14 Days Amazing Journey to the Wonderland

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Meals: No Meals

Accommodation: In Beijing

 

Beijing, China's capital and one of the great travel destinations of the World, offers sights and cultural relics found no where else on Earth. The city has a character all its own; there are quadrangles, small alleys, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, arts and crafts, Peking Opera, The Great Wall, the 2008 Olympics venue and a vibrancy that is the distinctive flavor of Beijing.

 

Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. Peking Opera is available for your optional night entertainment. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Beijing

 

As the biggest city center square in the world, Tian'anmen Square covering 44 hectares in the heart of Beijing. It is the place where history-changing events and ceremonies occurred. A few steps away, come to visit the Forbidden City, which was the Imperial Palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and, it is one of the largest, and certainly the most completely restored, ancient architectural complex in the world. Walk in the footsteps of Emperors; come to the museum and see with your eyes, and feel with your hearts; you’ll begin understand what life in this richest of feudal realms was like for the Imperial Rulers, their concubines and their slaves.

 

After enjoying a delicious lunch, continue on to the Temple of Heaven. Departing from the Imperial vermilion and gold hues of the Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven is decorated in blue, the color of the Heavens. The perfect harmony between the architectural environment and nature can be felt here; you might easily imagine the vivid spectacle of a great sacrifice to the Heavens for a good harvest. The magnificent Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest is one of the most important and impressive building in China.

 

In the evening, we offer you an opportunity to enjoy Peking Opera. Expert performers convey powerful emotions to the audience through song, dance, facial make-up, exquisite masks and costume, skilled use of body language and sympathetically integrated musical accompaniment. 

 

Drive north to the Mutianyu part of the Great Wall, which is known for its beautiful surroundings of dense woods and rich pastures which change the colors into magnificent red and yellow in the autumn days. In the evening optional Peking Duck Feast at local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Beijing

 

Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section. It is connected with Jiankou in the west and Lianhuachi and Jinshanling in the east. In 1569, the Mutianyu Great Wall was rebuilt, mainly with granite and is one of the best-preserved sections with the largest construction scale and best quality among all sections of Great Wall, being 7-8 meters high and 4-5 meters wide with 22 watchtowers on this 2,250-meter-long section. It served as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs.

 

Peking Roasted Duck is the best-known dish in Beijing. It is very tender and unforgettably delicious. You'll visit a local restaurant to enjoy a full meal and learn the proper way to experience Peking Roasted Duck.

 

In the morning, take a half-day Hutong Tour by rickshaw to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing. Then, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Chengdu in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Chengdu

 

If exploring the Forbidden City has improved your understanding of the lifestyles of China's ancient Imperial Court , then this relaxing Hutong Tour will give you an insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people and reveal their social culture in today's Beijing City. The narrow streets of old Beijing are known as Hutongs. You'll take a pedicab tour along the Hutongs and see the 100-year-old houses, courtyards and a vanishing way of life in today's Beijing.

 

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province. With a population of 11 million, it is an important commercial transportation, and communications hub of south-western China. The locals have a reputation for a laid back attitude and knowing how to enjoy life. Historically, Chengdu has a special place in the annals of finance. The world's first paper money, the 'Jiao Zi' was minted in Chengdu in the year 1023.

 

Today, you will take a city tour to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wuhou Temple and the nearby Jinli Old Street. In the evening, if you are interested in common Sichuan food, the Hot Pot will be served as your dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Chengdu

 

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the world-famous Panda breeding research located about 10km (6 miles) out of the city. This institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population. Visitors are able to hold lovely pandas and be photographed with them.

 

Located in the southern suburb of Chengdu, Wuhou Temple was first built in 265 during the Western Jin Dynasty in memory of Zhuge Liang, prime minister in charge of the Kingdom of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). It is the largest museum of the site left over from the Three Kingdoms Period, and a very quiet oasis in the city.

 

Jinli Old Street is located next to Wuhou Temple. The street is a surviving representation of the folk style in Western Sichuan and is lined with many old houses and shops of Ming and Qing dynasties style. Local food and products can easily be found here.

 

The big draw of Chengdu is delicious Sichuan Cuisine. Sichuan is famous for its spicy food, and one of its delicacies is the hot pot. Fortunately, you will have a chance to taste Sichuan Hot Pot today. The Sichuan Hot Pot is a bubbling cauldron of extremely hot oil and water. Dip your choice of the variety of supplied foods into the pot: meats, vegetables or tofu. It's a very social meal. People sit around to enjoy food and make a long evening out of it. 

