Overview

China travel map - Luxury China Signature Tour

This Luxury China tour package of 16 days provides golden opportunity to explore the charm of rich cultural heritage and monuments of China. The itinerary has been specially created to ensure maximum interest and enjoyment with your personal tour local guide and driver. The tour covers from romantic Lijiang and idyllic Yangshuo in the south to home to the giant panda – Chengdu in the west, to the cradle of the Terracotta Army – Xi’an, and to the regal capital - Beijing in the north.

Duration: 16 days & 15 nights

Destinations: Shanghai - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin - Kunming - Lijiang - Chengdu - Xi'an - Beijing

Travel Style: Private

Customize Your Tour:
☑  Travel Dates  ☑ Your Interests  ☑ Your Travel Style

Day

Arrive in Shanghai, the most dynamic and bustling metropolis in China. Be met and transferred to your luxury hotel at downtown.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Join Dim Sun Class to learn dumpling (insect dumpling and gold-fish dumpling) and Xiaolongbao making.

  Recommended luxury accommodation in Shanghai:   

  • The Peninsula Shanghai

In the morning, start your day tour by visiting the Bund, the must-see place in Shanghai, which is the famous water front to see new-erect modern skyscrapers and aged buildings of the colonial period. Afterwards, continue to People's Park (Renmin Park) which located at Renmin Square. The Marriage Interview Corner is the highlight of the park. It's a place for single men and ladies (in most cases their parents come for them) to looking for future wives or husbands by writing a note with personal information.

Taste delicious and refined Shanghai dim sum (e.g. Chinese Pudding, layer cake, fried pan bun) at Lvbolang Restaurant near Yu Garden, where hosted the former US president Bill Clinton’s family in 1998.

Then proceed to Yu Garden--it was inaugurated in the Ming dynasty and has a total area of 20,000 square meters. As a paragon of the south Chinese landscaping style, it is a must-see site in Shanghai. Drive to Xintiandi, a car-free shopping, eating and entertainment area where composed of restored traditional shikumen (stone gate) houses on narrow alleys. One of the most romantic places in Shanghai, you can choose any of the bar or café to enjoy your private time.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • ERA Intersection of Time Acrobatic Show - performed by Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, one of the best of all Chinese acrobatic troupes. As a multimillion-dollar stunning acrobatic extravaganza, the first of its kind in China , ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology.

Meal: B, L

See local people morning exercise on the Bund

Around Shanghai, there are many romantic water towns; Nanxun is one of them, with fewer tourist. After breakfast, we drive about 1.5 hours to visit Nanxun Water Town. Wandering in Nanxun Water Town, you will have chance to see a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony performance on the water. There are at least 10 ferries engaged in the wedding ceremony on water, all are decorated with red flowers and ribbons. The bride and groom stand on the first ferry, waving to tourists on the banks. This is your chance to know how a traditional Chinese wedding was held in the ancient water town. After that, our guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Shanghai downtown.

OPTIONAL EVENING ACTIVITY

  • Shangahai jeep/sidecar ride - Sit in the vintage side car or a jeep, zigzagging the skyscrapers and old streets into the old town of Shanghai, to discover the real local life, the former French Concession, etc, withnessing the new and old of Shanghai.

Meal: B, L

Witness the traditional wedding on water in Nanxun Town

Fly to Guilin, a small city with great natural beauty of south China. No matter you’re arriving by plane or train, your local private guide will be ready to meet you at the arrival hall. Today, we will go ahead to Yangshuo and check in at your resort.

  Recommended luxury accommodation in Yangshuo:   

  • Banyan Tree, Alila Yangshuo

Meal: B

After breakfast at hotel, we will transfer you to experience the bamboo rafting on the tranquil Yulong River. The bamboo rafts on Yulong River are punted slowly by a man with a pole, that makes the journey more relaxed and enjoyable. (Please note the raft company doesn’t allow people over 70 or under 7 years old to take a bamboo raft).

