China Hong Kong Guilin Tour with Panda

Welcome to Beijing! Our guide is waiting for you at the airport arrival hall. After meeting you, we will drive you to the hotel.

Free Time Suggestion: Houhai Lake

If you want to stroll around on your own, Houhai Lake would be a satisfactory place. The Houhai Lake is an artificial lake dug by the ancient royal family for enjoyment. Houhai Lake area was known as a flourishing commercial area at the beginning. In history, many imperial households moved their residencies here and some of the old houses are conserved well by the Beijing government. Later, more and more people are attracted by this place because of its beautiful scenery. Along Houhai Lake, there are rows of quadrangle courtyards (siheyuan in Chinese). It will be worth visiting if you’re interested in Chinese traditional architecture. Traditional snacks with Beijing taste are also worth a try, such as soya-bean milk and Luzhu (boiled pork giblets with baked wheaten paste). If you are interested in Beijing food, Houhai Lake is a must-visit attraction.  

After breakfast, we will take you to Tian’anmen Square. Tian’anmen Square is situated at the central axis of Beijing, which reveals its political and cultural significance. One of the main buildings on the square is Tian’anmen Gate Tower, former Chengtianmen Gate, which was constructed during the reign of Yongle emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). At that time, Tian’anmen Gate Tower was the place where imperial decrees were released to the public. In 1949, the People’s Republic of China was established and a founding ceremony was held here. Since then, it has been a symbol of the People’s Republic of China. 

A solemn flag-raising ceremony is held at Tian’anmen Square between 5:00 to 7:00 every day. If you look forward to an unforgettable visit to Tian’anmen Square, this ceremony will be a good choice. This flag-raising ceremony is not included in this itinerary, and you could ask for help from your guide if you would like to watch it on your own.

Situated at the centeral axis of Beijing and next to Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City (closed each Monday), also known as the Palace Museum, is the imperial palace in Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1636 - 1912) Dynasties. The Forbidden City covers an area of 720,000 square meters, being one of the largest and well-preserved palaces around the world. According to different functions, the whole architectural complex includes the outer court (for emperors to deal with state affairs and hold state ceremonies) and the inner court (for accommodation and recreation). The outer court consists of three famous palaces (Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony), which catch visitors’ attention for its architecture of oriental style and magnificent design. At the center of the inner court is Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Palace, Kunning Palace, collectively called the Three Inner Palaces, where the emperor and empress lived. In addition, the inner court also includes the imperial garden and the palaces where concubines, princes and princesses live. Your guide will take you to see all the must-visit palaces here.

After lunch, we will take you to Summer Palace. It is a royal garden built in the Qing Dynasty and has been regarded as one of the four famous gardens all over China (the other three are the Summer Mountain Resort in Chengde, the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou). Absorbing the unique design style of the garden in the Yangtze Delta area, Summer Place reflects the Chinese classic charm. In addition, three-quarters of the garden is occupied by Kunming Lake, making the Summer Palace a perfect summer resort. That’s why the emperors in the Qing Dynasty came to this place every summer. There are also lots of ancient buildings and interesting places in the garden, Suzhou Street is one of them. It was built for the emperor to have fun. It covers an area of 9,000 square meters. In history, there were a variety of shops, such as jade shops, antique shops, silk shops, pastry stores, etc. When the emperor came here, the salesmen here, pretended by maids and eunuchs from the imperial palace, started the business.

Good to Know:

Noodles with Soybean Paste is a special snack in Beijing. It is mainly made with soybean paste and minced meat. In Beijing, when people cook Noodles with Soybean Paste, they usually mix pork with soybean paste and add scallion, ginger, garlic, and sliced cucumber. In early spring, they add fresh bean sprout and summer radish into noodles; in early summer, they add sliced hyacinth bean and leek.

