Overview
Taking the train to travel in China is a wonderful means of transport option due to China’s sheer size. Rail transport is the most commonly used mode of transportation in China. Currently, China has speeded up its entire railway constructions and has established high-speed rail network, covering all provinces except Macau, comprised wide rail corridors threading the length and breadth of the country. The largest, fastest, and technological advanced railway system offers you an effective and convenient journey in China. This perfect designed train tour sweeps the essences of China and the exotic ethnic corner of southwest China thoroughly by taking the trains except one internal flight. Our rail odyssey is an excellent blend for witness China’s past, present and the future. It crosses the imperial capitals of Beijing and Xi’an for an exploration of Chinese history and cultures. Savor the distinct corners of the country as continues the railway ride to Yunnan, where gives a fascinating insight into its ever changing landscapes and diverse ethnic groups. Combine the short-distance train ride trips in eastern China with clusters of dreamy Jiangnan coastal cities, our journey ends in modern Shanghai by the bracing maglev train taking your flight for home.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Beijing
Day 02 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Day 03 Beijing Sightseeing & Overnight Train to Xi’an (B / L)
Day 04 Arrive in Xian & Sightseeing
Day 05 Xian Sightseeing & Train to Kunming (B)
Day 06 Kunming – Stone Forest – Train to Dali (D)
Day 07 Dali Arrival & Sightseeing
Day 08 Train to Lijiang & Leisure time in Old Town (B)
Day 09 Lijiang Sightseeing & Flight to Hangzhou (B)
Day 10 Hangzhou Sightseeing (B)
Day 11 Train to Suzhou (B)
Day 12 Suzhou Sightseeing & Train to Shanghai (B)
Day 13 Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Day 14 Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Day 15 Shanghai Departure (B)
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Beijing
Upon arrive at Beijing, the capital of China, you will be met by the local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free leisure or rest in the hotel for jet leg.
Day 02: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Get up early morning, take the public subway (or alternative private vehicle) to Temple of Heaven, experience the bustle local way of life; Visit Temple of Heaven, the solemn site for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. View the local people doing exercises there. Then we drive the vicinity of Beijing to visit Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where is lesser crowded and has magnificent scenery set amidst the emerald green hills dominated with fragrance orchards and stunning hamlets offering the amazing views especially in spring and autumn. Today’s lunch will be arranged in nearby local villager’s house to have organic food includes flavor of BBQ fish, dinner will be served as the famous Beijing Roasted Duck in a small courtyard-style restaurant located in Hutong.
Day 03: Beijing Sightseeing & Overnight Train to Xi’an (B / L)
Full day sightseeing tour in Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest city square near the centre of Beijing. Then visit the Forbidden City, located heart of Beijing, it was once the Chinese imperial palace for almost 500 years. Later take the particular rickshaw to tour of Beijing's Hutong, a labyrinth of old narrow alleyways lined with authentic courtyard residential houses. Wander around HouhaiLake, stop for some lovely Chinese tea. Climb to the local bell tower, have a birds view of the old Beijing area. Visit a local family in Hutong, learn how to make traditional food of dumplings with the hostess. Have dumpling lunch with the Beijing family and taste the dumpling made by yourself. Then visit Summer Palace, the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. In the evening time, transfer to the train station and take the overnight sleeper train to Xi’an.
Day 04: Arrive in Xian & Sightseeing
Morning arrive in Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China, was the capital for 11 dynasties and is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. Today visit Ancient City Walls, built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the 12m-high walls are surrounded by a dry moat and form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14km. Walk or bicycle ride on the wall. Later visit Wide Goose Pagoda, one of China’s best remains Tang-style architecture, housing the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuan Zang. Then visit Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosque in China, blending of Chinese and Islamic features; wander in Muslim Quarter for night market and local snacks, where is home to the city’s Hui community for centuries since Tang dynasty.
Day 05: Xian Sightseeing & Train to Kunming (B)
Today visit the highlight of any trip to Xi'an, the Terracotta Warriors. In this world’s archeological wonder, thousands of life-sized armies and horses silently stood guard the tomb of the China’s first unifier of Qin Emperor for over two millennia. Following visit Forest of Steles, witness more than 1000 stone tablets including collections of ancient calligraphy, maps, portraits and sculpture stelae. In the evening time, transfer to the train station and take the overnight train to Kunming.
Day 06: Kunming – Stone Forest – Train to Dali (D)
Upon arrival in Kunming train station, you will drive short distance to visit Stone Forest, a bizarre karst geology with massive collection of grey limestone pillars. In the afternoon, we drive back to Kunming. Rest time leave your own exploration for this eternal spring city.Dinner will be served as the local flavor mushroom hot pot, one of Yunnan’s characters with infinite varieties. In the night, transfer to the train station and take the overnight train to Dali.
Day 07: Dali Arrival & Sightseeing
The train arrives at Dali in the early morning. Later explore Dali from attending the fabulous morning market in the nearby Xizhou, witness old lifestyles long-standing among the local people. Complex of age-old Bai private houses is still well-preserved include Yan’s compound. Try local snacks of Xizhou Baba and the fragrant Three-course Tea, a tea drinking ceremony of the Bai minority. Visit Zhoucheng, a village famed for Bai’s Tie-dyeing art. Boating onErhai Lake, gaze at the cormorant fishing in old ways. Then leisurely walk in Dali old town, step on flagstone streets, look around delicate courtyards, fall in beautiful handcrafts, hang out yourself in bars or tea houses in Foreigner’s Street, take an overlook for Three-pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, visit an interesting Catholic church built in 1927 and framed in typical Bai’s architecture features.
