To race across the incredible China on the reliable, speedy and comfortable high speed railways from the fashionable Shanghai to imperial Beijing, via the heavenly city of Hangzhou. Start your bullet train adventure form Shanghai where you will be told the reason why Shanghai now occupies the position held for so long by Hong Kong as the most dynamic, fast-growing and exciting city in China, and it is easy to prove that. Only about one hour’s bullet train ride from Shanghai, you will get to the heavenly city – Hangzhou where you will cruise leisurely on the picturesque West Lake and enjoy a cup of famous Longji tea. Nextly, you will take another bullet train to Beijing. If possible, choose the most advanced new generation of China’s high speed trains - Fuxing trains. The capital city always has enough tangible history to satisfy everyone even the most enthusiastic history aficionados for quite some time – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace… Most exciting thing will be the Great Wall hiking. Enjoy the adventure now!
Day 1 Shanghai Arrival
Airport or railway station pick up and check in hotel.
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Ni Hao! Welcome to Shanghai, the biggest 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.
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Day 2 Shanghai ( B, L )
Today's highlights: Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center, the Bund
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You will take a full day of sightseeing to explore both the past and present of Shanghai. Your first stop is Shanghai Museum, one of the Best Four Museums in China. This modern museum, with a round top and a square base which symbolizing the ancient Chinese perception of the world as "round sky, square earth", has collected many international-standard exhibits of bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, jade from more than 5,000 years ago to the Qing dynasty. To help you learn about the history and facts about the relics in the museum easily, an Audio Explanation Device will be prepared for you.
Then, take an interesting visit to Yu Garden, a shining star among all the ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan. This garden fully embodies the traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your mood and spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works. Next you will drive several kilometers to enjoy a panoramic view of the modern face of Shanghai from the 100th floor (474m) of “the Eye of Shanghai” Shanghai World Financial Center.
You will then be transferred to another popular landmark of Shanghai, Nanjing Road, a shopping paradise as well as a great place to take a wonderful walk to experience the modern atmosphere of the City. Lastly, you will stop at the Bund, originally a simple towpath for transporting goods but now transformed into a feverish trading district. You will stroll along the Bund, seeing and feeling the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while at the same time taking in the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes!
Optional activities: 1). Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes); 2). Enjoy an entertaining and breathtaking Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Circus World or other acrobatic theatres (usually performs during 19:30~21:00).
Yu Garden: The Classical Garden Built in 16th Century
The Bund: Famous 'Museum of Architecture'
Shanghai Museum - One of the Best Four Museums in China
Day 3 Shanghai - Zhujiajiao Water Town - Hangzhou ( B, L )
Today's highlights: Zhujiajiao Water Town
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After breakfast, an hour’s drive will take you away from the city’s hustle and bustle and you’ll visit Zhujiajiao Water Town which is known as the “Venice of Shanghai”.
Zhujiajiao has a history of 1,700 years and is a well-preserved waterside ancient town. You’ll stroll along Hundred-year-old North Street, take some awesome pictures on the Fangsheng Bridge, have a panoramic view of Zhujiao by climbing up to Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, enjoy some leisure time on the traditionally decorated boat, cruise along the canals and see the old residences, shops and bridges which are filled with classic architectural style in Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 AD - 1911 AD).
In the afternoon, drive back to Shanghai to catch a high speed train to Hangzhou. Upon your arrival at railway station, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up, and transfer you to check in your hotel in downtown.
Zhujiajiao Water Town - Relax in the Quaint & Charming Jiangnan Area
Day 4 Hangzhou ( B, L )
Today's highlights: West Lake, Meijia Dock Dragon Well Tea Village
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After breakfast, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby, and then set out on today’s sightseeing.
Firstly, spend the peaceful and less-crowded morning time to visit the iconic and World Heritage site of Hangzhou - the picturesque West Lake. Just as the famous traveler Marco Polo did and wrote: “A voyage on this lake offers more refreshment and pleasure than any other experience on earth”, you will start with a 45-minute leisure cruise to enjoy the tranquil lake views as well as the ancient pagodas, traditional arched bridges, tree-lined walkways, beautiful hills, green islands and lush gardens. After the cruise, disembark the lake shore to stroll leisurely on the famous Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, and explore the poetic sites around, such as Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, Fish Viewing at the Flower Pond, etc.
Leave West Lake, and move on to next site – Lingyin Temple, about 3km west away from the West Lake. With a history of nearly 1700 year, Lingyin Temple is hidden in the luxurious forest, and offers charming and peaceful landscape and impressive Buddhist culture. Next, extend your visit to the adjacent Feilai Peak, also known as Peak Flying from Afar, which flew to China to spread Buddhism from India according to the legend. It features in uncountable Buddhist carvings lining the riverbanks and hillsides and tucked away inside grottoes.
