14 Days China Yangtze Tour with Zhangjiajie Landscape

Highlights: 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.

Highlights: After breakfast, you'll visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, a must-see for all true Shanghainophiles to witness how Shanghai became a cosmopolitan city from a shabby fishing village. Continued is a tour to the beautiful Yu Garden, a pleasant enough,well-contained classical Chinese garden, and savor some local flavor snacks at the Yu Garden Bazaar.Continued you will pay a visit to a Silk Factory to learn the Chinese silk culture. 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)

Shanghai Urban Planning and Exhibition Center: If you want to see what a city of the future is really going to look like, come and visit Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center on the eastern end of People's Square. Housed in a striking modern five-story building made of microlite glass, this is one of the world's largest showcases of urban development and is much more interesting than its dry name suggests. The highlight is on the third floor: an awesome vast scale model of urban Shanghai as it will look in a couple of decades, a master plan full of endless skyscrapers punctuated occasionally by patches of green. The clear plastic models indicate structures yet to be built, and there are many of them.

Yu Garden: Yuyuan Garden (Happy Garden) is one of the highlights of Shanghai. It isbelieved to have been built in the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago, with an exquisite layout and beautiful scenery. The inner and outer gardens were both built in the Ming Dynasty classical style, with numerous rock and tree garden areas, ponds, dragon-lined walls and zigzagging bridges separating various garden areas and pavilions. It is in the center of Shanghai's Old City, a few blocks south of the Bund. The surrounding bazaar area has good shopping opportunities for traditional Chinese products, gold, and jewels.

Jinmao Tower: The Jin Mao Building symbolizes Shanghai emerging into the 21st century. It was the tallest building in the country and third tallest in the world until 2007, when the World Financial Center was finished, In 2014 the Shanghai Tower will become China's tallest building. With an east-meets-west design signifying Shanghai's emergence as a modern global city, Jin Mao follows a multi-use model, offering retail shopping at its base, offices above, and the Grand Hyatt  occupying the upper 38 floors.

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 Guilin. Upon your arrival in Guilin, be met and transferred to your hotel.

The Bund: is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. The area centres on a section of Zhongshan Road (East-1 Zhongshan Road) within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River, facing Pudong, in the eastern part of Huangpu District. 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. Building heights are restricted in this area.

Nanjing Road: China's premier shopping street, 3.4-mile-long Nanjing Road, starts at the Bund in the east and ends in the west at the junction of Jing'an Temple and Yan'an West Street. Today it is a must-see metropolitan destination attracting thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all over the world. 

Highlights: After breakfast, you will be driven to Zhujiang Pier (40-minute drive) to start your boat cruise down the picturesque Li River. After checking into your hotel, the rest of today you will cycle to Yangshuo's beautifl countryside, cycling along the famous Yulong River is a fatastic experience to enjoy the countryside views. You will also pay a short visit to a local farmer's house to learn their daily life.  

Recommended paid add-on show: <<Impression Third Sister Liu>>,Price: RMB300=USD45/per person for basic seat. (we do not include it because the availability is subject to the weather.) 

Li River Cruise: Cruising on Li River is always a pleased thing. You can breathe the fresh air, feel gentle breeze and appreciate the fabulous landscape on both sides of Li River. In spring, tourists may stand on the front of a boat and let the mizzle falls onto their faces. It is really a wonderful experience. "I have visited more than 80 countries and over a hundred cities. I have found that no city can surpass the beauty of Guilin. Guilin is really a bright pearl in China." said the former US president Richard Nixon. Besides, former US president Bill Clinton and George Bush, Comrade Deng Xiaoping and former Chinese president Jiang Zemin ever cruised on Li River. Mostly the cruise starts from Zhujiang Wharf. It is about 40 minutes drive from Guilin city. And then 4 to 5 hours cruise will take you to a beautiful and sedate ancient city - Yangshuo.

Highlights: Drive 1.5 hours back to Guilin. you will pay a visit to the Yaoshan Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Guilin and also the location of the city TV tower, you will take a cable car up to the mountain top for the panaramic view of the limestone peaks. Then you will stop at the Elephant Trunk Hill--symbol of the city. Then head to visit the fabulous Reed Flute Cave to witness the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and stone flowers with various shapes and experienced millions of years erosion. Then pay a visit to the Southern Pearl Museum to learn the local pearl culture. After the tour, check in your hotel in Guilin again.

