Summary:
Beijing-the capital of China + Shanghai-the most modern city in China and you will have the chance to wonder around the "Shangri-la" world and the accient Lijiang city.
1Highlights & Map
2Itinerary
Day 01Beijing
Destinations: Arrive in Beijing
Activities: Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts - an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites and a bustling modern metropolis getting ready to host the 2008 Olympics. Upon your arrival in Beijing, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your Hotel. The guide will give you some tips on local restaurants that we recommend and you can do some shopping in streets nearby. The rest of the day is free to rest to recover from jetlag or to explore by yourself.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven
36 Nanwei Road (Nanwei Lu) Beijing China Show Map
Day 02Beijing
Destinations: Beijing
Activities: After breakfast head out for Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest public square, which is closely linked to The Forbidden City, from which the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed for over 500 years. Later you'll visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors prayed for good harvests and rain, or gave thanks for the harvest. Today's itinerary includes a visit to the old Beijing handicraft workshop.
Meals: lunch
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven
36 Nanwei Road (Nanwei Lu) Beijing China Show Map
Day 03Beijing
Destinations: Beijing
Activities: Leave town in the morning for the drive (a bit under two hours) to the Badaling Section of The Great Wall , which stretches for over 6000 km, and was originally built to protect China from the barbarians. You can walk and climb at your own pace, or enjoy spectacular views from the cable car. Before returning to the city you'll enjoy visiting the Changling (one of the Ming Tombs), and the attractive tree-lined Sacred Way , bordered by stone statues, along which the Emperors once trod to conduct their sacred ceremonies. During the day a visit to Jade Caving Factory or Cloisonne (enamelware) workshop is included. Dinner tonight is at Quanjude Restaurant, where you'll eat some of the best 'Peking Duck' in Beijing.
Meals: lunch
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven
36 Nanwei Road (Nanwei Lu) Beijing China Show Map
Day 04Beijing
Destinations: Beijing
Activities: After experiencing royal life today there is the opportunity to take a rickshaw ride to the Hutong where we visit a local flea market which is an excellent example of typical architecture of this area. You may find some interesting things and learn how to bargain. You will also visit with a local family and talk to the family members to gain a true understanding of life in this region and to have an experience of this unique form of community. We can guarantee you will have impressive stories to tell your friends after this. Then to the Summer Palace, which is equally famous as the Forbidden City. It is the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China.
Meals: lunch
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven
36 Nanwei Road (Nanwei Lu) Beijing China Show Map
Day 05Beijing, Kunming
Destinations: Beijing to Kunming
Activities: Free to make your own arrangements until be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kunming.
Day 06Kunming
Destinations: Kunming
Activities: The Stone Forest: A fantastic natural phenomena located 90 km southeast of Kunming. The various shapes of karst landscape was formed due to the millions years movement of Earth. The Stone Forest area is the home of the Sani people, their folk customs has become one spectacular scene, the colorful embroidery and minority dances combine with the natural sceneries, which will surely leave you a deep impression. Afternoon you will set off for The Dragon Gate on West Hill. Which is The natural forest park in Kunming. The carvings on the cliff was made in 1751. Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists an excellent environment to enjoy the tranquility and marvelous scenery.
Meals: lunch
Day 07Kunming, Dali
Destinations: Kunming to Dali
Activities: - Zhoucheng elaborate batik crafts: A town where Bai minority people live and is famous for its elaborate batik crafts. - Houses of Bai People in Xizhou: the Houses of Bai people in Xizhou is located in the Xizhou Town which is 16 kilometers away from the Ancient City of Dali.Xizhou is not only a famous historic city, but also a typical commercial town of Bai people. - The Ancient City of Dali: the Ancient City of Dali is 13 kilometers away from Xiaguan, Dali city, and is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. - Three Pagodas: The Three Pagodas between the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake are considered the landmark of Dali.
