13 Days Jiuzhaigou Valley and Mt. Huangshan Tour

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China, be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Meals: No Meals

Accommodation: In Beijing

 

Beijing, China's capital and one of the great travel destinations of the World, offers sights and cultural relics found no where else on Earth. The city has a character all its own; there are quadrangles, small alleys, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, arts and crafts, Peking Opera, The Great Wall, the 2008 Olympics venue and a vibrancy that is the distinctive flavor of Beijing.

 

Depart from your hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the World's largest urban square and the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit the Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. This evening, Peking Roasted Duck is your optional dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Beijing

 

As the biggest city center square in the world, Tian'anmen Square covering 44 hectares in the heart of Beijing. It is the place where history-changing events and ceremonies occurred. A few steps away, come to visit the Forbidden City, which was the Imperial Palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and, it is one of the largest, and certainly the most completely restored, ancient architectural complex in the world. Walk in the footsteps of Emperors; come to the museum and see with your eyes, and feel with your hearts; you'll begin understand what life in this richest of feudal realms was like for the Imperial Rulers, their concubines and their slaves.

 

After enjoying a delicious lunch, continue on to the Temple of Heaven. Departing from the Imperial vermilion and gold hues of the Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven is decorated in blue, the color of the Heavens. The perfect harmony between the architectural environment and nature can be felt here; you might easily imagine the vivid spectacle of a great sacrifice to the Heavens for a good harvest. The magnificent Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest is one of the most important and impressive building in China.

 

Peking Roasted Duck is the best-known dish in Beijing. It is very tender and unforgettably delicious. You'll visit a local restaurant to enjoy a full meal and learn the proper way to experience Peking Roasted Duck.

 

The star attraction of China is its Great Wall, a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from entering the mainland. Today you will have the opportunity to traverse the ancient steps of Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. Then drive back to the city for Summer Palace. If you desire, enjoy optional Peking Opera tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Beijing

 

Mutianyu Great Wall was first built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, making it older than the Badaling section. It is connected with Jiankou in the west and Lianhuachi and Jinshanling in the east. In 1569, the Mutianyu Great Wall was rebuilt, mainly with granite and is one of the best-preserved sections with the largest construction scale and best quality among all sections of Great Wall, being 7-8 meters high and 4-5 meters wide with 22 watchtowers on this 2,250-meter-long section. It served as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs.

 

Originally known as the "Garden of Clear Ripples", the Summer Palace is a magnificent imperial garden located 15 km north of Beijing City. This is the largest ancient preserved garden in China and a former summer retreat for Emperors and the chosen few! The site includes more than 100 ancient style pavilions, mansions, towers, halls, temples, bridges and an enormous clear water lake. What is most enjoyable about the Summer Palace, it is simply a gorgeous place to relax, escape the smoke and crowds of the city and spend an afternoon walking. It is said one could just as easily spend one week out here as one afternoon. Here is a rare chance in Beijing, to lose the crowds and 'clear away the cobwebs'.

 

Peking Opera is China's national treasure. Expert performers convey powerful emotions to the audience through song, dance, facial make-up, exquisite masks and costume, skilled use of body language and sympathetically integrated musical accompaniment.

 

Before taking flight to Chengdu, you will have chance to approaching to common folk's life by a short rickshaw visit to Beijing Hutong, the living museum of Beijing history.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Chengdu

 

If exploring the Forbidden City has improved your understanding of the lifestyles of China's ancient Imperial Court , then this half-day Hutong Tour will give you an insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people and reveal their social culture in today's Beijing City. The narrow streets of old Beijing are known as Hutongs. You'll take a rickshaw tour along the Hutongs and see the 100-year-old houses, courtyards and a vanishing way of life in today's Beijing.

 

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province. With a population of 11 million, it is an important commercial transportation, and communications hub of south-western China. The locals have a reputation for a laid back attitude and knowing how to enjoy life. Historically, Chengdu has a special place in the annals of finance. The world's first paper money, the 'Jiao Zi' was minted in Chengdu in the year 1023.

 

Take a morning fly to Jiuhuang Airport. On arrival, your local guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you for a half day visit to Huanglong Scenic Area, the fairyland. After the tour, be transferred to Jiuzhaigou Reserve area for overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: In Jiuzhaigou Valley

 

Huanglong is a scenic and historic interest area in Songpan County in the northwest part of Sichuan. The area is well-known for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits, especially in Huanglong gou (Yellow Dragon Gully), as well as diverse forest ecosystems, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and hot springs. Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the Giant Panda and the Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

 

Today's highlight definitely will be three valleys of Jiuzhaigou , the Xanadu with dream-like colorful lakes and multi-levels waterfall.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: In Jiuzhai Valley

 

Jiuzhaigou Valley (Jiuzhaigou) is a nature reserve in the north of Sichuan. Jiuzhai Valley took the name from the nine Tibetan villages living in the valley which is composed of three valleys in a Y shape. The Rize and Zechawa valleys flow from the south and meet at the centre of the site where they form the Shuzheng valley, flowing north to the mouth of the valley. Jiuzhaigou's best-known feature is its dozens of blue, green and turquoise-colored lakes. The local Tibetan people call them "Haizi", meaning "son of the sea". 

 

Fly back to Chengdu in the morning. The rest of the day you will take a visiting to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Have a try of Hot pot as dinner if you like.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Chengdu

 

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is the world-famous Panda breeding research located about 10km (6 miles) out of the city. This institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population. Visitors are able to hold lovely pandas and be photographed with them.

