Day 1

Arrival Shanghai 

Arrive in Shanghai, your gateway city of China tour, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a good rest.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: In Shanghai

 

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.

 

Day 2

Shanghai

Depart from hotel in the morning, you will then have a whole-day trip of the highlishts in this city - Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade. In the evening, if you are instereted, Acrobatic Show is a good choic for your night entertainment.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Shanghai

 

Today you'll find a Buddhism shrine - Jade Buddha Temple ,Jade Buddha Temple, which is located in a crowd of Shanghai City. It was first built in 1882 in Jiangwan on the southern outskirts of Shanghai. In order to make it convenient for the adherents to visit, it was bodily moved to Shanghai City at the present sire in 1918. It is named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha. It receives thousands of visitors and worshipers everyday while keeps its sanctity and charming. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the sitting jade Buddha statue is translucent with a solemn expression, displaying the excellent skill and extraordinary art of Chinese people.

 

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.

 

Completed in 1995 to a highly innovative design, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower includes 15 spheres of different sizes at different levels creating an artistic conception of "large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate" in ancient Chinese poem. It has become a symbol of excellence in architecture and is a favourite sight for tourists in Shanghai. Viewed from the Bund at night, the tower's three-dimensional lighting creates an enchanting, brilliantly coloured display. At 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the World. Two of the six tower elevators can reach the highest sphere in 40 seconds; here the visitor will discover shops, a rotating restaurant and a sightseeing floor. The view of Shanghai from here is breath-taking. 

 

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.

 

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.

 

Day 3

Shanghai      Suhou

After breakfast in hotel, travel to Suzhou by coach. Upon arrival, visit The Lingering Garden, which is one of the great four gardens in China. Then continue tour visit to Suzhou Museum, the masterpiece of I.M. Pei. Night tour of Master of Nets Garden is highly recommended today as your optional activity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Shanghai

 

Founded in 514 BC, Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze Basin. And Suzhou remains one of the most beautiful cities in China with its blue web of interlocking canals and classical gardens that inspired the Chinese to name it "paradise on earth" and Marco Polo to call the city the "Venice of the East" during his visit.  

 

Lingering Garden is one of the great four gardens in China. It was first built in Wanli reign of Ming Dynasty in 1593 as Xu Taishi's private garden. The garden was originally called East Garden, and the middle pond and overlapped yellow stone rockeries on the west of the pond are built at that time. After Xu's death, Liu Su became the owner of the garden. By rebuilding it, Liu plated many bamboos and had many stones inscribed out of his hobby. The fourth owner is Sheng Xuanhuai, who named the Garden “Lingering'”. The word has the same pronunciation with ‘Liu' in Chinese, the surname of its former owner. 

 

Master of the Nets Garden (Wangshi yuan) is among the finest gardens in China. The garden, famous for its water landscape and pavilions, demonstrates Chinese garden designers' adept skills for synthesizing art, nature, and architecture to create unique metaphysical masterpieces.

 

Day 4

Suzhou      Shanghai    Huangshan City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Huangshan city

 

The flight from Shanghai to Huangshan City will take about one hour. The city is located at the south of Anhui Province and famous for the Mt. Huangshan and the scattered serene villages. Tomorrow we'll find out more.

 

Day 5

Mt. Huangshan

Be transferred to the famous Mt. Huangshan scenic area and climb up by cable car to enjoy your exploration there. Lunch and dinner will be served at the restaurant on mountain. Stay overnight at the top of the mountain.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: On Mt. Huangshan

 

Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is one of China's ten best-known scenic spots. It is characterized by the four wonders, namely, odd-shaped pines, grotesque rock formation, seas of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs. Having all the features of mountain scenery, Mt. Huangshan is known as the No. 1 Mountain under the Heaven. Because of the mists and clouds, natural scenery in the area changes beyond prediction. Xu Xiake, a noted Chinese geologist and traveler in Ming Dynasty, praised Mt. Huangshan as the best of all mountains.

 

Because of the limited water and food resources, the price climbs high on mountain. Please be careful while sight-seeing and environmental-friendly to the beautiful scenery. Take a good rest for tomorrow's soul-stunning sunrise.

 

Day 6

Huangshan City

Get up early in the morning, you may have chance to enjoy the fantastic sunrise amidst a sea of clouds in the summits. Then down the mountain and take a visit to to Hongcun Village and Xidi Village  with original residential style of Ming and Qing Dynasties at the south foot of Mt. Huangshan. Stay overnight at Huangshan City.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Huangshan city

Xidi Village is known for its unique and elegant wooden houses: prettified walls preventing rain infiltration, black tiles recording the history of the town, decorative gate towers standing for the particular flavor of the architecture. Most of the 300 houses in the village were constructed in the Ming and Qing dynasties, of which 124 were well preserved, fully displaying the architectural style of Anhui Province. The history of this village can be dated back to the Song Dynasty during the reign of emperor Huangyou. 

