10 Days China Beauty Tour from Hong Kong

Ni Hao! Welcome to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Oriental with East-meets-West culture! Upon arrival, you’ll be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Hong Kong Airport / train station and escorted to your hotel by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to recover from your long flight or explore the most energetic city in China.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, you are going to enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island. The first stop is Aberdeen Harbor to step aboard a sampan ride (optional experience at your expenses) for a fascinating close-up gander at the local fishing community. The rustic lifestyles of these people have remained more or less untouched by modernity, which serves up a sharp contrast to the nearby luxury yachts.

Next you’ll pass by the pretty shoreline of Repulse Bay en route to Stanly Market. At Stanley Market, wander freely along the shops that sell everything from Chinese silk to costume jewelry and sportswear, etc.

Later you’ll get on the traditional Peak Tram to ascend to Victoria Peak from 28 meters to 396 meters high, taking you back to Hong Kong in the 19th and 21st century. While standing on the highest point of the peak (552m), you can fully have a panoramic view of the city’s spectacular skyline, Victoria Harbor and the beautiful South China Sea.

Suggested afternoon activities for free time: 1) Take the charming Star Ferry to get right into the heart of Hong Kong and have an up-close look at stunning Victoria Harbor (running time during 06:30~23:30); 2) Explore the lively Kowloo area for a relaxing visit to Nan Lian Garden, Wong Tai Sin or Tsim Sha Tsui; 3) Enjoy “A Symphony of Lights”, the nightly multimedia show involving more than 40 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbor which lasts about 13 minutes (at 20:00 daily).

View Hong Kong Skyline from Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak Tram

Repulse Bay of Hong Kong

Chongqing Chaotianmen Port for Yangtze Cruise

Today, you will leave Hong Kong for Guilin on your own. Be transferred to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station for a high speed train to Guilin (about 3.5 hours). Or, you can choose from the 1-2 daily flight from Hong Kong International Airport to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, which takes about 1.5 hours.

Upon arrival at Guilin railway station/airport, your local tour guide and driver will meet you, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to have fun on your own. (Transferring Note: 1. Since there are very few trains between Hong Kong and Guilin, you can also adjust to transfer first to Guangzhou South Station or Shenzhen North Station by Hong Kong bullet train and then travel to Guilin by another bullet train, which is relatively cheaper than flight travel, but takes about 3-3.5 hours to arrive in Guilin City. 2. If you do not know how to embark China bullet train or want to enjoy a private transfer to Hong Kong railway station from your hotel, please directly contact us. We can send a private tour guide and driver to pick you up from your hotel, and escort you to the railway station to take your train.)

Evening Ideas: You can take a leisure walk around the famous city water system - Two Rivers and Four Lakes for the amazing night views.

“East or West, Guilin’s landscape is the best”. After breakfast, you’ll begin today’s sightseeing by taking the 84-kilometer relaxing Li River cruise to Yangshuo County. Cruising on the Li River, you’ll be like sailing along a hundred-mile scroll with numerous green mountains, cliffs, waterfalls, oases, shoals as well as idyllic countryside views. You won’t miss the gorgeous karst scenery depicted at the back of the new edition 20 Yuan banknote.

After the 4-hour cruise, you’ll disembark in Yangshuo Town. Check in your hotel and take a short break. Then, immerse yourself into the stunning countryside views and relaxing atmosphere and be enthralled by the patches of paddy fields nestling under green hills and near the mirror-like river, with farmers cultivating the soil with their water buffalos.

Next will be a wonderful stroll along the oldest street in Yangshuo - West Street with a history of more than 1400 years. On this 800-meter-long “Foreigner’s Street”, you’ll experience the perfect collision of Chinese and Western culture as well as taste some delicious local snacks and enjoy the cool atmosphere in a bar if you like.

Optional activity: In this evening, enjoy a spectacular open-air show “Impression Sanjie Liu” directed by the famous director – Zhang Yimou in a vast amphitheater with the stage being the river and mountains in front of you (usually performs for an hour between around 19:45 and 22:20).

