13-day cultural exploration of China

Shanghai

Day 1: Welcome to China!

Upon arrival at Shanghai Pudong Airport, you will be greeted by your driver. Relax in the car after your long flight and watch the skyscrapers of Shanghai come into view. After about an hour, you will arrive at your hotel in the city center. Relax in the comfort of your room and freshen up after the flight. 

Yu Garden - Jade Buddha Temple - The Bund

Day 2: Discover the City of Shanghai

Today after breakfast, you will begin your first city tour. Step out into the city of Shanghai and be invigorated by the energy here. Our first destination is Yu Garden. This beautiful place is one of the most famous gardens in China. Dating from the 16th century, this national heritage site features several sections surrounded by white walls crowned by dragons. 

Next, continue to the Jade Buddha Temple. Marvel at the jewel-encrusted statue of a seated Buddha before continuing your tour to The Bund. Once Shanghai's political, cultural, and economic center, this landmark waterfront route is the city's most famous area.

Shanghai - Wuzhen - Shanghai

Day 3: Take a Day Trip to a Riverside Village

An enchanting day in Wuzhen is on the agenda for today. This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for the approximately 2-hour drive to this fascinating riverside village. 

Upon arrival, start your excursion with a visit to a wine-making plant and local printing workshop. You'll enjoy a traditional Chinese lunch followed by an exploration of an intriguing exhibition of Ming and Qing Dynasty beds. A visit to a local folk museum is next on our list, and finally, we'll relax aboard a typical Chinese gondola for a leisurely cruise along the river. 

Shanghai - Beijing

Day 4: Catch the High-Speed Train to Beijing

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel this morning. Later, you will check out and head to the train station to catch a high-speed train to Beijing. Your driver will pick you up at the appropriate time for the transfer to the station. After an approximately 4.5 hour journey, you will arrive in the capital city of Beijing. Meet your local guide and driver at the station and enjoy the ride to your hotel.

Summer Palace - Forbidden City

Day 5: Walk in the Footsteps of China's Emperors

Your day begins with an excursion to one of China's loveliest sights -- the Summer Palace. Not just a palace, this is an extensive park featuring traditional Chinese architecture and classical garden landscaping. You will have plenty of time to explore the enchanting grounds of this former Qing Dynasty royal garden before continuing your tour to the Forbidden City.

Once the residence of China's emperors, this vast complex of imperial palaces were constructed in the 15th century, during the Ming Dynasty. After wandering through this extraordinary place, you will get a bird's eye view of it from a hill in Jingshan Park. 

Tonight, a dinner of Peking duck awaits. Enjoy this imperial dish in beautiful surroundings.

Temple Of Heaven - Mutianyu Great Wall

Day 6: Walk Along the Great Wall of China

Today, you will walk along one of the most iconic structures in the world -- the Great Wall of China. But first, we'll pay a visit to the Temple of Heaven, an important Ming and Qing dynasty site, where sacrifices were offered for a good harvest.

Then, we'll drive to the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. With 22 towers winding along the mountain ridges, this is the best-preserved part of the wall. You can spend some time here taking in the atmosphere, exploring on your own, and learning about the history of this impressive structure.

This evening, you will catch a flight to Zhangjiajie.

Wulingyuan Scenic Area - Tianzi Mountain - Yuanjiajie Nature Reserve

Day 7: Live the "Avatar" Dream in China's Wulingyuan

The adventure part of your trip begins this morning when you arrive in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. This breathtaking region is home to Tianzi Mountain and the Yuanjiajie Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by verdant forests and awe-inspiring sandstone pillars. You will take in views of this breathtaking scenery from a cable car, which will take you to viewing terraces on Tianzi Mountain, and later in the "world's highest outdoor elevator," which takes you to Yuanjiajie Nature Reserve. This jaw-droppingly stunning landscape provided the inspiration for the movie "Avatar."

Yangjiajie - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Day 8: Marvel at Breathtaking Limestone Pillars

Another full day in this region's magnificent nature awaits today. The Wulingyuan Scenic Area is huge, and you will continue your exploration on a guided hike to Yangjiajie and the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. This part of the preserve is home to over 3,000 majestic rock pillars. Succumb to the glory of this natural paradise as you ride the elevator to Huangshi Fort. 

Zhangjiajie - Liuzhou

Day 9: Explore the Awe-Inspiring Tianmen Cave

Fill up on a hearty breakfast this morning, you'll need your energy for another invigorating day in China's stunning nature. Today's destination is Tianmen Mountain, famous for the Tianmen Cave. This spectacular cave is situated at a great height on the mountain, but don't worry, a cable car will carry you up, so you can save your energy for exploring. Once inside the massive cave, you will be amazed by its immensity. Will you be brave enough to pose for a photo on the 1,430-meter-high glass plank?

Tonight, take an overnight train from Zhangjiajie Station to Liuzhou.

Liuzhou - Guilin - Longji Terraces

Day 10: Discover the Rice Terraces of Longji

This morning your train pulls into Liuzhou. Here, transfer to the train to Guilin. After about one hour aboard the train, you will arrive in Guilin, where you will continue your journey by car to China's most beautiful rice terraces, the Longji Terraces.

Admire the breathtaking scenery and enjoy views of local rural life as you make your way to the Longji Ancient Zhuang Village. From here, we will venture by foot to Pingan Zhuang Village, where we will spend the night. This is truly a rural paradise, far from the crowded cities of China. Soak up the tranquility of this pastoral landscape as you get acquainted with the local people.

Longsheng - Guilin

Day 11: See the Stunning Stalactites of the Reed Flute Cave

Wake up early this morning to catch the sunrise over Ping'an Village's terraced rice fields, a breathtaking experience. Then, head back to Guilin, about 2-hours by car, to discover this intriguing city. First, we'll head to the Reed Flute Cave. This magnificent limestone cave features extraordinary stalactites that form a serene vista inside this majestic Karst limestone rock formation. After being amazed by this site, continue your tour by taking a relaxing stroll along Banyan Lake and Fir Lake, two bodies of water that comprise Guilin's ancient water system, which dates from the 13th century. Back then, these waterways served as a moat to protect the city.

Guilin - Yangshuo

Day 12: Cruise Along the River Li to Yangshuo

More delightful vistas of China's graceful landscape will greet you today as you cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up for the approximately 1-hour drive to Mopanshan Pier. Here, you will board your boat for the 4-hour river cruise. Enjoy lunch on board as you take in the passing scenery. Your final destination today is Yangshuo, an enchanting place known for its stunning scenery and relaxed atmosphere. In the afternoon you could set out on a bike ride through the countryside.

Guilin

Day 13: Goodbye, China!

Today you must say goodbye, but before you head to the airport, there's one more thing to do: climb the stone steps to the top of Xianggong Hill. Take in the spectacular views of a verdant riverside landscape below and know that you will carry these memories in your heart forever. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Guilin Liangijang Airport to catch your onward flight. We wish you pleasant travels.