17-Day Cheap China Tour

Tour Overview
During this tour, you will go near many famous Chinese historic facts, facts about Chinese culture, food, opera, ancient music and dance, and the mysterious Naxi people's civilization & traditions. Also, you will view the natural wonder in Yunnan and enjoy a cruise on the beautiful karst river in Guilin.

Day 1 Beijing Arrival (no meals)

Upon arrival, our local guide and driver will pick you up to the hotel selected. Remainder of the day is at leisure to recover from the jet-lag. You can take a leisure walk around your hotels. 

Day 2 Beijing (B, L)

Highlights today： Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven

Private escorted tour to the largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square first. Then go to the Forbidden City, which is the largest imperial palace in China for 24 emperors' reign during the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years. Later, move to Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design where the ancient emperors used to pray for the God's bless of the whole nation.

Optional night show:

Beijing Kung Fu Show: A rare chance to watch the real Shaolin Kung Fu. The performers are the best and have mastered the difficult moves.

Beijing Opera Show: It is one of the most famous traditional Chinese opera. The artists wear heavy make-up and act out the legends and romance with their unique style of singing and dance.

Day 3 Beijing (B, L)

Highlights today： Great Wall at Mutianyu section, Chang Tomb, Sacred Road

Private escorted tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu section, the greatest of the eight ancient architectural wonders in the history of human civilization. Then go to Chang Tomb, the tomb for Emperor Yongle, the third emperor of Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1683), and his wife Empress Xu. Chang is an underground tomb, the first and the largest of the Ming tombs and reflects a similar conception of Imperial architecture. At the top of Chang Tomb, visitors can have a look of the other 12 Ming Tombs. Connected with the tombs, Sacred Road used to be regarded as "the way leading to Heaven", the highlights are the 12 pairs of animal stone sculptures. Tonight’s dinner, we recommend you the famous Peking Duck Banquet (optional).

Day 4 Beijing → Xi'an by train (B, L)

Highlights today： Yonghe Lamasery, Hutongs by rickshaw

Pick up at the hotel and pay a visit to Yonghe Lamasery, originally a prince mansion of Qing Dynasty, it changed to the head office of Lama Administration. Later, go to visit Hutongs by rickshaw, these crisscrossing old narrow paths with courtyard houses are the unique street design in Beijing. Have a leisurely walk in Houhai area.

After lunch, take high speed train to Xian. Upon arrival at Xian, be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for your own enjoyment.

Day 5 Xi'an (B, L)

Highlights today： Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Street, Great Mosque

Visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum in the morning, which is one of the most important archaeological finds in the 20th century, and a UNESCO World Heritage. Drive back to downtown area and visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, it was first built in Tang Dynasty for the storage of Buddhist scriptures taken from India by Monk Xuanzang and now becomes the city emblem. Then go to the Muslim Street, get close to Muslim people and their life. Besides, on this popular food street, you’ll find traditional dishes and special snacks. And the visit the Great Mosque, built in a Chinese architectural style and most of the grounds are taken up with gardens.

Day 6 Xi'an → Kunming by flight (B, L)

Highlights today： Ancient City Wall, Shanxi History Museum

Visit the Ancient City Wall in the morning. It is the first landmark visitors will encounter in Xi'an which stretches round the old city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall. You may have a bike trip on the city walls (optional and on your own expense) and experience the old and modern Xian. 

Travel to the Shanxi History Museum which collected over 370,000 precious relics unearthed in Shaanxi Province, including bronze wares, pottery figures, and mural paintings in Tang tombs.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Kunming. Be met and transferred to the hotel. 

Day 7 Kunming (B, L)

Highlights today： Stone Forest, Golden Temple

Today you will explore an essential part of South China Karst (UNESCO world heritage site) -  the Stone Forest (around 80km south-east of Kunming), which is a massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain water and eroded for millions of years to their present fanciful forms. After time to explore the Stone Forest you will return to Kunming and there will be a visit to Kunming's famous Golden Temple, a unique Taoist temple set in the grounds of a charming park.

Day 8 Kunming → Lijiang by train (B)

Highlights today： Lijiang Old Town, Lion Hill, Black Dragon Pool Park

Take high speed train to Lijiang in the morning. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel by private car.  After a shot break you will be guided to explore Lijiang Old Town, where originally called Dayan. Lijiang is a very well preserved old town built by Naxi people with unique cultural background. It was listed as the World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1997. You can have a panarama view at Wangu Tower on the top of  the Lion Hill ( Shishan Hill). Then you will visit the Black Dragon Pool Park. Located at the foot of Elephant Hill, it is a famous pond in the scenic Jade Spring Park (Yu Quan Park) with a short walk north of Lijiang Old Town. It was built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty and offers a spectacular view of the region's tallest mountain, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, over its white marble bridge.