The Forbidden City

Summer Palace

In the morning, we will drive north for about 1 hour to the Ming Tombs. The Ming Tombs is located in Changping District and is around 50 kilometers from Tian’anmen Square. It is in a basin surrounded by mountains. Ming Tombs is a tomb complex of emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Thirteen emperors, twenty-three empresses, about thirty imperial concubines, two crown princes, and two eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty are buried here. We will visit the Ding Tomb today, which is of the tomb of Emperor Zhu Yijun (also called Emperor Wanli), the thirteenth emperor in the Ming Dynasty. In addition to Emperor Wanli, his two empresses also were buried here. Ding Tomb covers an area of 182,000 square meters and includes Ling’en Gate, Ling’en Hall, Treasure Hall, Ming Tower, and the underground palace. The Ding Tomb is the only tomb here that has been excavated and its underground palace also is open to the public for sightseeing. Ding Tomb is one of the largest tombs among the 13 tombs of Ming Tombs. Today you will visit the 27-meter deep underground palace, where you will realize the luxury of the life of the ancient emperors, who were buried with large amounts of gold, silver, jade, and silk products after their death.

After lunch, we will leave for Mutianyu Great Wall. It is located 45 kilometers northeast of Ding Tomb. It takes about 1 hour to get there. Mutianyu Great Wall is praised by domestic and international visitors as the most magnificent section of the Great Wall. It is 5,400 meters long, making it the longest part of the Great Wall. Mutianyu Great Wall provides visitors with various ways to ascend the wall on the mountain. Visitors can take the cable car up and down the Great Wall. They can also take a chairlift up and take a toboggan down. It is worth noting that seniors above 60 years old are prohibited to take the toboggan in consideration of safety.

After visiting Mutianyu Great Wall, we will go back to the hotel. On the way to our hotel, you will have a stop at Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, where some matches and ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games were held. We will reserve enough time for taking photos.

Option:

At night, you can choose to watch an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theater (19:00-20:00). Situated at CBD, the most prosperous and commercial area, Chaoyang Theater enjoys an advantageous geographic position and convenient transportation. The extraordinary acrobatic performance here has attracted the attention of domestic and international leaders and many of them spoke highly of the performances held in Chaoyang Theater. If you want to be amazed by acrobatics, Chaoyang Theater will be a nice choice.

Mutianyu Great Wal

Water Cube

After breakfast we will visit the Temple of Heaven, which is in the south of Beijing and covers an area of 2730,000 square meters. It is the largest architectural complex around the world used for sacrificial ceremonies. Built in 1420, the Temple of Heaven was the place for the ancient emperors to worship heaven. The Temple of Heaven was built by Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Why did Zhu Di build such a large-scale building complex to offer sacrifice to heaven? Zhu Di did not get the throne by the way of the normal emperor ascending the throne. His throne was snatched from his nephew through battle. After becoming the emperor, he moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Zhu Di knew that his throne came improperly, but he wanted to convince all the people. Later, he built the Temple of Heaven and told everyone that his throne was recognized by heaven after offering sacrifices to heaven.

After lunch, it’s time for you to say goodbye to Beijing and go ahead to Xi’an. We will take the estimated train G87 14:00/18:19 to Xi’an. After arriving at Xi’an, your Xi’an guide will pick you up at the railway station and transfer you to the hotel.

Xi’an is the capital city of Shaanxi Province and the core city in west China. It situates at the center of Guanzhong Plain and connects Weihe River in the north and Qinling Mountains in the south. When we talk about Xi’an, you may think of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and Muslim Street. Xi’an is not only the capital city of thirteen cities but also the starting point of the Silk Road. You will be amazed by its culture.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven

Today, we will first visit the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum which is northeast of Xi’an and is 45 KM away from the downtown area. It takes about 1 hour to get there by car. As the burial objects of Emperor Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC), Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is known as the “eighth wonder of the world”. If you observe carefully, you will find that these terra cotta warriors are all single eyelids. Why? In fact, when these terra cotta warriors and horses were first excavated, they were all in color, not the clay color that you see now. All the terra cotta warriors wear black armor, black boots, and colorful clothes. Their skin is pink, and the double eyelids are drawn with the paintbrush. When it was unearthed, the paint on the terra cotta warriors was so old that it oxidized and disappeared in the presence of oxygen and became the current clay color. This is why we can only see the terra cotta warriors with single eyelids.

