Itinerary :
Day 1/Arrive in Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, known as "Paris in the East". Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. (D)
Day 2/Shanghai
Visit the Bund in the morning, at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the splendid row of early 20th century Europe buildings remains the quintessential Shanghai sight. Pay a visit to Yuyuan Garden, a well-restored Suzhou-style garden, which was specially built for Pan's parents as a place to enjoy themselves a tranquil and happy time in their old age. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters are unique characteristic. And also take a walk through Chenghuangmiao (known as Yuyuan Garden Market) built in the fifteenth century during the Ming Dynasty. It filled with antique markets and specialty stores. Then, visit Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1882 to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The two precious jade Buddha statues, one sitting Buddha and one Recumbent Buddha, are carved with whole white jade. Enjoy a fabulous Acrobatic Show in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 3/Shanghai
Visit EXPO 2010 site. In 2010, Shanghai will host the biggest World Expo in the history of world expositions. Over 170 nations and at least 40 international organizations are expected to take part. By dedicating a 5.28-square-kilometer area at the core of the city to exhibitions, events and forums on the Expo theme, “Better City, Better Life”, Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living. (B)
Day 4/Shanghai
Visit EXPO 2010 site. During the 184-day expo, tens of millions of visitors will inspect and appreciate the urban object images and scientific and technological elements in the huge exhibition area, stroll among the most advanced urban civilization on earth, and walk amidst the magnificent prospects of the present and future urban life. It will be not only a trip for people to look forward to, but also a grand assembly for human beings to create a wonderful future. (B)
Day 5/Shanghai-Kunming
Transfer to the airport, fly to Kunming, known as "The City of Eternal Spring". Begin today's activity with a visit to the Western Hill, a stone archway was built at the entrance with the inscription Dragon Gate at the top, the view of Dianchi Lake below is a thrilling sight from this breathtaking building on the cliff. Walk along the Flower and Bird Market, at Jingming Street, an interesting places either for a leisurely stroll or to purchase some lovely things. (B,L,D)
Day 6/Kunming-Dali
Take a morning flight to Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China. Pay a visit to Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery, which located at the east foot of the tenth peak of the massive Cangshan Mountains and face the west shore of the Erhai Lake of the ancient Dali Town. Take a cruise on Erhai Lake, meaning "sea shaped like an ear". In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Walk around the Dali Ancient Town, characterized by the dwelling houses of the Bai Minority, which can be dated back to the year 1382 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and rank as one of the most noted historical and cultural cities in China. (B,L,D)
Day 7/Dali-Lijiang
Drive to Lijiang, an old city in beautiful surroundings in northwest Yunnan, blessed with beautiful scenery. Walk along Lijiang Old Town, one of UNESCO's protected world Heritage Sites. It is a well-preserved old city residing Naxi Nationality. With Sifang Street at the core, the entire city spreads out in all directions, and is crisscrossed by a labyrinth of flagged streets and alleyways. Then, pay a visit to Black Dragon Pool where is a wonderful place caters to the habitude of the Naxi who loves the nature very much. (B,L,D)
Day 8/Lijiang
Take a cable car to visit Spruce Plateau, situated half way up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, at an altitude of 3,100 meters. As its name implies, Spruce Plateau is a pasture surround by a forest of gigantic and straight spruces. Visit Yufeng Temple, located at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is one of Scarlet Sect lamaseries in Lijiang. Enjoy Dongba Religion Dance in the evening (option). (B,L,D)
Day 9/Lijiang-Zhongdian
After breakfast, depart from Lijiang and drive west to visit the Stone Drum Village, named after a drum-shaped marble plaque, standing at the First Bend of the Yangzi River. Go on driving to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, located on the upstream of the Yangtze River in Yunnan, honored as the deepest and most marvelous gorges in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Jingsha River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters below. Arrive in Zhongdian in the late afternoon, known as Shangri-La which was described as a heaven away from the turbulent mundane world in James Hilton's novel "The lost Horizon" in 1993. Shangri-La, a Tibetan word, means "land of sacredness and peace". (B,L,D)
Day10/Zhongdian
