China

Explore Beijing, the capital, with its regal Forbidden City, imperial Temple of Heaven and lively Hongqiao Market. Travel by cable car to the Mutianyu site of the Great Wall. Discover the wonder of Xian’s Terracotta Warriors and bike along the City Walls. Take a Tai Chi lesson by a noted master and a Chinese calligraphy class. Hike to Alpine Meadow on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Let the beauty of the Tiger Leaping Gorge take your breath away and take a scenic cruise on the Li River. Visit local villages and learn to appreciate tea at a Teahouse. Stroll along Shanghai’s Bund, the famed waterfront promenade, watch a spectacular Chinese acrobatic show and see the futuristic skyline of China’s largest city.

 

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Language

Standard Chinese (Mandarin), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese)

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Time Zone

GMT +8

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Currency

Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY or RMB)

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Average Temp

55° F

China Expedition

Remote Gems From Lijiang to Huang Shan

Chinese guardian lion - Shi - Lion Statue

Inspire Your Expedition with Our Sample Itinerary

Day 1 – BEIJING, CHINA

Arrive in Beijing

Private transfer to your hotel

Accommodations: Novotel Peace Beijing

Day 2 – BEIJING

Private morning tour:

  • Visit the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu OR
  • Hike the Great Wall from Simatai to Jinshaling (supplement applies)

Lunch  at Xiao Long Pu restaurant

Private afternoon tour:

  • Summer Palace
  • Lake Kunming Boat ride (shared)

Accommodations: Novotel Peace Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – BEIJING

Full-day private tour:

  • Temple of Heaven
  • Tiananmen Square

Lunch at Sichuan  Restaurant

  • Hongqiao Market
  • Pedicab ride

Evening options (supplement applies):  

  • Peking Opera OR
  • Peking Duck Dinner

Accommodations: Novotel Peace Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – BEIJING / XIAN

Private transfer to airport for flight to Xian

Afternoon tour of Terracotta Warriors & Horses Dig:

  • Pits #1, #2 & #3
  • The Bronze Chariot Museum
  • Film Presentation on the history of the site
  • City Wall walking or biking tour

Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show at Tang Le Gong Theatre

Accommodations: Jianguo Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – XIAN / LIJIANG

Private morning tour:

  • Xian (City) Museum
  • Chinese calligraphy or landscape painting class
  • Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Private airport transfer for flight to Lijiang via Kunming

Private transfer to hotel

Accommodations: Lijiang Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – LIJIANG

Full-day private tour:

  • Private Thai Chi lesson
  • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain hike to Alpine Meadow

Lunch at a local restaurant

  • Black Dragon Pool Park
  • Dongba Museum of Naxi religious traditions

Accommodations: Lijiang Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 – LIJIANG

Full-day private tour. Choice of:

  • Visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge OR
  • Bicycle excursion to Lashi Lake (supplement applies)

Lunch at a local restaurant

Accommodations: Lijiang Palace Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 – LIJIANG / GUILIN

Morning free

Private transfer to airport for flight to Guilin via Kunming

Private transfer to hotel

Accommodations: Guilin Bravo Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 – GUILIN / YANGSHUO

Scenic cruise on Li River to Yangshuo:

  • Visit Silver Cave
  • Explore Yangshuo village & market
  • Bicycle ride to Moon Hill

Evening performance of “Impression Liu San Jie”

Accommodations: Green Lotus Hotel Yangshuo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 – GUILIN / HUANGSHAN

Morning activity options:

  • Chinese Chess class OR
  • Chinese Cooking class

Private transfer to airport for flight to Hangzhou

Transfer overland to Huangshan (approx. 3 hours)

Accommodations: Huangshan International Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 – HUANGSHAN

Cable Car to Huangshan Summit

Guided walk along Mt. Huanshan Summit Trail

Lunch at a local restaurant

Overnight at the Summit

Accommodations: Xihai Hotel North Building
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 – HUANGSHAN / SHANGHAI

Explore the summit on guided walks

Lunch at a local restaurant

Descend to Huangshan by Cable Car

  • Visit Hong Cun local village 
  • Mukeng Bamboo Forest

Transfer to station for high-speed train to Shanghai

Private transfer to hotel

Accommodations: Central Hotel Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 – SHANGHAI

Full-day tour

  • Shanghai’s old quarter
  • Yu Yuan Garden
  • Shanghai Museum
  • French Concession
  • “The Bund”

Tea appreciation at a local teahouse

Lunch at Lu Bo Lang Restaurant

Chinese Acrobatic Show

Accommodations: Central Hotel Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14 – SHANGHAI / HOMEWARD BOUND

Private airport transfer for flight home

Meals: Breakfast

Starting at $7,000 per person
(two travelers, double occupancy, airfare not included)

Itineraries are customized to travelers’ interests and preferences.
Final prices will vary based on dates of travel and number of travelers.

Thank you for orchestrating a perfect vacation. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with very kind and friendly people. We appreciate all you have done and will certainly use you again for future travels.

Karen & Craig S.
Armonk, NY

When to go:

Year-round (best times are from March to November)

What to eat:

Hot Pot, Dumplings, Peking Duck

What to pack:

Conservative clothing, light jacket or sweater; shawl or scarf; swimwear, comfortable walking shoes; sunscreen, sunglasses, hat; insect repellent; camera equipment; universal adapter

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