Afternoon, we will visit Fuli Ancient Town which is 8 kilometers away from Yangshuo and has a history of over 1000 years. After that, we will move on to tranquil countryside, getting close to nature and taking a little bit walk to admire the stunning scenery. In the countryside, a visit to local farmer’s house would not be missed. Chatting with the villagers freely (tour guide will do translation for you for sure), you will get to know the stories of their family, the history of the village, local people’s livelihood and so on. You will also have chance to see local people making bamboo weaving for extra income during the slack season.

Meal: B, L

Take a bamboo rafting trip in Yangshuo

Transfer to the airport and fly to Lijiang to explore the well preserved ancient town of minority Naxi people. Overnight at luxury Hotel in Lijiang.

  Recommended luxury accommodation in Lijiang:   

  • Banyan Tree, Jinmao Hotel Lijiang, in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Meal: B

Drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the soul of Lijiang and the holy mountain of local Naxi People. Sit down for an open-air fantastic show of Impression Lijiang, proceed to see White Water River. Take a cable car up to Spruce Meadow for incredible views of snow-capped peaks. Then Transfer to visit Baisha Village, explore the hundred-year-old mural.It was painted in Baisha Town in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), an interesting co-existence of Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism in the artworks.

Meal: B

Visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang

Bike or drive to Shuhe Town for exploration, the original habitat of Naxi people. Go to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy stunning sightseeing there then proceed to visit Dongba Museum, which has more than 10000 Dongba cultural relics and various other historical relics and offers the "Dongba Culture Exhibition". Later, take a guided tour at downtown of Lijiang Old Town, originally called Dayan, it 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.

Meal: B, L

Lijiang Old Town

Transfer to the airport and fly to Chengdu, be met and transferred to hotel check in. In the afternoon, drink tea in the quaint teahouses in the People’s Park. Tea is an essential part of Chengdu people's daily life. They enjoy chatting, reading book, playing chess or Mahjong, and various traditional entertainments in the tea houses. Later, have a leisure stroll at Jinli Old Street for an authentic experience of traditional Chengdu. The street is favored by both locals and travelers with laid back atmosphere, especially at night when the lanterns are lighted.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY & DINNER

  • Sichuan Opera - It is another quintessence of Chinese art besides Peking Opera. You can see the famous face-changing show in some Sichuan Opera performance.
  • Sichuan Hot Pot - It is one of the most popular meals in China. The ingredients for hot pots are mainly beef, mutton, seafood, tofu, meat balls and vegetables. The boiling stock of Cantonese hotpot is light in taste, while the Sichuan hotpot features hot and spicy stock to enhance the flavor of the meat and vegetables. You can choose your own selection of meat and vegetables and dip them into the boiling pot at the table.

  Recommended luxury accommodation in Chengdu:  

  •  Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu, Temple House

Meal: B, L

Morning visit to Panda Breeding Center to see the lovely creatures. This huge institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population so they will not become extinct. After the visit, you will visit a traditional wet market nearby to see local people buy their everyday foods and how they bargain. You will have chance to learn spring-roll or wonton making.

Lunch is prepared at a local restaurant with some popular Sichuan dishes, and supposed to stir up your appetite.

  Suggestions for your Leisure Time 

  • Jiuyan Bridge Bar Street – Situated near the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, Jiuyan Bridge is a famous street of bars. There are hundreds of bars here with different styles and sizes.
  • Kuanzhai Alleys - consist of three parallel Chinese old-style alleys. This is also a good place you can find many local snacks.

Meal: B, L

Two panda babies are kissing

In the morning, transfer to take high speed train to Xi’an . The train journey takes around 4 hours, and you will be booked in 1st class seated carriage for this trip. Each row has two chairs on either side of the aisle, it will be wider and comfortable than 2nd class seat. Afternoon visit the Ancient Wall, the best-kept and longest city wall in China. It was built during the period of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defense system in Ming Dynasty.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Cycling on the Ancient City Wall - You can rent a bike at City Wall on your own for 1.5-2 hours’ cycling. What an unforgettable experience. Besides, you can know more about the City Wall.

