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17 Days Tour to the Wonderland

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Tour Code: CTG-38

Tour Description

Find a legendary China with its historical & cultural Capital Beijing, mysterious Tibet and Shangri-la, beautiful Lijiang, Guilin and Yangshuo, as well as the bustling modern metropolis Shanghai! A wide display of must-see attractions plus various activities like cycling and river cruising.

Explore historical wonders - Forbidden City & Mutianyu Great Wall

Experience mysterious Tibet Culture & Heaven-on-Earth Shangri-La

Have fun with activities - Yangshuo Cycling & Li River Cruise

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing
Today's Activities Welcome to Capital Beijing! Our local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel for check-in. Today is all yours, whether to have a good rest and prepare for the great China Tour, or to have a stroll around and take a peek of the city.

Things You Can Try (Not Included in Package): Go shopping & taste local snacks at Wangfujiang Street
Day 2 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, and then start your China Tour with Tian'anmen Square & the Forbidden City, to expereince the heart & sould of the nation. The Forbidden City is just like a treasure stove for you to explore: awing architecture, valuable antiques, royal history & anecdotes...

The afternoon is left for the Temple of Heaven, which embraces the traditional idea of harmony of Heaven & Earth, and once served as the praying altar for good harvest. Now it's also a park where locals go doing Tai Chi, playing chess, etc.

Things You Can Try (Not Included in Package): Savor the renowned Beijing Roasted Duck
Highlights
Tian'anmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven          
Tian'anmen Square Forbidden City Palace Temple of Heaven          
Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities Surely topping your China Tour visit-list, the Great Wall awaits for your visit today. After breakfast at the hotel, let's head for the Mutianyu Great Wall, a section of this great ancient project which is less crowded yet with gorgeous scenery. Cable car is arranged to save your energy for better exploration at the higher walls.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant near Great Wall. Then move to Dingling Tomb, one of the 13 Ming Tombs best known for its underground palace. On the way back to the hotel, you will pass by the 2008 Beijing Olympics Stadium - Bird's Nest & Water Cube, which you can have chance to take photos with.

Things You Can Try (Not Included in Package): Enjoy evening shows like Chinese Kung Fu or Peking Opera for further learning the Chinese traditions.
Highlights
Mutianyu Great Wall Dingling Tomb Bird's Nest & Water Cube          
Mutianyu Great Wall Dingling Tomb Throne Bird's Nest & Water Cube          
Day 4 Beijing - Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch) Transfer by Flight
Today's Activities After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Lhasa, Tibet, the mysterious & heavenly place. The flight takes about 2.5 hours. Local guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to the airport for check-in. Today is left for a good rest & acclimatization.
Tibet Travel Tips
1. Start taking anti-AMS medicines a week before your trip.
2. When you arrive at the hotel, a good rest at the hotel for acclimatization is recommended rather than walking around in case of mountain sickness.
3. Try to avoid catching a cold
4. A first aid kit including aspirin, antibiotics and AMS medication is highly recommended
Day 5 Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities After having breakfast at the hotel, take a visit to the Potala Palace, the sacred symbol of Tibet, dating back to the 7th Century and once home to Dalai Lamas. It is surely a great experience once in a lifetime.

The afternoon is met with the Jokhang Temple, spiritual center of Tibet, where you will be impressed by its magnificence and sincerity of the pilgrims. The surrounding Barkhor Street is a popular & busy local market where you can shop for various Tibetan-styled souvenirs.
Tibet Travel Tips
1. Due to the popularity of Potala Palace and restriction on visitor number, the visit time and itinerary may be adjusted.
2. Commonly the visiting time for Potala Palace is also limited: 1 hour in summer and 1-2 hours in winter.
Highlights
Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street          
Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street          
Day 6 Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities You will spend your morning visiting the Tibet Museum for delving into the Tibetan culture development.

After lunch, move to Sera Monastery, the second monastery in Tibet. Sera Monastery is distinctively known for its debating activities, usually held around 15:00pm regularly every working day. Don't miss it!
Tibet Travel Tips
1. When visiting a monastery or any religious place, please pay respect even if you are not a follower. Please do not smoke, consume alcohol or make unnecessary noise. Do not touch, walk over or sit on any religious texts, objects or prayer flags.
Highlights
Tibet Museum Sera Monastery Sera Monastery          
Tibet Museum Sera Monastery Sera Monastery          
Day 7 Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities Enjoy your breakfast, and then head for the heavenly Namsto Lake, Sacred Lake of Tibet, which grants you a fantastic spot for photography.

