Days: 16 Update on: 2007-04-23
Route: arrival - Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Shanghai - Suzhou - departure - departure
Passengers: 2 pax
Ref. Code: GR-20070814 Daniela
ITINERARY
Day 1 Fri 19-Oct-07 (L)
Paris / Beijing
Transfer via: by air-own arrangement AF 128 07:45 arr.
Program: Upon arrival in the airport pickup by our English speaking tour guide and drive to hotel, Tian An Men Square, Summer Palace,
TianAnMen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people. Having a free walk there, imagining the great historic events of the 20th century took place there. You will also see legendary landmarks including the Great Hall of the People and the towering 125 foot granite obelisk, Monument to the Peoples Heroes, honoring those who died in revolution.
The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China with a history of over 800 years. With its cool features - water, gardens and hills, it was the palace of choice for vacationing emperors and Dowager Empresses. It was badly damaged by Anglo-French troops during the Second Opium War (1860) and its restoration became a pet project of Empress Dowager Cixi, the last of the Qing dynasty rulers.
Accommodations: own arrangment
Day 2 Sat 20-Oct-07 (L)
Beijing
Program: Hutong Tour, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City,
Hutongs: The old narrow paths where common people lived. All the Hutongs crisscross with each other, dotted with the Kindergarten, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the Tea House, and the lake, House of Gong Infante and local people's houses among them.
You will be taken by pedicab (a tricycle cab), which was very popular in the old days to visit the Bell and Drum Towers, Prince Gong's Mansion and even to pay a visit to an ordinary Beijing family in the compound houses. You will visit a Chinese family to learn how to make Jiaozi - Chinese Dumplin.
Jiaozi looks like shoe-shaped gold and silver ingots so when people eat it during festivals they really hope it could bring fortune and good luck to them, and this, of course, is their best wishes. Sometimes people will add some sweets, Chinese dates and chestnuts in fillings of some dumplings to express their wishes...
Temple of Heaven was built in the 15th century, a sacred site for ancient Beijing, where the emperor and his 1000 member entourage would retreat twice a year for religious ritual. Surrounded by enormous grounds designed in accordance with fengshshui, the Temple complex consists of the Celebrated Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail. It is considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture.
Walking across the Golden River Bridge, enter the Forbidden City, the inner sanctum and palace where for centuries Chinese emperors ruled their world. It has 9000-room maze of courtyards, places, and ceremonial halls, where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was indeed a forbidden place, where commoners were kept out for nearly 500 years in the past. Tour the palace and imagine the mystery, intrigue and incredible power that reigned here.
Accommodations: own arrangement
Day 3 Sun 21-Oct-07 (L,D)
Beijing
Program: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tomb (changling), Peking opera,
Spending about 1.5 hours to be transferred outside city to the surrounding countryside to visit the Badaling Great Wall, one of the most remarkable feats of mankind, built over 2,000 years ago. You will be able to climb and walk one of the best preserved section of the ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountains scenery
The tombs are located about 50 kilometres to the north of Beijing. They are scattered over a basin approximately 40 square kilometres in area, screened by mountains on three sides and open to the Beijing Plain in the south. The road leading to the tombs is guarded by the Tiger Hill on the left and the Dragon Hill on the right. It was a forbidden ground except for those who were officially in charge of its upkeep. It was not allowed to cultivate land, cut wood or to take stones from here. No one could enter it on horseback, even the emperor himself had to dismount at the gate.
Peking opera is a synthesis of stylized action, singing, dialogue and mime, acrobatic fighting and dancing to represent a story or depict different characters and their feelings of gladness, anger, sorrow, happiness, surprise, fear and sadness. In Peking opera there are four main types of roles: sheng (male) dan (young female), jing( painted face,male), and chou (clown, male or female). The characters may be loyal or treacherous, beautiful or ugly, good or bad, their images being vividly manifested.
