13-day Best of China (2012)

Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Shanghai

Scroll down to bottom for departure dates, prices and hotel list.

Click here for 11-day version from Shanghai to Beijing

Day 1/Fri: Departing Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You'll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.

Day 2/Sat: Arrival in Beijing
Meet your guide on arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. In you are hungry before going to bed, there is a number of nice restaurants around the hotel. A dish of stir-fried beef served with rice and a bottle of beer can be had for as little $10 (tipping in restaurants in not customary in China).

Day 3/Sun: Beijing
Beijing is China's political and cultural centre, having served as the country's capital for several dynasties over many centuries. Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge stone walls and gates. Its art treasures and universities have long made the city a centre of culture and art in China. The city ranks second to Shanghai by population (22 million).

Our sightseeing today begins with Tian'anmen Square, followed by the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and an old hutong - alleyway flanked with traditional residential courtyards. Welcome dinner features delicious Beijing roast duck, a local delicacy. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Mon: Beijing
Morning visit to the Temple of Heaven. Situated in southeastern Beijing the Temple of Heaven is China's largest extant sacrificial temple where, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the emperors conducted the elaborate and most exalted sacrifices addressed to "the Supreme Ruler of the Universe." Construction of the temple started in 1406, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle, and took 14 years to complete. The temple was expanded under the Qing emperors Qianlong (1736-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820). Occupying 2,668 hectares (6,670 acres), the area of the Temple of Heaven is more than twice that of the Forbidden City.

Afternoon sightseeing at the majestic Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. We wrap up the day with a tour of Panjiayuan Flea Market or 798 Art District depending on traffic. The evening Peking Opera show is optional if available. (B/L)

Day 5/Tue: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall at Mutianyu, 70km northeast of the city. Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. (B/L)

Day 6/Wed: Beijing - Xi'an
Enjoy some free time before flying to Xi'an after lunch. Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity. (B/L)

Day 7/Thu: Xi’an
Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity. Visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city. Afternoon sightseeing at Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The modern, well-organized museum was completed in 1992 and traces the history of Xi'an from prehistory to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The extensive galleries and exhibitions offer the visitor an excellent introduction to the area that greatly improves understanding of the numerous historical sites in and around the city. Tonight we enjoy a spectacular music and dance show reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), a period generally considered a golden era of the Chinese civilization. (B/L/D)

Day 8/Fri: Xi'an - Guilin
Today's schedule takes in the Grand Mosque and the adjacent Muslim Quarter. Afternoon flight to Guilin. A medium-sized city by Chinese standard, the city has long been renowned for its unique scenery. The name Guilin literally means "forest of sweet osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees in the city. We visit the scenic Fubo Hill after hotel check-in. (B/L)

Day 9/Sat: Guilin (Li River cruise)
Day cruise on Li River. The 83km stretch of the river between Guilin and Yangshuo affords breathtaking scenery as the river snakes through tall karst mountains, gigantic bamboo sprays, and picturesque villages -- sights that have inspired countless poets and painters for generations. Disembark in Yangshuo in mid-afternoon and drive back to Guilin. (B/L)

Day 10/Sun: Guilin - Shanghai
Free morning to soak in the beauty and tranquility of this lovely city on your own. We recommend a walk along the river in front our hotel, a visit to the scenic Fubo Hill (not far from the hotel) and Reed Flute Cave famous for its huge stalagmites and stalactites. Late afternoon or evening flight to Shanghai.  (B/D)

If you don't need the respite and also don't mind the bumpy ride, you are welcome to take part in our optional excursion to the amazing terraced fields at Longji (Back of Dragon) in Longsheng County. For $35, the excursion includes lunch. Located about 80 km (2 hours drive) from Guilin, the spectacular landscape has made Longji a popular tourist attraction. Built by the local farmers of different ethnic groups from Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the fields spread 500 meters from the foot of Mount Longji to the mountaintop covering an area of 66 square kilometres. (B/L/D)

Day 11/Mon: Shanghai
Before 1949, Shanghai was widely known in the West as a city of quick riches and paradise of the adventurers. After four decades of anemic growth in a planned economy, Shanghai is roaring back to recapture its position on the world stage. With a population of 23 million and rapid economic expansion in the last 20 years, Shanghai has again become a leading global city with significant influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology and transport.

Our sightseeing in Shanghai begins with a stroll on the Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, followed by Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple and Yu Garden. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 12/Tue: Shanghai
Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own has never been easier. Our recommended list includes Jinmao Tower, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline. (B)

Day 13/Wed: Shanghai - Home City
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to the airport to board return flight departing in the afternoon.  When you re-cross the International Date Line, you will gain a day. So by the time you arrive home, it is still the same day as you left Shanghai. (B)

Click here for 11-day version from Shanghai to Beijing

Hotel list
City/Location	Nights	Hotel	Star Rating
Beijing	4	Crowne Plaza U-Town or Sheraton Dongcheng
Xi'an	2	Sheraton Xi'an
Guilin	2	Sheraton Guilin
Shanghai	3	Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou

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China Tours 2012: 11-day Golden Triangle | 11-day Best of China | 12-day Yangtze Expedition |12-day China Delight | 13-day Best of China | 13-day China Experience |13-day Essence of China | 14-day Tibet & Beyond | 15-day Exotic Yunnan | 15-day Golden Route China | 15-day China Discovery | 15-day Silk Road Adventure | 17-day Treasures of China | 17-day Classic China & Yangtze Cruise | 17-day China Odyssey | 19-day Classic China | 19-day China Splendor | 19-day Best of China plus Tibet | 19-day Southwest China| 21-day Highlights of China | 21-day China in Depth | 22-day Tibet & Silk Road China | 21-day Silk Road & Southwest China |24-day Wonders of China | 24-day China Panorama | 24-day Imperial China, Tibet & Yangtze | 25-day Splendid China | 27-day Southwest China & Silk Road

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