15 Day Southwest China Experience Tour

• Day1

  Beijing Arrival

  • No meals
  • in Beijing
  Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China.Your private guide will pick you up at the airport on time and transfer you in a comfortable vehicle to your hotel.
• Day2

  Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutongs

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Beijing
  Your visit of Beijing begins with the world's largest public square, Tiananmen Square. It’s big enough for one million people to hold a rally or a demonstration here.
  Walking through the square, you enter the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world, where the 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasty ruled for nearly 500 years (1420-1911).
  After lunch, continue to travel through Hutongs by rickshaw. "Hutong" in Mongolian means "back street or lane". Hutongs are back alleys where old traditions remain very much alive and kicking. A visit to a local family offers you an opportunity to learn about the way of life of Chinese people.
  
• Day3

  Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Great Wall

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Beijing
  The Temple of Heaven, where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped for the good harvest, now is a public park. The Chinese people exercise and practice martial arts there in the morning. After lunch in a restaurant near the Great Wall, visit the Great Mutianyu Wall, built in the Longqing and Wangli Periods of the Ming dynasty. It undulates and zigzags from southeast to northwest, extending through high mountains and deep valleys. The cable car can help you up and down.
  
• Day4

  Summer Palace, Yonghe Temple (Lamas Temple), Beijing to Xian by High Speed Train

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Xian
  Today you are going to visit two outstanding places of interest. First is Summer Palace, a luxury complex of the royal family for over a century. This park consists of classic buildings, large Kunming Lake and artificial hills, as well as delicate natural landscapes. Another is Yonghe Temple (Lamas Temple), the largest and best preserved lamasery in Chinese and Tibetan Han stylein Beijing, which witnessed the history of the Qing Dynasty.
  Afterwards you will be transferred to train station to take high speed train to Xi’an, the ancient heart of China.
  
• Day5

  Xian: Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Xian
  Today we will visit the highlight of Xian - Terracotta Army. Known as the Eighth Wonder of the world, the life-sized colorful terracotta warriors and horses are famous for their magnificent battle formation and excellent sculpture art at home and abroad, and have been included in the UNESCO heritage list. The vivid terracotta warriors and horses are an ancient art treasure and a complete illustration of the Qin dynasty art.
  In the Monastery of Grace, Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 648 or the 22nd year of the Zhenguan reign of Tang Emperor Taizong and the seven-story pagoda is 64.7 meters high. This square pyramid-shaped pagoda was built with grey bricks, serene and graceful. It houses a group of rare relics including the order tablets of Buddhism, Buddhist relics and gilded statutes of Buddha. The pagoda presents rich Buddhist culture and higher value on historic and cultural relics.
  
• Day6

  Xian: Shaanxi History Museum, Xian Ancient Wall, Muslim Street, Xian to Lijiang by Flight

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Lijiang
  Today at first you will learn some history and see some of China's most precious historical collections at the Shaanxi History Museum.
  After lunch, you will walk along the Xian Ancient Wall. This battlement, built in A D.1370-1378, is one of the best-preserved ancient walls in China. Surrounded by a moat, it has a circumference of 13.78 kilometres and is 12 metres high 18 metres wide at the base. The interior of the wall was made of rammed earth, and the exterior of bricks.
  Then visit Muslim Street, where you can touch local life.
  Today ends with the 2-hour flight to Lijiang.
  
• Day7

  Lijiang: Yuhu Village, Joseph Rock Ancient Residence, Baisha Murals and Shuhe Ancient Town

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Lijiang
  After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you will move to Yuhu Village, which lies at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. When you enter this authentic Naxi village, you will see Naxi women dressed in traditional clothes, unique stone houses, a quiet Yuhu Lake... Then you will arrive at the former residence of Joseph Rock, who was an Austrian American. He arrived in Lijiang and stayed in t Yuhu Village for 27 years and did a great deal of research on the Naxi ethnicity.
  Afterwards you will go to Baisha village and visit ancient mural. Painted over 1000 years ago, the murals of Baisha combine the cultures of Han, Tibet and Naxi and show the stories of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
  At last you will continue to the Ancient Town of Shuhe - a component of the Old Town of Lijiang classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
• Day8