Accommodations: own arrangment
Day 4 Mon 22-Oct-07 (L)
Beijing / Xian
Transfer via: by air
Program: Transfer to airport for your flight to Xian , Upon arrival in the airport pickup by our English speaking tour guide and drive to hotel, the Old City Wall,
the Old City Wall: It is the most complete city wall survived in China as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The wall was built in the Tang dynasty (618 -907) and enlarged in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Accommodations: Wan Nian Grand Hotel-Executive Floor, Xian (4 star)
Tel:(86 29) 82596666, Fax:(86 29) 82596668
http://www.yangshuoholiday.com/tours/chinahotel-wannianhotel.htm
Day 5 Tue 23-Oct-07 (B,L)
Xian
Program: Terra-Cotta Warriors, , Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower,
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the20th century. It has been regarded as THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD! Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang in search of immortality, ordered the construction of a vast army of 8,000 life-sized Terra Cotta warriors and buried with him to protect his empire after his early death. They were discovered accidentally in 1974 by farmers digging a well. For history lovers, the sight is truly breathtaking.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Situated at south of the Xian city,as one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple, the pagoda is one of the most distinctive and outstanding landmarks for Xian City.
Bell Tower which is the most well-preserved and best-known one among many ancient cities of China. The Bell Tower was originally built in the Yingxiang Temple in 1384, at the intersection of West Street and Guangji Street. Then in 1582, it was moved to its present pivotal position, in the very heart of the city at the junction of four main streets extending to the east, south, west and north, for rebuilding and later restorations. With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.
Accommodations: Wan Nian Grand Hotel-Executive Floor, Xian (4 star)
Day 6 Wed 24-Oct-07 (B,L)
Xian / Guilin
Transfer via: by air
Program: Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Transfer to airport for your flight to Guilin , Upon arrival in the airport pickup by our English speaking tour guide and drive to hotel,
Shaanxi Provincial Museum: It is the largest comprehensive museum in the province. It is also the fist national level grand museum equipped with modern facilities. It exhibits primarily historical relics of past dynasties and displays precious art treasures and stone carvings of the Han and Tang dynasties. Walking through the exhibits in the museum is like walking through the 3000 years of China history.
Accommodations: Guilin Bravo Hotel, Guilin (4 star)
Tel:2823950, Fax:2851344
Day 7 Thu 25-Oct-07 (B,L)
Guilin
Program: Longji Rice Terrace,
The Longji Terraces: They are located in Longsheng County about 2 hours from Guilin. The rice terraces are built into the hillsides. The terraces look like great chains or ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the hill. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scare arable land and water resources in the mountainous area. There are about 66 square kilometers terraced fields in southeast of Longsheng,
Stay at Longsheng.
Accommodations: Pingan Hotel, Guilin
Tel:7583198, Fax:7583458
http://www.yangshuoholiday.com/hotels/lj_pingan.htm
Day 8 Fri 26-Oct-07 (B,L)
Guilin
Program: Drive back to Guilin. Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill,
Reed Flute Cave: Aside ten minutes drive (half hour bike ride) from downtown, the cave is one of the largest known examples of what each tropical karst cone conceals within it. The script writers and set designers for Star Trek would have a field day in this cavernous underground stalactite/stalagmite maze-style theater. The dropping water is rich and the dripstones are not only in various types but also in big size, displaying a wonderful cave world. This cave was called "The Art Gallery of Mother Nature". Colored fluorescent lights which cast shadows and illuminate shapes of imaginary animals, fruits and vegetables complete the unworldly effect.
Elephant Trunk Hill: It is located on the west bank of the Li River by a small branch called Peach blossom River, and resembles a huge elephant standing on the bank of the river, sucking up water with its long trunk. The trunk is particularly striking and lifelike when viewed either nearby or afar. A circular foot cave called Shui Yue Dong (Moon-In-the Water Cave) separates the trunk and the body. A 3-story Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D) brick pagoda rises from the top of hill.
Accommodations: Guilin Bravo Hotel, Guilin (4 star)
Tel:2823950, Fax:2851344
Day 9 Sat 27-Oct-07 (B,L)
Guilin
Program: Boat Trip on the Li River,
After the breakfast you take bus to Dock. You will start your Li River Cruise from here. The total Journey is around 60 Kilometers and takes 4 hours. On the way you will see the most beautiful landscapes and pass throw the local villages.
