15 days China Natural Wonders

Upon arrival in Beijing, your local guide will greet and assist you to the hotel. The rest of today is yours to stay in the hotel to rest, or just walk around to get a better understanding of the city. Beijing is a famous ancient city, the modern capital of China, so we have dedicated 4 days to explore the many attractions that are not to be missed. Welcome to China and let's begin to explore the unique culture of the worlds largest country.

Start today with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in World. The square lies in the center of Beijing and is a symbolic center of the Chinese universe. At the north end of the square you will visit the Forbidden City, an imperial palace complex for 24 emperors lived during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The palace was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its large collection of preserved ancient wooden structures. While visiting here, you will witness the extravagant life of Chinese ancient imperial court. 
Another worthwhile destination in the morning is Jingshan Park, behind the Forbidden City. Climb to the top for a magnificent panorama view of this capital city and princely views over the russet roofing of Forbidden City.

In the afternoon you will be arranged to visit the Summer Palace for a mid-afternoon visit to see the royal gardens built during the Qing Dynasty. The garden is surrounded by Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake and many other spectacular features such as pavilions, bridges, and palaces will make you impressed.

In the evening, you can choose to enjoy a performance of Chinese Kung Fu Show (Optional).

In the morning drive to visit the Temple of Heaven, which originally served as a vast stage for the emperors to pray for a good harvest. The temple was built during the Ming Dynasty and the remarkable triple-gabled circular temples have come to symbolize Beijing.

In the afternoon, you can choose to visit one of the below Great Walls:

Drive about 2.5 hours to Mutianyu Great Wall. Once arrival you will enjoy about 3 hours of walking along this wonderful ancient wall. See with your own eyes this national treasure and photography the magnificent scenery of the wall winding its way across the mountains. Comparing to Badaling, Mutianyu Great Wall is less crowded. You can ascend the great wall by cable cars or walk up.

Drive about 2.5 hours to Huanghuacheng Great Wall. Less touristy than other parts of the Great Wall close to Beijing, Huanghuacheng is an extremely rewarding, and impossibly steep section of the Wall. Undulating across the hillsides east and west of a small reservoir and offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, it has undergone only partial restoration and is refreshingly free of the hawkers who can make visits to other sections a trying experience.

Explore the ancient Hutong culture of Beijing this morning. After breakfast, drive to one of the oldest parts of Beijing and have immersion experience at Shichahai Area. Have a great view as you and your guide wonder through the narrow streets on a traditional rickshaw, seeing the traditional hutongs and their courtyards. Learn not only the history but the culture and history that go hand in hand. 

Afterward, you will go to visit the Lama Temple, which also known as the Yonghegong Temple. It is a temple and monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It contains the largest wooden Buddha in the world. (Optional: You can visit Beihai Park instead of you are more interested in the local people’s life).

Then you will take the bullet train to Pingyao in about 4.5 hours. You will be picked up to your hotel.

In the morning you will visit the Pingyao old city. It is constructed of cobbled streets and buildings almost entirely from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Perfect for atmospheric wandering, this city provides you the opportunity to know a more traditional China. Then you will visit the Shuanglin Temple. It is situated in the countryside of Qiaotou village about 6–7 kilometers southwest of Pingyao. It is among the many cultural monuments located in the Pingyao, with many elegant sculptures.

Take the bullet train to Xi'an in about 3 hours, you will be picked up and sent to the hotel.

The first spot of your tour today is one of the must-see attractions in China, the Terracotta Warriors, which is also called as the 8th wonder of the world. Since it was discovered by some farmers in 1974, it has been determined this army of terracotta was created for first China's first emperor. Each year it attracts millions of tourists from all over the world.

Afternoon return to Xi'an downtown and visit the Xi'an City Wall with your guide, see one of the oldest and best-preserved city walls across China. When ready head over to Shuyuan Men cultural street, where you will find a lot of Chinese traditional arts and crafts, a good place for souvenirs for your families. 

Today's last stop would be the Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque to feel the unique ethnic culture of Hui. Take in the unique local feeling and observe as evening prayers approach. It is also a good place to try local street snacks. 

In the evening, you may enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show; dumpling banquet, live performance and more (Optional).

