Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. All guestrooms feature Western décor and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Day 2 Beijing

You will be picked up from your Beijing hotel and taken on a half day private guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with a deluxe lunch. Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and was the front door of the Forbidden City. The present square stretches a vast 440,000 square meters and features Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings across 74 hectares, surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter wall, and divided into two parts. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924.

Enjoy a private deluxe dinner at a fine local restaurant, then settle into your VIP seats for the Legend of KongFu Show, featuring a group of the best Kung Fu practitioners of China.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Day 3 Beijing

You will be picked up by private car and English speaking guide for a tour of the Great Wall at MuTianYu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. En route, pass by the site of the Olympic Green to view the grandeur of the site and architectural wonder of buildings like the "Cube" and the "Bird's Nest". The extent of access to the Olympic area depends on the status on post-Olympic development but currently includes access inside the buildings. Lunch is included

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Day 4 Xi'an

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

This ¾ day tour includes the Temple of Heaven and visiting (and cooking/eating with) a local family in a hutong. Explore the Temple, built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. The most magnificent buildings are The Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan), Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) - which are connected by a wide bridge called the Sacred Way. From the Temple of Heaven travel north to a traditional hutong area of Beijing. The word "hutong" originates from "hottog" which means "well" in Mongolian, and describes the laneways lined with courtyard homes that once covered all of Beijing and still cover much of the city. Arriving at a traditional courtyard home prepare and eat a dumpling lunch with some locals in their home. This tour can finish back at the hotel or to the airport.

Direct flight from Beijing to Xi'an.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Enjoy your VIP seats at the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with private car transfers. At each performance there are over 100 artists who entertain with a colorful spectacle of dance and music symbolizing the splendor of the Tang Dynasty, regarded as the most progressive and prosperous era of Imperial China.

The Grand Mercure Xian on Renmin Square is housed in a low-rise heritage building built in 1957 on the sprawling grounds of Renmin Square Xian. With a Sino-Russian style façade fronting lush gardens, the structure is a charming blend of old, classic architecture and modern, sophisticated facilities including a stunning grand lobby. Complementing its charming ambience, Grand Mercure is a boutique hotel offering guests personalized service. Its rooms and suites are decked in contemporary Oriental décor in rich fabrics and are well equipped with complete amenities for a comfortable, convenient stay. It features a breakfast buffet restaurant and lounge; and guests have access to other facilities and services offered at its nearby sister hotel, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square.

Overnight at Grand Mercure on Renmin Square.

Day 5 Guilin

Guilin is situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery.

Half day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army and BanPo Museum with deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation, the over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village was a settlement has on display nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses.

Direct flight to Guilin.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Ideally located alongside the Li River lies the five-star Sheraton Guilin Hotel. Guilin has been an inspiration to Chinese poets and artists throughout the centuries and the hotel sits in the heart of this enchanting city. The hotel includes 430 guest rooms, including 19 suites. Facilities at the hotel include a pool and fitness center, and there is a golf course nearby.

Overnight at Sheraton Hotel Guilin .

Day 6 Yangshuo

Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City along the banks of the scenic Li River. The special geography gives it breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a cultural diversity coupled with a modern day cosmopolitan style as an outdoor adventure mecca.

Relax on a full day Li River Cruise with a deluxe lunch (included). The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks surprise and delight at each bend of the river under the blue sky. Water buffalo ply the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. The river trip is over eighty kilometers (52 miles) long and is estimated to take seven to eight hours with lunch on board. The eye-feasting landscape and country scenery will never disappoint you. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River is one of China's top destinations.

Enjoy a Deluxe local dinner followed by the Sister Liu Show. This spectacle was created by the Oscar winning Zhang Yimou and presents the local culture through a cavalcade of lights and cast of 500 using a private bay as the theatre and local mountains as the backdrop. This is sure to be one of the most memorable activities of your trip.

The Boutique style Magnolia Hotel is located on the edge of the Yangshuo pedestrian district, a short distance from the Li River. With open plan Ming dynasty inspired decor, the Magnolia is the perfect place to unwind, relax and enjoy your Yangshuo experience. The spacious rooms and soft, luscious beds make Magnolia an ideal place to retire after a night out in the popular West Street -- a stone’s throw from the hotel.

Overnight at Magnolia Hotel.

Day 7 Yangshuo

Experience the local karst scenery at your own pace while exploring the villages and rice farms of the Dragon River area by bike. Stop en route to enjoy lunch next to one of the cliff in this world world-famous rock climbing destination. Get your adrenalin flowing and experience a different view of these unique rock formations under the expert supervision and instruction of internationally trained rock climbing guides. Finish the day at a charming rural farmhouse professionally converted into a gourmet cooking school where you will finish your lesson enjoying the fruits of your labour.

Overnight at Magnolia Hotel.

Day 8 Shanghai

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Experience the Reed Flute Cave while transferring to/from the airport. Reed Flute Cave got its name from the verdant reeds growing outside it which are used to make flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition.

Direct flight from Guilin to Shanghai.

Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

The Marriot run Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan is a modern and luxurious property located adjacent to the Yuyuan Gardens and old quarter of downtown Shanghai. With a top-notch spa, 340 contemporary rooms and suites offering breathtaking views across the Shanghai city skyline and a central location within reasonable distance both to Shanghai's traditional attractions and the EXPO 2010 site this hotels offers a great luxury to value proposition well-suited to any trip.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.

Day 9 Shanghai

Enjoy a half day private guided tour of Shanghai taking in the Urban Planning Museum, Nanjing Rd, Bund, a cruise on the Huangpu and the character of Yuyuan Gardens. Start with a short visit to the Urban Planning Hall, a fun and informative introduction to the exciting city of Shanghai past and future. Strolling down Nanjing Rd, once listed as one of the most interesting in the world, you will arrive at the historic Bund. Enjoy a cruise on the Huangpu river that divides old Shanghai from the futuristic Pudong before venturing to the old quarter and Yuyuan gardens. Much of this tour is best done by foot.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.

Day 10 Shanghai

Transfer from central Shanghai with a driver, and English-speaking Guide to the Maglev station in Pudong from where you can complete your airport transfer in about 8 minutes at speeds of over 400 km/h. (Warning - involves a little walking).

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Shanghai international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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