Day 9 Lijiang (B, L)

Highlights today： Joseph Rock's Former Residence, Baisha Mural, Shuhe Old Town

Today's sightseeing includes Joseph Rock's Former Residence at Yuhu Village, where you can know more about Joseph Rock and his life there. Then go to Baisha Mural at Baisha Old Village, It was painted in Baisha Town in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), an interesting co-existence of Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism in the artworks. Shuhe Old Town is the last spot. Shuhe is the earliest settlement of Naxi people in Lijiang when their ancestors first moved to this region. Compared with Lijiang, the town is less touristy and polished with more original characters.

Day 10 Lijiang (B)

Highlights today： Free time in Lijiang

Enjoy the day at leisure in Lijiang to explore independently. You can take your camera to record some interesting facts about Naxi people or sit in the unique local bars to have a drink. Also, you can join an optional tour to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain or the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Day 11 Lijiang → Guilin by flight (B)

Highlights today： Guilin arrival

Free morning gives yourself a chance to have an in-depth trip in Lijiang. Later, transfer to Lijiang Sanyi Airport and fly to Guilin. Be met and transferred to hotel. The rest of the day is for you to explore Guilin downtown on your own.

Note: Lijiang to Guilin has daily flight by far (updated on Apr. 28, 2020). However, if flight schedule changes, you may need to flight from Lijiang via a connection in Kunming.

Day 12 Guilin → Longji → Guilin by private car (B, L)

Highlights today： Longji Rice Terraces, Ping An Zhuang Village

After breakfast, drive around 3 hours to Longji to see the rice terraces. It is a feat of farm engineering which was first built in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Walk to the observation deck to take great photos of endles rice terraces. Then visit Ping An Zhuang Village, where you can know about Zhuang people's life, customs, and perhaps be invited by friendly host into their homes, etc.

Drive back to Guilin in late afternoon.

Day 13 Guilin → Li River Cruise → Yangshuo by ship (B, L)

Highlights today： Li River cruise, West Street

Take a leisurely cruise down the picturesque Li River to enjoy spectacular natural sceneries. This is one of the most enchanting river journeys in China with great photo opportunities along the way. There is stunning scenery on the way as your boat meanders between the dramatic karst peaks and past bamboo fishing villages.

Upon you arrival in Yangshuo, you will have leisure time to walk around the West Street, with a history of over 2000 years. It is very popular among international travelers and local Westerners. Take your time at the street, savoring local culture, bars and etc.

Optional night show:

Impression Liusanjie Show is an outside live show beside Li River of Yangshuo, it expresses the beautiful scenery of Li River, the colorful culture of the ethinic groups in Guangxi and the brave imagination of the excellent artists in China.

Day 14 Yangshuo (B)

Highlights today： Free time in Yangshuo

Today you are free at leisure to roam the the beautiful countyside of South China independently. By far the best way of getting around is by bike, with bikes cheap and easy to hire locally. Your hotel or guide can help with this, and can also suggest a variety of cycling routes to suit all levels of fitness and interest.
Spending time on the water either on the Li RIver itself or by bamboo raft along Yulong River is also a memorable way to explore. Numerous other activities are also recommended, such as a cooking class at the Yangshuo Cooking School, shopping along Yangshuo’s central West Street or arranging a trip to witness the fascinating fishing with cormorants method still practised by local fishermen.

Day 15 Yangshuo → Guilin → Hong Kong by flight (B)

Highlights today： Reed Flute Cave

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the Guilin airport, en-route you can visit the Reed Flute Cave, which is the fantastic stalactites and stalagmites formation, known as "Natural Art Gallery". Take a flight to Hong Kong, be met and transferred with a private vehicle to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is free at leisure.  

Day 16 Hong Kong (B)

Highlights today： the Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Fishing Village, Stanley Market

Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to visit the first spot - the Victoria Peak. The Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island, and this has been the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood since colonial times. Riding the Peak Tram up to the peak is a visual experience. You can see the Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers slide past your window.

Pass by the Repulse Bay - one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong, the sight of the bay is peaceful, with broad beach, moderate slope and warm seawater. Then you will get your second spot, the Aberdeen Fishing Village. You can see the local fishermen's way of life at Aberdeen Harbour and admire its collection of floating villages here. If you like to take a closer look at the fishing village, you can choose an optional Sampan boat ride with an additional fee.

The next stop is the Stanley Market, located in the charming village of Stanley. This is a typical example of a traditional open-air market andwell known for its bargains. Many of the stalls or shops in Stanley Market sell Hong Kong souvenirs as well as clothing. 

Later, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to get acquainted with Hong Kong.

Day 17 Hong Kong departure (B)

Morning will leisure for you own arrangement. According to your flight or rail schedule, transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.

Services End