  Old Town of Lijiang, Lijiang to Dali by Car

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Lijiang
  Today you will explore the Old Town of Lijiang, so far the most intact and representative one characteristic of ethnic traits in China. It was first constructed in the late period of the Southern Song Dynasty, so it has a history of 800-odd years. The old city lies at the foot of the mountain and with the Yuquan River running through it in three streams, passing by tens of thousands of households. There are more than 300 stone bridges of various sizes built in the Ming and Qing Dynasty and some stone memorial arch-ways. The civil residences are tile-roofed houses of antique flavors structured with wood and earth, and enjoy the reputation as ''High land Gusu City" and "Orient Venice".
  After that, we will drive to Dali and it takes 3 to 4 hours.
  
• Day9

  Dali: Erhai Lake Cruise, Three Pagoda, Ancient City of Dali

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Dali
  Erhai Lake is located two kilometers east of Dali Old City and is named so because it shapes like a human's ear. It is as stormy as the sea. A cruise on Erhai Lake allows you to enjoy the breathtaking views.
  With a history of more than 1,800 years, the Three Pagodas are the symbol of Dali and the witness of the development of Buddhism in the area.
  The Ancient City of Dali, situated between Erhai Lake to the east and the Cang Shan mountain range to the west, receives a multitude of visitors. The history of the city dates back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). According to ancient literature, the city was a gateway to the ancient Silk Road in southwest China. 
• Day10

  Dali: Xizhou, Dali to Kunming by High Speed Train

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Kunming
  In the morning we will visit Xizhou village. Xizhou is not only a famous historical village, but also a typical commercial village of the Bai people. Some buildings are old and typical old architectures, which are the 'local royal' houses. On the exterior walls of each house, there are numerous exquisite paintings, showing the importance of art in this area. At the same time you can go to the local morning market, a place for local people who exchange daily supplies, including fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and many types of food and daily necessities. It is a great opportunity to get closer to the local living conditions.
  Then your tour guide will transfer you to train station for high speed train to Kunming.
• Day11

  Kunming: Stone Forest, Kunming to Guilin by High Speed Train

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Guilin
  Today visit an authentic wonder of nature located 90km southeast of Kunming - Stone Forest, a 350-square-km topographical turmoil wrought by a jungle of 100 or so groups of monoliths in shapes ranging from overhanging cliffs to grotesque boulders. "Number One Bizarre Spectacle Under Heaven," as the Stone Forest is nicknamed.
  After finishing trip in Kunming, you will go to Guilin by high-speed train. Your local guide will meet you at the train station on time and transfer you to your hotel.
• Day12

  Guilin: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo, Yangshuo Countryside

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Guilin
  Today you will take Li River Cruise, which is an unforgettable experience. The picturesque Lijiang River extends 83 kilometers like a green silk belt across mountains and hills from Guilin to Yangshuo. To travel the river, one needn't worry about weathers because its natural sights vary in different weathers, but are all beautiful.
  Upon arrival at Yangshuo and check-in at your hotel, you will have a tour through the Yangshuo countryside by car or bicycle to appreciate the poetic natural landscape. On the way, you can make a family visit and learn more about local life.
  
• Day13

  Yangshuo to Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Guilin to Shanghai by Flight

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Yangshuo
  Today we will return to the city of Guilin for Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave.
  Elephant Trunk Hill appears just like an elephant drinking water from the river with its trunk, hence its name. The scenic spots in the park include Water Moon on Elephant Hill, Puxian Pagoda, the Love Island composed of three amusement islets, the Yunfeng Temple at the south foot of the hill, and the Sarira Pagoda in the southwest.
  On the southern side of Guangming Mountain in the northwestern suburbs of Guilin, Reed Flute Cave is a spectacular karst cavern, 240meters deep. Lined along its 500meters long zigzag road are stalactites and stalagmites of the most striking colors, in the shape of bamboo shoots, pillars, curtain sand flowers. There are more than30 scenic sights in the karst cavern, such as "Crystal Palace", “Lion Forest Facing the Sun, and Primitive Forests.”
  At last you will take 2-hour flight to Shanghai.
• Day14