 

In the morning, you will take driving to visit Luodai Ancient Town, a Hakka community with a history dating back to the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD). Then spend the afternoon in Flower Town Sansheng, which only takes 30 minutes from Chengdu City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Chengdu

 

Luodai Ancient Town, located in eastern Chengdu, is the largest Hakka community in southwest China. There are 20,000 Hakka people leaved in Luodai, comprising nearly 90% of the total population in this town. The town's history can be dated back to Han Dynasty. Thousands of years' history and exchange have assimilated diverse culture, various historical sites and Hakka architecture in this small town.

 

Sansheng Flower Town (SanSheng xiang) is about 30 minutes from the center of Chengdu. It is famous for its flower cultivation, and it has become a popular spot for local people to spend weekends.

 

Take a short fly to Jiuhuang Airport in the morning, you will then be transferred to Huanglong Scenic Area and have a visit in this fairyland. Stay overnight in Jiuzhaigou Valley area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: In  Jiuzhaigou Valley
 

Huanglong is a scenic and historic interest area in Songpan County in the northwest part of Sichuan. The area is well-known for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits, especially in Huanglong gou (Yellow Dragon Gully), as well as diverse forest ecosystems, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and hot springs. Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the Giant Panda and the Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.
 

Today, indulge yourselves in this marvelous land. In here, three representative valleys are definitely worthy the visiting. They are all endowed with dream-like colorful lakes and multi-levels waterfall.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: In Chengdu

 

Jiuzhaigou Valley (Jiuzhaigou) is a nature reserve in the north of Sichuan. Jiuzhai Valley took the name from the nine Tibetan villages living in the valley which is composed of three valleys in a Y shape. The Rize and Zechawa valleys flow from the south and meet at the centre of the site where they form the Shuzheng valley, flowing north to the mouth of the valley. Jiuzhaigou's best-known feature is its dozens of blue, green and turquoise-colored lakes. The local Tibetan people call them "Haizi", meaning "son of the sea".  

 

Today, you will start another highlight of this tour – the Yangtze River Cruise. Fly to Chongqing, then, just enjoy your leisure cruise after boarding the boat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: On Yangtze Cruise boat

 

Chongqing, the largest inland city of China, is a booming metropolis located in the southeast of the Sichuan Basin at the confluence of the Yangtze and the Jialing rivers. Surrounded by waters on three sides, and by the mountains on four sides, Chongqing is known as 'mountain city', 'foggy city' and 'furnace city'.

 

Over 6,300 kilometers long, the Yangtze river is the largest and longest river in China, surpassed only by the Nile of Africa and the Amazon of South America. Born of the melting snows and ice in the Tanggula Mountain chain in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the torrent flows from west to east through provinces of Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu and the city of Shanghai, finally emptying into the East China Sea. Between the town of Fengjie (Sichuan Province) and Yichang (Hubei Province) are the magnificent Three Gorges.   

Enjoy your Yangtze cruise!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

 

Today you will stop for a visit to Fengdu, is located on the northern bank of the Yangtze 176km downstream from Chongqing. Fengdu received its reputation in the Eastern Han Dynasty. A plethora of demon-decorated temples, buildings and statues in this river town earned it the moniker "Ghost City"-the carved facades are truly fascinating. The temples built on Mt. Mishan display punishing instruments and wild demon images, which vividly depict the Chinese people's imagination of Hell. Another classic site – Shibaozhai may for your optional visiting.

 

Today pass Three Gorges that namely Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, during which take an excursion through Daning River Lesser Three Gorges.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: On Yangtze cruise boat

 

This morning, rise early to see the dawn light the Yangtze River before the boat enters the first gorge- Qutang Gorge, the shortest (8 km), narrowest and the most dramatic one of the three gorges. Two mountains, Chijia (Red Passage) and Baiyan (White Salt), guard the entrance to this gorge like giant castle doors.
 

