Day 2, BEIJING - GREAT WALL A day at the Great Wall with a 3-5 hour hike along one of the less visited sections.
The Great Wall of China is the longest structure ever built. It is about 4,000 miles long, and it was built entirely by hand. About 1, 200 - 1, 500 miles of the Great Wall were built during the reign of Emperor Shi Huangdi (Qin Dynasty). The Great Wall crosses northern China from the east coast to the central part of China.
Day 3, BEIJING -XI'AN Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.Overnight train to Xi'an.
TianAnMen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the
masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people. Having a free walk there, imagining the great historic events of the 20th century took place there. You will also see legendary landmarks including the Great Hall of the People and the towering 125 foot granite obelisk, Monument to the Peoples Heroes, honoring those who died in revolution.
Walking across the Golden River Bridge, enter the Forbidden City, the inner sanctum and palace where for centuries Chinese emperors ruled their world. It has 9000-room maze of courtyards, places, and ceremonial halls, where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was indeed a forbidden place, where commoners were kept out for nearly 500 years in the past. Tour the palace and imagine the mystery, intrigue and incredible power that reigned here.
Day 4, XI'AN Morning arrival and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors. Afternoon at leisure to explore this ancient city. Perhaps visit the Great Mosque, Wild Goose Pagoda or the Muslim markets.
The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses: The greatest archaeological findings of the century: the army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at emperor Qin's tomb.
Day 5, XI'AN -TAI'AN A free morning for more sightseeing before boarding the overnight train to Tai'an.
Day 6, TAI'AN Climb Tai Shan, one of China's most holy mountains. In the afternoon we transfer to a small village to stay as guests with local families. (D
)
Day 7, FARM STAY A morning of activities around the village. Later we return to Tai'an for the overnight train to Nanjing. (BL)
Day 8, NANJING Morning arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free day to discover some of Nanjing's incredible past.
Day 9, NANJING Option to take bicycles to the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen and continue via the Ming city walls to Lake Xuanwu.
Day 10, HANGZHOU We take a local train for the short ride to Hangzhou, a lovely lakeside city. Free afternoon for sightseeing; the stunning Feilai Feng temple complex is certainly worth a visit.
Day 11, HANGZHOU Option to follow the classic 'Nine creeks and eighteen gullies' route by bike through the famous tea plantations of Longjing. Relax by the lakeside in the afternoon or take your bike and explore further afield.
Day 12, SHANGHAI Another short local train journey brings us to Shanghai. Opportunity to take a river cruise.
Day 13, SHANGHAI A full free day to explore this bustling city. In the evening we see the famed Acrobatic Show.
Day 14, SHANGHAI - LONGSHENG A morning flight to Guilin and transfer to Longsheng, the Longji Dragon Backbone Rice Terrace.
Days 15-16, LONGSHENG We trek along the ridge to another picturesque village and stay there for the night. On day 16 we return to our start point by another scenic route.
Days 17-19, YANGSHUO-SHENZHEN Transfer to Yangshuo for three days of exploring the amazing karst scenery and enjoying as many activities as you feel able to manage. Most people hire a bike and head off on the back routes past spectacular steep-sided mountains, quiet streams and green paddy fields. There's plenty of opportunity for picking up gifts and many options for you to learn something about Chinese culture. Try cooking, calligraphy or Tai'chi. In the late afternoon of day 19 we catch an overnight train to Shenzhen.
Day 20, SHENZHEN - HONG KONG Arrive at the border. Complete formalities before a train journey.
Day 21, HONG KONG Tour ends
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