20 Days Educational Tour-Hong Kong/ Guiyang/ Kaili/ Fenghuang Ancient Town/ Zhangjiajie/ Shanghai

Arrive in Hong Kong, meet your private guide and driver at the airport and drive to your hotel. Check in at your hotel with assistance from your guide. Take rest of the time to adjust to jet lag or explore all that is delightful, delicious and dazzling in this city.

• Hotels: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Harbour Grand Kowloon

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Today, we’ll explore some of the most authentic places of Kowloon in Hong Kong. Start from Bird Garden, where is a popular gathering place for songbird enthusiasts. Find stalls selling exotic species, exquisitely-crafted bamboo cages and other bird-keeping paraphernalia here. This is a wonderful place to get a glimpse of bird-keeping culture in Hong Kong. Then, head to one of the unique and fascinating market in the old district of Hong Kong. On Goldfish Street, you can find thousands of bagged fishes lining the walls of aquatic shops. Ladies Market in Mongkok is one of the most iconic street bazaars in the neighbourhood. It comprises of more than 100 shops and stalls that stretch across a kilometers, selling a wide range of items. Get your finger food from Kei Tsui Cake Shop, a store selling traditional Chinese pastries and cakes. This shop has been making fresh pastries by hand, the same traditional way every day for over 30 years. Along the way, sample some local street food and sit down for a simple yet authentic lunch. You can choose to either enjoy set lunch at Tsui Wah restaurant or dim sum lunch at Tim Ho Wan Restaurant. From here, rest of the day is yours to relax, wander, and dine on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Enjoy breakfast at your leisure. We will then take private transport to Victoria Peak and take a tram up to the summit. Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island where you can get a 360-degree views of forest of skyscrapers and skyline beyond. Next, stroll Aberdeen, once thriving fishing village, to enjoy a sampan ride and peek into the original Hong Kong. Head over to Stanley Market to enjoy a rich Chinese culture as you stroll down the narrow lanes with booths selling items at both sides. Then, catch your flight to Guiyang, the provincial city of Guizhou. Arrive at Guiyang and settle into your hotel. Take rest of the time to stroll the city and try out some sour and spicy food along the way on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast,
• Hotels: Hotel Novotel Guiyang Downtown, Kempinski Hotel Guiyang, Sofitel Guiyang Hunter

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Today, we’ll journey southwest, down the highway to Tianlong Tunbao. Originally, people lived in Tianlong castle were soldiers from the central plain of China to suppress the rebels from the ethnic groups. This settlement is famous for Ground Opera, used to be a sacred ceremony of the local warrior to entertain the gods and to pray for triumph in battle. Today, Ground Opera is played mostly for entertainment. Stroll around this small village, you will see women with blue and black traditional costumes, and old men smoking tobacco in long pipes while chewing the fat. Continue the drive to Huangguoshu Waterfall Scenic Area. Huangguoshu waterfall is the largest fall in China. Its name ‘Huangguoshu’ is referring to Ficus Virens that has yellow coloured edible fruits. We’ll also tour Tianxing Bridge Scenic Area within the attraction. Spend the night at a hotel nearby.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Huangguoshu Guest House

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Start the day with a visit to Dragon Palace Cave, a network of underground caves and natural karst rock formations. With colourful lights casting on those stagnates and stalactites, the cave look as if an underground palace. Return to city area and enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Then, tour Jiaxiu Pavilion set on Naming River. This three-story pavilion was built in 1598 during Ming dynasty. An iconic landmark in the city area. Next, visit Qianling Park that is a forested park with verdant hills and a placid lake. Encounter some furry inhabitants in the park. Up the winding path to Hongfu Temple. This ancient Buddhist temple was built in 1672 during Qing dynasty. Smell incense burning in the temple and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. This park is simply a great escape form the bustling city. From here, rest of time is yours to dine and explore the city. Dining in street markets is a great way to eat out of your comfort zone and discover the full, appetizing variety of Chinese cooking.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Following your breakfast, we’ll drive southeast, snaking through suburbs, towns and villages en route to Shiqiao Village near Kaili. Try your hand at making paper in the traditional way in this village. This ancient technique of paper making from mulberry tree bark can be dated back to more than 2,000 years ago in the Han dynasty. Nowadays, only 40 families in the Village are still carrying on this craftsmanship. Next, drive to one of the villages nearby and join a batik class with locals. Batik works in Guizhou can be found in people’s clothes, handkerchiefs, and accessories, since Han dynasty. People draw patterns with copper pen dipped in melted beeswax and dye the cloth with colour pigment extracted from indigofera plant. Try your hand at batik making, including draw your ideal pattern and dyeing of cloth. You can bring your work with you and let it dry in your hotel later. Then, head to Qingman Miao Village that is set on a mountain slop and surrounded by idyllic fields. The village is filled with wooden stilt houses and Wind-Rain Bridge. Welcoming ceremony is included. Stroll the village to explore Miao Ethnic Minority culture. Later of the day, drive to Kaili, and check in at your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Kaili Grand Metropark Hotel

