11-day China Essence Tour & Jiuzhai Valley

Day 1 Arrival/ Hong Kong

Upon arriving in Hong Kong, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, or explore Hong Kong on your own.

Day 2 Hong Kong/Guilin

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay

In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to Central for your tram ride up to Victoria Peak, which will give you a fantastic bird’s eye view of Hong Kong. You will then be driven to Aberdeen where you will see an entire community living on small houseboats as they have for centuries. After Aberdeen, you will be driven to Repulse Bay, the most luxurious section of Hong Kong, is famous for its architecture, boutiques, and golden beaches. Then you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Guilin. After you arrive in Guilin Your local guider will meet you and drive you to your hotel for rest.

Day 3 Guilin

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Tea Plantation, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Cormorant Fishing Show

In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to the Guilin Tea Plantation located near Yao Mountain. Here you will see how the green tea is picked and processed and to learn Chinese tea culture. You can also try pick your own tea if you like. Then you will go to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin City. It is also known as Water-Moon Cave because at night the reflection of the moon can be seen though the arch and it looks like it is under the water and floating on the surface of the water at the same time. After having your lunch, you will be driven to the Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave with multicolored lightening. In the evening you will see the show with Cormorant Fishing Show on Li River. Cormorant Fishing is a traditional fishing way that the fishermen use trained cormorants to fish in rivers.

Day 4 Guilin/Yangshuo

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Li River Cruise, West Street

In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to the Zhujiang Pier (40 minute drive) to begin your breathtaking Li River Cruise. While cruising down the river you will be amazed by the beauty that passes by. The beautiful karst mountains, ancient villages, and farmers working in their fields as they have for centuries, will make you feel as though you have stepped into a traditional Chinese landscape painting. Upon arriving in Yangshuo, your guide will escort you to your hotel. After checking in you will stroll down the famous West Street.

Day 5 Yangshuo/Chengdu

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Biking through Yangshuo Countryside

After have breakfast in your hotel you will cycle out to the countryside surrounding Yangshuo. You will be mesmerized by the beauty of the scenery and the ancient villages that dot the landscape. Then you will be driven to the airport for you flight to Chengdu. After arrive in Hong Kong your local tour guide will meet you and escort you to the hotel for rest.

Day 6 Chengdu

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Wenshu Temple, Wenshu Tea House, Jinli Old Street

Special Cultural Experience: Meet China living treasure, the Giant Panda, firsthand

After having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you will get a chance to see China’s living treasures first hand and if you wish have your photo taken with a Giant Panda cub. You will then visit the ancient Wenshu Temple and spend some time in its Wenshu Tea House enjoying traditional Chinese tea and absorbing the local culture. After visiting the tea house you will be driven to the Jinli Old Street to mingle with the locals.

Note: Having your photo taken holding a Giant Panda cub has an extra fee which is not included on this itinerary’s price.

Day 7 Chengdu/Jiuzhaigou

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Huanglong Valley

In the morning after breakfast, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to the airport to take the morning flight to Jiuzhaigou. Upon arriving at the Jiuzhaigou’s airport, you will be transferred to visit Huanglong Valley. Designated a national park in 1983, Huanglong valley is famous for its colored lakes of blue, yellow and green, glaciers and mountain landscape. After visiting Huanglong valley, you will be driven back to Jiuzhaigou to stay overnight.

Day 8Jiuzhaigou

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Jiuzhaigou Valley

In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be taken to Jiuzhaigou Valley for a full day sightseeing. Jiuzhaigou is composed of three valleys, Riza Valley, Zechawa Valley and Suzheng Valley. It was name a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. The fairyland is studded with colored ponds, waterfall, and terraced, surrounded by well-protected virgin forests and verdant mountains.

Day 9 Jiuzhaigou/Chengdu

Meals:B, L

After you have had your breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to the airport to take the flight to Chengdu.

Day 10 Chengdu/Shanghai

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: The Bund, Nanjing Road

Special Optional Cultural Experience: Chinese Acrobatics

In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival in Shanghai, your local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. After lunch you will be driven to The Bund, known as a museum of Western architecture, and Nanjing Road, known as China’s No.1 Shopping Street.

Optional: In the evening you will experience edge of your seat excitement as you watch China’s premiere acrobatic troupe in the Shanghai Centre Theatre

Day 11 Shanghai/Departure

Meals: B, L

Places to visit: Yu Garden, Yuyuan Market

In the morning after having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you and you will be driven to the Yu Garden. This stunning example of traditional Chinese garden design is the only surviving ancient garden in Shanghai. You will then be taken to the neighboring Yuyuan Market. This is an extremely fun place, with its traditional architecture, fun shops, and performances. In the afternoon your local guide will escort you to the airport for your flight home.