 

Hongcun is an ancient village with a history over 400 years. The original residential style and features of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were preserved perfectly there. Hongcun Village has a cattle-like plan, a stream passes by every door in the village like cattle's gut, a semi-lunar pond looks like cattle's stomach, and the four bridges over the stream from the cattle's feet. With marbled ground, black tiles, fresh red lanterns, elaborate woodcarvings and amazingly comprehensive water system, Hongcun Village is known as ‘the folk imperial palaces'.

 

Day 7

Huangshan City    Hangzhou

In the morning, take about 3 hours driving, you will arrival Hangzhou. After arrival, take a trip in the city including the well-known West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Six Harmonies Pagoda. Optional Huaiyang Cuisine is available for your dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Hangzhou

 

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is located by the Qiantang River at the Southern end of the Grand Canal. As one of the most renowned and prosperous cities of China for much of the last 1,000 years, Hangzhou is also well-known for its beautiful natural scenery, with the West Lake as the most well-known location. The Venetian Marco Polo supposedly visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century. His book refers to the city as "beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world."

 

"Rippling waters shimmering on a sunny day,

Misty mountains shrouded by the rain;

Plain or gaily decked out like Xizi;

West Lake is always alluring."

 

These sentiments by the famous poet Su Dongpo, comparing West Lake with Xizi, the most renowned beauty of the Song Dynasty, leave one in no doubt of the splendor of the scenery that inspired them. Enclosed by the hills on three sides, the West Lake mirrors the surrounding landscape to form a panorama of great beauty. The lake was originally part of the Qitang River until its outlet became silted up. It is now 15km in circumference with an average depth of 1.8 meters.

 

The Lingyin Temple is regarded as one of the four temples by the side of the West Lake. The main hall, 33.6 meters high, is one of China's tallest single-story buildings, further distinguished by double eaves. Within, a statue of Sakyamuni, carved out of 24 pieces of camphor wood and gilded with 104 ounces of gold, stands an impressive 19.6 meters high.

 

Standing by the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, the Pagoda of Six Harmonies (Liuhe Tower) has for hundreds of years been praised by poets and men of letters. The pagoda was constructed first in 970 during the Northern Song Dynasty to suppress the tidewaters. It is nearly 60 meters tall with 13 stories outside and seven inside. From here you can have a good view of the Qiantang River meandering far into the distance.

 

When you enjoy the beautiful sightseeing of Hangzhou, you also can try the well-known Huaiyang Cuisine. The charm of Hangzhou Cuisine has been recognized since the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). Hangzhou food is a representative of the southern style. Reminiscent of the romantic scenery around the city, Hangzhou dishes are delicate, tender and refreshing. All ingredients come from the fertile land of Hangzhou which known as a land of plenty. Apart from the popular Dongporou (sliced pork with half lean and half fat but without much oil, which is named after famous ancient poet Su Dongpo) and Xihu Cuyu (West Lake Fish in Vinegar), there are many other tasty dishes.

 

Day 8

Hangzhou    Guilin

In the morning, be transferred to the airport to board the domestic flight to Guilin, a small town with beautiful natural scenery. On arrival, your local guide will meet you at the airport then accompany you for a visit to Reed Flute Cave, the showcase of distinctly-colored stalactites and stalagmites and Elephant Trunk Hill then.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Guilin

 

Guilin is world-famous for its serene landscape, Karst limestone formations, mist-covered hills and bamboo groves. It is home to more than ten ethnic groups, including Han, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Hui and Dong. On the way from the airport to your hotel, you will see dozens of pretty hills everywhere in the city of Guilin. It is a city of hills and green trees and boasts one of the most photographed areas of China.

 

Reed Flute Cave is named for the special reeds, used for making flute instruments, that grow near the cave entrance. The caves are a feast for the eyes. The natural beauty of a profusion of stalactites and stalagmites, stele, stone pillars, stone curtains and stone flowers creating an infinite variety of extraordinary scenes, creatively illuminated, is bound to evoke gasps of admiration. It is fitting then, that Reed Flute Cave is commonly praised as Nature's Grand Art Palace.

 

Return to the city center for the next tour attraction, pagoda-capped Elephant Trunk Hill, or Xiangbishan, the symbol of Guilin. Observed from a distance, you'll see an elephant-like form standing majestically at the confluence of the Li and Yang Rivers, with its trunk arching into the clear waters, a fantasy elephant eternally quenching a gargantuan thirst; lifelike in shape and energetic in posture.  

 

Day 9

Guilin      Yangshuo

In the morning you will be driven to the Pier for the Li River Cruise (about 4 hours, lunch served on board). Savour the fairy-tale scenery while cruising down the meandering river to Yangshuo. After disembarkation, have a walk along the famous West Street. In the evening you can enjoy the optional night show of Impression of Liu Sanjie.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Yangshuo

 

In the morning, be driven to Pier for your Li River Cruise. A double-decker river boat is waiting for you. The landscape from Guilin to Yangshuo is truly a masterpiece of nature. The crystal waters, straight-out-of-a-painting mountains, peaceful farm fields, hard-working-but- ever-smiling fishermen and wandering water buffaloes inspire poetic musings of Guilin's charming life. Under the blue sky, your river boat transports you in an unending daydream.