  Recommended luxury accommodation in Xian:  

  • Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xi’an

Meal: B, L

In the morning, transfer to visit Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, one of the top attractions in China, because of its historical significance and uniqueness. After lunch at local restaurant, you will be taken to visit a family who still leave in Cave Dwelling. The cave dwelling is an ancient form residence at the Loess Plateau in northwestern China. Afterwards driver back to Xi’an city and visit Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated inside Ci’en Temple, it is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China, it is a well preserved and a holy place for Buddhists.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Show - A wonderful performance of the ancient music and dance. This is also a good way know more about the ancient Tang dynasty and some more history and art of that period.

Meal: B, L

Face to face with Terra Cotta Army

Take high speed train or flight to Beijing. Be met and transfer to your hotel in down town area. This afternoon, you will go to visit the 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. It is also a park many local people go for different activities like Taichi, dancing, playing chess, etc. You can even join them for fun.

At night, enjoy tasty Peking duck at Huajiayiyuan or Da Dong Roast Duck restaurant. As a royal dish in the Imperial Age of ancient China, Peking duck is now the symbol of Beijing cuisine and the dish you must try when visiting Beijing.

  Recommended luxury accommodation in Beijing:  

  • Rosewood Beijing, The Peninsula Beijing Hotel

Meal: B, L, D

Lead a private escorted tour to Forbidden City, officially as the Imperial Palace Museum, was constructed between 1406 and 1420 by the Ming emperor Zhu Di and witnessed the enthronement of 14 Ming and 10 Qing emperors over the following 505 years. This afternoon, we will move on to explore Hutong. In the old days, Beijing City is like a boxy bean curd or a chess board with each Hutong lying. This square layout not only influences Beijinger's way of living, but also affects their thoughts and actions. A pedicab Hutong tour is prepared for you to have a closer experience.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • 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.

Meal: B, L

Take a pedicab ride through hutong

Go to Mutianyu Great Wall by round-way cable car. This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is about 2.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing. Besides, it is the longest fully-restored Great Wall section open to tourists. Transfer back to Beijing down town in the afternoon, the rest time is free for your own arrangement.

  Recommended restaurant for dinner 

  • For the last night in Beijing, we’d like to suggest you a fine dinner restaurant for dinner - TRB Forbidden City. It offers contemporary and creative European cuisine with gracious service, and you can have stunning views of the majestic Forbidden City when you are at the table. What a special dining experience!

Meal: B, L

Transfer to airport and fly to your next destination.

Meal: B

End of service.

What's included

  • 1-on-1 Travel Consultant

    Your China based expert listens to your wishes carefully, provides professional advice, ensures unlimited itinerary revisions before done and 24/7 helpline service while traveling.

  • Private Local Guide and Driver

    Your guides are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and your drivers are professional, polite and patient. They are very flexible to accommodate your personal needs and happy to show you the local attractions, history, culture, foods and real life. 
    Private transfers from hotel to attractions, airport or train station are also included.

  • Accommodation to Suit Your Preference

    In each place, we hand pick hotels ranging from luxury 5 star, superior 4 star to comfortable 3 star. Luxury or cozy boutique hotels and budget guesthouses are also among your choices. You could decide where to stay to meet your taste and budget.

  • Gourmet Meals

    Most of the hotels we select offer both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast. Lunch and dinner included are arranged in selected restaurants to taste authentic Chinese cuisine and local specialties. Thus you may also have a unique food tour.
    Meals specified in itinerary as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.

  • Attractions and Activities Listed on the Itinerary

    Our China tour packages have included the (first/main) entry to all attractions and the expenses of activities on the itinerary (except the optional activities).

  • Internal Transportation

    Based on your needs, we could make bookings of internal transportation, including domestic flights, inter-city trains, long-distance bus, etc.

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