After the first gorge you will meet Mt.Wushan, near the mountain, are the Three Little Gorges (Xiao San Xia), referring to the three separate valleys of the Daning River; they are respectively, Dragon-Gate Gorge, Misty Gorge and Emerald Gorge. You can change to a smaller boat to enjoy these marvelous spectacles of nature. You may well find this spot more impressive than the Yangtze Three Gorges themselves, as the Daning river's waters are pristine, compared to the muddy Yangtze and the river is narrower and the cliffs embracing it are even steeper and higher than those along the major Three Gorges. As the boat passes minority villages, you will be charmed by the spellbinding voices of the women singing traditional folk songs, and the haunting tones of the men's Flute music.

 

A few hours later you see the second gorge -Wu Gorge, the middle gorge which is best known for its quiet beauty, sheer cliffs and twelve unique peaks. Often veiled in swirls of mist, six line the north side of the river and six staggered peaks stand to the south. The most famous, Goddess Peak, resembles a kneeling maiden.

 

The longest of the three, Xiling Gorge (66 kilometers), is also the deepest, with sheer cliffs rising 4000 feet. It is actually comprised of seven smaller gorges, whose varied names are all based upon ancient legends, like Military Books and Precious Sword. Xiling Gorge had a reputation for being an unpleasant section where dangerous reefs and shoals lurked, and ships and boats frequently overturned in this area; however, as the level of the river rises behind the wall of the Three Gorges Dam, this wild part of the river is tamed.

 

Then it is time to pass through the locks of Three Gorge Dam, the climax despite of the nature sightseeing. You could really feel the might of the dam. After the visiting, disembark at Yichang and be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai and be transferred to the hotel to catch up on some rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Shanghai
 

Today you will take a visit to the great Three Gorges Dam. It is 2,335-meter long, 185-meter high, 18-meter wide on the top and 130-meter wide at the bottom. The dam will raise the river to a level of 175 meters above sea level, creating a 600km long reservoir with storage capacity of 39.9 billion cubic meters extending from the dam site all the way to Chongqing. It is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken. 
 

Then, return to your boat and have a nice lunch, it is really the time for you to say goodbye to the crews. You will take a flight from Yichang airport to Shanghai. For Shanghai, you have a lot to expect.

 

Shanghai is a city unlike any other in China. It is the bustling economic heartbeat of China that enjoys all of the comforts and amenities of a fully modern metropolis. Shanghai today looks to regain its former position at the turn of 20th of being one of the largest financial centers in the world behind New York and London. It is a city that seamlessly blends East and West.

 

After the Yangtze cruise, just enjoy another kind of scenery. So, start your today's visit with the sightseeing to the Yuyuan Garden, a Chinese classic garden in city downtown. Then visit the nearby old street. Continue the trip to Shanghai's new landmark- World Financial Center. In the evening, have a walk along the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade and Nanjing Road, China's No. 1 Commercial Street. Optional acrobatics show is available tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Shanghai

 

Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19th century and was restored in 1961. This garden was first built in the 16th century by provincial governor, Pan Yunduan, in honor of his father who was the then government minister. It has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools, and flora that are all connected by corridors and passageways. The delicate design and exquisite layout of the whole garden reveals a strong impression of 'garden in the garden, whole in the part.

 

Shanghai World Financial Center is a super tall skyscraper in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. It is a mixed use skyscraper which consists of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls on the ground floors. On 14 September 2007 the skyscraper was topped out at 492.0 meters (1,614.2 feet) and became the second tallest building in the world; as well as the tallest structure on mainland China, including Hong Kong.

 

The Bund is the showcase with the old buildings of colonial-era leftover along Huangpu River. The renowned waterfront district is the city's most famous landmark. The word BUND is of Anglo-India origin meaning embankment on the waterfront. It is also the popular site to enjoy the night view of the city. 

 

Nanjing Road which is a good shopping area, starts at the Bund and runs westward, with People's Square in the middle. Renown for its bustling and modernization, Nanjing Road earns its reputation as the 'First Commercial Road in China', which is the good shopping heaven for your trip as the same as the Fifth Avenue in New York and Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris. Some of the traditional food and handicrafts of Shanghai can be found here.  

 

Shanghai offers colorful recreations with rich contents and creative form. Your night may be filled with an interactive old form of art known as the Acrobatics. Those professional performers have been trained of as early as age six or seven so that they can play so well and excellent. It definitely will be an unforgettable night in your memory. 

 

The vacation is over all too soon as you're transferred to the airport to board the homebound flight, bidding a fond farewell to China, and we know you'll be back.

Meals: Breakfast