10 Days China Encounter Tour:
Beijing-Mt. Huangshan-Hangzhou-Shanghai
Tour Highlights
⦁ Experience the best of China's historical, cultural, and natural attractions in 10 days.
⦁ Taste Chinese Cuisine, and learn about Chinese cuisine culture.
⦁ Enjoy the hiking and admire the spectacular sunrise views at Mount Huangshan.
⦁ Discover the enchanting world of traditional Chinese medicine at Huqingyu Tang in Hangzhou.
Itinerary Overview
D1-D4 Beijing Arrival & Sightseeing
Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall.
D4-D6 High speed train to Huangshan & Sightseeing
Enjoy Mount Huangshan hiking, and visit Hongcun
D7-D8 Hangzhou Sightseeing
Visit West Lake, Feilai Peak, Lingyin Temple, Tea Plantations, Huqingyu Tang, Grand Canal.
D9-D10 Shanghai Sightseeing & Departure
Visit Yu Garden, Former French Concession, Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Bund
Detailed Itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
D1 Beijing Arrival
Welcome to Beijing, the capital city of China! Upon arrival, our professional tour guide will pick you up at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital International Airport or Daxing Airport, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from the jet lag.
D2 Beijing (B,L)
After enjoying a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on an exploration of Beijing's rich historical heritage with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, which currently holds the distinction of being the largest city plaza in the world. The northern square is home to Tiananmen Gate, where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Upon entering Tiananmen, you will be greeted by one of the world's five most significant palaces – Forbidden City (Palace Museum), an immense complex comprising over 9,000 rooms that once served as residences for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Traverse through various gateways to marvel at its splendid architecture adorned with yellow glazed tile roofs, white marble foundations, and exquisite colorful paintings.
For lunch, you will taste Chinese cuisine. Take the chance to learn how to use chopsticks, also known as "kuaizi" in Chinese. Using chopsticks is not only practical but also an important part of table manners and cultural tradition in Asian cultures.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use chopsticks:
1. Hold the First Chopstick: Place the first chopstick between your thumb and index finger, about one-third of the way up from the bottom. Rest it on the base of your ring finger.
2. Position the Second Chopstick: Hold the second chopstick like you would hold a pencil, using your index finger and resting it on the top joint of your middle finger.
3. Adjust the Grip: Move the top chopstick (the one between your index and middle fingers) down so that it's slightly crossed over the first chopstick, creating a V-shape at the top.
4. Pick Up Food: Gently squeeze the chopsticks together, applying even pressure, to grasp the food securely. The bottom chopstick should remain relatively stationary, acting as a base. The movement comes mainly from the upper chopstick sliding up and down against the lower one.
In the afternoon, drive to Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Here you can leisurely stroll amidst ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges, and corridors. Take a leisure stroll on the rippling Kunming Lake to enjoy the verdant mountain view of Longevity Hill. You will visit the Long Corridor, boasting a total length of 728 meters and housing 273 rooms. Renowned for its exquisite architectural design, meandering layout, and vibrant color paintings, it has long been hailed as an epitome of artistic brilliance.
Optional activity: In the evening, you can watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at the Red Theater.
D3 Beijing (B,L)
After breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Heaven first. The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. It was the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvest.
After the visit, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit Mutianyu which is one of the best preserved yet less crowded sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Great Wall serves as a strategic link between the Juyongguan Great Wall to the west and Gubeikou to the east, effectively safeguarding Beijing throughout history. It has earned the moniker "Perilous Mountain and Mighty Pass". You will take a cable car up to the half way to enjoy some hiking. After that, descend Mutianyu Great Wall by cable car.
Then dive back to Beijing downtown, and make a stop at Beijing Olympic Village to view Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.
Optional experience: For dinner, you can taste the famous Peking Roasted Duck. Followed by the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater.
D4 High speed train to Huangshan (B)
This morning you will take a high speed train from Beijing South Railway Station to Huangshan(abt 6.5hrs). Upon arrival at Huangshan North Railway Station, your guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel in Huangshan downtown. The rest of the day is yours to relax. You can take a stroll at Tunxi Ancient Street and appreciate traditional Hui-style buildings.
D5 Mount Huangshan hiking(B)
In the morning, drive about 1.5 hours to the foot of Mt.Huangshan(Yellow Mountain). You will take the Yungu cable car to ascend the mountain. The 15mins ride offers breathtaking views of the mountain landscape. Upon arrival at the summit, begin exploring iconic spots such as the Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Black Tiger Pine, etc. Check into your hotel.
In the afternoon, you will explore West Sea Grand Canyon. The canyon is characterized by its towering cliffs, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and diverse vegetation. The entire hike will take around 3-4 hours, so it could be quite challenging for beginners, children, and senior travelers. You can opt for a shorter hiking trail to the 1st Ring or 2nd Ring which takes 2-2.5 hours. If time permits, you can further explore the Flying-over Rock and watch the sunset at Bright Top Peak. Walk back to your hotel after hiking, and have a good rest!
