Cities in Tour:
- Beijing, Urumqi, Kashgar (Kashi), Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Hu), Tunxi, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), Huangshan, Guangzhou
Tour price includes:
- Round trip airfare from San Francisco via Cathay Pacific Airways.
- First/Deluxe Class hotel accommodation based on double occupancy.
- Meals as in the itinerary (B=Breakfast * L=Lunch * D=Dinner) & Guided sightseeing tours.
- Transportation and all China domestic airfares as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Guided sightseeing tours & Travel Tag/Bag.
China Grand Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 – San Francisco / Beijing
Depart San Francisco for a pleasant non-stop flight via United Airlines or Air China.
Day 2 – Beijing
Arrive Beijing in the evening and transfer to Capital Hotel or Pullman West Wanda Hotel for a nice rest. (D)
Day 3 – Beijing / Urumqi
Morning visit to the famous Olympics stadium “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube”. We then have lunch and after lunch proceed to fly to Urumqi-the capital of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China’s most western province. The most “inland” city in the world & it means “beautiful pastures” in Mongolian. Stay at the Yin Du Hotel (5-star) or Hoitak Hotel (5-star). (B/L/D)
Day 4 – Urumqi
Whole day sightseeing tour to Tranquil Heaven’s Pool, Urumqi Museum, People’s Park and Khazakh Commune. A special local cuisine in the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 5 – Urumqi / Kashgar (Kashi)
Morning flight to Kashgar, 665 miles west of Urumqi and 80 miles from the Russian border. Upon arrival, sightseeing tour to Great Id Kah Mosque and Ruins of Ancient Shule. Check-in Kashi International Hotel or same class Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 6 – Kashgar / Urumqi
Whole day tour to Tomb of Abash Zhoja and the Sunday Bazaar etc. Evening flight back to Urumqi for overnight transit to Turpan. Stay at the Yin Du Hotel or Hoitak Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 7 – Urumqi / Turpan
Today you will take a bus ride to Turpan, the Chinese Turkestan, located 505 feet below sea level. This oasis town links the northern paths of the Silk Route leading to Europe & India. Visit the Ruins of An ancient city called Gao Chang and Karez Irrigation System. Special local cuisine Roast Lamb and Cultural Show in the evening. Stay at the Grand Turpan Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 8 – Turpan / Dunhuang
Today bus ride across the desert where you will visit the Flaming Mountains and the Grape Valley before busing back to Urumqi and taking the later evening flight to Dunhuang. Check in the Sunshine Villa Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 9 – Dunhuang
Dunhuang is located in the northwest desert corridor of Gansu Province. This over 2,000-year-old town was once an important caravan stop on the Silk Road linking central Asia with China. Visit the Mogao Grottoes, sandstone caves whose walls are sculpted with statues of Buddha and Figures in Chinese mythology. Also today sightseeing tour to Mingsha Dune(known as Singing Sand Mountains, the dunes look like a poster of the Sahara)-820 feet height, a veritable mountain of sand that seemed endless task to scale; Crescent Moon Lake-a celebrated pool where Silk Road travelers, including Marco Polo, paused to drink and Municipal Museum. After dinner, enjoy the show in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 10 – Dunhuang / Jiayuguan
Coach to Jiayuguan-the unforgettable impressive Ming Fortress at the end of the Great Wall also known as “The Greatest Pass Under Heaven”. Upon arrival, check into Jiayuguan Guest House. (B.L.D.)
