Compare Travel to China’s Primary Region -Yunnan by Travel China Guide vs China Adventure Tour by Discovery Nomads

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Accommodation: The Great Wall Hotel Beijing -the former Sheraton (5 stars)

Welcome to the mysterious land of China. Once you have collected your luggage and been cleared by customs, our wonderful guide will greet you in the Arrivals Hall of Beijing Airport. We will transfer you to the hotel for a three-night stay, where we suggest you relax during the remainder of the afternoon and evening to recover from jet lag so that you can highly enjoy this 14 days China tour itinerary.

Day 2: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast there will be a short meeting when you can get to know the other members of your group. Your trip today will start from the magnificent Tian'anmen Square. Within walking distance, you reach the Forbidden City, famous for its imperial history and grand buildings with its red walls and golden roofs. You will enjoy an a la carte meal at a quality restaurant at midday.

After lunch, we visit to the ancient Temple of Heaven with its classical and unique imperial architecture that is sure to impress you. To perfect the memorable start to your travel, we will see an exciting Kung Fu Show.

Day 3: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will be transferred to Badaling, the most famous section of the Great Wall, where you will experience the grandeur of this world wonder. As your host, we will provide the group with red wine for a celebratory toast to commemorate this memorable moment on the Great Wall. A jade factory is scheduled later. Around the wall area, there are many tourist restaurants, but the service and food quality is not good and below our serving standards. We kindly suggest you have a hearty breakfast in the morning and have some fast food for lunch by yourself.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Sacred Way. We conclude the full day sightseeing after a chance to catch a glance of the Olympic Bird's Nest on our way back downtown.

Day 4: Beijing –Xian

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (5 stars)

After breakfast this morning, you will visit the picturesque Summer Palace, a pearl store and then the original Hutong alleys by rickshaw. Around noon, we will take you for an a la carte lunch at a fancy restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will board a flight to Xian, where our local guide will pick you up outside the baggage claim area at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for a three-night stay.

Day 5: Xian

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today's sightseeing will start with a visit to the majestic Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and then a pottery-making factory. In the museum, visitors are not only attracted by the lifelike warrior figures which have high artistic value, but also be impressed by the various kinds of ancient weapons. After that you will pay a visit to the home of a typical Chinese family and enjoy home-cooked a la carte dishes.

In the afternoon, you will go to visit the Xian Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Itis an ancient Buddhist pagoda and was used to store sutras 1300 years ago. This evening, you will be entertained by the fascinating and colorful Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show while enjoying a delicious Dumpling Dinner. (Clients visiting in December, January, February and March will arrange the dinner and evening activity on their own for this day, since the theater will not be open at that time.)

Day 6: Xian

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

This morning, you will visit the mighty City Wall and Shaanxi History Museum. The City Wall is quite definitely the pride of Xian. The old and firm circumvallation is complemented by a forested area around the wall. Its moat and ring road consist of a special and unique park that, like a shining necklace, adorns the ancient capital city of thirteen dynasties. If you are interested, you may rent a bicycle to ride on the ancient wall.

At midday, we will offer you an a la carte meal at the best local restaurant. Then you will continue with a visit to the Great Mosque.

Day 7: Xian -Guilin

Catch a morning flight to Guilin. Upon your arrival, our guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area. Your Guilin sightseeing starts with the famous Reed Flute Cave, which is a 240 meter karst cave that has various shapes of stalactites and stalagmites. After that, we will transfer you to the hotel.

Meals included: Western buffet breakfast

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (5 stars)

Day 8: Guilin -Yangshuo -Guilin

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the Pier to appreciate the picturesque scenery of Li River by cruising down from Guilin to Yangshuo. As the lunch on the ship is the basic Chinese lunch box, it cannot be up to your taste, we suggest you have a big breakfast at the hotel this morning.

Disembark at Yangshuo in about 4 hours and we will transfer you to enjoy the scenery of rural Yangshuo. On the way, you also have a chance to visit a local family to get a close touch with the country’s life. After that, we will drive you back to Guilin city to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill.

Day 9: Guilin- Kunming

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Jinjiang Hotel (4 stars)

This morning is free on your own. Your hotel ideally sits in both Ronghu Lake and Shanhu Lake scenic area. So you can wander beside the lakes and see a different aspect of this spellbinding city. When lunch time approaches, you may dine at one of the delicate local eateries, which we believe will ensure you a pleasant experience. In the afternoon, we will transfer you to the airport and help you board the flight to Kunming. Another friendly guide will meet you in Kunming and transfer you to the hotel.

Day 10: Kunming –Lijiang

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Ivy Garden Hotel Resorts (4 stars)

The only visit in Kunming we have arranged for you is to the notable Stone Forest. It is a cluster of black and grey limestone, a kind of karst landform, looking like a forest made of stone. Then take flight to Lijiang. A local guide will greet and transfer you to the hotel.

Day 11: Lijiang

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Lijiang, a characteristic old town, differs from other ancient towns due to its ethnic Naxi People, with their profound history and unique architecture. It will definitely appeal to those who like various canals with crystal mountain water running through an old town, where ladies and girls are dressed in traditional clothes,and there are brown wooden houses with grey tiled roofs.

Today we will take you to experience this charming town by visiting the Baisha Village, Baisha embroidery shop, a local Naxi family, Baisha Murals, the Old Town of Shuhe and Tea-Horse Road Musuem.In the afternoon, walk along the cobbled streets and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Square Street of Lijiang Old Town.

Day 12: Departure from Lijiang

Meals: Breakfast

Your 12 days China itinerary ends today. After breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your own arrangements for a taxi to the airport. Lijang airport is about 27 kilometers away from the hotel and it will take at least 40 minutes to drive there. Please ensure you leave in good time according to your flight schedule. If you want an extended trip, please contact us directly.

Day 1-3 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing at any time. On the first day we have not planned any events. On Day 2 visit some of the top attractions of Beijing and the surrounding area on this guided group tour. You’ll have the opportunity to walk along the Great Wall, marvel at the Royal Palace and other sites in the Forbidden City and stop to see Tiananmen Square.

Hotel: Grand Hyatt Beijing or similar.

Day 3-5 Xi`an

Travel by high speed comfortable train to Xian (5h). On the Day 4 uncover the mysterious mask of the eighth world wonder, the Terracotta Warriors. Feast your eyes on over 7,000 terracotta sculptures, an army ready for battle and explore one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.

Hotel: Sheraton Xian or similar.

Day 5-7 Shanghai

Flight to Shanghai. In the evening explore the local restaurant scene of Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the city center. Sample more than 15 traditional dishes from Shanghai on a 3-hour food tasting tour of the Yunnan Road. Try some of the best dumpling soup in the city and indulge your sweet tooth at a dessert store. On Day 6 explore the highlights of Shanghai, visit local markets, and the trendy Xintiandi district.

Hotel: Grand Kempinski Shanghai or similar.

Day 7-9 Hong Kong

 Flight to Hong Kong. In the evening cruise along the coastal lines of Hong Kong and Kowloon Peninsula, see the the sparkling night city filled with skyscrapers and dazzling neon lights. Enjoy the famous the Symphony of Lights Cruise with unlimited drinks. On Day 8 get scenic photos of the city's famous Victoria Harbor view at Sky Terrace 428 after riding the Peak Tram on this city tour. Visit an ancient fishing village to get to know old Hong Kong and shop for souvenirs at Stanley Market.

Hotel: JW Marriott Hong Kong or similar.