Tips for today:
1. Wear Comfortable Shoes: The terrain can be steep and slippery, especially after rain or in the morning due to dew.
2. Pack Light: Only bring essentials for the overnight stay as you'll be carrying everything uphill.
3. Huangshan's weather can be unpredictable. Be prepared for changes in temperature and possible rain with appropriate clothing layers and rain gear.
4. West Sea Grand Canyon is usually closed from December to March for the cold weather and heavy snow. The itinerary will be adjusted if it’s closed.
D6 Huangshan & High speed train to Hangzhou(B,L)
Wake up early today(normally from 4:30 to 6:00am) to catch the sunrise. This morning you will also visit the Dawn Pavilion, Refreshing Terrace, Lion Peak and the Monkey Watching the Sea.
Then descend the mountain by Yungu cable car and drive about 1 hour to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Hongcun. The village is renowned for its unique residential houses and public buildings that blend Anhui's local architectural styles with elements of Huizhou Merchant Houses. Take a stroll through its narrow lanes and across its quaint bridges, immerse yourself in the village's idyllic surroundings.
D7 Hangzhou (B,L)
Begin your day at West Lake, a must-visit destination in Hangzhou. You can take a leisurely stroll along the Su Causeway. Visit the Broken Bridge, and admire the beauty of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. You will also enjoy a leisurely cruise on the lake, experiencing its tranquility and immersing themselves in the poetic atmosphere.
After that, head to Feilai Peak which located near the south shore of West Lake. There are over 300 Buddhist statues and more than 470 inscriptions carved into the rocks, making it an invaluable repository of Chinese art and religious history. Next to Feilai Peak, you will visit Lingyin Temple which is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist temples in China. The temple complex is extensive and houses numerous halls, pavilions, and pagodas, displaying the essence of traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture.
In the afternoon, head to the Dragon Well Tea Plantations. Here, you can have a cup of authentic Longjing tea while enjoying the serene surroundings and learning about traditional tea-making processes. Also pay a visit to National Tea Museum. The museum will show you everything about the history, culture, and scientific knowledge of tea in China.
Optional activity: You can watch "Enduring Memories of Hangzhou," a spectacular live performance directed by Yimou Zhang. The performance typically begins at 7:45pm.
D8 Hangzhou & High speed train to Shanghai (B,L)
This morning you will firstly visit Hefang Street. Step back in time on this historic pedestrian street lined with traditional shops, snack vendors, and time-honored brands. Sample local delicacies, shop for souvenirs, or watch artisans at work.
You will also visit Huqingyu Tang which is a time-honored traditional Chinese medicine brand established in 1874 during the late Qing Dynasty. Here you can explore historical artifacts related to traditional Chinese medicine, including old prescription records, medicine processing tools, and rare herbal specimens. You will witness traditional medicine-making processes, such as herb grinding and pill making.
Then you will take a 30 minutes sightseeing cruise on the Grand Canal, the longest and oldest man-made waterway in the world. Immersed in picturesque views, you will also learn about the canal's history, which dates back over 2,500 years.
After the tour, get transferred to the railway station for one-hour high speed train to Shanghai. On arrival, your guide will pick you up and escort you to your downtown hotel.
D9 Shanghai (B,L)
Start today with an exploration of Yu Garden - an iconic classical garden nestled within bustling Shanghai's core. Situated northeast of Huangpu District's Old Town area, you will see the stylish Chinese pavilion and authentic old architectures in Yu Garden. Surrounding the garden is a bustling marketplace filled with shops selling traditional Chinese crafts, souvenirs. Enjoy shopping time at Yuyuan Bazaar, and you can try snacks and local delicacies like xiao long bao (steamed dumplings).
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Former French Concession to explore the city's unique history, architecture, and modern lifestyle. The city walk starts from Tianzifang, a place filled with artsy shops, studios, galleries, and cozy cafes. Here you can appreciate traditional Shanghai shikumen architecture. Continue north to Sinan Mansions, an upscale residential and commercial complex that exemplifies the elegance of the French Concession era.
Next highlight for today is Shanghai Tower. Stands in the heart of the Lujiazui Financial Zone, Shanghai Tower(632 meters) is the tallest building in China, and the third tallest in the world. You will take a high-speed elevator ride that swiftly takes you up to the observation deck(118F), reaching speeds of up to 46 miles per hour (73 km/h). Enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai from the observation deck, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, and the sprawling cityscape stretching to the horizon.
To conclude your day filled with exploration and discovery, take a leisurely stroll down Nanjing Road to the Bund and enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.
Optional activity: You can also take a relaxing Huangpu River cruise to enjoy the fascinating night view of Shanghai.
D10 Shanghai Departure(B)
Today comes to the end of your China tour. Your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to next destination.
Tour ends
