( Yunnna : Lijiang )

Day 1/Arrive in Hong Kong                                                      
Arrive in Hong Kong, one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Transfer to the hotel on arrival. (No meal)

Day 2/Hong Kong                                                                     
You will take a half-day guided tour of the Hong Kong Island. Climb to the top of Victoria Peak for spectacular views of Kowloon, the harbor, and the South China Sea. Visit the tranquil fishing village of Aberdeen, where life style seems unchanged for centuries. Also tour the beautiful Repulse Bay with sandy beaches. (Tour price not include the Sampan at the Aberdeen and the Peak Tram to the Victoria Peak) The following time is at leisure. (B,L)

Day 3/Hong Kong-Kunming                                                      
The day is at leisure. Transfer to the airport and fly to Kunming, know as "The City of Eternal Spring". Kunming is indeed a well-known site for sightseeing and a summer resort. Transfer to the hotel on arrival. (B)

Day 4/Kunming-Stone Forest-Kunming                                   
Today's highlight is to visit the Stone Forest (Shilin). The Stone Forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality, which is about 120km from Kunming. This area offers visitors a unique landscape of stark limestone pillars twisted and sculpted by wind and water erosion some 270 million year ago. From a distance, these stone pillars look indeed like a dense forest; hence the name of Stone Forest. It covers an area of 350 square kilometers, yet only about 11.92 square kilometers have been developed as scenic landscape open to the public. Then, drive back to Kunming. 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 5/Kunming-Dali                                                                  
Take a morning flight to Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China. Dali City stands against Cangshan Mountain in the west and adjoins Erhai Lake in the east, and is embraced by undulating hills around. 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. Then, Visit Xizhou Village, located 18 kilometers north of Dali, faces Erhai on the east. It grew and flourished in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) along with the fortunes of Dali renowned tea merchants that traded to Tibet. It is not only a historically famous city but also a typical commercial center of Bai Ethnic Nationality. Enjoy the Three Flavors of Tea with Bai People's Performances in Xizhou Old Town. (B,L,D)

Day 6/Dali-Jianchuan-Lijiang                                                   
After breakfast, drive to Lijiang and visit Jianchuan on the way. Pay a visit to Shizhong Mountain Stone Cave. Shibao Mountain is located in the midst of a picturesque landscape, with a broad view comprising rows of mountain peaks, tranquil valley, dense forest, and deep-buried ancient temple houses from the woods. Shizhong Mountain Stone Caves, just like gem as bright as Dunhuang in Gansu, Yungang in Shanxi, Longmen in Henan, and Dazu in Sichuan. Walk around Sideng Street in Shaxi, the only surviving fair market of the ancient tea-horse merchant's track, incredibly the complete theatre and its performing stage, temples, village gate are all well-preserved. Proceed to Lijiang, an old city in beautiful surroundings in northwest Yunnan, blessed with beautiful scenery. (B,L,D)

Day 7/Lijiang                                                                              
Visit the Suhe Tea and Horse Old Town where is a well-preserved example of a town along the ancient tea and horse route, Baisha Murals in Baisha Naxi village, an artistic Crystallization combining the Naxi, Tibetan, Bai and Han styles and Black Dragon Pool where is a wonderful place caters to the habitude of the Naxi who loves the nature very much. Then, 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. (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. (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-Guilin                                              
Take a morning flight back to Kunming. Begin today's activity with a visit to Dragon Gate, the magnificent scenic place in 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. Then, 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. Take an evening flight to Guilin, one of China's top attractive destinations. Check in hotel on arrival. (B,L,D)

Day12/Guilin-Yangshuo                                                               
Today's highlight is the cruise down the Li River, stretching 83km waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo, which is the masterpiece of Li River, decorating with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and lined bamboos. The cruise will give you a chance to savor the lovely view of the area's extraordinary limestone peaks. The cruise ends in Yangshuo. The following time is at leisure to explore the town. The special geography gives Yangshuo breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a deep traditional culture. Streets in Yangshuo are well kept in the original style: main street lines with small hotels, countless souvenir shops and restaurant. West Street, the exotic flavor combining with traditional culture, is the most famous and exciting one. (B,L,D)

Day13/Yangshuo-Guilin                                                               
Drive back to Guilin. The strangely shaped hills, or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboo to conifers together with wonderful caves make Guilin such an attraction for tourists. Take sightseeing of the beautiful Fubo Hill, well known as the wonderland on wave with its exquisite peak rising high and its foot half in water and half on land. Then, visit Seven-Star Park which was named after the tale that the seven peaks of Mountain Qixing (Seven Star) were the seven stars in the north sky falling down to the earth. Hills, rivers, caves and stones are highlights of this park. You will also check out the Elephant Trunk Hill, situated majestically on the western bank of Li River, resembling an elephant sucking water from the river with its long trunk. (B,L,D)

Day14/Guilin-Hangzhou                                                               
Take a morning flight to Hangzhou, where is another ancient capital city in southern China, and is famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritages. Ancient Chinese people praised the West Lake area as a land of intoxicating beauty. "Ripping water shimmering on sunny day; Misty mountains shrouded the rain; Plain or gaily decked out like Xizi; West Lake is always alluring.", was composed by the famous Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo (960-1127) to describe its beauty. Today's highlight is to appreciate the incomparably lovely West Lake with its soaring bridges and flower-bright islets. Enjoy a boat ride on West Lake. Visit the Huagang Park (Flower Harbor Park), the most attractive waterside park. Enjoy a walk along the Su Causeway that is spanned with six bridges offering different views, the willows tossing among blooming peach flowers in spring. (B,L,D)

