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8-Day Essence of China Tour

Destinations: Beijing, Xian, Shanghai

Tour Type: Private Tour

Tour Code: ct-1s

Overview: There is an immense wealth of sites and destinations to experience in China, and this 8 day tour will show you some of the best that the countryin its top cities: Beijing , Xian, and Shanghai.

Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Terms & Conditions

Day 1

Beijing Arrival (Flight not Included)

Destinations & activities: Hotel - Airport Transfer

Welcome to China! As you arrive in Beijing, you will feel warm welcome by your Beijing tour guide and driver. You will be escorted to hotel for check-in. Free time afterwards.

Meals: None

Grannies chatting in a Hutong alley

Day 2

Beijing

Destinations & activities: Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutong, a local pearl store

A fresh breakfast kicks start your morning. This morning we will visit the largest public square, Tian'anmen Square. Afterwards, we will enter the Forbidden City to track down history's imprints. Stop by a local pearl store. Have lunch in a traditional courtyard house restaurant: Courtyard 7 Restaurant.

Afternoon is spent visiting the maze-like Hutong. A visit to a local family is essential!

- Smart Tips:

Courtyard 7 Restaurant is chosen as Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice of 2012 with its authentic taste and special setting.

For Lois Friedland, guide and writer from About.com, Hutong is where she reveals China's history.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Courtyard 7 Restaurant

Beijing Roast Duck adds a great taste to your China holidy

Day 3

Beijing

Destinations & activities: Temple of Heaven, Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall, a cloisonné factory

In morning, we will drive up to the Great Wall at Mutianyu Section, where you will take a cable car ride up the peak and walk along with your tour guide. Visit a local cloisonné store before lunch.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors used to worship God with their sacrifices. At night, you will enjoy a Peking Duck dinner at an old famous restaurant.

- Smart Tips:

To avoid a tiring ridge-line walk at Mutianyu Section, a round-way cable car trip adds more fun to your visit at the Great Wall.

Free time ideas: Chaoyang Theater offers you a night-time spectacle, Chaoyang Acrobatics Show, ranked #5 on Trip Advisor.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Xinshuangquan Restaurant, Peking Duck Dinner at Quanjude Peking Duck Restaurant

Summer Palace

Day 4

Beijing to Xi'an (By Flight No.TBA)

Destinations & activities: Summer Palace, free time in Beijing, Hotel - Airport Transfer

In morning, we will go to the Summer Palace. It was the summer retreat for imperial families. Nowadays it has become a retreat for modern people in the city.

You will have the whole afternoon for solo adventure. Your Beijing tour guide will be happy to offer some tips.

At night, you will be taken to the airport for ongoing flight to Xi'an. Shortly, you will meet up your guide and drive to hotel for check-in.

- Smart Tips:

Haidilao Hotpot Restaurant is ranked No.3 on Trip Advisor, notify your travel advisor if you'd like none-spicy food or other restaurant.

Free time ideas: March to Wangfujing Street if you feel like shopping, while Liulichang Street is more for artists.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Haidilao Hotpot Restaurant

Terracotta Army

Day 5

Xi'an

Destinations & activities: Airport - Hotel Transfer, Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a handicraft center

Arrive in Xi'an in the morning, your tour guide will take you to some simple breakfast and help you check in. Later, you will visit the wonder of ancient China: Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Have lunch in a Sichuan restaurant nearby before a walk at a handicraft center.

In the afternoon, you will be back to Xi'an downtown, waiting is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the biggest and most important Buddhism temples in China.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant

Ancient City Wall

Day 6

Xi'an to Shanghai (By Flight No.TBA)

Destinations & activities: Hotel - Airport Transfer, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, free time in Shanghai

Slowly, Xi'an is waking up from her dreams, you will witness this at its Ancient City Wall. Later, take an interesting walk around the Muslim Quarter. Find yourself something to eat.

After lunch, check out and board a plane to Shanghai.

Your Shanghai tour guide will be waiting for you at the airport. After check-in, you will have Shanghai all to your own.

- Smart Tips:

Free time ideas: People Square caters to bascially all you need: dinning, touring, entertainment and shopping. Go straight, the Bund is just 10-minute walk away from the square.

Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Art Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art Shangahi are all in People Square, closed on Mondays. An exterior visit is also nice.

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Qianzhou Restaurant

Waxwork at Shanghai History Museum

Day 7

Shanghai

Destinations & activities: Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai History Museum, Lilong visit, a silk factory

Overlooking the Huangpu River and the Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is absolutely Shanghai's pride and icon. Today you will be on the top of it, taking in a panoramic. Visit Shanghai History Museum, which is located inside the tower, with a great collection of waxwork detailing the history of Shanghai. Have lunch at Home's Restaurant with its artisty atmosphere.

After a stop at a local silk factory, your Shanghai tour guide will take you on a Lilong visit. Knock on a local house and get invited for teatime with the locals.

- Smart Tips:

No hidden cost! Your visit to Shanghai History Museum is asigned with an English guide device, no extra cost.

Instead of walking or rickshaw, a side-car is an awesome way to expend your holiday in Shanghai. Ranked #3 Things to Do in TripAdvisor, a side-car tour for 2 hours or 4 hours is availabe with China Travel at a great discount!

Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch at Home's Restaurant

Day 8

Depart Shanghai (Flight not included)

Destinations & activities: Hotel to airport transfer (Shanghai Pudong International Airport)

You will be transferred from your Shanghai hotel to the city’s international airport (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) in time for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotels and Accommodation

Dates and Prices

Terms & Conditions

Price Inclusion

Entrance fees.
Meals listed in the itinerary.
Private transfers.
Private English-speaking guide and driver.
Hotels listed in the itinerary.
Service Charge & Taxes.
China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance.
Luggage Transfers.

Price Exclusion

International Airfare or Train Tickets to enter or leave China.
China Entry Visa Fees.
Excess Baggage Charges.
Personal Expenses.
Any meals that are not mentioned in the tour itinerary.
Single Room Supplement.

Special Terms

Price may change during some Chinese festivals.
Price is subject to change based on exchange rate.
We accept both on-line payment (by Paypal® and Moneybookers®) and wire transfer.
A deposit of 10% ot the total cost is required when you confirm your booking.
For Cancellation Refunds, please click here.