Day 1 Beijing
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 Beijing (BL)
Full day tour to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven & Summer Palace
Forbidden City– was the Chinese imperial palace from the mid Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost five centuries, it served as the home of the Emperor and his household, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of the Chinese government. Tiananmen Square – is the large plaza near the centre of Beijing. It has great cultural significants as a symbol because it was the site of several key events in Chinese history. Temple of Heaven – literally the Altar of Heaven, is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in south eastern Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. Summer Palace – is the largest imperial garden in the world. It is a veritable museum of classical Chinese garden architecture. The initial construction of the Summer Palace began in 1750, commissioned by Emperor Qinglong as a gift for his mother’s birthday. The construction took 15yrs to complete
Day 3 Beijing (BL)
Full day tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu (cable cars) & Sacred Way.
Great Wall – First built in the mid 6th Century during the Northern Qi, Mutianyu Great Wall is older than the Badaling section of the Great Wall. The Muitianyu section is the best quality among all sections of the wall. Spirit of Guardians at the Ming Tombs – one of the most impressive sights at the Ming Tombs. The Sacred way runs for about a kilometre and is flanked on both sides by carvings of human and animal figures. There are 12 large stone human figures and 24 of animals, all carved from single block of granite in 1435
Day 4 Beijing (B)
Morning tour to the Hutong by rickshaw & Exterior View of Bird's Nest &Water Cube. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. Flight Beijing to Xian. Arrive Xian and transferred to your hotel. If time permits visit Han Tombs
Hutongs - are alleys formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences
Day 5 Xian (B,L)
Full day tour to the Terracotta Warriors, Banpo Village & Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Terracotta Warriors – these terracotta figures were discovered in 1974 by several local farmers near Xian. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians. Current estimates are that the three pits contain over 8000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority are still buried. Banpo Village – a Neolithic archaeological site more than 6,000 years old. Big Wild Goose Pagoda – a 7 storey, 64 metre high structure built with layers of bricks without any cement
Day 6 Xian- Kunming (BD)
Morning tour to City Walls & Provincial Museum. In the afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Kunming. Flight Xian to Kunming. Upon arrival into Kunming you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
City Wall - is one of the largest and most complete ancient military systems of defence in the world. Xian Museum – without a doubt this is the best museum in China will a collection of more than 370,000 exhibits
Day 7 Kunming (BL)
Full day tour to Stone Forest, Yuantong Temple & Minority Village
Stone Forest - due to a process of weathering and erosion, nature has created a gallery of stone sculptures. Yuantong Temple – the oldest and currently the biggest Buddhist temple in Kunming. Minority Village – is a display of the ways of life on Yunnan’s minority population.
Day 8 Kunming – Dali (BL)
Morning visit to West Hill Dragon Gate and Jinmabiji Square. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Dali. Flight Kunming to Dali. Arrive Dali, transfer to your hotel. Also visit Mt Cangshan
West Hill Dragon Gate – is a series of caves and grottoes carved into the cliff, which took approximately 72yrs of hard work. Jinmabiji Square – is the symbolof Kunming and the best place for leisure and entertainment. Mt Canghsan – is made up of 19 peaks and 8 streams. Besides the natural scenery, you can see the cultural relics of the Bai people.
Day 9 Dali (BL)
Visit Erhai Lake (cruise), Guanyin Temple, Three Pagoda & Old Town.
Erhai Lake – with water so clear you can see the bottom. Three Pagoda – one of the best preserved Buddhist structures in China. The central pagoda is over 1000 years old. Old Town – known of its traditional architecture and minority cultures.
Day 10 Dali –Lijiang (BL)
Transfer by road to Lijiang. Visit Old Town & Black Dragon Pond.
Old Town – is famous for its traditional ethnic culture and customs, inimitable buildings and beautiful natural scenery. Black Dragon Pond – is the main water source of the town and subdivides into many streams which can reach every street in town.
Day 11 Lijiang (BL)
Full day tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (cable cars), Yufeng Monastery,Baisha Frescoes & Naxi Village
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – is the southernmost glacier in the northern hemisphere. Yufeng Monastery – is at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and is famous for its 500 year old camellia tree. Baisha Frescoes – made around 500 years ago, they represent the local culture as a combination of Han and Tibetan cultures. Naxi Village – home of one of China’s smallest ethnic groups
Day 12 Lijiang (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kunming. Flight Lijiang to Kunming. Connect with your departure flight
