22 Days China Educational Tour—Shanghai/ Jingdezhen/ Huangshan/ Guilin/ Xi’an/ Beijing

Arrives in Shanghai airport, meet your private guide and driver before settle into your hotel in the heart of the city. Take rest of the time to adjust to jet lag or check out the only Ming dynasty city wall in Shanghai.

• Hotels: Grand Hyatt Shanghai, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square, Four Seasons Hotel Pudong Shanghai

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Shanghai is a cosmopolitan city filled with high-rise buildings and bustling streets. Following your breakfast, drive to People’s Park and feel a slower pace of life here as groups of elderly practice Tai Chi or chew the fat. Move on to Shanghai Museum that is a stone’s throw away from the park for its exhibitions on ancient Chinese art. Local museum is one of the best place to learn about regional culture and history. Next, head to Shanghai City God Temple, a Taoist temple built from 1403 to 1424 in Ming dynasty. Though the buildings have been largest renovated, their designs and architectural styles are still fascinating. In the afternoon, visit Yu Garden, a classic Chinese garden with a history of more than 400 years. Similar to all Chinese garden in south China yet with its own unique arrangement and layout, this garden is filled with traditional pavilions, bizarre rockeries and historic buildings. Then, up second tallest building in Shanghai, Shanghai World Financial Centre, to 94th, 97th and 100th floor for different views of the cityscape and bustling traffic. In the evening, stroll down the promenade of The Bund for colonial edifices and their pasts. At night, you can choose to watch Shanghai acrobatic show ERA: Intersection of Time, or SPIRAL (optional).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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This morning is all about the beautiful water town of Zhujiajiao. This ancient water town is easily accessible from Shanghai with an hour drive one way. This water town has a history of more than 1,700 years, packed with charming Ming and Qing dynasty alleys, stone arch bridges, and grand water-town residences. The area is small enough for you to explore thoroughly within half a day. Cruise the water canals of Zhujiajiao to look into this town from a different angle and to experience the once major transportation here. Following your lunch, take the bullet train to Jingdezhen. Meet your tour guide and driver upon arriving, and head to your hotel. After checked in, you’ll have the evening to explore on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Jinghan Hotel, Xishan Lake Gloria Resort Jingdezhen, Largos Hotel

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Jingdezhen once produce the best porcelain in China. Today, we’ll venture into Ancient Kiln and Folk Custom Museum, a living museum that exhibits the development and process of porcelain making. Take a closer look at the many ancient kilns here, with some of them antedated the Song dynasty. Sometimes, teams of staff will demonstrate how these kilns were once used. Visit workshops in the museum and admire the fascinating craftsmanship of those artisans. This museum is charming enough to spend a day here. Then, try your hand at pottery making with guidance of craftsman here. Interact with those artisans to gain more knowledge of this ancient art. Return to your hotel at the end of the day and have the night yours to explore the city.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Ease into the day by visiting Fuliang Ancient County Government Office, which was built during Qing dynasty with a history of more than 170 years. It is the best-preserved county-level feudal government office in south China. Next, drive northeast to Yaoli Ancient Town Scenic Area, with historic Huizhou-style architectures and beautiful scenery, a pleasant place for hiking. This place was one of the origin of porcelain. Raonan Ancient Town and Wanghu Waterfall are two of the highlights in the scenic area. Stopover at Gaoling Village or Kaolin Village on our way back. A picturesque village nested between hills with gushing river running through. Rich clay mineral Kaolinite, which is named after the village is one raw material use to make ceramic since ancient period. Later of the day, return to Jingdezhen City.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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After your leisurely breakfast, we’ll kick off the day with a visit to Sanbao Ceramic Art Village. Find pottery workshops, galleries and cafes relating to ceramic arts. Then, go to Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue District where you can find a wide range of ceramic items and exhibitions in the area. In the afternoon, take bullet train to Huangshan. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver before heading to the oldest and continuously operating ink factory in China. Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory has a history of more than 200 years, producing top quality inkstick since then. Visit different workshops in the factory and take a closer look at how inksticks are produced with traditional method. In the painting room, try your hand at tracing the design on inkstick using mineral-based pigments. Box your inkstick and bring it home with you. Rub the inkstick with a small amount of clean water to get ink for calligraphy writing or painting. Check in at your hotel. From here, the rest of the day is yours to relax, wander, and dine on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Banyan Tree Huangshan, Pig's Heaven Inn Bishan, Pig's Heaven Inn

