muslims, and a fascinating area where you can find exotic food, interesting people and great souvenir stalls.

Highlights: Today you will be driven 2 hours to Longji Rice Terrace. You also can experience the local lifestyle of Yao and Miao minorities who live there for generations. 

Longsheng Terraced Field: Built into the steep mountain range, the ingenious construction makes best use of the land and water resources in the mountainous area, looked like ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the mountain. The Terraces were first built in the Yuan dynasty and completed in the Qing dynasty by the Zhuang and Yao Monority peoples. The different minority customs and dressing styles are especially interesting. Sedan chairs are available from the parking lot to the top of the mountain for customers who would like to see the great views but do not wish to climb all the way up to the top; it takes about CNY350 per person for the round trip.

Highlights: Today you will hike 6 hours around the terraced files to Dazhai Village. The views will be amazing today. 

Today's morning you may get up early to enjoy the morning sunrise view of the fields. Then return to hotel for breakfast and check out. Hike around the beautiful terraced fields . After the trip, drive 3 hours back to Guilin and check in your hotel. Free for the rest of the day. 

Highlights: Today you will be driven 40 minutes to Zhujiang Pier for the lifetime Li River cruise. After 4 hours cruise, you will disembark at Yangshuo town and walk 20 minutes through the famous West Street and check in your hotel. Rest of the day you will be free to explore the West Street. 

Li River Cruise: As one of the most famous river cruise in China, the Li River has attracted millions of visitors and celebrities from all parts of the world. During the 4 hours cruise, you will be inspired by breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and picturesque pastoral views of rice paddies, bamboo trees and water buffaloes. Visitors feel they have stepped into a traditional Chinese painting

Recommended paid add-on show:“Impression Third Sister Liu>”, Price: RMB268=USD45/per person for basic seat. (we do not include it because the availability is subject to the weather.)  Website:www.yxlsj.com/english/index.asp. 

Highlights: Drive 1.5 hours back to Guilin and visit the Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave. After the tour, be escorted to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Welcome to Shanghai, the most metropolis of China! Upon arrival, you’ll be met by our guide and escorted to your hotel. The rest of today is at your leisure.

Elephant Hill: Which is situated at the junction of the Li River and Taohuajiang Rivers. Rising 55 meters above the water, the hill is a spectacular limestone karst formation with a naturally-shaped cave at the bottom. Look from distance, the hill is like a huge elephant drinking water from the river. As a symbol of Guilin, it is definitely a must see when visiting Guilin.

Reed Flute Cave: known as "the Palace of Natural Arts ” , Reed flute cave is located 5km away from downtown Guilin, and considered as one of the most extraordinary scenic spots in China. As "must-see" sights in Guilin, the cave is 240m long and 19 degrees centigrade all the year round. It is a magic fairyland of stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, stone curtains, etc. The cave is now equipped with artificial lighting system to emphasize visual effect.

Highlights: Today visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Yu Garden, Yu Garden Bazaar. Then ascend the Jinmao Tower to get an amazing bird’s eye view of this metropolis. 

Note: Recommended optional night show---Acrobatics Opera (RMB260=USD43/per)

Urban Planning and Exhibition Center: Completed in 2000， Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center will show you Shanghai’s past and future. This five-story building is made of microlite glass, is the first kind in China showcasing a city’s development. On the third floor, an awesome vast scale model of urban Shanghai will help you to look into a couple of decades. This exhibition center provides a perfect platform for the citizens to learn the official urban planning as well as a bridge for communication between citizens and government.

Yu Garden: Also called Happy Garden, was built 400 years ago in the Ming Dynasty, with an exquisite layout and beautiful scenery, Yuyuan Garden is one of the highlights of Shanghai. The inner and outer gardens were both designed in the Ming Dynasty style, with numerous rock and trees, ponds, dragon-lined walls and zigzagging bridges separating various garden areas and pavilions. The surrounding bazaar area is full of traditional Chinese products, gold, and jewels, which offers good shopping opportunities for shoppers. 

Jinmao Tower: It was the highest building in China and 3rd in the world until 2007 before the World Financial Center was finished. Jin Mao follows a multi-use model, offering retail shopping at its base, offices above, and the Grand Hyatt Hotel occupies the upper 38 floors. If you are not afraid of heights, going to the top of the Jinmao Tower is an interesting experience. The 88th floor offers an illusion that Shanghai is a glittering light ball. The Cloud Nine Bard on the 88th floor gives you the feeling of being in the clouds.

Highlights: After breakfast, head to the famous Bund to witness Shanghai’s skyline, and stroll along China's No.1 shopping street, Nanjing Road. Then be escorted to the airport for the flight to next city. 

The Bund: Which is a 1.5 km waterfront area of in Huangpu District of downtown Shanghai. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai, on the east of this area, you can see the mother river of Shanghai----Huangpu River; and on the west of it, you will see rows of western architectures from 1930s. Building heights are restricted in this area. 

Nanjing Road: Starts at the Bund in the east and ends in the west, Nanjing Road is 3.4 miles and regarded as China's premier shopping street, it is a must-see metropolitan destination for shoppers from all over the world. Buildings with distinctive features erect on both sides of the street, huge signboards and advertisements show prosperity, and when the night falls, dazzling neon lights flicker with bright colors.