After lunch, we will head to Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Pagoda at Ci’en Temple). It was built in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and is the earliest and largest brick-made pagoda in the Tang Dynasty. In history, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built for the eminent monk Xuanzang (602 - 664) to keep Sarira and Buddhist scriptures that were brought from ancient India. This pagoda is 64.5 meters high. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda has been renovated five times and has been a symbol of Xi’an now.

Muslim Street is another must-visit destination in Xi’an. Muslim Street is the most famous snack street in Xi’an. Here you can taste the authentic foods of Xi’an, such as Roujiamo(Chinese hamburger), Pita Bread Soaked in Lamp Soup, Cold Rice Noodles, etc. Walking in the street, you will also see various shops that integrate Chinese traditional architectural style and the Muslim style. The national dress and handicrafts can be found here and there. Over 60 thousand Muslims live in this street, making this place the largest residential area of the Muslims in Xi’an.

Free Time Suggestion: Great Tang All Day Mall

If you want to go for a walk after dinner, Great Tang All Day Mall with splendid lights will be the best choice. Covering an area of 650,000 square meters, Great Tang All Day Mall is 2,100 meters in length and 500 meters in width. Integrating Tang Dynasty cultural characteristics and factors, it has been developed as a cultural, commercial, and walking street with unique and distinctive features.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

In the afternoon, we will say goodbye to Xi’an and leave for Chengdu. You will take the estimated flight MU6796 12:40/14:20 to Chengdu and our Chengdu guide will pick you up at the airport.

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan Province and is a destination suitable for sightseeing. Chengdu situates in the southwest of Sichuan and is in the west of Sichuan Basin. Since ancient times, it has been known as the Land of Abundance, which means that there are abundant natural resources and cultural resources. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum, and Jinli Street are popular among visitors from home and abroad.  

Today, we will first go to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, which situates in Chenghua District of Chengdu City and is 10 kilometers away from Chengdu city center. It is an ideal destination for panda lovers, since there are hundreds of pandas in the base including panda cubs, adult pandas. Up to late 2020, the number of pandas reaches 215. Enjoy close contact with the lovely pandas.

After lunch, we will head to Jinli Street, a commercial walking street and folk custom area. Jinli Ancient Street was well-known throughout the country as early as the Three Kingdoms period(220-280). On this street, the essence of life in Chengdu is condensed: there are tea houses, restaurants, bars, theatres, snacks, and handicrafts. Here you can feel the slow life of the Chengdu people.

Then you will visit Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum, covering an area of 150,000 square meters. In memory of Zhuge Liang (181 - 234, a statesman and strategist, prime minister of the Kingdom of Shu in the period of the Three Kingdoms), people built the Wuhou Shrine Museum. It is the largest Three Kingdoms relic museum in China. If you are interested in the Three Kingdoms culture, Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum will be a unique choice.

Built in 1911, People’s Park covers an area of about 110,000 kilometers. Walking in the park, besides appreciating the pretty garden landscape, you can also experience the authentic Chengdu life. Built in 1923, Heming Teahouse is one of the oldest teahouses in Chengdu. According to Chengdu locals, in the beginning, there were six teahouses in People’s Park and only this one is left now. As time goes by, Heming Teahouse keeps the most original Chengdu tea culture. You can sit on a bamboo chair of this teahouse, and order one cup of tea.

Option: Once you go to Chengdu, you have to taste Chengdu Hotpot. Chengdu Hotpot is known for its piquancy. Chengdu hotpot is one of the most popular food in Chengdu even in the whole country.

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Wuhou Shrine Museum

In the morning, you will take the estimated flight CA 4764 11:20/13:05 and head for Guilin, and our Guilin guide will pick you up at the airport.

