Beijing-Xian-Guilin (8days/7nights)
Day.
1. Beijing
Arrive Beijing in the evening, transfer to your hotel for three nights stay.
2. Beijing
We start our day with a rickshaw ride to Hutongs, Beijing's back lanes lined with authentic courtyard houses, for a glimpse of traditional domestic life. This is followed by a visit to the residence of Qing Dynasty prince, Prince Gong's Palace, the epitome of classical Chinese architecture. In the afternoon, we visit Jinshan Park for a panoramic view of the city, before exploring the many halls and palaces of the Forbidden City, home to successive emperors for more than 500 years. In the evening, we attend a Chinese acrobatics show.
3. Beijing
Travel north to spend the morning at the jewel in Beijing's crown-the Great Wall at Badaling while afternoon is spent touring the Summer Palace where emperors went to escape the oppressive heat of the city. In the evening, we are guests at a traditional Peking duck banquet.
4. Beijing-Xi'an
In the morning, we visit the exquisite Temple of Heaven, where the emperors performed annual rites essential to the well-being of China; and the Lama Temple, one of the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist shrines outside Tibet. In the late afternoon, we fly to Xian and visit the ancient city walls before transferring to your Hotel.
5. Xi'an
In the morning, we visit the greatest archeological finds of the century- the more than 2000 years old Terra cotta Warriors; 7000 individually- crafted life-sized figures, with horses and chariots. After visiting the Banpo Neolithic Museum, lunch at the Huaqing Hot Springs, a Tang dynasty spa of pavilions and bath houses. Return to the city, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda dedicated to the founder of Silk Road.
6. Xi'an-Guilin
After a morning visit to the Great Mosque, we fly to Guilin.
7. Guilin
Board Li River cruise to Yangshuo, through China's most famous landscape; the tall pointed hills and rice paddies, familiar from innumerable Chinese paintings. The afternoon is spent browsing Yangshuo's antiques and crafts stalls and shops before driving back to Guilin.
8. Guilin-Home
Tour of Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill. Depart for home.