Meals: lunch
Hotel: Lan Lin Ge Hotel Dali
80 Yu Er Road, the Ancient Town of Dali, Yunnan ProvinceShow Map
Day 08Dali, Lijiang
Destinations: Dali to Lijiang
Activities: The Black Dragon Pool: The park holds the Black Dragon Pool and got name because of it. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its beauty. Lijiang Ancient City : It is situated in the middle area of the county, which is more than 2400 meters high above sea level. It enjoys beautiful scenes, an indeed famous city with long history and splendid culture, it is very rare in China that such well-preserved minority ancient city still exists.
Meals: lunch
Day 09Lijiang
Destinations: Lijiang
Activities: Spuce Meadow: It is a large patch of pasture tucked away hidden amongst a virgin spruce forest on the eastern side of the The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The Fresco in Baisha Village: Baisha village is about 16 kilometers north of Lijiang City. It is the important birthplace of "Tusi" (the Chinese word means chieftain of a clan) from Mu clan. Its characteristic artistic style and precious historic content of the mural deeply attracted visitors from home and abroad.
Meals: lunch
Day 10Lijiang , Shangrila
Destinations: Lijiang to Zhongdian/Shangri-La
Activities: Overlook for The First Bend of the Yangtze: Surrounded by rivers and mountains and with an altitude of 1850 meters above sea level, the First Bay of the Yangtze has picturesque scenery. Besides, it is an important ferry that joints the inland and the old road for the trade of tea and horses in Tibet. Tiger Leaping Gorge : One of the world's four great gorges - It is located in Hutiaoxia Town in Zhongdian County and honored as one of the deepest and most marvelous gorges on the globe.
Meals: lunch
Day 11Shangrila, Kunming
Destinations: Zhongdian/Shangri-La to Kunming
Activities: Songzanlin Lamasery: The largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province. Occupying an area of 33.3 hectares, Songzanlin was built in the style of Potala Palace in Lhasa and represents the Tibetan culture, the statue of Buddhists and many precious cultural treasures will leave you with unforgettable memory . - Lake Bita& Lake Shudu: "Bita" means in Tibetan a place with a dense oak forest and "Bitahai" means a quiet lake. The Bitahai Lake is surrounded by mountains covered with ancient pines, oaks and rhododendrons, just like an emerald in the heart of the mountain. Shudu Lake is located in northeast of Shangri-la,it is one of the largest fresh water lakes on the Diqing plateau. The lake is surrounded by a forest of fir,spruce and silver birch, and is home to lots of wild animals such as bears,golden cats, deer and pheasants.
Meals: lunch
Day 12Kunming, Shanghai
Destinations: Kunming to Shanghai
Activities: Free to make your own arrangements until be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.
Day 13Shanghai
Destinations: Shanghai
Activities: Morning sightseeing begins at Jade Buddha Temple and the Yuyuan Garden in the old town of Shanghai, which is based on the original walled city established in the 11th century. Afternoon to The Bund, the waterfront which shows Shanghai in early 1930s and then you can stroll or shop in the Nanjing Road. At night enjoy a wonderful Huangpu River Night Cruise. Huangpu River, is the name for grand Yangtze River Shanghai section where it joins in the East China Sea. It divides the Bund into two sections, Pu Dong and Pu Xi which means "east of river" and "west of river". Local people honor the Huangpu as their Mother River, and as you view the lights and spectacle from the deck during your cruise, you will understand why.
Meals: lunch
Day 14Shanghai
Destinations: Shanghai
Activities: We start the day by visiting Shanghai Museum which is The biggest museum in China, with a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics. Then we head to the famous Oriental Pearl TV Tower (also known as the Pearl Tower, for its distinctive shape). The second highest viewing platform provides wonderful views over Shanghai and the Huang Pu River, and those with a good head for heights can choose to buy a ticket to continue on to the very top. In the afternoon, we take a relaxing walk to the Old French concession region. The area, which dates from the French Colonial period, is home to many of the city's best restaurants. Great area for a weekend stroll or to find a delicious food in the heart of downtown.
