Best of China

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Beijing. Welcome dinner and settle into hotel.

Day 2: Sleeping on the Great Wall
In the morning, visit Ding Tomb of Ming Tombs, after lunch transfer to Huanghuacheng Great Wall. Go for a sunset view hike up on the great wall.
Dinner – served in Huanghua village at the base of the wall.
Evening – after dinner your guide will take you back up to the watchtower on the Great Wall where you will spend the night. This is a 15 minute walk. We supply flashlights. If you have other bags we will lock them in the vehicle for the night. Take what you need for the walk on the wall in the morning.

Day 3: Beijing
Morning – wake up and enjoy breakfast on the Great Wall as the sun rises on your panoramic view. The morning light can produce amazing photographs. After breakfast(Chinese or western style) – embark on a 2 to 3 hours walk accompanied by your guide. If you prefer not to hike you may choose to go back to the bus. Any bags left on the bus overnight will remain on the bus.
Lunch – is Chinese style including drinks.
After lunch – drive back to Beijing. We stop at the Olympic Swim Center (Water Cube) and the Stadium (Bird’s Nest) so you can catch a glimpse of these architectural wonders and take photographs.
In the evening, have Peking Duck Dinner.

Day 4: Forbidden City
Visit Temple of Heaven with Taiji Lesson in the morning. Then, continue to visit Tianmen Square and Forbidden City. Walk in Hutongs. Take Overnight train to Xi’an, Z19(2040/0831) or similar, hardsleeper(6 beds cabin)

Day 5: Xi’an
Arrive Xi’an in the morning. Breakfast in the hotel. Cycling on the City Wall, then visit Bell and Drum Tower from outside, Small Wild Goose Pagoda with calligraphy lesson and Muslim Quarter.

Day 6: Terracotta Warriors
Visit Terra-cotta Warriors in the morning. Transfer to the train station, overnight train to Chengdu, K385(2102/0852) or similar, hardsleeper(6 beds cabin).

Day 7: Panda Research Center
Arrive Chengdu in the morning. Visit the The Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center.

Day 8: Giant Buddha
Day excursion to Leshan Giant Buddha.

Day 9: Lijiang
Morning flight to Lijiang. Transfer to Lijiang hotel. Visit the Lijiang Old Town, Black Dragon Pool, and Dongba Museum.

Day 10: Tiger Leaping Gorge
Day excursion to Tiger Leaping Gorge. Then, transfer to Dali hotel directly.

Day 11: Dali
Transfer to Dali. Visit the Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake with boat cruise, Dali Ancient Town. Enjoy the Three Courses Tea of Bai minority. After dinner, transfer to Dali train station, overnight train to Kunming, K9416(2333/0535) or similar, hardsleeper(6 beds cabin)

Day 12: Kunming
Arrive Kunming in the early morning. Have breakfast in a local restaruant. Visit Stone Forest.

Day 13: Shanghai
Transfer to the airport, flight to Shanghai in the morning. After arrival, transfer to visit Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, and Nanjing Road.

Day 14: Shanghai
Visit Renmin Square, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple,  Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Day 15: Homeward bound
Transfer to airport. International flight to depart.