First, we will go to Elephant Trunk Hill. As a 5A-level national scenic attraction, the Elephant Trunk Hill was recommended by the World Tourism Organization in 2003. The Elephant Trunk Hill gets its name because it looks like an elephant. Legend has it that the Jade Emperor (the leader of all gods in heaven) had a mount, which was an elephant. Influenced by the Jade Emperor, this elephant had its own thoughts. Once it accompanied the Jade Emperor to patrol the mortal world and saw the beautiful scenery of Guilin. After returning to heaven, it ran to the mortal world furtively by itself. After the Jade Emperor found out, he was furious and came to the mortal world to look for the elephant. At this time, the elephant was drinking water on the edge of the Li River. The Jade Emperor ordered the elephant to return to heaven with him, but the elephant was unwilling, so the Jade Emperor turned the elephant into a mountain on the Li River.

Option:

Elephant Legend is a live performance that integrates the beauty of lights and shadows during the night. Visitors who come to the Elephant Trunk Hill can know about the history of this hill through the performance. The performing time is 19:00-22:30 (in summer) and 18:30-22:30 (in winter).

Elephant Trunk Hill

Elephant Trunk Hill

After breakfast, we will go for a cruise on the Li River to go to Yangshuo. First, we need to drive southeast for about 1 hour to get to the Mopanshan Pier, which is about 35 kilometers away from Guilin downtown. The perfect activity on the cruise is to enjoy the beauty along the river. On the cruise ship, you will see a mountain with a thick line pattern circling up from the foot of the mountain to the top. This makes the mountain look like a huge sea snail, hence the name, Snail Mountain. Legend has it that there was a very beautiful girl here who was transformed from a snail. At the same time, there was a man who was transformed from a carp here, and he wants to forcibly take the snail girl as his wife. The snail girl couldn't beat the carp, but she didn't want to leave this beautiful place. To escape from marrying this carp, she turned into a mountain and guarded the Li River.

After arriving in Yangshuo, we will go to the last destination, Yangshuo West Street. West Street is the oldest street in Yangshuo. Built in 1674, it is 800 meters in length and 8 meters in width. Yangshuo West Street is the first old street with foreigners living here in China which makes it full of western features. Restaurants, bars, hotels are dotted here and there.

After visiting Yangshuo West Street, we will drive back to Guilin.

Li river

Yangshuo west street

In the afternoon, you will take the estimated train G319 12:38/15:57 and head for Hong Kong. Your Hong Kong guide will pick you up at the railway station and send you to the hotel. You can explore this city by yourself this afternoon.

Free Time Suggestion:

Temple Street is a famous outdoor market at Yau Ma Tei. It is divided into north street and south street and there is a temple between the two parts. Temple Street is famous for its night market. Every day at four o’clock in the afternoon, the back street begins to be filled with stalls. It is most lively from 6 pm to 12 pm. You’d better go between 8 and 9 o’clock in the evening. You can have a walk on your own and taste the special shrimp dumplings. Shrimp dumplings belong to Guangdong cuisine and are created in the early 20th century. The traditional shrimp dumpling is in the shape of a half-moon and the fillings are shrimp, meat, and bamboo shoots. In this street, you may see many young men and women at these fortune-teller's stalls, most of whom are to ask about their marriage and career. Fortune-telling for marriage and career is a very distinctive local culture of Hong Kong. You can also walk up to a fortune teller's stall and ask him to tell your fortune for the year ahead.

After breakfast, we will head for Victoria Peak, one of the most famous attractions in Hong Kong. It integrates sightseeing, traveling, and catering. You will take the Peak Tram to get to the peak. Here is an observation deck on Victoria Peak, from where you can overlook the Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. On the peak, you will also see the landmark building here, Peak Tower, whose shape is like a giant bowl. This tower is designed by Terry Farrel, a famous British architect. You can admire the amazing building while enjoying the natural landscape.

After visiting Victoria Peak, we will go to Repulse Bay. Repulse Bay to the southeast of Victoria Peak. Surrounded by mountains and sea, it is in the shape of a crescent. It is the largest bay in Hong Kong and people also call it Oriental Hawaii. Located in the south of Hong Kong Island, the beach enjoys an advantaged geographical location. It is warm in winter and cool in summer, and the water temperature ranges from 16 to 27 degrees Celsius all year round. The water here is clear and the sand is fine, and you will spend some leisure time at this beach with your family and friends.

