Splendid China Cycling Tour - 16 Days

Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore China's historical and vibrant capital city on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cycling: About 5 kilometers

Today enjoy a special cycle tour along Beijing’s Central Axis, which runs from north to south across the city, with the many ancient and modern landmarks on both sides. Your first peek begins with Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest and renowned public square where many historical events once took place.

Then ride (about 1km) to the Forbidden City (UNESCO), where the 24 emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties ruled for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). Experience the architectural splendor of the palaces, ceremonial courtyards and private quarters.

Then we move on to Bell and Drum Tower (about 3.7km). Back to Han Dynasty, (206BC-220), there used to be a morning bell and a dusk drum everyday telling the time to the citizens.

Hutong area is not far from Bell and Drum Tower. Cycling along the narrow alleys, you will appreciate some ancient courtyard houses and gain a full glimpse of local culture. You may also buy some special souvenirs from those boutiques in the hutong.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner

Today setting out to the China's most renowned monument, Great Wall (UNESCO) that is the most spectacular structures ever built by human and as the only one visible from space.

After lunch, visit the Ming Tomb, ancient burial ground of the Chinese emperors.

In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Beijing Duck Dinner, a Chinese delicacy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will visit another renowned imperial site – the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO), where ancient Chinese emperors would make sacrifices to Heaven and pray for bountiful harvests. This construction is supreme achievement of Chinese traditional architecture.

Then pay a visit to the Summer Palace (UNESCO), the largest imperial garden in the world.

In the late afternoon, you will take a flight to Xi’an, which was the ancient capital for 11 dynasties and was east end of the Silk Road. On arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner

Today's excursion will take you to the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses (UNESCO), one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world. More than 6000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, archers, infantrymen, horses and bronze chariots silently guarded the tomb of China's First Emperor for over 2,200 years.
Then head to the Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark. This seven-story pagoda was initially constructed in 652 AD, and a larger team of scholars was organized here for translation of the Buddhist sutras brought back from India and it became a holy place for pilgrimages.
In the evening, appreciate a tasteful Dumpling Feast followed by an exquisite traditional Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cycling: About 13 kilometers

In the morning, enjoy a cycle tour (about 13km) of Ancient City Wall, which is one of the oldest walls in China and still compasses the center of Xi'an. It will take you about 1.5 hours to encircle the city wall and enjoy the layout of the ancient capital city.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Chengdu. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, you will enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Center. This massive ecological and zoological park offers a wonderful chance to get face-to-face with China's "National Treasure". There is also a panda museum that has detailed exhibitions on panda evolution, habits, habitats and conservation efforts.

Then head to the Thatched Cottage of Du Fu. Du Fu was a prominent poet in ancient China of Tang Dynasty, and you will admire his brilliant works and get a glimpse of Chinese literary culture in this famous thatched cottage.

Later, you will take a flight and transfer to Lijiang. In the ancient time, Lijiang flourished as a trading post of the Silk Road of tea, known as the "Tea-Horse Ancient Road". In 1997, the UNESCO put Lijiang on a list of the world cultural heritage. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cycling: About 18 kilometers

After breakfast, pay a visit to the crystal Black Dragon Pool with the superb vistas of the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Afterwards, ride from Black Dragon Pool to Shuhe Ancient Town (about 6km), a small Naxi village that features the ethnic culture and natural scenery.

Then continue your bicycle tour to Huangshan Village (about 6km). Surrounded by mountains two beautiful high plateau lakes, the village composes a harmonic idyll with the colorful rurality.

Later, move on to the Old Town of Lijiang (about 6km), which is the best-preserved ancient town in China and well-known for its distinctive Naxi culture and ancient buildings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, visit the remarkable Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You travel by cable car to the Yak Meadow, which commands a magnificent view of the glacier.

In the afternoon, tour the Baisha Fresco situated in the northern part of Lijiang. You will find an assortment of over 600-year old preserved murals.

Discover the Yuhu Village, a simple village of Naxi minority with the former residence of Dr. Joseph Rock.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you embark on a scenic car ride to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. You travel along the Golden Sand River, the beginning of the mighty Yangtze. You stop for pictures for the amazing view of the spectacular First Bend of Yangtze River, cutting through several mountains, changes its directions in several 90 degree turns. You stop at the stupendous Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. Following an ancient trek, enjoy a magnificent close-up view of sharp cliffs and roaring rushing water.
In the later afternoon you will take a flight transfer to Kunming. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a day excursion to the Stone Forest (UNESCO), a typical Karst landscape formed some 270 million years ago. This geological wonder consists of limestone cliffs and peaks that have weathered into various shapes since their formation beneath the sea.

Then visit the Dragon Gate, the best and biggest Taoist grotto in Yunnan, which is characterized by its natural beauty and local culture.

Later transfer to the airport and fly to Guilin, which is said to be "the best scenery under heaven" for its unique Karst limestone along the Li River, creating the picturesque beauty. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you will embark on a memorable 3-hour Li River Cruise, which brings you a real journey of China's best known natural scenery.

Upon arrival at Yangshuo, meet and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free in Yanghshuo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cycling: About 15 kilometers

After breakfast, take a bicycle tour (about 5km) from Yanghsuo to Aishan Villiage. The Tianjia River runs through the village with lush bamboo on the riverbanks. Cycling in this peaceful village, you will get immersed in the crystal clear water and lush hills and gain a glimpse of the rural life style in China.

Then ride (about 3.5km) via some local villages and arrive at Gongnong Bridge. The bridge spans the Yulong River (Dragon Meeting River), which is known as the little Li River because of the wonderful landscape. Local people use bamboo rafts as daily transportation up and down the river between their houses, markets, and rice paddies. Then ride back to Yangshuo (about 6km).

In the afternoon, drive back to Guilin and visit Reed Flute Cave, the natural underground wonder. Enjoy the radiating lights that illuminate the natural rock formation and stone pillars along the zigzag pathway within the cave.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning fly to Shanghai. Shanghai is China's largest and most dynamic city.

Upon arrival, visit the Yu Garden (UNESCO). Owing to its ingenious design in Ming and Qing dynasties, it becomes a real museum of Chinese ancient architecture. Walk around the Old Downtown with its maze of walkways, reflecting ponds, pavilions and stone bridges.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a stunning view of Shanghai from the 88th floor of the Jinmao Tower. At 1,380 feet, it is the world's third tallest building, as well as home to the world's tallest hotel, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.

Continue to visit the Shanghai Museum, with its 120,000 piece collection of Chinese ancient treasures.

Wander through the bustling Bund, featuring outstanding European colonial architectures, new skyscrapers and historical buildings in Shanghai.

After your dinner, enjoy a spectacular Acrobatic Show, known as one of the most fabulous performance arts in China.