13 days China highlights Tour Hong Kong to Beijing

Begin your 13 days' China tour in Hong Kong, one of the most prosperous cities in all of China. After being assisted to your hotel by the local guide and driver, you can take a break or freely explore this spectacular island city the rest of today.

After breakfast, take a visit to several famous attractions in Hong Kong, first is Victoria Peak, a great place for people to have a panoramic view of the Hong Kong city. The peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong island at a low 552 m. (1,811 ft.)

Then head to Repulse Bay located on the south coast of Hong Kong island. This spectacular bay got its name from a 19th-century battle in which the British army repulsed attacking pirates, but now it's a picturesque residential area for dinner and relaxation. Afterward, go to visit Stanley Market, which is a traditional old open-air market jammed with many little shops selling Chinese souvenirs in Hong Kong. 

The last spot of your tour today will be the Aberdeen Fish Village, a great place for you to taste the local seafood delicacies.

After lunch, continue exploring Hong Kong on your own and experience this shopping mecca, you can find almost anything your heart desires.

The morning is left free for you to continue exploring Hong Kong's Kowloon Island. Depart in the afternoon for Guilin via high-speed train for about 3.5 hours, your local guide and driver in Guilin will escort you to the hotel from Guilin west station.

After breakfast, drive to Guilin and board a 4-hour cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo, a small town that used to be a backpacker way station in China. During your cruise, relax as you view the dramatic Karst peaks. Be surprised as you navigate through each bend under of the crystal clear water and rich blue skies. Enjoy lunch on the ship before disembarking.

Upon arrival in Yangshuo, take a 2 to 3 hours bicycle ride into the countryside of Yangshuo. If you prefer you can choose to walk or ride on a motorcycle. As you pass through the countryside see local farmers and their water buffalos as they tend to the land. Stop for a visit at a local farmer's house to experience the local life of Chinese peasants.

Morning your local guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the 600 year old stone arch bridge - Dragon Bridge at the upper reaches of Yulong River, enjoy the beautiful peaceful countryside views of the surrounding. Then take a relaxing 1.5 hours bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River from Dragon Bridge to Jiuxian old village, enjoy the stunning views along Yulong River including the bamboo groves, rice paddies, fruit orchards, little villages and farmlands. Afterwards hiking along the Yulong River to enjoy the nice countryside views. Afternoon drive about 40 minutes to visit Xianggong hill(Husband Mountain), it takes about 15 minutes to the top of the hill where you will be amazed by the breathtaking view of Li River and the surrounded Karst mountain peaks. Then continue the driving to Guilin airport for the flight to Shanghai. 

After breakfast, take a visit to Yu Garden in the old town of Shanghai, and witness the shaded alcoves, glittering ponds filled with carp, pavilions, and pines sprouting wistfully from beautiful rock formations. This ancient garden, which has over 400 years of history, was founded by the Pan family, a rich official in Ming dynasty. Then head to Yuyuan Market, a place for you to buy some antiques or souvenirs. 

Afterward, you and your guide will hop over to the Shanghai Urban Exhibition Hall to help you get a clear understanding of the scale and plan of future Shanghai. Here you can also witness some old photographs of old Shanghai. Cross the Huangpu River and head to the observation deck of the Shanghai World Financial Center, one of the tallest buildings in the world. After, walk through Nanjing Road and see the beautiful scenery of the Bund in Shanghai.

In the evening, you can choose to cruise along the Huangpu River to see the night scene of Shanghai from another unique vantage point. 

Start your day off be headed west to Suzhou for a one day tour, about a 90-minute drive before arriving a the Humble Administrator's Garden, which is generally regarded to be the finest garden in all of southern China. The garden is famous for its sightseeing of Zigzagging bridges connecting pavilions, bamboo groves, and fragrant lotus ponds. There's also a small museum along with your guide that explains Chinese landscape gardening concepts. 

Afterward, take a cruise along the Grand Canal, the longest canal or artificial river in the world. Then head to the Lingering Garden located about 3 km. (1.9 mi.) west of the city. Along with the Humble Administrator's Garden, this ancient garden was also recorded by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. After drive back to your hotel in Shanghai.

In the morning, drive to the airport for a flight to Xi'an which will take over 2 hours. The tour in Xi'an will begin in the afternoon after you have checked in at the hotel. First, head to the Shaanxi History Museum, one the best museum in China. View more than countless exhibits including paintings, murals, bronze objects all displayed in the museum, and gain a better understanding of Chinese ancient culture.

After you exit the Shaanxi Museum heading to Xi'an's City wall. Xi'an is one of the few cities in China where the old city walls are still standing. This ancient city wall was built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty. Then descend at Shuyuan Men Gate, the start of an ancient street where you can easily taste many of the local snacks and experience the local life during the Tang Dynasty.

In the evening, you can choose to enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dance Show.

After breakfast, take a private car to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which is located in the northeast suburb of Xi'an. Qing Shi Huang, the first emperor in China had the Terracotta warriors built to defend his mausoleum and help him rule in the afterlife. Now it is called the eighth wonder of the world. You will see more than 10,000 clay warriors and their chariots here, waiting for their emperor to wake them up. 

Take the afternoon high speed train to Beijing (about 5 hours), Beijing train station pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Beijing

Saving perhaps the best city for last, China's capital Beijing is well known for Tiananmen Square located in the heart of Beijing and the largest square in the world. Today the Square is an important place for Chinese people to hold a celebration or other big occasions. 

Afterward, continue with a visit to Forbidden City, which is located in the North end of Tiananmen Square. This is a World Heritage Site listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. 24 emperors lived and worked here during Ming and Qing Dynasties. During your visit, your local guide will tell you the detailed history of the city and what life was once like for the emperor and servants who used to live here.

In the afternoon, head to the Temple of Heaven in southern Beijing. It's famous for its unique and magnificent triple-gabled circular temples. During Ming and Qing Dynasties, this imperial palace complex is used to offer sacrifices to the God of Heaven by the emperors every winter solstice, they believed that this way could bring a good harvest in the next year. 

In the Morning, take a 2.5 hours' drive to Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the best section of China's great wall located about 80 km. (50 mi.) north from Beijing city. Upon arrival spend 2 to 3 hours walking along with this ancient architecture and have a glimpse of the magnificent scenery of the wall winding its way across the mountains. You can ascend the great wall by cable cars or walk up.

After lunch, stop at Ming Tombs, the final resting place for 13 emperors in Ming Dynasty on your way back to Beijing, and visit Changling, the largest and best preserved among the 13 tombs. Walk along the Spirit Way which leads into the complex, lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. Chinese emperors believed that this road could lead them to Heaven.

Start today by visiting Summer Palace, a famous imperial garden which is located about 12 km. (7.5 mi.) northwest of Beijing city. This garden was once a retreat for the imperial court during the Qing Dynasty, now it's regarded to be one of four classical gardens in China. Here you can see some spectacular ancient palaces, temples and garden buildings surrounded the Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, and the principal structure is the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity by the east gate. 

Afterward, head to Shichahai Area in Western Beijing and explore the Hutong culture in ancient Beijing. Hutong culture is one of the most important features in Beijing. During your visit, learn some history, culture, layout of Beijing Hutong from your guide. The rest of today is free for you to explore Beijing on your own.

After breakfast, be escorted to the airport and ready for the departure. Wish you have a pleasant journey home, and WindhorseTour is happily to assist you in extending your tour within China.