Xi'an Holiday Planner. Tailor-made Holidays to Xi'an in China

Day 1: Beijing

Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Enjoy an arrival transfer to your hotel, where you can sit back and relax after your long flight.

This morning, we explore the heart of Beijing including the vast Tiananmen Square where Chairman Mao’s tomb and various monuments to the people are located. Dominating the city’s heart is the Forbidden City, a centre of power for five centuries and seat of the emperors. Entering through the Gate of Heavenly Peace (replete with Chairman Mao’s portrait), we enjoy a guided walk of this old city within a city. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Dinner of Peking Duck at a city restaurant.

Day 3: Beijing

Drive (1.5 hrs) and hike on the Great Wall at Mutianyu, which is a quieter and more pleasant stretch of the wall to walk on.We head back into Beijing and have a cooking class on dumplings with a local family in the Hutongs. Tonight we will take you to the Kung Fu show - an amazing display of kung fu told within a colourful stage show.

Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an

Today we enjoy a visit to the Summer Palace with its UNESCO-listed imperial gardens, located on Kunming Lake. Later we move on to the Temple of Heaven, this temple was built specifically for the worship of heaven and prayers for good harvests during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Tonight you board the overnight sleeper train to Xian.

Day 5: Xi'an

Today, we visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter. Encircling the old city is Xi’an’s medieval City Wall, where we enjoy a hired bike ride. Enjoy the reminder of today in your own time to explore the beautiful city.

Day 6: Xi'an - Guilin

Todays highlights will be a visit to Huaqing Hot Springs, a scenic spot in the shadow of Li Mountain. Before visiting the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site, we visit a workshop where we see the process used to create the terracotta figurines. In battle formation, the Terracotta Warriors are one of China’s most awesome sights. Late in the afternoon you board your flight for Guilin.

Day 7: Guilin

This morning your Li River cruise departs from downtown Guilin for a full days excursion.. The 90 Km Li River cruise is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. Bear witness to rural China as peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. After passing many world renown sights such as Elephent Trunk Hill, Pagoda Hill and more you arrive in to Yangshuo where you can explore before we take you back to Guilin.

Day 8: Guilin - Yangtze & Three Gorges

This morning you pay a visit to The Reed Flute Cave Within the cave there are enchanting stalagmites, stone pillars, stele, stone curtains and stone flowers. Then we continue on to Elephant Trunk Hill Located at the confluence of the Taohua (Peach Blossom) River and the Li River, this Hill is too famous to be missed. Later we fly to Chongqing to Board your Yangtse River cruise after dinner.

Days 9-10: Yangtze & Three Gorges

Good morning from the River Yangtze! At 6340km in length, the Yangtze is the 3rd longest river in the world, neatly dividing China into north and south, and wending its way through eight very different provinces. Enjoy spectacular vistas passing through all of the famous Gorges Qutangxia Gorge, Wuxia Gorge, Xiling Gorge on your way to Yichang.

Day 11: Yangtze & Three Gorges - Shanghai

Today marks the end of your cruise, upon arrival in to Wuhan we take you straight through to the airport in Yichang for your short flight to Shanghai. Arriving there we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel where you can unwind and get ready for tomorrow's excursion.

Day 12: Shanghai

Once known for its decadent magnetism that attracted fortune-seekers and adventurers, Shanghai looks like a European city in a Chinese setting. A stroll along the famous Shanghai Bund confirms this. Today, we visit the Oriental Pearl TV tower, explore the Jade Buddha Temple, charming Yuyuan Gardens, and the Old City where we can opt to shop on Nanjing Road.

Day 13: Shanghai

Travelling west, we journey to Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. One of China’s most charming cities, it’s fame rests on it’s waterways, and canals that are dotted with traditional bridges, houses and gardens. A cruise on the Grand Canal exposes Suzhou’s beauty. Renown for it’s silk, we also visit a silk workshop before returning to Shanghai.

Day 14: Shanghai

Today we venture out to visit Zhujiajiao, located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1700 years. Enjoy a relaxing day with guided explanation and free time to wander old narrow lanes, peculiar stone hawsers on the riverside and old residences and visit many other highlights.