Golden Cities of China
12 days - Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai, Suzhou
This tour provides an unforgettable visit to China, with emphasis on the true highlights of the country. Begin in Beijing, the capital city and political and cultural center of the nation. Magnificent sights here include the Forbidden City, enormous Tian'anmen Square, the Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. No visit would be complete without an excursion to the Great Wall of China, certainly one of China's greatest wonders and "must see" places. During your stay enjoy a special Peking Duck dinner, the tasty signature dish of Beijing. Next fly to Xi'an, home to one of China's greatest wonders, the Terra Cotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang was uncovered, guarded by an amazing terra cotta army of generals, warriors, officials, horses and chariots. The figures are numbered in the thousands, and many are yet to be uncovered. Xi'an ruled as China's capital for thirteen dynasties and over 1100 years, and a visit to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum provides an excellent insight into Chinese history. Fly to scenic Guilin, where the natural beauty of the Karst mountains and meandering Li River are a sight to behold. See the Reed Flute Cave, and enjoy a Li River cruise to Yangshuo, the lovely town filled with wonderful shops and restaurants, and surrounded by the magnificent scenic beauty of the area. Spend a night in Yangshuo to explore and enjoy the town. Fly to Shanghai, the vibrant and cosmopolitan port city and final stop on our tour. Visit the popular Bund area to see the many historical buildings that line the banks of the Huangpu River, and tour Yu Garden, the Jade Buddha Temple, and Shanghai Museum. Also see the Xiantiandi area, one of Shanghai's premier entertainment areas, you may wish to return in the evening to enjoy the restaurants and nightlife there. Also included is a fun acrobatic show, and a full-day excursion to neighboring Suzhou, famous for it's beautiful gardens and canals.
Private tour itinerary

Day 1: Beijing. Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing. Full-day private tour of Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and tour the Hutongs (backstreets of Beijing). In the evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 3: Beijing. Full-day private excursion to the Great Wall of China. Also visit the Changling (Ming Dynasty) Tomb and "Sacred Way", a seven kilometer road lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Beijing. Full-day tour of the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Xi'an. Fly to Xi'an, one of China's oldest cities with over 3100 years of history. In the afternoon tour Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty. Afterwards transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Xi'an. Full-day tour to see the underground tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, guarded by more than seven thousand life-size terracotta warriors and horses. Also visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. In the evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 7: Guilin. Fly to Guilin, known for it's lovely scenery that has inspired poets and painters throughout the years. This afternoon visit Reed Flute Cave, where amazing stone formations of stalactites and stalagmites take on familiar shapes of people, nature, food, and other familiar objects. Later transfer to your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Yangshuo. Take a cruise on the Li River today. Wind your way through an amazing landscape of karst topography, where beautiful limestone peaks rise from the green plain at odd angles, and daily life happens along the riverbanks. Visit a local market in Yangshuo; a picturesque town of wonderful shops and restaurants, surrounded by karst mountains and bordering the Li River. Overnight in Yangshuo tonight to further enjoy the town. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Shanghai. Enjoy a bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River this morning, followed by a 1 hour bicycle ride to explore the countryside. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Shanghai. Full-day private tour of Shanghai. Visit the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Xintiandi area. In the evening enjoy an acrobatic show after dinner. (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 11: Suzhou/Shanghai. Embark by private sedan for a full-day excursion to Suzhou, nicknamed "Venice of the East." Visit the Master of the Nets Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden, and take a canal cruise with lunch. Afterwards return to Shanghai and your hotel. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 12: Depart Shanghai. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (breakfast).

Meals: breakfast daily (11), ten lunches, and three dinners.

For pricing, please contact us here.
Our deluxe China tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.