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Many hui-style villages scattered around Huangshan, also known as Yellow Mountain. We’ll begin the day with a visit to Xidi Village, a typical of the elegant Huizhou style. This village has already existed since the Song dynasty in 1047AD. A beautiful village with narrow lanes, white-washed walls with roofs capped with dark tiles and doorway elaborately decorated with carved lintels. Around the area, visit Hongcun Village, another popular village among visitors. Similar to Xidi Village, yet better preserved and with more comprehensive facilities such as Chinese gardens, ancestral hall and school. Its residences are topped with horse-head gables and richly adorned with fabulous woodcarving and stone carvings. At the end of today’s tour, enjoy a leisurely evening stroll at Tunxi Ancient Street for its Ming and Qing buildings and authentic stores. If interested, you can try either Chinese calligraphy brush making or bamboo carving on this street. Please advise if you want to include these activities.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Today, we'll experience the breathtaking landscape of Huangshan. Take private transport to Huangshan Scenic Area, store your luggage at the entrance and bring along your valuables and necessities needed over a night on the mountain. Take cable cap up at Yungu Cable Car Station and hike the rest of the distance. Along your way, see bizarre rock formations and twisted trees. If lucky enough, you may encounter sea of clouds here. Enjoy your lunch at mountain top hotel before spending the afternoon hiking down West Sea Grand Canyon. Return to your hotel in the evening and have the night yours. Buffet dinner is provided in the hotel. Remember to set alarm clock to wake up early and catch sunrise at the mountain top.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
• Hotels: Xihai Hotel, Huangshan Beihai Hotel

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Wake up early and catch the first ray of sunlight at either Cloud Dispelling Pavilion or Refreshing Terrace depending on the hotel you are staying. Return to your hotel for breakfast and take the same route down the mountain. Enjoy your lunch at an authentic local restaurant before heading to Huizhou Cultural Museum. Learn the history of use of incense and try your hand at making your own incense pendant here. Next, catch your flight to Guilin. Meet your tour guide and driver at the airport before driving to your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel Guilin, Sheraton Guilin, Guilin Shangri La Hotel

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Today, we’ll journey north for a look at the glitzing and dreamy karst carve formation at Reed Flute Cave. Return to the city area and enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant before setting off to Daxu Ancient Town. This town sets on the bank of Li River antedated Northern Song dynasty. It had been a commercial center in this area and reached its zenith during Ming and Qing dynasty. Find shophouses and old residences lines its lanes. Meet one of the residents there and visit his historic house and old items. Converse with locals as your tour guide translates for you. Visit a workshop that makes lion dance’s mask. Follow the sample and paint your own monkey mask that is used during local festivals. From here, we’ll drive back to the city area and rest of the time is yours. Perhaps you can spend the night touring Two River and Four Lakes by cruise.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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This morning, we’ll drive north, snaking through suburbs, villages, rolling farms and karst hills en route to Longji Rice Terrace. Rice paddies cut into the hill sides like gigantic staircases, dotted by clusters of traditional wooden housings. Hike from Longji Ancient Zhuang Village to Ping’an Village to enjoy the spectacular vistas. Visit a local family, interact and socialise with them. Later, try your hand at making sweet sticky rice stuffed in bamboo, which includes ingredients such as yam, Chinese sausage, sweet corn and of course glutinous rice. Enjoy your lunch here with your own made bamboo rice. In the afternoon, visit a local primary school in the village. Later, we’ll drive back to Guilin. The night is yours to stroll the surrounding area or streets in central area.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Today, hit the road early to catch Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Down this green belt of waterbody to observe those karst peaks of bizarre shape closely. You will enjoy a simple buffet lunch on the cruise. Upon reaching Yangshuo, stroll the oldest street in this county, West Street, with a history of more than 1,400 years. Spend the afternoon cycling around the countryside where miles of paddy fields spread around those karst hills. Encounter one or two local homes and interact with them to know about their daily life. Rest of the time is yours to dine and walk the surrounding night streets. Or maybe, join Impression Liu Sanjie largescale landscape nigh show.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Alila Yangshuo, Yangshuo Mountain Retreat, Yangshuo Banyan Tree Hotel

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This morning begins at a local’s home. Meet a farmer after your leisurely breakfast and spend half day experiencing rural life here. Activities would include mugwort sticky rice cake making, making tofu from scratch and participate in some farm works in the field. Enjoy authentic lunch prepare by the local. In the afternoon, join in a rock climbing session. Up those karst hills and satisfy yourself with a splendid view once reaching the top. Zip lining, camping or abseiling are also available other than rock climbing here. Relax your muscles and take a break tonight.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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After a morning spent exploring on your own, catch your flight to Xi’an in the afternoon. Upon reaching Xi’an meet your tour guide and drive before heading to your central located hotel. Check in at your hotel and rest of the time is yours to explore the surrounding area on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian, Wyndham Grand Xian South

