Best of China: Beijing, Xian, Guillin & Li River, Shanghai, Suzhou - 11 Days (CN-05)

China’s cities dominate the eastern coast and are what most people think of when they think of China. But, of course, the country also excels in natural beauty too. After the excitement, retail therapy, cultural immersion and buzz of China’s mega-cities it is refreshing to see another, quieter side. This tour has all this, the best cities, a cruise on the majestic Li River and a visit to the garden city of Suzhou.
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from $2,695 per person, 11 days



Day 1. Beijing
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. We start by going back in time with a visit via a rickshaw to an old Beijing district – a ‘Hutong’ neighbourhood.
Day 2. Beijing
We will visit Tiananmen square. Next, we’ll move on to the famous Imperial palace and the Forbidden City. After we’ll experience Summer Palace. In the evening, we’ll indulge in a typical Beijing roast duck dinner.
Day 3. Beijing
You will visit the Badaling section of the Great Wall. After, you’ll see the site of the famous Olympic park from 2008. In the evening you will witness one of the finest Acrobatic Shows.
Day 4. Beijing - Xian
Next, it’s off to Xian on the new morning bullet train. Your Xian city tour will introduce you to this fascinating city, one of the four ancient capitals of China. In the evening visit the famous Tang Dynasty Dancing Show.
Day 5. Xian - Guilin
For many people, the most exciting tourist attraction in China is the Terracotta Army which we explore together with our guide. After, you will catch your onward flight to Guilin where you’ll be met on arrival.
Day 6. Cruise along Li River
A river cruise along the banks of river Li, over five hours you will see stunning views of the karst peaks. The cruise will end Yangshuo, a small picturesque town. Transfer back to Guilin in the afternoon.
Day 7. Guilin - Shanghai
A city tour around Guilin in the morning including visit to the Seven Star Park, Elephant Trunk Hill and Diecai Hill. After, our driver will meet you in the hotel and take you to the airport to catch your flight to Shanghai. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel.
Day 8. Shanghai
We will experience Shanghai's top sights, including: the People’s Square, Shanghai Museum and the famous Bund.
Day 9. Shanghai
Today’s tour sums up past, present and future Shanghai. You will visit a peaceful garden, the striking Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s main shopping street.
Day 10. Shanghai – Suzhou - Shanghai
Today is different again as you’ll travel on to Suzhou, sometimes called ‘Eastern Venice’ due to its gardens and watery setting.  Transfer back to Shanghai in the evening.
Day 11. Shanghai
Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to the airport.
Click here to view detailed day-by-day itinerary of this tour

Quick Facts
  • Season: Four Seasons
  • Days: 11
  • Group Size: 2-14
  • Tour Grade:   Gentle

Day 1. Beijing
Arrival and transfer to the hotel with one of our drivers. We start by going back in time with a visit via a rickshaw to an old Beijing district – a ‘Hutong’ neighbourhood located by Shichahai Lake. Hutongs are usually city areas with narrow streets or alleys. You will enjoy a guided rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys of this unique part of old Beijing seeing how locals lived many years ago. (D)
Day 2. Beijing
In many ways the symbol of China’s capital, Tiananmen is the fourth largest city square in the world at 440,000 square metres. Take in its size and grandeur and consider the key events in the modern Chinese history that have taken place here, including the government troops stopping pro-democracy protesters in 1989. Next, you’ll move on to the famous Imperial palace and the Forbidden City. The Palace has become the Palace museum and its rooms have over one million treasures – our experienced guide will point you to the most interesting pieces. After you’ll experience Summer Palace for a look at Chinese landscape garden design. In the evening, you’ll indulge in a typical Beijing dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 3. Beijing
A symbol of Chinese civilisation, the Great Wall is the most famous tourist attraction in China. You will visit the Badaling section of the Great Wall, built during the Ming dynasty in the 16th century. After, you’ll see the site of the famous Olympic Green and Olympic park from 2008, including the ‘Bird’s nest’ Beijing National Stadium, Aquatics Centre “Water Cube”, Green Hockey Field and many others. In the evening you will witness one of Beijing’s finest Acrobatic Shows. (B,L,D)
Day 4. Beijing - Xian
Next, it’s off to Xian on the new morning bullet train, covering 711 miles from Beijing to Xian in only 4h and 40min. Your Xian city tour will introduce you to this fascinating city, one of the four ancient capitals of China. Key sights include the Big Goose Pagoda (a seven-storey Buddhist temple), the Little Goose Pagoda, the City Wall, the Bell Tower, which signalled the gates city gates opening at dawn and the Great Mosque, one of the first Mosques built in China. A local lunch and in the evening you will visit the famous Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Show with dances and songs adapted from Chinese folklore. (B,L,D)
Day 5. Xian - Guilin
For many people, the most exciting tourist attraction in China is the Terracotta Army. At the moment there are three pits open for the public with thousands of terracotta statues of warriors and horses depicting the army of the First Chinese Emperor. This stone army is estimated to have over 8000 soldiers, 520 horses, and 130 chariots. You will have a chance to examine the pits and walk up the burial mound of the emperor. Your guide will be there to give you detailed information about the sites and excavations works and answer all your questions. After, you will be transferred to catch your onward flight to Guilin and you’ll be met on arrival. (B,L,D)
Day 6. Cruise along Li River
Today, you’ll see another side of China. A river cruise along the banks of river Li, over five hours you will see stunning views of the karst peaks while the guide will point to famous hills like the Elephant-Trunk Hill, Pagoda Hill and will tell you about small towns you pass. The cruise will end Yangshuo, a small picturesque town. Here you can hire a bike and explore the surroundings or just have a cup of tea on West Street. Transfer back to Guilin in the afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 7. Guilin - Shanghai
Take a city tour around Guilin in the morning. You will visit the Seven Star Park renowned for its limestone cave, as well as the zoo and the Flower Bridge. You will then stop at the Elephant Trunk Hill, which resembles an elephant sucking water, and at Diecai Hill – a hill next to the river with beautiful caves, pavilions and stone carvings. After, our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby with a “China & Beyond” signboard and take you to the airport to catch your flight to Shanghai. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 8. Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and busiest cities in China. It is thrilling and fast-paced. You will experience its top sights, including: the People’s Square located in the heart of the city, Shanghai Museum and the famous Bund, a mile-long riverside promenade where you will find examples of Baroque and Neo-Classical design. Soak up the buzz and take pictures of the river. (B,L,D)
Day 9. Shanghai
Today’s tour sums up past, present and future Shanghai. Starting in old Shanghai, you will visit a peaceful garden located next to City God Temple where you’ll see examples of traditional Chinese gardens, including: a rockery, a chamber of ten thousand flowers, multiple halls, ponds, pavilions and towers. Then you’ll move onto the striking Oriental Pearl TV Tower with its 11 spheres and impressive 468m tower, which has 15 viewing levels. Then to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s main shopping street. It attracts over one million visitors on daily basis! (B,L,D)
Day 10. Shanghai – Suzhou - Shanghai
Today is different again as you’ll travel on to Suzhou, sometimes called ‘Eastern Venice’ due to its gardens and watery setting. Take your time to contemplate and soak in the atmosphere of tranquillity and peace. After visiting some gardens, enjoy a boat trip on the Grand Canal and see the city from a different perspective. The last stop during this tour will be a Silk Factory for an educational and hands-on experience. Take advantage of being in Suzhou and visit one of Tea Houses if you have some time to spare. Transfer back to Shanghai in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 11. Shanghai
Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby with a “China & Beyond” signboard and take you to the airport to catch your flight home. (B)


