The Cities of China
Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hong Kong
11 days / 10 nights
This itinerary is perfect for first time visitors to China with limited time. This short trip can easily expand to include other parts of the country.
Day 1 Arrive Beijing, China’s capital city and one of the most heavily populated city in the world.
Day 2 In the heart of the city is Tian An Men Square, walk to the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City, home to China’s emperors for more than 500 years. Explore Beijing’s Old Living Quarter, the Hutongs, climb up the old Drum Tower for a bird-eye view of Old Beijing followed by an evening of traditional Peking opera.
Day 3 The Great Wall of China was built over more than two thousand years, like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 5,500 miles from east to west of China.
Day 4 Visit the Temple of Heaven was built for the worship of heaven and the Summer Palace with its exquisite gardens and perfect views.
Day 5 Fly to Xi’an, a former ancient capital of China, surrounded by old city walls once used to protect the area. The Terra Cotta Warriors are Xian’s greatest and most important attraction. The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty ordered the making of the warriors. The estimated 8,000 terra cotta soldiers are a testament to his power and megalomania. On the way back to the city visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After a dumpling dinner stroll around the Muslim Quarter.
Day 6 The Shaanxi History Museum, which houses a collection of over 300,000 precious artifacts showing the development of civilization in this region, and the Stele Forest, the richest collection of ancient stone tablets in China and explore Xian City Wall. Fly to Shanghai.
Day 7 At the Shanghai Museum you will discover China’s ancient art, price-less objects made of bronze, jade and ceramic. Enjoy lunch in Xin Tian Di, a neighborhood of old Shikumen (a type of tenement found only in Shanghai). Visit the Old Town Bazaar, the busiest shopping area in Shanghai the Bund and the famous waterfront and a symbol of Shanghai.
Day 8 Travel by train to Suzhou to visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, amongst the best of Suzhou’s classic gardens. Enjoy a boat ride on the small canals. The Garden of the Master of Nets is the smallest among the four most famous classic gardens in Suzhou, yet the finest. Return to Shanghai.
Day 9 Fly to Hong Kong. Like a colorful kaleidoscope, Hong Kong attracts worldwide interests for its extraordinary and intensely concentrated blend of oriental and occidental, urban and rural, a nostalgic past and aggressively modern present.
Day 10 Today’s tour brings reveals the essence of the city and allows you to experience the magic of the Pearl of the Orient.
Day 11 Depart Hong Kong