CC-39 Shanghai-Beijing-Xi'an-Guilin-Shanghai (13D12N)

Day 1 In the afternoon take flight from Shanghai to Beijing, meet the local guide and transfer you to your hotel.                         

Day 2 Today we will visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Forbidden City and another age, where we will see the home of the members of the royal family and their court during China Ming and Qing Dynasties. Then visit the imposing Temple of Heaven where the Emperor came each year to intercede with the Gods for a good and plentiful harvest.             

Day 3 After breakfast, you will make your way to the Badaling Great Wall where you will have the opportunity to not only see one of the most impressive sections of the Great Wall of China but you will be able to take a walk along it. After lunch you will travel some 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Beijing to the Sacred Way with its fabulous stone animals. It leads you to the Ming Tombs in the shadow of Longevity Mountain. A visit to the Underground Palace of Dingling, will allow you to see imperial coffins, burial artifacts and treasures.                           

Day 4 Free time in Beijing.                      

Day 5 In the morning take flight to the ancient former capital city of Xi'an, and visit the ancient Xi'an City Wall (14th century) one of the most important city walls in China. Visit the Chinese Moslem Mosque. In the afternoon go to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The square, seven-storey pagoda was built in 652 AD and is a fine example of Tang Dynasty Buddhist architecture.     

Day 6 To start your day before breakfast, you will have a unique chance to experience the mysterious and ancient art of Tai Chi Chuan, a 300-year old traditional Chinese martial art, also known as shadow boxing. After breakfast in the hotel, we will visit Terracotta Warriors Museum. The thousands of life size soldiers and horses were created to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first Emperor to unite China under his firm rule. The royal tomb itself has yet to be opened but the rank upon rank of Warriors is a sight that is unrivalled anywhere in the world. In the afternoon visit the Provincial History Museum which has the richest tcollection of artifacts in China. Visit the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum. The museum, which is housed in the Temple of Confucius, has the largest collection of its kind in China with over 3,000 inscribed stone steles.                     

Day 7 Free time in Xi'an.                         

Day 8 In the morning take flight to Guilin. Visit the Reed Flute Cave, named after the reeds used in the manufacture of flutes that grow near it. The cave system has a stunning array of natural limestone formations that are made all the more impressive by the clever use of colored lighting. Then you go to visit Elephant Trunk Hill, as its name implies are quite mark example of the hand of nature upon the landscape. 
                                               

Day 9 After breakfast, take a short drive to join a cruise that will take you on a voyage of discovery along the Li River. The river wends its way through the unique scenery of Karsts (limestone mountains) that have strange and fabulous shapes. Admire the shapes and try to guess their names - Crown Rock, Conch Hill, Jade Lotus Peak and Snow Lion Peak are just a few while enjoying lunch on board. ( Yulong River and Bridge and some villages like Xingping, Fuli, Moon Hill and Big Banyan Tree, all of them can be visited in Li River ). Finally arrive at Yangshuo and check at hotel in town.                                

Day 10 Free time in the morning. In the afternoon drive back to Guilin by car.                                     

Day 11 After breakfast in the hotel, drive to Longsheng. Visit the Longsheng
Terraced Field.                              

Day 12 In the morning drive back to Guilin. Free time in the afternoon.