Day15/Hangzhou-Suzhou                                                             
After breakfast, visit Huqingyutang, a pharmacy shop and museum of traditional Chinese medicine. Huqingyutang and Tongrentang in Beijing are the two most famous stores of traditional Chinese medicines in China, one in the south and the other in the north. Then, pay a visit Former Residence of Hu Xueyan, who set up Huqingyutang Drugstore and was called "the medicine king in south of the Yangtze River", boasts 13 towers, Zhiyuan Garden, pavilions, terraces, a small bridge over a flowing stream and bright verandas, all ingeniously designed. Take an afternoon train to Suzhou (the group above 10 persons may ride bus), known as "Venice in the East", and it was so named by early travelers because the town was built around a network of canals and 300 bridges. (B,L,D)

Day16/Suzhou                                                                               
Begin today's highlight is to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Garden), the largest private garden in Suzhou with features of Chinese classical garden in Ming Dynasty. Then, pay a visit to New Suzhou Museum, the last design of Mr. I. M. Pei in his career. It is not only a public construction symbol in Suzhou, but also an innovative mark bridging Chinese architectural culture from the tradition to the future. Prompting the protection of Suzhou cultural heritage, the new museum also has turned a new page for Suzhou Museum. Grand Canal of China is the world's oldest and longest man-made canal. Enjoy a boat on the Grand Canal reveals the traditional way of lift for the people who have lived here for generations. China's emperors took such route many times to inspect their territory and people in the South, leaving lots of legends and stories in the history. You will also visit Silk Museum. (B,L,D)

Day17/Suzhou-Shanghai                                                              
Today's highlight is a visit to a famous water-town - Tongli, an aged-old but well-preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years, is located on the eastern shore of Taihu Lake. Take sightseeing of local stone streets, grand houses surrounded by water, small exquisite courtyard, charming private garden and characteristic bridges and appreciating the pure local customs with a sense of returning to nature. Then, drive back to Suzhou and ride a train to Shanghai (the group above 10 persons may ride bus), known as "Paris in the East". (B,L,D)

Day18/Shanghai                                                                           
Visit the Bund, 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. Proceed to 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)

Day19/Shanghai                                                                          
This morning, you will visit Shanghai Museum, a leading attraction of the city since it opened in 1994, containing some priceless collections of paintings, porcelains and bronzes. Then, move on to visit Xujiahui Cathedral (St. Ignatius Cathedral), Shanghai's great cathedral, opened by the Jesuits who'd had a church here as early as 1608 (today's structure dates to 1910). Some free time is for you to explore the city. (B,L,D)

Day20/Shanghai-Xi'an                                                                 
Take a morning flight to Xi'an. As regards the number of dynasties and span of time, Xi'an served as an ancient capital beyond compare. Climb the ancient City Wall, actually built on the fortifications of Tang Forbidden City, standing 12 meters high, 12-14 meters across the top, 15-18 meters thick at the bottom, 13.7 meter in length with a deep moat surrounding it. It is the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Then, visit Forest of Steles Museum, with 900 years of history, it 3,000 pieces of the earliest stone steles of different periods, from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Enjoy a characteristic Dumpling Dinner in local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day21/Xi'an                                                                                                          
After breakfast, visit Shannxi History Museum, the first huge state museum with modern facilities in China, and given the reputation of "bright pearl of ancient city, treasure house of China". Then, visit once-in-a-lifetime viewing of the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors and Horses, 2,200-year-old underground army of he first feudal Emperor, Qin Shihuang. Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. Stop to visit a mountain village on the back way. Then, pay a visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built in 652 A.D. in Tang Dynasty (618-907A.D.), it functioned to collect large volume of Buddhist scriptures that were taken from India by the eminent monk of Xuanzang. (B,L,D)

Day22/Xi'an-Beijing                                                                    
Take a morning flight 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. In the afternoon, 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". (B,L,D)

Day23/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)

Day24/Beijing                                                                               
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. In the afternoon, you will visit the Yonghe Lama Temple, the largest and most perfectly preserved Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple outside Tibet. It was built in 1649 as the residence of Prince Yong of Qing Dynasty, and was converted to a temple after he became Emperor moving to Forbidden City. Enjoy Peking Duck for Dinner.(B,L,D)

Day25/Depart from Beijing                                                          
Transfer to the airport and board on your homebound flight. TOUR ENDS! (B)

Note: B-Breakfast  L-Lunch  D-Dinner 

Hotel List (or the same standard) & Prices:                                                                                                                                   

 4-star Hotel

Price in 1/2 double room, 2 persons sharing one cabin: USD--pp

 3-star Hotel

Price in 1/2 double room, 2 persons sharing one cabin: USD--pp

Price Included:
- Twin sharing accommodation with buffet breakfast
- Domestic fights in economic class with airport tax: Hong Kong-Kunming, Kunming-Dali, Zhongdian-Kunming, Kunming-Guilin, Guilin-Hangzhou, Shanghai-Xi'an, Xi'an-Beijing
- Train tickets (daytime train with soft seat, for the group below 10pax): Hangzhou-Suzhou, Suzhou-Shanghai
- Lunch and Dinner as mentioned in the itinerary in local good restaurant
- (first) Entrance fee mentioned in the itinerary
- Individual English speaking guide (No private guide on the Yangtze Cruise)
- All transfers specified in the itinerary by air-conditioned van

Price Excluded:
- International flight and airport tax
- China Entry Visa
- Tips, personal expenses
- Single room supplement
- Transfer, guide service for "day at leisure"
- Guide service during the plane, train or cruise

Seasons
* High season: May, Sep, Oct & Nov 01-15, 2009
* Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, Jun 01 - Aug 31, & Nov 16-30, 2009
* Low season: Dec 2009, Jan, Feb 2010