Meals: lunch
Day 15Shanghai
Destinations: Depart from Shanghai
Activities: Your time is your own, until you are ready to be transferred to the airport for your departure.
3Price Policy
Price Includes
- Hotel accommodation in twin shared room with daily breakfast.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner).
- Domestic flights, trains or buses as specified in the itinerary
- Airport tax and fuel fee.
- Private car/coach for transfers service and sightseeing program as indicated in the itinerary.
- Local English-speaking tour guide for transfers and sightseeing program as indicated in each city.
- Entrance fees to scenic spots as indicated in the itinerary.
- Service charge and government Taxes.
Price Excludes
- Entry or exit China international airfare or train tickets.
- Hotel room/cruise cabin single supplement.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc.
- Gratuities to the tour guide, driver and hotel bellboy.
- Fees for entry visa to China.
- Traveler insurance.
- Services not mentioned in the itinerary.
Cancellation in advance | Cancellation penalty |
More than 30 days | No Cancellation Fee |
30-10 days | 50% of the full payment |
9-0 days or no show | 100% of the full payment |
4Things to Do

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The best way to eat well and cheaply in Beijing is to enter one of the ubiquitous restaurants...

Beijing Transportation
Beijingis a well-known transportation hub in northern China with a well-developed transportation system...
5Reviews
recommend
Ms. Simon Sawyer
Aug.05, 2011
- ""
- Good Morning James,
On behalf of myself and Mr. Mitch I would like to thank you very much for a superb trip and tour in China.
Sally, Ivan and Michael were a treat to meet and they made the trip of Beijing, Kunming and Shanghai even more enjoyable.
Would you please pass on our thanks once again to the three of them and also the drivers.
Our hotel accommodation was way above our expectations and really added to the trip.
Many thanks once again and continued success with you endeavour. Do not hesitate to use me as a trip reference to anybody who is thinking of visiting China on a trip such as ours.
Take care and thank you once again,
Simon Sawyer
Netherlands
recommend
Ms. Peter Coutts
Jul.19, 2011
- ""
- Dear Julia,
All five of us in my family felt this was one of the best travels we did so far. The credit goes to the great team at China Travel Depot (China Travel Depot). All arrangements for our custom itinerary were superb!
We found both our guides very helpful. They both spoke English very well! Both were eager to answer all of our questions and pointed out sights while just driving around. Helen especially was very knowledgeable about the history of Beijing.
The meals were all quite good. I enjoyed being able to order from the menu more than I enjoyed having the dishes pre-selected for us, though the pre-selected food was quite good. The final meal in Shanghai was my favorite of the trip. All of the hotels were very comfortable and convenient. Drivers were always waiting for us with a smile.
Overall I had a great time and would recommend China Travel Depot to my friends.
Best Regards,
Peter Coutts
England
recommend
Ms. Galogh Péter
Jul.14, 2011
- ""
- Recently, I was enrolled in China Culture Vacations under the help and arrangement of China Travel Depot, and it’s really a nice tour, which I would like to express my whole appreciation and share with my friends.
Our travel started from Beijing, there we had a Rickshaw riding in the ancient alley way to feel the atmosphere of history and culture, we viewed the picturesque natural scenery at Shangri-la, the mysterious land Enjoy local ethnic folk customs in Yunnan Province, then we travelled to shanghai, strolling on Huangpu River Bund, we got a view of modern constructions at Shanghai!
Our travel in Yunnan covered four cities, Shangrila, Lijiang , Dali and Kunming, all of them gave me a deep impression, the splendid landscape and cultural resources. Also there are so many ethnic minority groups living together so harmoniously is never seen in the world . nevertheless the superb service the China Travel Depot provided us, really a good journey.
Galogh Péter
Hungary
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