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This morning, venture northeast to the suburb of Xi’an and explore a group of hyper realistic sculpture of terracotta army at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Museum. This subterranean life-size army of thousands can be truly fascinating. Explore this site thoroughly with your private guide before driving back to city area. Discover one of the oldest and well-preserved mosques in China and the rich culture of ancient Xi’an. Xi’an Great Mosque located not far from Drum Tower in Muslim Quarter is an Islamic mosque with unique architectural style of Chinese temple. This still functional ancient building complex was first built in 741AD during Tang dynasty, though most of the buildings you see now are from Ming and Qing dynasty. Daxuexixiang Mosque is located to the west of Xi’an Great Mosque. Similar architectural style with a mix of Islamic and Chinese designs, it is the oldest mosque in Xi’an. This mosque was built in 705AD during Tang dynasty yet with renovated Ming and Qing dynasty buildings remain. Away from busy street, this is a tranquil place to visit. When the darkness come, join Xi’an night tour and take the tuk-tuk into the authentic side of Xi’an. Munch on some mouthwatering halal food at Muslim Quarter, stroll Nanmen Square, watch music fountain show on Big Goose Pagoda’s North Square, and explore the glitzing night life of Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Visitors from all over the world come to Xi’an for its archaeological sites scattered across the plains around the city and for its fascinating history. Today, we’ll spend the day exploring some archaeology discoveries in Xi’an. Observe newly unearthed cultural relics at Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology. This is a private experience with no other visitors here, as this exhibition hall does not open to public and those cultural relics have never been exhibited in museum before. A kindly reminder for all that it is prohibited to post any photos of the cultural relics online. Then, head to Daming Palace National Heritage Park. Visit the Archaeology Discovery Centre, to participate in a series of activities such as simulated archaeology dig, disassembling of burr puzzle, pottery, rubbing and repairing of broken ceramics model. Build up your knowledge about Chinese history, civilisation and archaeology during this relaxing and enjoyable experience. From here, rest of the time is yours to explore the city on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Ease into the morning by visiting Small Wild Goose Pagoda located two kilometers to the south of Xi’an City Wall. Small Wild Goose Pagoda was built during Tang dynasty, from 707AD to 710AD. A wonderful place for appreciation of cultural relics and leisure sightseeing. Learn to write Chinese calligraphy in this area from a calligraphy master. After your lunch, take your private transport to train station and catch your train to Beijing. Watch the scenery as it pass by the window on your journey. Arrive in Beijing, meet your guide and driver before settle into your hotel in central area.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Beijing Aman Summer Palace, Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel, Beijing Fairmont Hotel

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We’ll begin the day with a visit to Tian’anmen Square, where daily flag raising and lowering ceremonies are held, and a place where quite a number of major political and historical events happened. Across this enormous square, moving on to Forbidden City, solitary home to two dynasties of imperial power. Travel back in time to olden days of Beijing, if ignoring crowds of visitors passing by, as you travel through those imposing yellow-tiled buildings with your private guide. Stopover at Treasure Gallery, where you can find some of the most vital collections of ornamental valuables in the palace. After an authentic dim sum lunch, stroll Jingshan Park where the only hill in city area locates, for a panorama view of the surrounding area and Forbidden City from above. Follow your tour guide into the essence of Beijing, hutong, where everyday life unfolds at a slower pace in these timeless residential lanes. Start from Drum and Bell Tower Square, up the Bell Tower to look at the layout of those hutongs from above. Encounter elderly writing calligraphy on the square. Try your hand at this ground calligraphy writing which ink is replaced by the use of water. Then, stroll the slim hutong alleys, and visit one of the local family still living in this area. Interact with them and learn about their daily life living in hutong area and the changes here through time. In the family courtyard learn either paper cutting or calligraphy writing with the expert. From here, rest of the day is yours to rest, perhaps spending the night to watch kung fu show at Red Theatre or Peking Opera performance at Liyuan Theatre.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Today, we’ll hit the road early to Jinshanling Great Wall that is distant enough from Beijing, yet far fewer tourists than other more popular sections. Jinshanling Great Wall was first built in 1368AD during Ming dynasty. This mighty and imposing great wall that winds through stunning and remote mountainous terrain. Find bricks inscribed with craftsmen’s marks and year they were made. Get our BBQ ready at a local restaurant here, fill our stomach before the journey up the great wall. Take one way cable car up the wall, and begin our hike. Watch the sun sets as the last beam of sunlight vanished below horizon. Set up your own tent at the foot of the great wall and camp beneath a blanket of starts with silhouette of the wall.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Take your leisurely breakfast and drive back to city area. Tour Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed rites in praying for good harvest or worshipping the god. Stroll this area to feel the historic atmosphere and study the layout and characteristic of these architectures. Encounter groups of elderly exercising and performing some stunning athleticism in the early morning. From here, rest of the time is yours to explore the city by yourself.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Set off for one of the largest royal garden in China, Summer Palace. Appreciate its exquisite architectures and cruise the Kunming Lake in the garden for fascinating views. Then, visit Beijing Zoo on your way back to city area. There are more than 500 species of rare wild animals in the zoo. A stop to visit those adorable giant pandas in Panda House is available. Later, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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This morning, take breakfast at your leisure and depart for flights home or onto your next destination. See you next time!

• Meals: Breakfast,

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