Day 08: Train to Lijiang & Leisure time in Old Town (B)
Morning board the train to Lijiang, takes 2.5 hours ride. Rest time sink yourself in old town of Lijiang, famed for its brilliant ancient architectures, unique Dongpa pictographic script, excellent traditional music, and fabulous lifestyles of Naxi people. Explore the townthrough deep alleys spreading out in all directions, visit the Mu’s Palace, the former residence of the chieftain Mu Clan that ruled Naxi people for over 400 years. As the way up the hill behind it, get a finest bird’s view of panoramic Lijiang old town. Later visit Black Dragon Pond, where offers the best view of the majestic backdrop of JadeDragonSnowMountain. Get insight about NaxiDongba cultures and traditions in DongbaCultureMuseum. In evening time, many joyous Naxi square folk dances could watch in central Sifang Street, join them or just take a look.
Day 09: Lijiang Sightseeing & Flight to Hangzhou (B)
Today out of Lijiang to visit a pristine village of Yuhu (Jade Lake Village), where gains the name due to a nearby turquoise lake. Additionally, it is the ancient home of famed botanist Joseph Rock who lived here decades of earlier 20th century. Horse trek or moderate hike around for pretty countryside views. Next, visit Baisha village and see the ancient murals preserved there, fusion of Chinese Taoist, Tibetan and Naxi Buddhists and Dongba shamans.In the afternoon, take the flight to Hangzhou, the capital town of Zhejiang Province.
Day 10: Hangzhou Sightseeing (B)
Morning visit Leifeng Pagoda, where you can get a panorama of dreamy West Lake. Excursion at West Lake or boating on the lake, sip cup of famous Longjing (Dragon Well) tea at the lake side, enjoy the picturesque scenes surrounded by emerald trees and hilly environs. Later visitLingyin Temple, Hangzhou’s most famous Buddhist temple built in AD326. Walk up to the temple skirts the flanks of Feilai Peak, get the close-up view of the exquisite Buddhist carvings lining the hillsides. Evening time, free stroll in Qinghe Fang, take a look of many interesting makeshift puppet theatres, teahouses, curio stalls, snacks booths and several traditional medicine shops including the Huqing Yu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum.
Day 11: Train to Suzhou (B)
Take the morning train to Suzhou. In Suzhou, take a boating on the Grand Canal, have a pace view of the typical river town in southern China including age-old residences, stone bridges of traditional designs and historical relics. Then we visit the Panmen Gate, one of the eight ancient gates of Suzhou built during Wu State of Warring States Period (403 ~ 222B.C.). Later visit Lingering Garden, one of the four most classical gardens in China. Constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it is famous for the way it artistically dealt with space, and seamlessly combined various pavilions into the picturesque landscape. Enjoy the Garden Show in the evening, consisting of the traditional Chinese dramas and folk instruments performance in the Garden.
Day 12: Suzhou Sightseeing & Train to Shanghai (B)
Today visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, the largest of all classical gardens in Suzhou. The garden is representative of Chinese classical gardens in the Ming Dynasty, focused on a central pond with pavilions, terraces, chambers, and towers located nearby. Later visit the No.1 Silk Factory. Suzhou is one of home for China’s silk production. In the factory you can see how the silk is processed from the silk worm to the final woven cloth. Then visit Hanshan Temple which was used to be one of ten most famous temples in China. In the evening time, take the train to Shanghai.
Day 13: Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Visit Shanghai’s major highlights including Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful Ming-style garden over 400 years; Jade Buddha Temple, a century-old Buddhist temple housed a 1.9m high pale green Jade Buddha; The Bund, a famous waterfront alongside with array symbolic architectures of Shanghai; Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Asia’s highest TV Tower topping its height to 468 meters. In the evening time, cruise on Huangpu River, enjoy the amazing night scenery of Shanghai.
Day 14: Shanghai Sightseeing (B)
Out of Shanghai downtown and head to the rural of Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town dominated by the unique old bridges, well-structured courtyards and calm rivers. Boating on the river. In the afternoon, return to downtown and visit old French Concession site in Xuhui District. Established in1849, it was developed into the premier residential area of Shanghai during the 1920s. Later visit the old alleyways of Nongtang and traditional Shikumen houses, explore the contrast of the old quarter lifestyles embedded in modern Shanghai. In the evening time, wander in Xintiandi, a complex area good for leisure, dining and relax.
Day 15: Shanghai Departure (B)
Maglev train to Pudong International Airport for exit.
Experiences & Activities
Visits:
- Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, Houhai Lake, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
- Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Walls, Wide Goose Pagoda, Grand Mosque, Muslim Quarter, Forest of Steles
- Forest Stones, Dali old town, Xizhou Yan’s compound, Zhoucheng Tie-dyeing art, Lijiang old town, the Mu’s Palace, Black Dragon Pond, Dongba Culture Museum, Jade Lake Village, Baisha village and ancient murals
- Leifeng Pagoda, West Lake, Linyin Temple, Feilai Peak, Qinghefang Street
- Panmen Gate, Lingering Garden, the Humble Administrator's Garden, the No.1 Silk Factory, Hanshan Temple
- Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Water town of Zhujiajiao, French Concession, Xintiandi
Experiences:
- PedicabHutong (alleyways) tour and Hutong family visit;
- Dumpling making;
- Public subway and Magleve train;
- Bicycle ride on the century-old city walls;
- Village visit with traditional cave-houses
- Mushroom hotpot in Kunming;
- Erhai boating and cormorant fishing show;
- Horse trek with distance view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain;
- West Lake boating;
- Boating through ancient Grand Canal;
- Garden Show;
- Huangpujiang River cruise and Shanghai’s night scenery
- Water town stream boating
- Nongtang (alleyways) visit and old Shikumen houses