Yaoshan Mountain: The Hill has several places of interest including Yao Temple , White Deer Temple , Jade Breast Pond and Tianci Field. Jingjiang King Tomb's covering over 100 square meters are the most famous attractions in the area. Completed in 1996, a 1,416.18 meter long cable car connects the top and the foot and offers bird's-eye views of wonderful peaks and surrounds. The 1,000m sloping track has 18 curves, which enables tourists to travel through mysterious forest. 

Elephant Hill: Which is situated at the junction of the Li River and Taohuajiang Rivers. Rising over 55 meters above the water, it is a spectacular limestone karst hill with a naturally-shaped cave at the bottom. The hill, standing majestically on the western bank of the Li River looks like a huge elephant dipping its trunk into the Li River to quench its thirst. This hill is representative of the karst mountains of Guilin. It has become the symbol of Guilin. You can find its image on Guilin travel brochures, books, and many local businesses have used it in their logo. It is definitely a must see when visiting Guilin.

Reed Flute Cave: The Reed Flute Cave is one of Guilin's most popular attractions. A natural cave carved out of the karst limestone mountains over millions of years, today tourists go through the artificially lit cavern and wonder at the amazing formations and underground lakes. 

Highlights: Today you will be free until be escorted to airport for the flight to Chongqing. Welcome to Chongqing! Upon arrival, be met by our tour guide and escorted to visit Ciqikou Old Town, Three Gorges Museum. Then board your lifetime Yangtze cruise around 20:00-20:30.  

Ciqikou Old Town: Perched on a hill overlooking the Jialing River in the west of the city, Ciqikou Old Town, which means Porcelain Village in Chinese, dates back to the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). You will see lots of Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, local shops, tea houses, local Sichuan street performance and more.

Three Gorges Museum: Opened in 2005. Chongqing Three Gorges Museum is the largest monographic museum in China occupies 40,000 square meters. The exterior of the museum has cambered walls and vitreous dome, representing the history & culture of Three Gorges Project and its origins. It is near People’s Square and the Great Hall of the People. It is also called the Chongqing Museum.

Highlights: Today is the shore excursion to visit Fengdu Ghost City. This ancient complex is full of shrines to the gods of the underworld. Surrounded by misty mountains, this area was revered as a crossing-over point, a mix of the material and spiritual worlds. On this day, you will also enjoy Captain’s Farewell Party, Chinese Folk Dance and other cultural activities onboard. 

Note: Some cruise ships make the shore excursions to Shibaozhai Pagoda, a Pearl on Yangtze River. The 12-storey, 100-foot high red pagoda stands in front of a mountainous area full of shrubs and trees. It needs some walk to climb up the pagoda stairs to experience the spectacular scenery from above. (Note: Wear comfortable shoes when visit Shibaozhai ashore.)

Highlights: Today you will take smaller vessel to visit Shennv Stream. Shennv Stream, also called Goddess Stream, is an original virgin valley of Yangtze River where you could not only see the beautiful and legendary gorges, hanging coffins, but also enjoy local sampan trip and Tujia minority culture.   

Note: Some ships go to the Shennong Stream where you could not only see the beautiful and legendary gorges, hanging coffins, but also enjoy local sampan trip and Tujia minority culture. You have the final say on which excursion to make, as we can book any of the cruise ships at great rates!

Highlights: Today you will have a shore excursion to visit the well-known Three Gorges Dam. As the biggest hydropower project in the world, the dam provides tremendous power generation and flood control service. Visit the Tanziling Park, Gorges Exhibition and have close look at the dam to know better of the largest construction projects.  The ship will keep sailing to Yichang Pier for disembarkation; you will arrive in Yichang around 13:00-13:30. Then be met by our guide and escorted to airport for the flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon your Zhangjiajie arrival, be greeted by our tour guide and escorted to hotel in the Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan. The rest of today is on your own to explore this beautiful city.

Highlights: Today you will visit the famous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park which includes attractions of Huangshi Vilalge, Golden Whip Stream. 

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Located 32 kilometers from Zhangjiajie city, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is known for its exquisite forests, odd-shaped peaks and rocks, the beautiful canyons, the limestone caves, and the breath-taking panoramic views. The several thousand mountain peaks of quartz stand rise abruptly from the ground. In 1982 it was designated a much larger (397.5 km²) Wulingyuan National Park. In 2004, Zhangjiajie Geopark was listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Huangshi Village: First, you’ll take the cable car to Huangshi Village which is 1080m above the sea level. It is the biggest sightseeing platform to view the spectacular scenery in the national park. A saying goes “He who does not reach Huangshi Village does not pay a true visit to Zhangjiajie.” 

