14 Days Vibrant China Tour with Beautiful Yunan

Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai, the most metropolis of China!

Upon arrival, you will be met by local tour guide at the arrival hall of the airport and escorted to check in your hotel in downtown by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

Evening Optional Activity: attend an entertaining and breathtaking Acrobatic Show, including balls of death, balance of chairs, hula hoops, juggling benches, walking in the air, etc.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, the first stop is to visit Shanghai Museum, the No.4 museum in China. Enter into the “round heaven and square earth” and enjoy over 120,000 precious historic Chinese artistic relics, from bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphic works to jade, coins, seals and sculpture, etc. You won’t miss Da Ke Ding, the precious treasure of Shanghai Museum, showing the history and economy of the West Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC).

Then, be followed a trip to Yu Garden, a shining star among all dotted ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan which fully embodies the traditional design of architecture. Jagged pavilion with elegant decoration, glittering pools with roving fish, sprouting pine trees, all these pleasant scenes refresh your mood. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works.

Later, drive to Lujiazui Area of Pudong New District to visit Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) where you can have a panoramic view of the whole Shanghai and Huangpu River area. Ascend yourselves to 474 meters on the 100th floor to experience sky walk on the transparent glass-walled walkway and feel Shanghai lying at your feet and blue sky over your head.

You will then transfer to another popular landmark of Shanghai – Nanjing Road which is shopping paradise as well as a great place to take a wonderful walk to experience the local modern atmosphere. Lastly, you will stop at the Bund. Originally the towpath for transporting, the Bund transformed into a feverish trading district. Stroll along the Bund, feel the perfect fusion of Chinese culture and Western culture, and seize the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes.

Evening Optional Activity: take Huangpu River cruise to enjoy fantastic night view of Shanghai.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Your first stop today is to visit Jade Buddha Temple. Owning the largest jade Buddha in the world and numerous religious artifacts, ancient statues and Buddhist scriptures, the very pure land in the crowded downtown is a quiet place for nice break in this busy city. Later, have a nice strolll along Wukang Road to see the quaint buildings in different style.

After the tour, be free until your guide escort you to the airport to catch your flight to Kunming (about 3.5 hrs). Upon arrival, the local tour guide and driver will meet you in the arrival hall and escort you to your hotel.

After breakfast, drive 85 km to the typical Karst landform - Stone Forest. Walk into the Greater Stone Forest, marvel at groups of gray-black stone peaks and climb up a pavilion to have a panoramic view of the intricate stone forest. Visit the Lesser Stone Forest and listen to the legendary story of “Ashima”. It will be a real treat to visit the extraordinary natural stone forest. You feel like come into a "stone world".

Later, it is followed by a trip to a minority village of Sani People to admire their colorful minority costumes and exotic tradition culture. If visit in lunar June 24, you could attend the grand Torch Festival and enjoy some exciting activities with the local ethnic group.

After breakfast, you’ll start the tour to Western Hills, looking like a beautiful young lady lying beside Dianchi Lake. Stop by to see the magic Dragon Gate. There is a saying: If you do not visit Western Hill, you haven't visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven't been to Western Hills. 

After visiting the Dragon Gate, be followed a trip to visit the Flowers & Birds Market to witness Kunming is a city of "flower".

After the happy tour, transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Shangri-La (about 1 hr). Upon arrival, be escorted to your hotel in Shangri-La.

Today is a full day to explore the earthly paradise described in the famous novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton.

You’ll first visit Songzanlin Monastery, reputed as the Little Potala Palace. Established by the Fifth Dalai Lama in 1679, the monastery belongs to Gelug sect of Buddhism, and it is also the largest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan. Walk 143 steps to get atop of the monastery and pay clockwise visit to the major lamasery buildings and get in-depth understanding about Tibetan Buddhism. If time permits, take some quiet time to walk around the peaceful Lamuyangcuo Lake and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this pure land.

Later, drive to the first national park in China - Pudacuo National Park. Throw yourselves into the lush green forest with diverse species of flora and fauna, walk along the plank road to catch the gorgeous scenery of Shudu Lake (hike 3.3 km, about 1 hr) and Bita Lake (hike 4.2 km, about 1.5hrs ) and seek for a real paradise in this natural wonderland. (Note: the altitude of Pudacuo is at 3500m-4150m and you should avoid strong activities. There’s no problem to hike in the park.) After the merry time in the park, pay a visit to a local Tibetan family and experience the highly-praised hospitality of Tibetan people.

Optional Activity: You could take a boat sailing on Shudu Lake or Bita Lake to save energy and time instead of walking all the way.