Later on the way back to Lhasa, you will have a chance to visit a local Tibetan Family to get closer touch with local lifestyle, customs and culture.

Experience sharing with Blog: Six Days Journey to My Dreamland - Tibet
Highlights
Namtso Lake Tibetan Local Family Tibetan Local Family          
Namsto Lake Tibetan Local Family Tibetan Local Family          
Day 8 Lhasa - Shangri-La (Breakfast) Transfer by Flight
Today's Activities Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and then head for the airport for a flight to Shangri-La, the dreamy Paradise. Our local guide will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel for check-in & brief rest.

The afternoon is arranged with the ancient Gyalthang Town, a little old town which was once an important point of the Southern Silk Road (the Tea Horse Route) and now still well preserves the Tibetan cultures and characteristics. Just take delight in the elaborate ethnic-styled artworks, local snacks & bars.
Highlights
Gyalthang Town Gyalthang Town Gyalthang Town          
Gyalthang Town Gyalthang Town Gyalthang Town          
Day 9 Shangri-La (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities Greeted by a wonderful excursion to the Pudacuo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where a gallery of natural sceneries are ready for you. The visit also includes the Plateau lakes perfect for photo shooting - Shudu Lake and Bitahai Lake.

In the afternoon you will visit the Songzanlin Monastery, which is the most important Tibetan monastery in Yunnan and a holy place for pilgrims.
Highlights
Pudacuo National Park Shudu Lake Songzanlin Monastery          
Pudacuo National Park Shudu Lake Songzanlin Monastery          
Day 10 Shangri-La - Lijiang (Breakfast, Lunch) Transfer by Private Car
Today's Activities After breakfast, set out for the exciting Tiger Leaping Gorge, a true amazement & stunning thrill. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, the water rushes and thunders through the gorges, which will without doubt be a great experience for you.

Accompanied with the Tiger Leaping Gorge are the breathtaking views of the Golden Sands River (Jinsha Jiang) and the spectacular First Bend of the Yangtze River.

Around 3:00pm, start driving & head for Lijiang Old Town.
Highlights
Tiger Leaping Gorge Tiger Leaping Gorge Tiger Leaping Gorge          
Tiger Leaping Gorge Tiger Leaping Gorge Tiger Leaping Gorge          
Day 11 Lijiang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities Today is highlighted with the most known attraction of Lijiang - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the largest snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. Yushui Village (Jade Water Village) at the foot of the mountain will be your first stop. It is a sacred place for the Dongba people, and you can get to know a different ethnic culture of the Naxi Minority.

Then visit the Jade Summit Lamasery, a celebrated Tibetan Temple with ancient forest clustering around. The over-500-year-old giant Camellia Tree is the great treasure of the temple. Afterwards catch a cable car to the Yak Meadow, which offers a prime spot for viewing the 13 peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and taking fantastic photos.

Followed up is a live musical show enjoyment - Impression Lijiang, directed by famed Zhang Yimou.
Highlights
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Yak Meadow Impression Lijiang          
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Yak Meadow Impression Lijiang          
Day 12 Lijiang - (Kunming) - Guilin (Breakfast, Lunch) Transfer by Flight
Today's Activities Start with the Mu's Mansion of the Lijiang Old Town today, which is famed as Forbidden City of the Naxi people and offers a great eye-experience of the delicate architecture. After wards you will ascent the Wangu Tower on Lion Hill for a breathtaking overview of the Lijiang Old Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance. Also have a leisure stroll along the Square Street at the central part of the town to feel the local life.

Later of the day you will be escorted to the airport and heading for Guilin. Since there is no direct flight to Guilin, you will have to fly to Kunming first and then have a connecting flight to Guilin. Local tour guide will pick you up and take you to the hotel.
Highlights
Lijiang Old Town Lijiang Old Town Wangu Tower          
Lijiang Old Town Lijiang Old Town Wangu Tower          
Day 13 Guilin (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities Have a refreshing morning to the parks & rivers after breakfast. Interesting Elephant Trunk Hill and Seven Star Park are on the visiting list.

The afternoon is left for the gorgeous Reed Flute Cave, which is one of the most famous Karst caves in China and will feast you with all kinds of bizarre-shaped natural stone arts - stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, stone curtains, stone flowers and many more.
Highlights
Elephant Trunk Hill Seven Star Park Reed Flute Cave          
Elephant Trunk Hill Seven Star Park Reed Flute Cave          
Day 14 Guilin - Yangshuo (Breakfast, Lunch) Transfer by Li River Cruise
Today's Activities You will never want to miss the Li River Cruise for a Guilin tour. Head for Zhujiang Dock after breakfast and start out at around 9:30am. You will find yourself surrounded by the serene landscapes while cruising along the Li River. The cruise takes about 4 hours with tasty local lunch prepared.

