Day 2, GUANGZHOU - GUILIN Train to Guangzhou. Free time to explore. Take the overnight train to Guilin.
Day 3, YANGSHUO A short bus ride takes us to Yangshuo. Afternoon Chinese class to help prepare you for the rest of the trip.
Yangshuo, the natural scenery features unique karst hills, crystal water, exquisite stones and intricate caves as well as a cultural historic heritage and folks of diverse customs. At night, have fun on the West Street, don't drink too much to miss tomorrow's program. Or you can go to watch t
he envening show - Impression Liu Sanjie. The Cormorant fishing show at night is also something new (optional).
Day 4, YANGSHUO Enjoy a free day in Yangshuo with an optional bike ride.
Day 5, YANGSHUO - CHENGDU We fly to Chengdu.
Day 6, CHENGDU A free day to explore this city, the provincial capital of Sichuan. Enjoy the famous teahouses, images/upfile/200661417481429444.jpgy local cuisine and tranquil parks and temples. In the evening there is the option to attend the Sichuan opera.
Day 7, MT QINGCHENG
A day excursion to this picturesque holy Taoist mountain, thought to house the secret to long life and a great place for hiking.
Day 8, CHENGDU (PANDA SANCTUARY) Visit the fascinating panda research centre and have the chance to see some of these wonderful animals.
Day 9, CHENGDU - SONGPAN Travelling by bus we climb up on to the Tibetan Plateau to get to Songpan. There are spectacular views along the way.
Day 10, SONGPAN (HORSE TREK) There's an option to take a horse trek into the mountains. Alternatively you can stay in Songpan to explore this small Tibetan town.
Day 11, SONGPAN (BIKE RIDE) Another optional ride, this time under your own steam. Our short biking trail explores the surrounding countryside. Others may wish to visit the scenic sites of Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong.
Day 12, SONGPAN - LANGMUSI We cross the grasslands to Langmusi.
Day 13, LANGMUSI A day to explore this beautiful town with its Tibetan monasteries and colourful Tibetan population. In the afternoon we drive to a nearby village to stay in a true Tibetan home. There are gorgeous views from the rooftop. (D)
Day 14, LANGMUSI Return to Langmusi for a free day. Perhaps hike up into the hills for great views over the town. (B)
Day 15, XIAHE Continue by bus to Xiahe, nestled in a small green valley. We visit Labrang Monastery, one of the most important for Gelukpa (Yellow hat) Tibetan Buddhists.
Day 16, XIAHE - LANZHOU - XI'AN Early risers can follow the Pilgrim's Route around the monastery at this atmospheric time of the day. Later we travel by bus to Lanzhou and board the overnight train to Xi'an.
Day 17, XI'AN Guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors before free time for your own exploration.
The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses: The greatest archaeological fin
dings of the century: the army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at emperor Qin's tomb.
Day 18, XI'AN Free time until the overnight train to Beijing. Visit Buddhist and Taoist temples.
Day 19, BEIJING Visit the Forbidden City. Free afternoon to explore Beijing.
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 20, BEIJING Visit a lesser visited section of the Great Wall with an option to hike for 3- 5 hours along the wall.
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 21, BEIJING Tour ends.
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