Idyllic Countryside Scenery in Yangshuo County

Guilin Li River Landscape

In the morning, you’ll be transferred back to Guilin in a comfortable vehicle (about 1.5~2hrs). Then take a trip to visit the symbol of Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill. It is named after its unique shape of a giant elephant stretching its trunk to Li River and boozing. You’ll spend some time appreciating the green mountains, clear water, fantastic caves and beautiful rocks in this park.

Next will be a visit to Reed Flute Cave, the Art Palace of Nature! Getting into the majestic underground cave, you’ll see a large number of stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations as well as enjoy the light and sound show.

After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you the airport for your flight to Chongqing (about 1.5hrs). Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to Chongqing Chaotianmen Port to board your ship during 18:00~21:00. Your 4-day relaxing downstream Yangtze River cruise will sail at 21:00!

Tips for boarding: 1) Please call the ship one day ahead or at least in the morning on the boarding day to have clear idea about which pier you are going to use; 2) There are 13 sub-pier of Chongqing Chaotianmen Port that tell the exact pier to your driver to avoid too much walking; 3) The boarding time and departure piers may change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors. Please pay attention to the important info your travel consultants sent to you before your boarding.

Reed Flute Cave, the Art Palace of Nature

Chongqing Chaotianmen Port for Yangtze Cruise

The Famous Elephant Trunk Hill

In this morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine shining over the tranquil Yangtze River. You can either follow the Taichi master to play Taichi on the sundeck or enjoy a cup of coffee to stretch your mood to start your beautiful day. It will be colorful and interesting no matter you stay onboard or go shore excursions at river stops.

Onboard you will enjoy different kinds of cultural activities and entertainment, like attending a Yangtze River History and Culture Lecture to know deeply about the third longest river in the world, taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party to make new friends, or having great fun at the wonderful evening shows with sing, dance and music.

Also, you will follow a local English-speaking tour guide and make a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda, a pearl of Yangtze River in Zhongxian County. Reputed as one of the eight extraordinary architectures in the world, this 12-story, 16^th century red wooden pagoda leans against the side of the rocky and craggy hill about 200 meters tall. Climbing up to the top of Shibaozhai, you can not only visit the Buddhist temples and halls but also have panoramic view of Yangtze River. (Please note: Comfortable shoes are highly recommended since there will be many stairs to climb up the pagoda.)

Optional excursion: Have a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City today with an extra fee. Called “the Homeland of Divine Comedy in China”, it consists of buildings, structures, dioramas and statues related to the afterlife in hell. Entering this “City of Ghosts”, you will know many mysterious stories about underworld and cruel tortures and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons. (Please note: the visit to Fengdu Ghost City requires much walking and comfortable shoes highly recommended!)

Breathtaking Autumn Scenery of Yangtze Gorge

Shibaozhai Pagoda, a Pearl of Yangtze River

Fengdu Ghost City

Today you will sail through the spectacular Three Gorges! Follow the guide’s live interpretation and soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery passing by as you drift through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge respectively.

On this day, take an enjoyable shore excursion to Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream), a tributary of the Yangtze River in Wushan County. You will be switched to a smaller boat to sail down this primitive stream running in a narrow side gorge where you will have close-up views of steep mountains and hanging coffins high on the cliffs as well as hear some of the local history. Besides, you will be entertained with local music and dance offered by the Tujia ethnic group.

In this evening, enjoy the well-prepared Captain’s Farewell Party with all your mates onboard and have a pleasant dinner together. 

Optional excursion: Enjoy a shore excursion to White Emperor City today with an extra fee. Located at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, this excursions gives you the chance to know Romance of the Three Kingdoms and offers the best pot to appreciate the magnificent “Kui Gate”.

