China Odyssey Tour
Overview
The 20 days China Odyssey Tour provides the most famous historical sites, picturesque landscape and modern landmarks in China. Traveling from the narrow hutongs of Beijing and historical Xian to the grand snow mountain in Lijiang, mighty Yangtze, travelers will experience the ever-changing urban and rural cultures throughout the vast China. The Odyssey tour around China will truly entertain you!
Duration: 20 days & 19 nights
Destinations: Beijing - Pingyao - Xian - Chengdu - Lijiang - Guilin/Yangshuo - Chongqing - Yangtze Cruise - Shanghai
Travel type: Private tour
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Itinerary Expand All
After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square first--it covers an area of 100 acres and can hold at least 1 million people, which makes it the largest public square in the world. Then go to the Forbidden City, located in the center of Beijing Municipality, was once the home of the 24 emperors and their households of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the ritual and political center of the Chinese government. Later, the Temple of Heaven visit will let you be amazed by its architecture and landscape design which was used to pray for the God's bless of the whole nation.
Meal: B, L
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 Ming Tomb, about 50 kilometers from the northwest of Beijing, is the best preserved Chinese imperial tombs and have been nominated by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. At night, a famous and delicious Peking Duck Banquet is recommended (optional).
Meal: B, L
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 lunch at local restaurant and then drive to visit the Summer Palace, Qing’s Imperial rulers’ favorite summer residence. UNESCO inscribed Summer Palace a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1998. A dragon boat ride is recommended if the weather is good.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to board a high speed train from Beijing to Pingyao (about 4 hours). Upon arrival, you will be guided to explore Pingyao Ancient Town,which is one of the best preserved ancient towns in China listed as Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Overnight in Pingyao.
Meal: B. L
After breakfast, transfer to visit Family Qiao Courtyard House, which is a masterpiece of folk architecture in North China; and Double Forest Temple, with 1500 year history, it is famous for more than 2000 painted Buddhist sculptures, regarded as "the treasure of Oriental painted sculptures". In the later afternoon, take the D bullet train to Xian (about 3 hours). Arrive at Xian. Be met & transferred to your hotel.
Meal: B, L
Today, we will first visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. It is known as the eighth wonder of the world and a museum to display terra-cotta warriors and horses in Qin Dynasty. Drive back to downtown area and visit the Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated inside Ci'en Temple (4 kilometers south of Xi'an City), it is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. Later have a visit for the exterior of Bell Tower and Drum Tower, the symbol of Xi'an and of significant importance in Xian history. Then go to the Moslem Street, located at the heart of ancient city of Xian, next to the Drum Tower. It is the hub of the Moslem community in Xian City, and offers a variety of local flavor snacks.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, transfer to climb the Ancient City Wall, the best-kept and biggest city walls in China--13,912 meters in circumference, 12 meters in height, and the foundation is 18 meters in width and the top of the wall is 15 meters wide. Afterwards, take high speed train to Chengdu. Be met and transfer to hotel check in. Have a short rest and then we move on to visit Jinli Ancient Street, where you will have chance to taste many local snacks, as you know, Chengdu is famous for Sichuan food.
Meal: B, L
Two highlights today: Dujiangyan Irrigation Project--over 2200 year old water conservation project which still in use for irrigation and flood-controlling. Then the Panda Breeding Center-- 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. Take an evening flight to Lijiang. Be met and transferred to hotel.
Meal: B, L
Drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the soul of Lijiang and the holy mountain of local Naxi People, and take a cable car to Yak Meadow. Then pay a visit to Yu Feng Lamasery, which was first built in Qing Dynasty with a mixture style of Han, Naxi and Tibetan architecture. Later, go to Baisha 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, L
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 Feb. 6, 2018). However, if flight schedule changes, you may need to flight from Lijiang via a connection in Kunming.
Meal: B, L
Take a leisurely Li River cruise to enjoy the stunning landscape, disembark at the beautiful small town famous for its Karst landscape-Yangshuo. At night, the West Street is a must-go where shows lively nightlife with both Chinese and western style. Besides, you can also go to watch the optional evening show 'Impression Sanjie Liu' on the natural stage along Li River. Overnight at Yangshuo.
Meal: B, L
The day begins by biking escorted by your private guide to the countryside to see the stunning scenery, rice paddies, water buffalo and local farmer's life. Then it's your option to have a 1-hour bamboo rafting down Yulong River. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Drive back to Guilin, and visit the outstanding Karst style Reed Flute Cave nearby the downtown: a fascinating gallery of natural sculpture. Have a walk around the Cental Lakes at the centre of the city.
Meal: B, L
Take a morning flight to Chongqing, be met and transfer to visit Three Gorges Museum, and Ciqikou old town. After dinner, board your Yangtze cruise.
Meal: B, L, D
On board, shore excursion to "the Ghost City" Fengdu or Shibaozhai depending on the schedule of the cruise companies. Since 2010, some cruise companies offer optional shore excursions during your cruise, please kindly check with your travel consultant for more information.
Meal: B, L, D
Today you'll get a close look of the enchanting landscape as you board a small boat and cruise along a tributary to the Yangtze to explore the exceptionally beautiful Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream depending on the arrangement of the cruise company.
Meal: B, L, D
Shore excursion to the amazing Three Gorge Dam: it is the world's largest power station in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW). Later, disembark at Yichang. After lunch, transfer to airport and fly to bustling Shanghai.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, lead you to Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the best viewing spot of Shanghai located by the Huangpu River with 468 meters high. Then wander in Yu Yuan 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-seeing sight in Shanghai. Later, Jade Buddha Temple, which is the most popular Buddhist temple in Shanghai that boasting 22 precious jade Buddha sculptures from Burma. At last, you will visit the Former French Concession, the area of Shanghai once designated for the French, consisting of today's Luwan and Xuhui Districts.
Meal: B, L
Drive to visit a nearby water town Zhujiajiao ancient town, where you can see the traditional lifestyle of Yangtze Delta. Transfer back to the Bund and Nanjing Road for Shopping. As it is known to all, the Bund is the waterfront to see new-erect modern skyscrapers and aged buildings of the colonial period, while Nanjing Road is the busiest shopping street.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
End of service.
Meal: B