Begin today's sightseeing with a visit to Napahai Lake, located 8km to the northwest of Zhongdian County. It is the ideal habitation for black-necked cranes. From September to March of the next year, these rare birds have been staying here for about half a year. Then, visit Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Yunnan Province, and also one of the famous monasteries in the Tibetan area. The temple was made after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, hence it has another name "Second Potala Palace", a spiritual place that invites you to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Then, pay a visit to Dukezong Ancient Town. Dukezong means "City of White Stone" in Tibetan, engendered an epithet as "City of Moonlight". The market turns out to be pretty amazing. It carries almost everything Tibetan you can think of. You will also have a chance to visit Tibetan family and try home-made Yak Butter tea and Tibetan Cheese. (B,L,D)
Day11/Zhongdian-Kunming
Fly to Kunming. Pay a visit to the Yuantong Temple, with a history of more than 1200 years, Yuantong Temple is one of Kunming’s most active Buddhist temples. You will also visit Kunming Municipal Museum, a local comprehensive museum with an area of 5,000 sq meters. The exhibitions in the five regular halls are Dinosaur Fossil Exhibition, Bronze Culture Exhibition, Sutra Exhibition of Dizang Temple and Kunming City Exhibition. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city. (B,L)
Day12/Kunming-Bejing
Fly to Beijing, the capital of China. Begin the day's activity with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. Tian'anmen was built in 1417 and served as the entrance gate to the Imperial Palace. Move on to visit the Imperial Palace, well-known as Forbidden City which is the large scale construction of the palace extended from 1406 to 1420. It was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. 24 emperors lived and ruled China from here. Enjoy Peking Duck for Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day13/Beijing
Today's highlight is the visit to the Great Wall, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" and a symbol of Chinese civilization. Then, drive to visit the statue-lined Shenlu (Spirit Road) leading to the Ming Tombs, here you can see some marvelous stone sculptures. The Ming Tombs area is for 13 deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Visit the Changling Tomb which is the largest of the 13 as you can imagine it is quite impressive. On the way back to the hotel, stop at Olympic Park and outside view the National Stadium (Bird's Nest, no entry) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube, no entry), which are the main stadium of the 29th Olympiad in 2008. (B,L,D)
Day14/Beijing
After breakfast, visit Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D., which was originally the platform to offer sacrifices to Heaven during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The buildings and parklands reflect an ancient Chinese thought of "the Heaven is round and the earth is square". In the afternoon, visit the enchanting Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. As a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, it integrates the natural landscape of hills and open water with manmade features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges into a harmonious and aesthetically exceptional whole. (B,L,D)
Day15/Depart from Beijing
Transfer to the airport and prepare for boarding on your homebound flight. TOUR ENDS! (B)
Note: B-Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner
Hotel (or the same standard):
Shanghai: A: *** New Asia Hotel Shanghai (3-star building)
B: **** Grand Mercure Baolong Hotel Shanghai
C: ***** Oriental Riverside Hotel Shanghai
Kunming: A: *** Camellia Hotel
B: **** Golden Dragon Hotel
C: ***** Harbour Hotel Kunming
Dali: A: *** Land Scape Hotel
B: **** Asia Star Hotel
Lijiang: A: *** Lijiang Old Town San He Hotel
B: **** Jade Dragon Garden Hotel Lijiang
C: ***** Banyan Tree Lijiang
Zhongdian: A: *** Pacific Rim Hotel
B: **** Gyalthang Dzong
C: ***** Paradise Hotel
Beijing: A: *** Beijing Dongfang Hotel
B: **** Grand Mercure Xidan Beijing
C: ***** Beijing International Hotel
Include:
- Twin sharing accommodation with buffet breakfast
- Domestic flight in economic flight and its airport tax: Shanghai-Kunming, Kunming-Dali, Zhongdian-Kunming, Kunming-Beijing
- Lunch and dinner as mentioned in the itinerary in good local restaurant. A glass of soft drink is included. (No guarantee lunch and dinner in the hotel which the clients stay overnight.)
- (first) Entrance fee mentioned above
- English speaking accompanying guide through out program on all days with excursions
- Fare for Acrobatic Show
- All Transfers specified in the itinerary
- Scheduled sightseeing by air-conditioned coach with guide service
Exclude:
- International & Domestic Flight and airport tax
- Tips, personal expenses
- Transfer for “day at leisure”
- Guide Service during the plane and train
- China Entry Visa
- Cable-car of the Great Wall
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