 

You will end up your cruise in Yangshuo, is a small oriental but Western-influenced town with a history of 1000 years. The West Street in the town earns its name since almost every one in West Street can speak fluent English and every restaurant or bar offers menus in several languages. You'll feel no borders or distance here and will soon fall under the spell of this charismatic, welcoming small-town atmosphere. Moreover, West Street is flanked by fascinating little shops and vendor stands selling a broad variety of superior quality souvenirs, perfect gifts for friends and relatives. West Streets charms increase when night comes; countless bars, cafés and bistros open till midnight with dynamic music and live bands to ensure you can have a really memorable night with your new-found friends.

 

Some guests may also hear about the night show- Impressions of Liu Sanjie performance. The site is only one mile from West Street in the world's largest natural theatre which utilizes the waters of the Li River as its stage, flanked by twelve mist shrouded hills and the heavens as its backdrop. Mist, rain, moonlight, the hills and their inverted reflections in the river all become the ever-changing natural background, so you will enjoy a unique experience each time you attend. In the 'Impressions of Liu Sanjie', you will be presented with stylized scenes and events from the daily life of the Zhuang people living around the Li River. From these pageants, you will gain a realistic sense of Sanjie's birthplace and appreciate the beauty of the folk songs. If you are able to take photographs under low-light conditions, you are assured of some stunning images from this performance.

 

Day 10

Yangshuo    Guilin    Hong Kong

This morning, you can have a relaxing tour around the countryside to feel the peaceful atmosphere there (if you are interested, you can even take a cycling around and appreciate the landscape along the way like the Moon Hill and the Big Banyan Tree). Then be transferred back to ariport to take your flight to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Hong Kong

 

As it is said, Yangshuo is the paradise in the south of China. Today you have a chance to find out the reasons. From Yangshuo, it is a short, pleasant drive to the aptly named Moon Hill, a great limestone peak with a naturally created moon-shaped cavern passing through just below its summit.
 

From Yangshuo, it is a short, pleasant drive to the aptly named Moon Hill, a great limestone peak with a naturally created moon-shaped cavern passing through just below its summit. Reaching the upper section of Moon Hill requires you to make a steep climb up a well-made path through groves of dense bamboo. Once past the luxuriant vegetation, the path enters the great natural opening that distinguishes this mountain from its neighbors. Moon Hill is not only an incredibly beautiful arch, it is certainly also one of the most interesting crags in the area. It comes as no surprise therefore that this was the first crag Todd Skinner equipped in 1990, inaugurating sport climbing in Yangshuo. The walk via the blue markers to the top of the arch and the panoramic viewpoint is highly recommended.
  

Hong Kong is a bustling and vibrant destination boasting a rich blend of Chinese and European traditions. Visitors to this "Pearl of the Orient" will experience breathtaking views from Victoria Peak, the uniqueness of Aberdeen's Floating Community, and the offerings at Stanley Market. It would be hard to find a more exiting city than Hong Kong. Set among beautiful natural surroundings it has all the benefits of a thriving and vibrant commercial center home to shopping like no place

 

Day 11

Hong Kong

Today you can have a half day to the famous Ocean Park, which is one of the world's largest oceanaria.
Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: In Hong Kong

 

Opened in January, 1977, Ocean Park is Hong Kong's unique local park with a heritage of delivering family fun and fond memories. It is one of the world's largest oceanaria and comprises 170 hilly acres overlooking the sea. It was chosen by Hong Kong citizens as their No.1 favorite scenic spot in Hong Kong. Recently, it is named one of the ‘10 Most Popular Amusement Parks in the World’ by Forbes. The sheer variety of entertainment, education and conservation facilities will cater to the entire family and your experience will remain in your memory to love, enjoy and cherish for the rest of your life.
 

Day 12

Departure Hong Kong

Take a half day visit of the HK Island that including Victoria Peak, Aberdeen and Repulse Bay. Feel at leisure until we are transferred to the airport for flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Victoria Park is Hong Kong's premier visitor attraction, providing magnificent harbor and city views. You will experience the dazzling panorama of Hong Kong Island, the Victoria Harbor, the Kowloon Peninsula and hills beyond. By night, you are thrilled to the neon-light skyline. What's more, the Peak offers visitors a multitude of fantastic entertainment, dining and shopping options.

 

Aberdeen is also located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. It is home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks. The traditional lifestyle is dramatically juxtaposed against a modern high-rise community that spreads up the nearby hillsides. To get a close-up look at the Aberdeen way of life, many visitors take a sampan ride. In the evenings, any others prefer to take in the view from the floating seafood restaurant anchored there.

 

The wide and wave-lapped beach - Repulse Bay is popular with locals and visitors alike and great for sandy strolls early morning or at sunset when all is at peace. As well as sun, sea and sand, there are plenty of diversions nearby. The former colonial style Repulse Bay Hotel and the ornate Life Guard Club built in traditional Chinese style are all there for you to explore.

 

Service Ends