Then we will go to the last destination of today, Stanley Market. Stanley Market locates in a beautiful town in the south of Hong Kong Island and is close to Repulse Bay. It is one of the busiest markets in Hong Kong and you can buy some souvenirs, such as Chinese handicrafts, oil paintings, and so on. You can also pick some gifts for your family or friends.

Free Time Suggestion:

1. The Avenue of Stars locates at Tsim Sha Tsui and is the main tourist area and shopping district in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Avenue of Stars is a special spot to honor outstanding figures of the Hong Kong film industry. It is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The names and handprints of the outstanding actors and actresses are inlaid on a special commemorative plaque in chronological order. In addition, the Avenue of Stars is also a popular tourist attraction with many statues of famous Hong Kong movie stars, including the 2-meter-tall bronze statue of Bruce Lee.
2. You can also go to Victoria harbour at night and watch A Symphony of Lights, which is the famous laser light and music show in Hong Kong. It is jointly organized by 44 skyscrapers on both sides of Victoria Harbour. On November 21, 2005, A Symphony of Lights was officially listed in the Guinness World Records, being the world’s largest light and music show. Apart from being suspended due to inclement weather, A Symphony of Lights will be held at 8 pm daily for about 13 minutes and 40 seconds. On special occasions, such as International Workers’ Day and the anniversary of the Hong Kong Handover Day, the show will be improved with rooftop or marine pyrotechnics. Both the Avenue of Stars and the Golden Bauhinia Square have loudspeakers for background music and narration.

Stanley Market

Peak Tram

After breakfast, you will take a ferry to Macau and our Macau guide will meet you at the dock. First, we will go to visit the Ruins of St. Paul’s, officially known as the site of the Cathedral of Sao Paulo. The Ruins of St. Paul’s is one of Macau’s iconic buildings and one of the city’s eight tourist spots. In 2005, the Ruins of St. Paul’s and other 21 cultural buildings were listed as a World Heritage Site. The Ruins of St. Paul’s is a blend of renaissance and oriental architecture, reflecting a blend of east and west. From three to five layers, it forms a triangular pyramid. The towering cross at the top of the archway, the statue of the infant saint and the statue of the virgin mother surrounded by angels and flowers under the bronze dove make this place filled with a strong religious atmosphere.

Then we will visit Senado Square. Covering an area of 3,700 square meters, the square is located in the central region of the Macau Peninsula. It is one of the four major squares in Macau and is a popular commercial and cultural activity area. The whole square is paved with gravel in a wave shape. There are benches around, so local people like to gather here to relax. The buildings around Senado Square absorb the feature of European buildings. In addition to being a must-see destination for tourists, Senado Square is still a popular spot for community events in Macau, and lots of Hong Kong movies were filmed here in the 1950s and 1960s.

After that, we will visit Monte Fort, next to the Ruins of St. Paul’s. It was built between 1617 and 1626 and was originally part of St. Paul's Cathedral. It was listed as a world heritage in 2005. In the beginning, it was used to protect the cathedral and guard against the pirates. Later it became a vital military defense facility and it is one of the oldest surviving western-style fort buildings complex in China.

After lunch, we will go to Macau Tower. Its total height is 338 meters (56 stories). The observation deck is 223 meters above the ground. It is the 10th largest freestanding observation tower in the world and a member of the World Union of High Towers. From the observation deck of the tower, you can see the panoramic view of Macau and Zhuhai. If the weather is good, you can even see Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The Macau Tower is one of the top ten sightseeing towers in the world, integrating sightseeing, meeting, and entertainment.

After the tour, we will go back to Hong Kong by ferry.

Senado Square

Ruins of St. Paul’s

Today, we will take you to the airport according to your flight and you will fly back to your sweet home. We are looking forward to serving you again in the other cities of China.

Our service ends here.

Editor: Xue Xiaotian

Proofreader: Summer Hou