Destination of the Li River Cruise is Yangshuo, which is best known for its idyllic countryside landscapes and the busy West Street. You will have your time free to explore the local bustling life by yourself. There are plenty of bars, local snacks and handicrafts ready for you. The night will be spent in a Yangshuo hotel.

Things You Can Try (Not Included in Package): Musical night show - Impression Liu Sanjie, directed by Zhang Yimou, naturally staged on Li River.
Highlights
Li River Local Fishermen Yangshuo West Street          
Li River Local Fishermen Yangshuo West Street          
Day 15 Guilin - Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch) Transfer by Flight
Today's Activities Enjoy a relaxing day with the pastoral sceneries of Yangshuo. Take a bicycle ride around, refreshing your mind with the peacefulness. Moon Hill is one of the most featured sights along the way.

Later of the day you will take a flight to Shanghai for a different experience at this international metropolis. Local guide will pick you up at the airport and guide you to hotel check-in.
Highlights
Yangshuo Cycling Yangshuo Countryside Moon Hill          
Yangshuo Cycling Yangshuo Countryside Moon Hill          
Day 16 Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today's Activities Heat up with this enthusiastic metropolis! Start your day with a nice breakfast, and then to the Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden & architecture maza, also with visits to the lively Yuyuan Market around, which features traditional Chinese arts and crafts.