Lastly, drive about 7km to Meijia Dock Dragon Well Tea Village, a picturesque wonderland surrounded by mountains with large area of tea plantations. You can go for a walk among the tea plantations, marvel at the beautiful surrounding sceneries, also sit down to enjoy a cup of the best Dragon Well Tea. After the enjoyable tea time, say goodbye to the host, and drive to the China National Tea Museum to learn systematically about Chinese Tea Culture, such as the general history, classification of tea, also take a look at the tea exhibits and precious tea wares, machines, etc.
Today’s visit end. Drive back to your hotel.
Optional evening activity: 1) watch a magnificent night show - Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, a live performance with changing lights, music and dancing on the West Lake, which usually starts at 7pm; Notice: the Impression West Lake would be unavailable during December 17, 2018 to the early-March, 2019 for the cold winter in Hangzhou. 2) feast your eyes to enjoy an amazing Music fountain show at Third Park , near the eastern lakeside of West Lake.
Beautiful West Lake
Dragon Well Tea Culture Tour
Lingyin Temple
Day 5 Hangzhou & High Speed Train to Beijing ( B, L )
Today's highlights: Six Harmonies Pagoda, Hefang Street, Hu Qing Yu Tang
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After breakfast, you will drive about 20 minutes to Six Harmonies Pagoda to see the masterpieces of ancient Chinese architecture. Climbing onto the top, you could have a spectacular view of Qiantang River and surrounding hills.
Leave Six Harmonies Pagoda, and go to take an enjoyable walking at the famous Hefang Street, a unique pedestrian street full of ornate Chinese architectures, local delicious snacks and interesting handcrafts. Visit century-old Chinese pharmacy on the street - Hu Qing Yu Tang to appreciate the exquisite architecture as well as learn about the history and development of traditional Chinese medicines.
Lastly, your tour guide will take you to the railway station to catch a high speed train to Beijing (about 4.5 hrs), the greatest capital of China. Be met at the railway station by local tour guide, and transferred to your hotel in downtown.The rest of the day is free on your own to relax in Beijing.
Six Harmonies Pagoda
Hefang Street
Day 6 Beijing ( B, L )
Tday's highlight: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace
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After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern side of the square was the site where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s five most important palaces - the Forbidden City, a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived. Pass through various doorways in this magnificent structure to admire the beautiful and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow-glazed tile roofs, white marble bases and splendid colorful paintings.
After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors while feasting your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colorful paintings in the Long Corridor.
Optional activities: 1) You can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30; 2) Enjoy the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater between 19:30-21:00.
Magnificent Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Forbidden City
Beautiful Kunming Lake in Summer Palace
Day 7 Beijing ( B, L )
Tday's highlight: Mutianyu Great Wall, Sacred Way, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
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After breakfast, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit the Mutianyu, a less crowded yet well-preserved segment of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty. It will more than live up to all of your expectations! You’ll take a cable car to ascend the Great Wall, then hike the most beautiful and interesting part of Mutianyu. It's a wonderful experience to climb up its rising towers to enjoy scenic views and take brag-worthy photos of the wall wriggling along mountain ridges. After the exciting time, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car. (Note: If energy permits, you can hike up or down which takes about 40 minutes to climb steps. Please tell your likes to your travel consultant.)
Continue your trip to Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer-long passage leading to the Imperial Tombs of 13 Emperors of Ming Dynasty. The Emperor, known as the Son of the Heaven, who came from Heaven to his country through the Sacred Way, also would return to Heaven through this road. Take a walk through the largest archway in China and Great Palace Gate and you’ll see the magnificent stone guard of 12 sets of mythical animals and 12 officials. Then drive back to Beijing city and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view its famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional activity: After the whole day’s tour, treat yourself a great dinner to taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck at Quanjude.
Green Mutianyu Great Wall during Summer Days
Ding Tomb
Water Cube
Day 8 Beijing & Beijing Departure ( B, L )
Today's highlights: Temple of Heaven, Beijing Hutongs
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After breakfast, drive to the imperial site of the Temple of Heaven. Originally a site used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for good harvests, it is now a bustling place where locals take part in traditional activities such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, and others.
Then get back to the central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience the Beijing Hutongs - small alleys made by neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to get a feel of the old Beijing life style, visit various antique shops and small boutiques, and truly feel the historical changes of Beijing, also pay a visit to a local family's home in the traditional Hutongs.
After the tour, your Beijing tour is about to end. Your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to next destination or home.