Golden Whip Brook: Later, explore the famous Golden Whip Brook which covers a distance of 7.5 km, winding across mountains and valleys. It is famous for its pristine water, its verdant mountains, its steep cliffs and its serene valley. As a veritable "paradise" for plants, its pathways are adorned by an abundance of flowers, trees, and grasses.

Highlights: Today you will be driven to Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, which is also called Avatar Mountain as the movie Avatar is filmed here. You will enjoy Hallelujah Mountain, NO.1 Bridge in the world and so on. After lunch, take bus about 40 minutes driving to He Long Park, and visit Tianzi Mountain. Then take Tianzi Mountain cable car down and continue to visit Ten-mile Gallery by trams in Suoxiyu Scenic Spot. After the tour, be escorted to airport for the flight to Beijing. 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.

Yuanjiajie: (take elevator up) Yuanjiajie Scenic Spot: Located in the northern part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie Scenic Spot is one of the top 4 parts of Wulingyuan Scenic Area. This scenic area is world famous as the mountains here inspired the floating mountains in the Hollywood movie Avatar. Yuanjiajie is a natural platform that faces giant rocks rising from deep valleys and surrounded by higher mountains. Main attraction spots include Back Garden, breath taking Mihun Stage and the First Bridge under the Sun. The peaks in Yuanjiajie are nearly at the same height, which makes it a mountain platform great for enjoying sweeping vistas. 

Tianzi Mountain: (take cable car down), where you can have a stunning view of the peaks rising one after another. Atop of the mountain it offers a full extent of the whole scenic area, which is magnificent and spectacular. Tianzi Mountain is known for 4 natural spectacles, the clouds of mist that circle the peaks of the mountain, the amazing views of the rising sun, the moonlit nights and snowcapped winter peaks. They include more than 80 natural platforms to take in the magnificent scenery.

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: This morning tour will take you to size up the world-famous Great Wall (Mutianyu section which is less crowded, round-way cable car fee is INCLUDED), the key symbol of China. Flexible visiting time allows you to enjoy a lifetime trekking trip (1-2 hours' hiking). On the way to the Great Wall, you may have a distant view of the Olympic sites--Brid's Nest and Water Cube. Afterwards is a visit to the Changling Tomb and Sacred Road. In the evening, try the flavorful dish of Peking Roast Duck Dinner.

Great Wall of Mutianyu section: In the northern part of Huairou County some 70 kilometers north-east of Beijing City, the Mutianyu (Mu Tian Yu) section of the Great Wall stretches its way for over 2 kilometers. This section is well preserved and is a good alternative for visitors who would like to avoid crowds along the highly popular Badaling (Ba Da Ling) section during holiday and peak seasons.

Bird's Nest:  Which is also known as the National Stadium, due to its iconic design was the key competition venue of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the 13th Paralympic Games. The opening and closing ceremonies of the two Games have taken place here, together with the football, and track and field competitions. The stadium is the world's largest steel structure

Water Cube: which is also called the National Aquatics Centre, is one of the dramatic and amazing venues to host Beijing Olympics in 2008. This is the first building of its kind in China and it is also an economical and water-saving creation. The structural design is based on the natural formation of soap bubbles which give a random, organic appearance and helping to link the structure to its aquatic function.The swimming pool is deeper than most Olympic swimming pools, allowing swimming at faster speeds, while the gutters to the side of the pool disperse wave energy.  A consequence of this was the breaking of 25 world records during the 2008 Olympics.

Sacred Road: Affiliated with the Ming Tombs, the Sacred Road was originally built to lead to the Changling mausoleum. It was considered to be the road leading to heaven. Chinese emperors were known as the Son of Heaven. During their reign they often passed through the sacred road to the sacrificial altar in order to converse with heaven. After their death, the funeral procession also took the path through the Sacred Road as a symbol of the passed emperor 's journey to heaven in the afterlife.

Changling Tomb: Fifty kilometers northwest from Beijing City lies the Ming Tombs – the general name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.

Peking Duck Dinner: Peking Duck or Beijing Roast Duck is regarded as one of the most delicious dishes throughout the world; It is a must for most visitors coming to Beijing to have a bite.

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 airport for your flight home.

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.