Shennv Stream with Primitive Gorge Scenery

Magnificent Qutang Gorge

Breathtaking Wu Gorge Scenery

After breakfast, you’ll go through a check-out procedure and disembark at Maoping Port. Then, take a morning shore excursion to visit the world-famous project - Three Gorges Dam. The dam is the largest hydropower station in the world with an annual energy output of 84.7 billion kilowatt-hours. The Three Gorges Dam includes three areas: the dam itself, a hydroelectric, and a system of locks. The height of the Three Gorges Dam is 185 meters (607 ft) above the sea level. The dam is about 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) long and about 115 meters (377 ft) wide. With a water capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters, the dam will hold a huge reservoir which will efficiently prevent flooding in the middle and lower portions of the Yangtze River. (Optional experience: you can choose to sail through the world’s largest ship lift - Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift to very closely marvel at the huge dam which is a totally fresh and exciting experience for travelers.)

After the dam visiting, you’ll take the tourist bus arranged by the cruise company transferring you to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal around 12:30~13:30. Then, you will be escorted by our local guide and driver to the Yichang East Railway Station and take your bullet train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Shanghai train station and escorted to your hotel in downtown area by a private, comfortable and non-smoking vehicle. Have a nice sleep in Shanghai!

Tips & Note: No matter you take Ship Lift or not, you’ll do check-out procedure and take your luggage away from the ship in this early morning. (1) Only dam visiting: you’ll take bus from Maoping Port to Three Gorges Dam for sightseeing. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown around 12:30. (2) Dam & Ship Lift Experience: travelers who are interested in Ship Lift will first switch to a sightseeing boat to sail through the Ship Lift and then visit Three Gorges Dam Site. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown area around 13:30.

Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, the Largest Ship Lift in the World

Three Gorges Dam with Ship Locks

After breakfast, you’ll take a full day to explore the west-meet-east, modern-blend-tradition culture of Shanghai. First, take an educational trip to Shanghai Museum, one of the Four Greatest Museums in China. From outside, you’ll appreciate the beautiful appearance in the style of “Ding” which symbolizes “a round heaven and a square earth”. While entering into the exhibition rooms, you’ll treat your eyes with large number of collections of historic relics from Bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphic works to jades, coins, furniture, seals, sculptures, etc.

Then, head to Yu Garden, a typical ancient Chinese garden in Jiangnan area similar to the classical Suzhou Gardens! This garden fully embodies the traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your mood and spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works.

Next, drive to Pudong New District to the third tallest building in China - Shanghai World Financial Center. Stand on the 100^th floor (474 meters) to have panoramic view of Shanghai downtown, Huangpu River as well as nearby towering buildings. Later, take a wonderful stroll along the Bund with a rich collection of buildings and structures of various architectural styles. Feel the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while at the same time take in the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes! (Note: If time and energy permits, you can have a nice walk along Nanjing Road to experience the modern atmosphere of Shanghai.)

Optional activities: 1) Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes);  2) Enjoy an entertaining and breathtaking Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Circus World or other acrobatic theatres (usually performs during 19:30~21:00).

Have Panoramic View on the Top of Shanghai World Financial Center

Yu Garden with Traditional Design of Chinese Architecture

Panoramic View of the Bund of Shanghai

Shanghai Museum on the People's Square

Want to deeply know the past, today and future of Shanghai? This morning’s visit to Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center will show you everything about Shanghai. You will see the amazing transformation of Shanghai that was originally a small fishing village and now surprisingly a super modern world metropolis. Different usages of photography, models and interactive multimedia displays make your visit enjoyable and entertaining. The best features are the old rare photos of landmarks, such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, during the international settlement, and the large scale model showing the detailed layout of Shanghai.

Then you will be followed a trip to Jade Buddha Temple, a famous Buddhist Temple peacefully situated in the bustling Shanghai downtown. It is famous for the two pieces of Jade Buddha - one is the sitting Jade Buddha of 1.95 meters tall and the other is the smaller reclining Jade Buddha of 0.96 meters tall. Besides appreciating the Jade Buddha, you can have a basic understanding about Chinese Buddhism by visiting the Buddhist halls.

After the tour, your guide will escort you the airport / train station for your flight to next destination or home.

See the Future of Shanghai in Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Sitting Buddha in Jade Buddha Temple