Later this day you will arrive at Yangshuo. You can also choose to stay in the town, stroll around the local market, witness the daily activities of local society. Or you might enjoy a class for Chinese Tachi in Yangshuo at sunset （optional). Yangshuo, the natural scenery features unique karst hills, crystal water, exquisite stones and intricate caves as well as a cultural historic heritage and folks of diverse customs. At night, have fun on the West Street, don't drink too much to miss tomorrow's program. Or you can go to watch the envening show - Impression Liu Sanjie(optional). The Cormorant Bird catching fish show at night is also something new (optional).
Accommodations: Yangshuo Paradise Hotel, Guilin (4 star)
Tel:8822109, Fax:8822106
http://www.yangshuoholiday.com/hotels/ys_paradise.htm
Day 10 Sun 28-Oct-07 (B,L)
Guilin
Program: cycle to Aishan Village in the early morning, you will arrive at the Licun village and then you continue you bike ride on the trails to Yangshuo.,
From 7h00 to 9h00 am, cycle for 2 hours from Yangshuo to Aishan Village in the early morning, you will arrive at the Licun village and then you continue you bike ride on the trails to Yangshuo.
Accommodations: Yangshuo Paradise Hotel, Guilin (4 star)
Day 11 Mon 29-Oct-07 (B,L)
Guilin / Shanghai
Transfer via: by air
Program: Transfer to airport for your flight to Shanghai , Upon arrival in the airport pickup by our English speaking tour guide and drive to hotel, the Bund,
The Bund: Have a stroll along the waterfront to experience the smells, sights and sounds of the old "Wall Street" in Shanghai. Banks, trading houses, residences, hotels and clubs all had a view of bustling Huangpu River traffic as they shared in the city's rising and falling fortunes. Then walking along the famous shopping street-Nanjing Road. It is said that shopping in Shanghai is the most varied and rewarding in China.
Accommodations: own arrangment
Day 12 Tue 30-Oct-07 (L,D)
Shanghai
Program: Yu Garden, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Acrobats Show,
Yu Garden: This delightfully restored labyrinth of tiny specialty shops, tea and snack houses centered around a Ming - dynasty mandarin Suzhou-style garden is a fascinating spot to people-watch over a pot of tea, to shop for unique souvenirs and to get a feel for Old Shanghai. It is well worth a meander through the Yu Garden, which has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools and flora, all connected by corridors and passageways.
Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower: With its 468 meters high (1,536 feet), the tower is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the world as well as the tallest structure in Asia. It is the best place to have a birds-eye-view of Shanghai City. With its unique and amazing design, it has become the new landmark of Shanghai and a big magnet for tourists.
The famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe has performed around the globe and is a wonderful night out for visitors to Shanghai. Their movement is art - tightly choreographed and rehearsed endlessly.
Day 13 Wed 31-Oct-07 (L)
Shanghai
Program: Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, the French Concession,
Shanghai Museum: As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. The present Shanghai Museum has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls.
Jade Buddha Temple was built in 1882 after Hui Gen, a monk from Putuo Mountain, brought back two jade Buddhist statues from Burma. In the temple, there are several grandiose halls housing one 1.9-meter-high jade sitting statue of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism。
Day 14 Thu 1-Nov-07 (L)
Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai
Transfer via: by train for soft seat.
Program: Transfer to train station for your train to Suzhou , Upon arrival in the railway station, pickup by our English speaking tour guide and visit Panmen City Gate, Lingering Garden, Garden of the Master of the Nets, Humble Administrators Garden, the No. 1 Silk Factory,
Transfer to train station back to Shanghai , Upon arrival in the railway station, pickup by our English speaking tour guide and drive to hotel,
Take morning train for one hour to Suzhou. visit the Pan Gate, Lingering Garden,The No.1 Silk Factory,& Tiger Hill. Transfer to Shanghai by train in the evening.