The afternoon is themed with the old & new Shanghai. The Bund offers you a gathering of different styles of old buildings, while the World Financial Center, a landscape of the modern area across the Huangpu River, grants you a fantastic overview of the city.
Highlights
Yuyuan Garden The Bund World Financial Center          
Yuyuan Garden The Bund World Financial Center          
Day 17 Shanghai / Departure (Breakfast)
Today's Activities Enjoy your breakfast and your last day at Shanghai at your free pace until flight time. Farewell and have a nice trip home!
Package Prices & Details
Tour Package Includes:
Dining: 16 breakfasts, 13 lunches Admissions: Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in itinerary
Flight Tickets: Beijing - Lhasa, Lhasa - Shangri-La, Lijiang - Kunming - Guilin, Guilin - Shanghai Hotels: Accommodation in Beijing, Lhasa, Shangri-La, Lijiang, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai
Tour Guide: Local experienced English-speaking guides Car Driver: Experienced licensed drivers
Vehicle: Private air-conditioned car, offering Round-trip transfers Luggage Transfers: A hand for your heavy luggage;
Insurance: Travel Agencies Liability Insurance; Government taxes & Service charges
Tour Package Excludes:
- Other optional tours / meals / flights not mentioned in itinerary; - Tips for tour guides and drivers.
Hotels in Beijing
Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing
Located in the golden business area of Wangfujing, the hotel only takes 10 minutes to Forbidden City and Dongfang Square.
With stylish guest rooms and newly renovated Crowne Plaza Club floor – Crowne Plaza Beijing has anticipated every need while providing easy access to business, commercial districts and historical landmarks.
Sunworld Hotel Beijing
Situated on the intersection of Wangfujing Avenue and Dengshikou Street, Sunworld Hotel Beijing is close to many famous historical and cultural landmarks, including the Forbidden City.
Guest rooms and suites are designed with a traditional and refined style. From servies to amenities, the hotel strives to make your stay a pleasant experience.
Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing
Days Inn Forbidden City Beijing is located in central Beijing, adjacent to the Forbidden City, which is close to the downtown area. To the east is Wanfujing Street, along West Chang An Avenue and with a few minute walk to Tiananmen Square.
Hotels in Lhasa
Brahmaputra Grand Hotel Lhasa
Brahmaputra Grand Hotel Lhasa is chain-operated hotel. It is located in Wenjiang District and was opened in 2006. It is a business holiday hotel with more than 200 guest rooms. The hotel also provides elegant Chinese and Western restaurants, splendid banquet with modern facilities, conference room and recreation items. It abuts to Lhasa riverside and Gong Ba Ri Mammon Mountain. People can enjoy wonderful views of Lhasa.
Lhasa Hotel
A 4-star hotel, the Lhasa Hotel is located in the Holy Land of Lhasa with an altitude of 3,600 meters. It occupies 7-floors and was recently renovated in 1999. The hotel has a range of restaurants that provide Sichuan, Western, Indian and Tibetan food. The hotel is near the famous Norbulingka or Lobulinka, the Palace of the Dalai Lama. Located only 10 minutes by car to the center of Holy Town and the magical and Potala Palace. Situated approximately 95kms from the airport.
Shambhala Hotel Lhasa
As a 3 star hotel, Shambhala Hotel Lhasa is near the Barkhore Bazaar, Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace with easy access to all great attractions. With a total of 70 comfortable rooms and suites, the hotel is 10km away from the Railway Station and 70km away from the Lhasa Airport
Hotels in Shanghai
Howard Johnson Plaza Shanghai
The hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Shanghai, 2 minutes from Nanjing Road, People Square and the Bund. It offers easy access to the city's most important business, cultural and entertainment hubs.
The elegantly designed and tastefully decorated rooms provide you with an experience of exceptional luxury and comfort.
Grand Mercure Hotel Shanghai
Grand Mercure Zhongya Hotel Shanghai is an international 4-star business & leisure hotel located next to Shanghai Railway Station
Magnificent International Hotel Shanghai
The hotel is located in the central heart of Shanghai – Xizang South Road and surrounded by the Bund, Xin Tian Di, Yu Garden and Shanghai Museum & Grand Theatre. Shopping streets like Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road are only within walking distance. The well-appointed guestrooms with a great number of amenities and facilities offer you an excellent stay with comfort and convenience.
Hotels in Guilin
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
First opened in 1988 and renovated in 2008, Sheraton Guilin Hotel is ideally located on the west bank of Li River within minutes' walk from the Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill. It's about 2km from the Railway Station and 30km from the Guilin International Airport.
Guilin Bravo Hotel
Guilin Bravo Hotel is located in the city centre besides the Banyan Lake Park. It's 28km from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport and 3km from Guilin Railway Station.
The hotel Boasts 329 tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites and various facilities to meet the guests' different needs.
Hotel Universal Guilin
Hotel Universal Guilin is situated on the bank of Li River, within walking distance to the local market, shopping area and tourist hot spots. The tastefully decorated guest rooms and a wide range of facilities and services provide guests with a comfortable and joyful stay.
Hotels in Yangshuo
Yangshuo Greaan Lotus Hotel
Located at the foot of the Green Lotus Peak in Yangshuo and on the bank of Li River, Yangshuo Green Lotus Hotel is a top luxury hotel integrating the natural beauty of mountains and rivers and the local minority peoples' architectural feature.
Yangshuo New Century Hotel
New Century Hotel Yangshuo is a 4-star hotel centrally located in downtown Yangshuo. It is adjacent to the well-known Yangshuo West Street and the beautiful Yangshuo Park
New West Street Hotel
New West Street Hotel has elegant environment, convenient traffic and faces Yangshuo Park with beautiful scenery. It''s only 3 minutes from the world famous foreign street - the West Street
Hotels in Shangri-La (Zhongdian)
Tian Jie Shen Chuan Hotel
Located on the only way of Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking, Halfway is a hostel on Haba Snow Mountain at the height of 3500-3600 meters (2.17-2.24miles). It has more than 50 beds, 8 double Rooms but more Tripe Rooms and Quad Rooms.
Holy Palace Hotel
Situated in the downtown of Shangri-La, Holy Palace Hotel has unique district superiocrity. Because of its special outward appearance and Iuxurious decoration, the hotel is named "Little Potala Palace". There are 220 deluxe standard Rooms, 6 suits and 6 Single Rooms.
Zaxi Dele Hotel Shangri-La
The hotel is a deluxe hotel featuring typical tibetan styles. It is 6 km to the airport and 3 km to the long-distance bus station. There are 52 deluxe business standard rooms, 58 tibetan deluxe standard rooms and 3 deluxe suites in the hotel, with amenities of central air conditioning, mini-bar, IDD/DDD telephone etc
Hotels in Lijiang
Guanfang Hotel Lijiang
The Guanfang Hotel serves both tourists and business travelers with comprehensive modern service. The hotel is 3kms to the old town of Lijiang, and 35kms to the airport. THere are 292 rooms including standard, handicapped, connecting-room and suites.
Wangfu Hotel Lijiang
Lijiang WangFu Hotel is located in the old site of the orignal Mu Palace Inn,inheriting the brilliant history of the Inn that year and reproducing the reception demeanour those years. The hotel covers an area of more than 8000 square meters now, there are 98 various luxurious guest rooms, 76 standard rooms, 12 single rooms, 4 suites (2 deluxe suites, 2 ordinary suites) and 6 independent villa-style family suites.
Grand Hotel Lijiang
Set 1 km from the excitement of the city, this 4-star hotel commands an excellent location and provides access to the city's biggest attractions. A haven of rest and relaxation, the hotel will offer total renewal just steps away from the city's numerous attractions such as Lashi Lake, Old Market Sq, Square Street.

