Classic China & Yunnan Express

Highlights Trek along the Great Wall, visit the Forbidden City in Beijing and the canal town of Suzhou, experience a local meal and the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, marvel at the Chinese acrobats in Shanghai, break a sweat at Tiger Leaping Gorge, indulge in the spicy cuisine of Yunnan. Tour description provided by G Adventures If you’re looking for both the main highlights of China plus a little something out of the way, this is the trip for you. Take in all the classic landmarks of China – the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors – before hopping a flight from Shanghai to Kunming so you can immerse yourself in the culture of Yunnan. (Spicy food lovers, take note – this place is heaven for cuisine.) Hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge will remain a bragging right for years to come. Whether it’s your first time in China or one of many return trips, we’ll make sure you see something new. Itinerary Day 1 Beijing Is Beijing top of your must-see list? Booking pre-trip accommodations will let you do Beijing your way before meeting up with the group. Included Activities Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting Day 2 Beijing Included Activities Tiananmen Square Guided Tour Forbidden City Transport Metro Day 3 Beijing/Xi’an Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. After time spent wandering around, taking photos, and picking up souvenirs, head to the airport for an evening flight to Xi'an. Included Activities Great Wall Mutianyu visit Orientation Walk Transport Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s))Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s))Plane (2.25 hour(s))Private Vehicle Day 4 Xi’an/Suzhou (1L) Included Activities Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour Transport Overnight train (beds) (14.00-16.00 hours) Day 5 Suzhou Included Activities Master of the Nets Garden Tour Day 6 Suzhou/Shanghai Arrive in the afternoon to Shanghai. After an orientation walk along Shanghai's famous Bund, you are free to explore the delights this modern Chinese city has to offer. Included Activities Orientation Walk of the Bund Transport Private Vehicle Day 7 Shanghai Included Activities Chinese Acrobatic Performance Day 8 Shanghai/Kunming Fly from Shanghai to Kunming to start exploring Yunnan. Opt to visit Green Lake Park where you can see singing, dancing, and locals doing tai chi or going further afield to the Stone Forest. Transport Plane (3.00 hour(s)) Day 9 Kunming/Dali (1B) Enjoy free time in Dali with optional activities like visiting the old town, taking a boat around Lake Erhai, and riding a bike to Xizhou. Choose to spend some time wandering the local markets. Included Activities Bird and Flower Market Visit Transport Local bus (4.50-5.00 hours, 344km) Day 10 Dali (1B) ;;; Take an express bus to Shaxi, a valley that whispers of times past, nestled away in the foothills of the Himalayas. If time allows, visit the Shibaoshan rock carvings, which are over 1300-years-old and evidence of the spread of Mahayana Buddhism into Yunnan from Tibet. Included Activities Shaxi Walking Tour Transport Local bus (3.50-4.00 hours, 148km) Day 11 Dali/Shaxi (1B) ;;; Make the most of time in Lijiang before heading out for the famous hike along Tiger Leaping Gorge. Included Activities Lijiang Old Town Visit Transport Local bus (3.00-3.50 hours, 103km) Day 12 Shaxi (1B) Included Activities Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek Day 1 Transport Private Vehicle (2.50-3.00 hours, 90km) Day 13 Shaxi/Lijiang (1B) The hike ends in the morning, followed by an express bus back to Lijiang. Relax and enjoy your accomplishment. Included Activities Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek Day 2 Transport Private Vehicle (2.50-3.00 hours, 90km) Day 14 Lijiang/Hetaoyuan (1B) Finish up any sightseeing still on your list and fly back to Kunming. Enjoy an optional final meal with the group. Transport Flight (1.00 hour(s)) Day 15 Hetaoyuan/Lijiang (1B) Included Activities Departure Day Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/tours/history-culture/classic-china-yunnan-express#ixzz3fwDEqPFu