  Shanghai: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Yuyuan Bazaar, Shanghai Tower, The Bund

  • Breakfast, Lunch
  • in Shanghai
  Today your first visit is Shanghai Museum, a large-scale Chinese art museum, where you can discover beautiful collections of bronze, porcelain, sculptures and calligraphy.
  Continue to Yu Garden, a private garden showcasing the architecture and design style of classic Chinese gardens, and take a stroll along Yuyuan Bazaar nearby.
  After lunch advance to Shanghai Tower, a super high skyscraper with breathtaking views of old and new Shanghai.
  The Bund is a must-see for tourists in Shanghai. A symbol of Shanghai, the Bund offers a living exhibition of buildings of various architectural styles. In the evening, these buildings along the Bund are under the flood of colorful lights.
  
• Day15

  Shanghai Departure

  • Breakfast
  Pick you up at your hotel and transfer to the airport. Our service ends here and your trip in China will remain in your mind forever.

•     Meals
In your itinerary, it normally offers two meals each day: breakfast and lunch. You will have the freedom to choose your own dinner. If you have certain food allergies or special requirements such as vegetarian food, please let us know in advance. We will try our best to satisfy your special needs.
Breakfast
Normally served at the hotel where you stay. Depending on the hotel, breakfast is Western style, Chinese style or a combination.
Lunch - A la Carte 
In order to have our customers to taste authentic Chinese food and avoid tourist menus, we take food quality, dining environment and travel convenience into consideration when planning your lunch. Therefore , we will arrange a la carte lunch at a local restaurant whenever possible. Lunch a la carte is varied with different recommended restaurants and different cities. You could order the dishes according to your taste under the instructions of your guide. However, in some remote regions where it is difficult to find a non-tourist restaurant, you could have lunch at a local tourist restaurant or in a local family.
Your Own Dinner Option
Dinner is not included in our China travel package, unless you have this requirement. Looking for food by yourself could also be one of your best experiences in China. Therefore we offer you this flexibility of food choice. You can ask for your private guide to gain good suggestions.

•   Private Guide & Transfer
You will have a private guide, private driver and an air-conditioned vehicle to accompany you at each destination of your trip, which will provide you with maximum personal care, security and flexibility.
All our guides are qualified and responsible professionals. All our vehicles are clean and in excellent condition, crewed with licensed drivers.
Private Tour Guide
In each city, we have a professional local guide. Our guide picks you up punctually at your arrival from the airport/railway station/spring of each destination. On your way out of that city, your guide will stay by your side until you have checked in and passed through security. All our travel guides in each destination are local and responsible, who know this area well. They accompany you visiting this city during 8 working hours of each day and they will tell background stories of the tourist places, and show you the secret places to take your best pictures.
When it is necessary to change your itinerary for unexpected reasons, your private travel guide will suggest alternatives to ensure that you still have an excellent experience.

Private Transfer
With our comfortable and safe private transfer, your trip will be more relaxing and less tiring, keeping you in the best spirits to make the most of your experience in China. In all destinations visited, your vehicle is air-conditioned, clean and expertly maintained. Your private driver is licensed, insured and experienced.
Normally we will arrange vehicles with more space for you and your luggages. Depending on the number of passengers, we generally use sedans or minivans (7 seats) for 4 people or less, large vans or small buses (12-22 seats) for 5 to 12 people, medium cars (33-37 seats) for 13 - 25 people and large buses (more than 45 seats) for more than 25 people.

•     Remarks 
We reserve the right to modify the price due to exchange rate fluctuation
If you have special requirements, please tell us in advance.
We reserve the right of final explanation for any change due to the reasons beyond our control.