Meals in the Package

Meals as mentioned in the itinerary include 16 breakfasts and 13 lunches.

-- Breakfasts are offered by the hotels
-- Lunches are arranged according to different classes of tour
-- Dinners are for your own arrangement

We promise worry-free dining quality, plus flexible choices regarding your preference. Any special requestment please tell our trip advisors directly. Other recommendations are as follow:

Beijing

Beijing, being the Capital of China, boasts a good number of restaurants with Chinese featured cuisines. Different restaurants, like Great Northeast Restaurant, Gold Palace Restaurant and Tang Yuan Restaurant, lead you for a feast of Chinese classic cuisines.
-- Great Northeast Restaurant: featuring seafood, Sichuan food, Canton food, food of China Northeast Region
-- Gold Palace Restaurant: featuring Canton food, Sichuan food, Shandong food, Japanese & Korean food
-- Tang Yuan Restaurant: featuring Canton cuisine

Dining Hall of Great Northeast Restaurant Main Hall of Tang Yuan Restaurant

Tibet

Featured cuisines in Tibet:
(1) Buttered Tea : Buttered tea is the favorite drink of Tibetan people. It is made of boiled brick tea and ghee.
(2) Zanba : The staple food of Tibetan people is Zanba, a kind of dough made with roasted highland qingke barley flour and yak butter with water.
(3) Besides, Tibetan people prefer to eat delicious dry yak and cow jerky that you can have a try.

Tibetan Buttered Tea Tibetan Zanba

Shanghai

Shanghai is regarded as a kingdom of delicacies, where you can taste almost everything. Here we strongly suggest you take M on The Bund into consideration.
M on the Bund Shanghai
-- Dedicated to creating a dining experience as exciting, as sophisticated, as delectable as Shanghai itself
-- “One of the top 20 restaurants in Asia” (Miele Guide, 2009-2010)
-- “Best Global Cuisine” (City Weekend Readers’ Choice Awards, 2010)
-- “M on the Bund: Most Popular Restaurant in Shanghai” (Zaqat Survey Shanghai, 2008)

Shanghai M on The Bund Restaurant Brandboard of M on the Bund

Guilin & Yangshuo

Guilin's tasty dishes are also well-known except its charming landscapes. Traditional cuisines include Duck Stewed with Ginkgo Seeds, Lipu Taro Pork, Stewed Clams and Chicken, Lohan Boiled Chicked, and Fried Chicken with Water Chestnut. An abundance of special snacks are also offered throughout the city, like the famous Guilin Rice Noodles.

Guilin Rice Noodles Yangshuo Beer Fish

Lijiang

Lijiang is a place blessed with an advantageous geographical position and a mild climate all year-round, resulting in a variety of natural resources and agricultural products in the region. The Naxi people, who have lived here for many generations, have developed their own cuisine using the rich local ingredients. Their dishes, with a refreshing flavor intermediate between Han Group and Tibetan, are a must to try if you are visiting Lijiang. Besides, as more and more visitors from home and abroad come to this city year by year, a number of western and Chinese restaurants catering for their needs have already opened in Lijiang.

Delicious Tibetan-style Yak Pot Various Lijiang Local dishes

Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

The scenic area provides a peaceful backdrop for tasting various local food and drinks. Tibetan Cake, Zanba, Pipa Meat, Saimi Lamb, Guoben Hot Pot, butter tea, yogurt, and barley wine are amongst the most popular.

Bareley Win Buttered Tea
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Comments

Thank you Nancy,

Our time in Beijing has been very interesting and we have been very impressed with the city and the tours organised.

Hopefully will be better soon and able to enjoy more of your fascinating country. Cheers

Customer:Mr. Carr

Destinations: Beijing - Xi'an - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai - Guangzhou

Related Tour: 11 Days China Explorer & Cruise

Hi, Sara.

Thank you for your email. We had a wonderful time in China and were very pleased with the service we got from your company. We liked the food, accommodation, drivers and tour guides. I also want to say Thank you to you for your very efficient and friendly service.

Thank you kindly

Customer:Ms. Cunningham

Destinations: Beijing - Xi'an

Related Tour: 6 Days Beijing - Xi'an Essence Tour by High Speed Train

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