Morning drive to the airport for departure to Jiuzhaigou, with two spectacular nature reserve and national park which is in northern Sichuan province. The name of Jiuzhaigou comes from the nine Baima Tibetan villages that can be found within the valley. Upon your arrival at JIuzhaigou airport, to be met and head to Huanglong National Park. Spend 3 to 4 hours to witness the breathtaking scenery at Huanglong. The landscape here is filled with rushing waterfalls, colored limestone, and lush forests. You can choose to climb the mountain or ride a cable car up.

In the late afternoon drive to the hotel in Jiuzhaigou.

Spend a whole day to explore Jiuzhaigou National Park today. There are two ways to travel through the park, on foot or the public sightseeing bus. In 1992 the park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. In addition to witnessing the breathtaking scenery, you will also learn about the folk cultures and history by the neighboring Tibetan villages. In the evening, you will have the chance to see the local Tibetan-Qiang minority culture displaying their distinct culture (optional: fees on your own), then drive back to the hotel.

Morning transfer to Jiu-Huang airport for the flight to Chengdu or transfer to Zhenjiangguan train station for the the train to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province. Once landed head directly to the hotel. The rest of today is yours to take a savior the slow lifestyle that Chengdu is internationally famous for. Overnight at Chengdu.

Depart from your hotel around 8 am for a half hour drive to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center. Arrive at the perfect time to catch pandas as they enjoy breakfast. Here is one of the only places in the world where you can get up close and hold a panda, one of the rarest animals in China. Today the giant panda only lives in few mountain ranges in central China, and are almost impossible to see in the wild.

Then visit the Wenshu Monastery. It is the largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu which was built in the Tang Dynasty. After Wenshu Temple, you will go to walk around the Tianfu square. It is the very city center, and you will see the modern Chengdu nowadays. Then you will visit the People’s Park, where you can get close to the local life.

If time allows, walk through the Kuanzhai lanes, which means Wide and Narrow Alleys, is a very upscale, posh area, with old-style pagoda buildings tastefully renovated. It is a network of three pedestrian alleyways, making a great outing when coupled with a stroll around People's Park, just 5 minutes away. Fly to Guilin in the evening.

After breakfast, have a fascinating cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. The whole cruise is divided into three sections and will take 3 to 4 hours. The first section is from Guilin to Ox Gorge; the second from Ox Gorge to Water-Dropping Village and the final from Water-Dropping Village to Yangshuo.

Many consider the middle section to be the best and includes some beautiful attractions including Yearning-for-Husband's-Return Rock, Half-Side Ferry, Mural Hill, Xingping Town and more. Mural Hill, is a fascinating rock formation in several different shades of colors. As a result of different water levels and changes over time the cliff's face now clearly presents a large painting of nine galloping horses.

Upon arrival at Yangshuo, your guide will assist you to the hotel, and then spend 2 to 3 hours to ride a bicycle or take other vehicles into the countryside of Yangshuo. Here you will be arranged to visit a local farmer's house to feel the real 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. In the afternoon drive drive about 40 minutes to visit Xianggong hill(Husband Mountain), it takes about 15 minutes walk up 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 drive to the airport and take the flight to Shanghai.

In the Morning, head to Yu Garden, a beautiful garden built by a government official during the Ming Dynasty, and it's well known for its Exquisite Jade Rock. Afterward, walk through Shanghai Old Street and have an understanding of the history of Shanghai.

Head over next to visit Xintiandi in the French Concession. It was the location of the first congress of China's Communist Party, however today it is a hip cultural center of Shanghai. There are many cafes, bars, bookstores and boutiques here.

Then head to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where you can have a whole understanding of this city. Then cross the Huangpu River and visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong District. People all around the world see this as the official landmark of Shanghai. At last, you will walk in Shanghai Bund and Nanjing road, getting close to the local life. (Optional: In the evening you can choose to enjoy a Chinese Acrobatics show)

In the morning you will be driven to Tongli water town in Suzhou, an ancient town which has over 1,000 years' history. The town is famous for a system of canals and featured by water, bridges and ancient architectures. Taking a cruise on the canals for witnessing the breathtaking scenery of Tongli will be arranged. Walking on the small alleys to discover this ancient town. Drive back to Shanghai in the late afternoon.

We are certain that after 14 fun-filled days you will leave satisfied having seen a side of China often missed. From ancient Beijing, historical Xi'an, fairyland Jiuzhaigou, best river of Guilin and here in Shanghai.

We will ensure you depart timely on your flight home If you wish to adjust this tour in any way WindhorseTour is a leader in tailor-made tours across all of China. We are here to help you.