Drive more than 200 KM northern to Lijiang, about 4.5 hours. Stop on the way for a dramatic view of the Yangzi's near-180-degree turn. Then is the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and the Haba Snow Mountains lean close to each other and a large volume of torrent moving between them cutting deeper and deeper into the bottom of the gorge.

A gathering place of the Naxi minority, Lijiang Ancient Town is a mountain town of stone and tile, laced with canals and lanes, which has been listed as an UNESCO world monument.

Enjoy a panoramic view of this fascinating old city from Wanggu Tower, the landmark building of Lijiang. This pure wood building was built at 33 meters tall on the top of Lion Hill where you could also overlook Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.

After breakfast, drive 20 km to Yuhu Village which is located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. When walking into this authentic Naxi Village, you’ll see unique stone houses, Naxi ladies dressing in traditional clothes, kids playing, a tranquil Yuhu Lake…

Later, head to Baisha Village and appreciate the ancient Baisha Mural Paintings. Visit Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Temple to view murals painted over 1000 years ago which is a combination of Tibetan Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Then, it is followed by a trip to Shuhe Ancient Town - one of the earliest settlements of Naxi people as well as the well-preserved stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Route. 

After that, transfer to Dongba Culture Museum where more than 10,000 Dongba cultural relics show mysterious Dongba culture of the Naxi people. Take a gentle walk to Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy gorgeous view and peaceful surroundings.

Free until being escorted to the airport for your flight to Xian. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel in Xian.

In this afternoon, pay an educational visit to Hanyangling Museum. Compared with the Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling is much less crowded so that you can enjoy a quiet lesson in archaeology. Here you can find many mini terracotta figures of not only warrior and horses, but also maidens and other animals. You actually walk on glass over top of the archaeological site, which gives an intriguing perspective.

Later, head to Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation place in Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. With a height of 64.5 meters, the pagoda was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to reserve classic scriptures he bought from India in early Tang Dynasty. (Xuanzang, the prototype character of Tang Seng in the novel of Journey to the West). (Note: It charges extra 30 RMB to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.)

After breakfast, drive about 40km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world – Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor Qin Shihuang to protect his afterlife. Over 8, 000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits more than 2000 years until uncovered by local farmer in 1974, forms an ancient military army with complete battle unites, such as infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Qin Shihuang but also the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans.

After lunch, return back to Xian to take a wonderful stroll on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xian and walk leisurely on the well-maintained city wall which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide with a total circle of nearly 14 kilometers. It is followed by a relaxing wandering around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, where you can taste the most delicious Xian food and various snacks, as well as experience local culture.

Optional activities: 1). Take a relaxing cycling on the Ancient City Wall; 2). Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show after a hearty dumpling dinner.

Today’s tour ends to visit the Bell Tower, a famous landmark of Xian ancient city.

In the morning, be escorted to Xian North Railway Station to catch your high speed train to Beijing (about 5.5 hrs). Upon arrival at Beijing West Railway Station, be picked up at the arrival hall and escorted to your hotel.

After a short rest, you are going to visit the famous imperial site - Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. It used to be the private garden for Royal families of Qing Dynasty to decamp during the hot summer days. The palace has assembled almost the best design, skill and classic features of traditional gardening architecture of ancient China.Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors. Feast your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colored paintings in Long Corridor.

After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square which is now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern square was the site where the Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s 5 most important palaces – Forbidden City, a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties used to live in. Pass through various doorways to admire the magnificent and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow glazed tile roof, white marble base and splendid colorful paintings.

Leave Forbidden City, and drive about 6km to next imperial site – Temple of Heaven. It was originally used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for harvest, now becomes a bustling place for locals to take part in traditional activities, such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, etc.

Optional activity: you can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in theatre after dinner.

After breakfast, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Great Wall. The less-crowded Mutianyu, a well-preserved segment of Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty, lives up to all of your nice expectation. Take cable car or walk about 40 minutes to set your feet on Great Wall. Climb up the rising towers to enjoy scenic views as the wall wriggling along mountain ridges, and take brag-worthy photos of the wall.

Continue your trip to Ding Tomb, mausoleum of the 13th emperor of Ming Dynasty. Follow your tour guide’s introduction to observe the geomantic arrangement as well as to visit the underground palace to get closer observation. Then, drive back to Beijing City, and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view the magnificent Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

Optional activity: reward yourself a tasty Peking duck dinner after a full day of sightseeing.

You are free until you are escorted to the airport for a flight to your next destination or back to your home.