The Splendid Temple of Heaven in the Ancient Capital Beijing
Hutong
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2020.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.7. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Dear Lily,
I am back in Australia after my Sanctuary Yangtse Explorer cruise with my sister-in-law from England.
All the arrangements went very smoothly, many thanks, and we very much enjoyed our cruise.
I was particularly impressed with the guides on our various tours, especially the young lady in Fuling, who struggled with her English, (so much better than my Chinese!) but had the courage to continue, and put all her effort into giving us a genuine insight into her city. She, and the other young ladies, were lovely. We had many helpful experiences from people during our brief time in China, which is much appreciated when trying to learn a new country.
If I plan another tour in China in future, I will be in contact again,
Kindest regards,
Hi Echo,
I will share some photos once I have been through them. I have responded to the questions below which I hope is of value.
1.How about your tour arrangements?
Tour arrangements were perfect. Having previously visited China we were very particular about where we wanted to visit this time and Echo was very accommodating and helpful with the initial itinerary.
Echo’s patience with some unavoidable delays in obtaining our Chinese visa was commendable and I very much appreciated the support and patience.
Our pickups an drop-offs to and from our transportation was perfect with a guide waiting for us with a clear sign in a very visible area each and every time was fantastic. That and the friendly and helpful nature of all of the guides really made our trip into a highly pleasurable experience.
2.Are you willing to recommend our service to those who would like to come to China ?
Absolutely, I did quite a bit of research before deciding which travel company to choose and I couldn’t be happier with the service provided by China Discovery and Echo Gou.
3. Your general opinion on us?
My opinion is that China Discovery provides a first class service to anyone wishing to visit China without the normal problems associated with travel arrangements.
4. What will be your suggestions regarding how to improve our services?
The service was perfect! I cannot think of any advice which would improve it.
5.Do you plan to write (or have already written) a travelogue or a story to share with your friends? Would you like to share it with us and our clients? We would be happy to publish it on our website. Photos often tell more than words and we would appreciate if you share some of them with us.
Yes, we travel often and I do go through all of my photos and make a selection of the best ones, which I would be happy to share once that enormous task is completed. We travelled for 10 weeks and have over 7000 photos to go through, but once that task is complete I will send a selection of photos.
Hi Wing.
Finally the tour of our is coming to the end. We are on our way to the Airport now. We really enjoyed our trip. Everything was really good. Beijing was very hot and humid. Unfortunately the car air conditioner was not very efficient and it wasn’t cooling properly.
Thanks for organising an excellent itinerary and good arrangements all over.
Sure. Very honestly I and my friends are very happy with your services. Even without your asking I was going to write a very good review on trip advisor for the benefit of all Indians.
I would definitely visit China once again and use your services. I would love to visit Chengdu, Chongqing and Tibet next time.
Hi Leo,
We're back home.
We would like to thank you and all the guides and drivers for the great service and care afforded to us during our 2 weeks stay in your beautiful country. With so much left for us to discover, there will definitely be more visits in the future.
Zoe was a great guide and like Ruby before her, she was very knowledgable on anything related to our tours in Xian. She made sure everthing went smoothly. In fact during our visit to Mt Hua, she was checking on the mountain guide (Henry) to ensure that we were both doing well.
Jo Jo doing the Beijing tour was very well prepared on the subjects and did well in handling a large group. We were very impressed with the great wall and in fact we thought that 2 hours allocated to this awesome site were too little.
Thanks again for the perfect organisation. Cynthia will definitely leave a positive review on trip advisor, and I will recommend your services to colleagues and friends planning a China visit.
Well done to you!
Regards
Hi Lily,
All is going very well.
We have especially loved Huangshan Mountain and Bishan. Gerry in Hangzhou was a very good guide and Jerry in Huangshan was outstanding. We are now on the train to Guilin. Everything has gone perfectly smoothly. Thank you.
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
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Yu Garden
The Bund: Famous 'Museum of Architecture'
Shanghai Museum
Zhujiajiao Water Town
Beautiful West Lake
Dragon Well Tea Culture Tour
Lingyin Temple
Six Harmonies Pagoda
Hefang Street
Tiananmen Square
Beijing Fobidden City
Summer Palace
Mutianyu Great Wall
Ding Tomb
Water Cube
Temple of Heaven
Hutong Family
Below are some important things to know regarding of train travel tips, traveling documents, hotels and food, weather, booking guide. Traveling with China Discovery, you only need to focus on enjoying your holiday time. We will take care of all the details. Our travel consultants are always ready to help you if have any questions about the trip.
Shanghai / Xian / Beijing
Shanghai / Chengdu / Xian / Beijing
Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Yichang / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing / Xian / Beijing
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