China Discovery - OLD Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Australia

Day 2 Arrive in Kunming
On arrival we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 Kunming
A full-day tour to the amazingly surreal Stone Forest, located 90km to the south of Kunming. Here, the tall rocks seem to emanate from the ground in the manner of stalagmites, with many looking like trees made of stone, creating the illusion of a forest of rock. This evening we will experience a welcome dinner of Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles, the most famous meal in the province. [B,L,D]

Day 4 Kunming - Lijiang
This morning we fly to the historic town of Lijiang. This afternoon we tour the World
Heritage-listed Old Town, which is full of winding cobblestoned streets and canals, and also features a fascinating waterwheel. We also visit the nearby Lion Hill. [B,L]

Day 5 Lijiang
A day of spectacular mountain scenery as we visit the beautiful Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the tallest mountain in this region. We also visit the Black Dragon Pool which is located in a picturesque, ornate garden setting. We then go on to see the Baisha Murals which date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Finally today, make sure your cameras are handy as there will be opportunities to spot the hairy local yaks. [B,L]

Day 6 Lijiang - Zhongdian
Today we visit the Shigu village and narrow Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze River. The gorge offers spectacular scenery and involves a journey of at least 500 steps down to the riverbed to watch the rushing waters. It may sound like a long way but the views are well worth the effort! We then continue on to Zhongdian which has a real frontier town feeling due to its remoteness from the rest of China. [B,L]

Day 7 Zhongdian
An amazing day as we head high up into the mountains where we’ll enjoy a boardwalk around charming lakes and alpine meadows. Another great opportunity to see the local yaks! In the afternoon we tour the Gedan Songzanlin Monastery, where we can see the monks at work and learn more about the Buddhist faith. This evening enjoy a Tibetan cultural performance. [B,L]

Day 8 Zhongdian - Kunming - Guilin
This morning we fly to Kunming where we visit the colourful Bird and Flower Market before flying on to Guilin. [B,L]

Day 9 Guilin
A fascinating day as we tour Guilin including Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Reed Flute Cave and Seven Star Park. [B,L]

Day 10 Guilin - Yangshuo
We are in for a real treat today as we cruise down the scenic Li River to Yangshuo. Along the way we will enjoy spectacular natural scenery which is very unique to China. For instance, you’ll see amazing limestone formations jut out of the local fields, like mushrooms in a forest! We stay overnight in Yangshuo so you can enjoy this lovely town after the tourist buses have returned to Guilin! [B,L]

Day 11 Yangshuo - Xi’an
This morning is at leisure to explore the landscape of peaks and rivers before our evening flight from Guilin to Xi’an. [B,L]

Day 12 Xi’an
Today we visit the exquisite Terracotta Warriors and Horses, considered the greatest archaeological discovery of the last century! The figures’ heights vary according to their roles, from 182cm to 195cm; the tallest are the generals. The figures include strong warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians. In the three pits containing the Terracotta Army it is estimated that there are more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses. A lot of these still remain buried in the pit. Today we also visit the Bell Tower and the Wild Goose Pagoda. [B,L]

Day 13 Depart Xi’an
Today we visit Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall and the interesting Provincial Museum, before boarding our night train to Beijing. [B,D]

Day 14 Arrive in Beijing
Wake up! We’re in Beijing! Today is an action-packed day as our tour includes the enormous Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven. As well as the unforgettable Forbidden City, built from 1406 to 1420, the complex includes 980 surviving buildings and covers 720,000 square metres. [B,L]

Day 15 Beijing
Today you will be walking on the Great Wall! The entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km. We also visit the Ming Tombs (the underground tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors) and the Sacred Road which is guarded on both sides by large stone statues. [B,L]

Day 16 Beijing
This morning, we travel by rickshaw through the hutongs, the narrow streets that once covered most of Beijing. This afternoon we enjoy a visit to the Summer Palace which has the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Tonight we enjoy a group farewell dinner banquet of the famous Peking Duck. [B,D ]

Day 17 Depart Beijing
This morning is free for last-minute shopping or sightseeing before we begin our journey home. [B]

Day 18 Arrive in Australia

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