Grand tour of China itinerary

1. Arrive Beijing; transfer to hotel; visit Temple of Heaven , a place where the "sons of heavens" used to come to pray for bountiful harvest; sightseeing of the vanishing small streets and lanes of Old Beijing; dinner - Beijing Duck, local specialty (optional).

2. Full day sightseeing of the Great Wall , one of the largest structures ever built by mankind; evening performance of the Beijing Opera (optional)

3. Beijing: sightseeing Summer Palace of Chinese emperors on the banks of Lake Kunming in the foothills of the Western Mountains, as well as other historical gems of the town - Temple of Confucius.

4. Beijing: sightseeing of Forbidden City , one of the largest temple complexes in the world; stroll through the Tiananmen Square (Gate of Heavenly Peace); night transfer by train.

5. Xi'an (Si-an): visit the legendary Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin's tomb (the First Chinese Emperor of the Qin (Chin) Dynasty) - 8,000+ life-sized terracotta figures, warriors and horses, speculated that many contained treasures and sacrificial objects that were to accompany the emperor in his after life; monumental fortification, Grand Minaret, evening stroll through the Muslim quarter. 

6. Xi'an: Taoist Monastery of Eight Immortals, Pagoda of Little Wild Goose (7th century); afternoon and night transfer by train.

7. Chengdu (Tchheng-tu): the unique panda breeding and research center; sightseeing the temple complex of Giant Buddha , the largest Buddha statue in the world – 71 m); transfer to Spa Baoguosi (Pao-kuo-s').

8. – 9. Ascent of Mount Emei (3099 m), or by vehicle, one of the five holy Buddhist mountains, overnight in pilgrims rest house; watch impressive sunrise, sightseeing of temples on the summit as well as along the way; descent/or drive down to Baoguo; night transfer by sleeper train.

10. Full day transfer by hired minibus to Lijiang (Li-ťiang), through stunning landscape of south-western China; en route cross Yangzi River, the Long River; stroll through the town.

11. At the threshold of Tibet: sightseeing of 600 year old Lijiang , inhabited by Naxi minority; cyclo or taxi tour of surrounding villages and temples; visit local holistic doctor.

12. Lijiang: easy and unforgettable hike of the nearly 4 km-deep Leaping Tiger Gorge - one of the deepest chasms in the world, where the Yangzi River flows 16km between the 3,900 meter tall mountains, and the nearby 5596 m-high Snow Mountain of Jade Dragon; palace of the former governing family Mu.

13. Transfer to small town of Dali (Ta-li) on the banks of Lake Erhai (Er-hai); cable car or on horseback to the Temple of Harmony and Justice, great view of the lake below.

14. Dali: boat ride on the Lake Erhai (optional), visiting local fishing villages and markets; Three Pagodas - temple complex of pagodas dating back to 9th century, largest of which is 70 m high; nigh transfer to Kunming.

15. Kunming (Khun-ming) – "city of perpetual spring": trip to the unique Stone Forest with 30 m-high limestone towers.

16. Flight to Guilin (Kuei-lin) and transfer to Yangshuo (Jang-shuo), small town in fairy tale landscape of limestone mounds; boat ride on River Li navigating in between the picturesque mountains.

17. Yangshuo: full day trip sightseeing of the terraced rice fields in the region called Dragon's Back with a lunch in a traditional house of a minority group called Zhuang (Chuang) or rest and shop for souvenirs in town.

18.  Yangshuo: full day but easy trip by bicycle or car in between the rice fields; ascent of Moon Mountain (380 m) offering stunning views of endless limestone mounds all around; night transfer by bus.

19. Shenzhen (Shen-chen): Chinese super-modern city, harmony of  subtropical nature with modern architecture; sightseeing circuit ending at the beach of South China Sea.

20. Hong Kong: morning cross the border to Hong Kong, transfer to hotel; Hong Kong park with the Museum of Tea Porcelain; cock railway to Victoria Peak with fantastic views of the entire island, busy streets of a city of a third millennium, shopping for souvenirs or electronics; enjoying nighttime atmosphere of Kowloon; departure or continue on extended version of the tour (return back to Shenzhen.)

Extended version of the Grand China tour:

21. Shenzhen - fly to Shanghai; sightseeing Bund along Huangpu River, a showcase of Shanghai city center, a hangout of Shanghai elite in the thirties of 20th century; commercial boulevard Nanking;

22. Shanghai:  old China town; French and British colonial architecture; Temple of the Jade Buddha.

23. Suzhou (Su-chou): world-famous gardens , which were actually the villas of retired court officials and wealthy merchants; boat ride on the Emperor's Canal ("Chinese Venice"); possible visit of silk factory.

24. Suzhou - Zhouzhuang (Chou-chuang): morning meditation in the Master the Fishnet Garden; transfer to a small picturesque town of Zhouzhuang of many canals and architecture of Qing and Ming dynasties.

25. Shanghai: sightseeing of a "City of the Next Millennium" - Putong (Phu-thung); 421m high Jinmao building; optional ride on the fastest magnetic train in the world; departure.

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