Want to travel on different dates?
Please see below for our group tour dates, if you would like to travel on a different day, please let us know and we will come back to you with an offer. There might be additional surcharges for a private tour but all depends on the number of people in your party and your travel preferences.

 

Peninsula Palace *****

Category: De Luxe 5* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Wangfujing, Goldfish Lane, 8

Peninsula Palace The Peninsula Palace Hotel Beijing is located within main shopping areas of Wangfujing and Dongdan in the heart of Beijing. It only takes a few minutes to walk to the popular scenic spots such as Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and The Museum of Chinese History.

Opened in 1989, the hotel has an imposing, traditional Chinese architectural-style exterior, integrated with the ultimate in luxurious, modern hotel amenities and facilities.

There are 525 guest rooms, which have been refurbished to the most luxurious standard based on the Peninsula's tradition of comfort, interwoven with subtle Chinese influences. The newly designed guest rooms and suites feature hardwood floors covered with carpet, a 42” plasma television, high-speed broadband Internet access, silent fax machine and The Peninsula signature technology - a bedside electronic panel that controls all lighting and audio-visual equipment in the room, as well as a special control panel by the door displaying outside temperature and humidity levels.

The hotel has a lounge, restaurants, fitness centre, sauna, spa, indoor pool, prestigious shopping Arcade with 50 exclusive designer boutiques.

Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace



Howard Johnson Paragon ****

Category: Business 4* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Jianguomen Avenue, 18

Howard Johnson Paragon The hotel is located in the city centre, next to the famous shopping mall - Henderson Centre, a 10-minute walk to the famous Tian Namen Square, Summer Palace and just across the street to the Beijing Railway Station.

There are 280 rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, cable/satellite TV, coffee/tea maker, Internet access, iron and ironing board.

The hotel has a restaurant, bar/lounge, room service, baby sitting on request, beauty salon, fitness centre, free parking, game room, ironing/laundry services, business centre, meeting /conference rooms, non-smoking rooms and rooms for the disabled.

Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon



Red Wall ***

Category: Tourist 3* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Sha Tan North Street, 31

Red Wall The hotel is located in the centre of Beijing and within 5 minutes walk to its major attractions: Forbidden City, traditional Chinese folk house (Hutong and Siheyuan), Wangfujing shopping street, Red Building of Beijing University, including relics of the city wall of Beijing.

The hotel has a total of 200 rooms including standard rooms, deluxe standard rooms, executive suite rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioning, cable/satellite TV, high-speed Internet access, telephone, safety box, iron and ironing board and mini-bar.

There is a gym, sauna, massage, beauty salon, restaurant, coffee bar and meeting room. The restaurant offers Chinese and Western cuisines including Chinese imperial cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Guangdong cuisine.

Red Wall Red Wall Red Wall Red Wall



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