Day 11 – Jiayuguan / Lanzhou
Today we tour Jiayuguan Fortress, the Great Wall and Ancient Tomb before a late afternoon flight to Lanzhou-the capital of Gansu Province. It is situated on the upper reaches of the Yellow River known as the cradle of Chinese civilization. *if air service is not available an overnight train will be used.* Stay at Grand Soluxe Hotel Gansu (B/L/D)
Day 12 – Lanzhou / Shanghai
Today we will visit the Lanzhou Museum, Flying House of Gansu, White Pagoda Mountain, Five Spring Park and the Yellow River Bridge. Afternoon flight to Shanghai, the fifth largest city in the world, is one of the China’s most cosmopolitan area-virtually the only one which strikes an immediately familiar chord with most Western visitors. Upon arrival, transfer to the five-star deluxe Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel for rest. (B/L/D)
Day 13 – Shanghai: One-Day Excursion to Zhujiajiao
Visit Zhujiajiao which has a long history stretching back 1700 years when the village was first formed and grew into a town during the Wanli Period of the Ming Dynasty. So far there are the ancients and tools people used 5000 years ago found in Zhujiajiao. It is famous for its rice market and flourishes with the Daqing Post Office, oil shops, banks, electronics factories, and old real estate. The town is also on the water. There are several rivers across the river, nine long streets along the river, thousands of architectural remnants from the Ming and Qing Dynasty stand by the river, 36 stone bridges across the rivers. You will enjoy a boat ride on the river to explore this Ancient town with natural scenery of little bridges spanning bubbling streams. In the afternoon you will visit Shanghai Museum, one of the largest museums in China and Nanking Road. Special local cuisine in the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 14 – Shanghai/Wuxi
In the morning leave Shanghai via deluxe motor coach. Upon your arrival in Wuxi, transfer to Inter Continental Hotel or similar Hotel for your stay in this city of silk. Your afternoon tour visits a clay figurine factory and a silk production factory. Special local cuisine in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 15 – Wuxi/Suzhou
Today take the Grand Canal Cruise from Wuxi to Suzhou and discover the local lifestyle as workers commute to work. Cargo barges carry agricultural products to the city and the tow path teems with activity. After your arrival in Suzhou, take a short tour to the Suzhou Beisi Pagoda and the Sandalwood Factory. Stay at the Marriott Suzhou Hotel or similar hotel. Special local cuisine in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 16 – Suzhou
A full day tour takes you to Tiger Hill, Garden of the Master of the Nets; Zhuozheng Yuan and a visit to the Silk Embroidery Institute. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing, strolling in the local area of biking along the beautiful street of this garden city. (B.L.D.)
Day 17 – Suzhou/Hangzhou
Depart by morning Express Train for Hangzhou where you visit the West Lake, People’s Commune. The origin of the famous Longing Tea Brigade. Stay at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel or similar hotel. Enjoy the special cultural show in the evening.
Day 18 – Hangzhou
Known for its “Heavenly” beauty, Hangzhou attracts thousands of tourists annually. Cruise the exquisite West Lake and explore Xiao Ying Zhou Islet, the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Orioles Singing in the Willows and the Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake plus the Six Harmony Pagoda and Botanic Gardens. Special local cuisine in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 19 – Hangzhou/Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Hu)
This morning visit the Yellow Dragon Cave then after lunch, take a two-hour bus ride through the countryside to Thousand Island Lake. Upon arrival, transfer to Inter Continental Thousand Islands Resort Hotel. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing in this beautiful Resort Hotel, strolling in the local area or watching the sunset. (B.L.D.)
Day 20 – Thousand Island Lake/Tunxi-Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
This morning take a five-hour boat ride down the waterway to view the beautiful scenic spots of the Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Hu). Upon arrival, transfer to a bus ride through the countryside to the foot of the Tunxi-Huangshan. Stay at the Country Garden Phoenix Hotel 5-star hotel or similar hotel for rest. (B.L.D.)
Day 21 – Huangshan
In the early morning, a bus will take you through the countryside to the foot of Huangshan and then a cable car ride up to Huangshan. You will be fascinated with the natural beauty of this resort of China when we trek up to the “Beginning-to-Believe Peak” and “Flower-Dream-out-of-a-Writing-Brush Rock”. Our stay overnight will be at the Xihai or same class hotel. (B.L.D.)
Day 22 – Huangshan
For those who are willing and able a 5 a.m. spectacular sunrise feast is the reward. You continue trekking to the “Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion”, “Flying Over Stone” and “Bright Top Peak” etc. (B.L.D.)
Day 23 – Huangshan (Tunxi) / Guangzhou
Morning at leisure. Then after lunch, take a cable car down to the foot of the Huangshan and take another two-hour ride through the countryside to Tunxi where you take a later evening flight to Guangzhou. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Garden Hotel for rest. (B.L.D.)
Day 24 – Guangzhou
Highlights of the day include the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, the Chen Clan Academy and the Yuexiu Park. Farewell Dinner in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 25 – Guangzhou/San Francisco
Wrap up your memories and bid farewell to the Orient and return to the United States, recrossing the International Date Line for the same day arrival.