 

The big draw of Chengdu is delicious Sichuan Cuisine. Sichuan is famous for its spicy food, and one of its delicacies is the hot pot. Fortunately, you will have a chance to taste Sichuan Hot Pot today. The Sichuan Hot Pot is a bubbling cauldron of extremely hot oil and water. Dip your choice of the variety of supplied foods into the pot: meats, vegetables or tofu. It's a very social meal. People sit around to enjoy food and make a long evening out of it.
 

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. After a short break, take a flight to Huangshan City where we will stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: In Huangshan city

 

Huangshan City is located at the south of Anhui Province and famous for the Mt. Huangshan and scattered serene villages.  

 

Be transferred to well-known Mt. Huangshan scenic area from the city and climb up by cable car to explore. Stay overnight in mountain.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: On Mt. Huangshan

 

Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is one of China's ten best-known scenic spots. It is characterized by the four wonders, namely, odd-shaped pines, grotesque rock formation, seas of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs. Having all the features of mountain scenery, Mt. Huangshan is known as the No. 1 Mountain under the Heaven. Because of the mists and clouds, natural scenery in the area changes beyond prediction. Xu Xiake, a noted Chinese geologist and traveler in Ming Dynasty, praised Mt. Huangshan as the best of all mountains.

 

Get up early in the morning, you may have chance to enjoy the fantastic sunrise amidst a sea of clouds in the summits. Then get down the mountain and return to the city for a short visit to Tunxi Old Street which is regarded as a span of the old-time memory of the area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Huangshan city

 

Tunxi Old Street, located at the center of Tunxi District of Huangshan City, has been the distribution center of south Anhui Province knowing for the production of green tea and ink. It is the witness of the flourish of Anhui merchant's for a period of time. The street is 1.5 kilometers long and 7 meters wide with double-floor wooden houses built during the Ming and Qing dynasties at two sides. So far, over 100 movies have been shot in the old street. Here you can buy featured souvenirs such as traditional Chinese medicine, Qimen Black Tea, Anhui ink stick, Shexian ink stone and Anhui Four Carvings.

 

Take a journey to the ancient Yixian County including the visiting to Xidi Village and Hongcun Village. Then be transferred back to Shanghai by air.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Shanghai

 

Xidi Village is known for its unique and elegant wooden houses with prettified walls preventing rain infiltration, black tiles recording the history of the town, and decorative gate towers standing for the particular flavor of the architecture. The exquisite wood carvings, stone engravings and tile carvings are also can be found in Xidi. Walking into an ancient house, you will find yourself in a well-arranged garden with rockeries, fish ponds, stream and cobble-paved ground.

 

Hongcun is an ancient village with a history over 400 years. The original residential style and features of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were preserved perfectly there. Hongcun Village has a cattle-like plan; a stream passes by every door in the village like cattle's gut, a semi-lunar pond looks like cattle's stomach, and the four bridges over the stream from the cattle's feet. With marbled ground, black tiles, fresh red lanterns, elaborate woodcarvings and amazingly comprehensive water system, Hongcun Village is known as 'the folk imperial palaces'.

 

Enjoy your full day city tour that starts with Jade Buddha Temple visiting, and then, go to Yuyuan Garden, a Chinese classic garden in downtown. Then visit the nearby old street. Continue the trip to the new landmark-World Finance Center. In the evening, have a walk along the Bund and Nanjing Road, China's No.1 commercial street for souvenir shopping. In the evening, if you are interested, the Acrobatic Show is available for an optional activity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: In Shanghai

 

Today you'll find a Buddhism shrine - Jade Buddha Temple, which is located in a crowd of Shanghai City. It was first built in 1882 in Jiangwan on the southern outskirts of Shanghai. In order to make it convenient for the adherents to visit, it was bodily moved to Shanghai City at the present sire in 1918. It is named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha. It receives thousands of visitors and worshipers everyday while keeps its sanctity and charming. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the sitting jade Buddha statue is translucent with a solemn expression, displaying the excellent skill and extraordinary art of Chinese people.

 

Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19th century and was restored in 1961. This garden was first built in the 16th century by provincial governor, Pan Yunduan, in honor of his father who was the then government minister. It has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools, and flora that are all connected by corridors and passageways. The delicate design and exquisite layout of the whole garden reveals a strong impression of 'garden in the garden, whole in the part.

 

World Finance Center is a super tall skyscraper in Pudong New Area. It is a mixed use skyscraper which consists of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls on the ground floors. On 14 September 2007 the skyscraper was topped out at 492.0 meters (1,614.2 feet) and became the second tallest building in the world; as well as the tallest structure on mainland China , including Hong Kong . It is currently the world's tallest completed building by roof. On 28 August 2008, the SWFC officially opened for business.

 

Then it comes to the Bund, the showcase with the old buildings of colonial-era leftover along Huangpu River. The renowned waterfront district is the city's most famous landmark. The word BUND is of Anglo-India origin meaning embankment on the waterfront. It is also the popular site to enjoy the night view of the city.

 

Nanjing Road which is a good shopping area, starts at the Bund and runs westward, with People's Square in the middle. Renown for its bustling and modernization, Nanjing Road earns its reputation as the 'First Commercial Road in China', which is the good shopping heaven for your trip as the same as the Fifth Avenue in New York and Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris. Some of the traditional food and handicrafts of Shanghai can be found here. 

 

Shanghai offers colorful recreations with rich contents and creative form. Your night may be filled with an interactive old form of art known as the Acrobatics. As one of the traditional art forms, acrobatics has long been popular among the Chinese people for more than 2,000 years. It is famous for its excellent skill; dare-devil performance and the harmonious combination of various kinds perform arts. Those professional performers have been trained of as early as age six or seven so that they can play so well and excellent. It definitely will be an unforgettable night in your memory.

 

Your China tour is over all too soon as you transfer to the airport and board the homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to this beautiful land.

Meals: Breakfast