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We’ll begin the day with a visit to Jidao Long-skirt Miao Village. This is a typical ethic village that consists of upper village and lower village. This ancient village remain original, remote and tranquil for generation. Welcoming ceremony is also available here, held by those friendly villagers. Next, drive to Paika Miao Village which is famous for Lu Sheng making. Sheng is a traditional Chinese wind instrument, which can be made from bamboo, reed and metal. Lu Sheng, made from reed, is a popular instrument use by Miao ethnic group during welcoming ceremony, festivals and important events. Follow your guide to a craftsman’s workshop and see the process of Lu Sheng making. If interested, you can learn how to blow some simple tunes from him. Later, drive to Miao village of Datang. Tour the village and see their unique water granaries, a typology, and uncommon miniskirt of the Miao women which contrasts with the more conservative long skirt that you found in Jidao Miao Village. Full outfits are usually worn during special occasions and celebrations.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Requirement: Age 12 and above; minimum of 10 people.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

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Following your breakfast, take your private transport to train station to catch your train from Kaili to Huaihua. Meet your local guide and driver in Huaihua before driving to Phoenix Ancient Town. Check in at your hotel, and enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant before we explore this ancient town of Fenghuang, which ‘Fenghuang’ means ‘phoenix’ in Chinese. This town sets among low-lying hills with housings spread along the river bank of Tuo River, was first built during 1556 AD with more than 400 years of history. There are nine highlights in this ancient town: Shencongwen’s former residences, Xiongxiling’s former residence, Yang family’s ancestral hall, East Gate Tower, Longevity Palace, Congde Hall, Chenbaozhen’s residence, Hong Bridge, and cruise on Tuo River. We’ll spend half of the day touring the town this afternoon. Stilted housings side the running river, and Ming-Qing dynasty residences line the street. Appreciate architectural style of those ancient structures adorned with elaborated carvings. Find the iconic building, Hong Bridge, a Wind and Rain Bridge across Tuo River, connecting residences on both side of the river. Follow your guide to explore this ancient town before you enjoy the rest of the time on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Phoenix Grand Hotel Fenghuang

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After your leisurely breakfast, up Fenghuang Ancient City Wall for some satisfying photos of town embrace by thin morning fog as the sun rise above the horizon. Visit the rest of the attractions in town this morning, and enjoy your lunch here before drive to Zhangjiajie. Arrive in Zhangjiajie city and check in at your hotel near National Forest Park.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Zhangjiajie Pullman Hotel, Zhangjiajie Qinghe Jinjiang International Hotel

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Following your breakfast, drive to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. We’ll spend the day exploring Golden Whip Stream and Huangshi Village located at the foot of the mountains and sandstone pinnacles. Shuttle bus and round way cable car are provided within the park. Take cable car up a plateau to Huangshi Village or Yellow Stone Village. This village is located 1,200 meters above sea level. At ‘Reach for the Star’ Pavilion, you can get a view of Juanjiajie and Yangjiajie surrounded by sea of clouds around sandstone pillars. Since there isn’t many restaurant in the scenic area, do prepare some snack for your lunch. We’ll have early dinner at the end of today’s tour. Then, descend via cable car for our hike along Golden Whip Stream. This hiking route is a tranquil and flat trail meandering 5.7km all the way to Bailong Elevator. En route, find furry residences and lush forest plants. Take a leisure walk about 2.5 hours, you will reach Shuiraosimen or ‘The Junction of Four Streams’. Have a break and we will take a 20 minutes shuttle bus out of the scenic area.

• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner,

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Today, we’ll tour the upper section of the park, viewing thousands of sky piercing sandstone pillars rise up from the verdant valley. Take one way cable car up Tianzi Mountain for a stunning view of grotesque-rocks-filled valley from thousand meters above. During rainy seasons, find those sandstone pillars soar above shroud of dramatic cloud in the valley. Spot plenty of bizarre rocks satisfying your imagination. Take a shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area later. Among all those scenic spots, Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, with original name being the Southern Sky Pillar, is the most popular. This gravity defying pillar is 150 meters high with seemingly broad top and narrow base from certain angle. Other highlights including No.1 Natural Stone Bridge and the ‘Back Garden’ are equally amazing. Walk around Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, you will meet a succession of incredible panorama one after another. Also note that, you need to prepare your own snacks or energy bars as simple lunch before our early dinner today. Later part of our journey will be an awesome view in Bailong Elevator as we descend Yuanjiajie. It is the world’s highest outdoor elevator built alongside a massive rock pillar, with a height of 335 meters. Take shuttle bus to the exit of the park. Meet your driver and drive to a local restaurant for an authentic dinner. From here, rest of the time is yours to explore the city on your own.

• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner,

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Today, we’ll experience the breath-taking view of a verdant canyon on Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. After your breakfast, drive to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and walk the longest glass bridge in the world. This mind blowing glass structure is 375 meters long and 300 meters above the canyon. Please take note that heavy items such as backpacks and camera are not allowed on the Glass Bridge for safety reason. You can consign your belongings at the entrance of Glass Bridge. Capture stunning photos with your mobile phone that has a casing. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant before joining your tea culture activities. Feel the tsunami of fresh aroma surge towards you as you visit a tea plantation in Hexie Village. During this session, you will experience a range of activities from picking and drying of tea leaves to the brewing and savouring of tea. Discover the secret behind each cup of tea and learn the history of tea in Zhangjiajie. In the evening, join a banquet featuring tea culture.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,

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Following your breakfast, drive to Tianmen Mountain cable car station in downtown area. Board Asia’s longest cableway to the summit of Tianmen Mountain. This mountain is the highest in the city area, with an elevation of 1,518.6 meters. Explore this mountain and walk its glass walkway that are suspended to the sheer cliff. Then, take the underground elevator down to the marvellous scene, Tianmen Cave or Heaven’s Door, which is a conspicuous huge hole that cut through the mountainside. Take a shuttle bus down Avenue towards Heaven or the winding 99-Bend Road. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Later, catch your flight to Shanghai. Arrive in Shanghai, meet your private guide and driver before checking in at your hotel at central area.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Pudong Shanghai, Central Hotel Shanghai, Grand Hyatt Shanghai

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Start the day with a leisurely stroll at Fuxing Park. It is one of the most popular parks in Shanghai, offering a moment of tranquillity from the hustling city streets. Then, down the French Concession to see clusters of historic colossi and old school shops and restaurants. Smell incense burning in Shanghai City God Temple. It’s a Taoist temple famous for its splendid architecture and long history which can date back to Tang dynasty. Tour a classic Chinese garden located in the central area. Yu Garden is packed with traditional pavilions, rockeries and traditional Chinese architectures. This garden was first built during Ming dynasty with a history of more than 400 years. In the afternoon, hop into a mini rail car and cross Huangpu River via underground Bund Sightseeing Tunnel that brings you through a sensory bombardment of lights and sound effects. Yes, there’s no Shanghai sights throughout the ride despite its name. Although, the whole ride only lasts within five minutes, this light show could have a much more lasting effects. Up the tallest building in China, Shanghai World Financial Centre (94th, 97th and 100th floor) for a panorama view of the central area of Shanghai. In the end, amble along Huangpu River down promenade of The Bund. At night, you can choose to watch Shanghai acrobatic show ERA: Intersection of Time, or SPIRAL (optional).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

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Today, we’ll journey west to a beautiful water town of Tongli. Similar to other water towns in eastern China, this water town is filled with whitewashed buildings, arched stone bridges and canal-side streets. This water town was founded more than 1,000 years ago during Song dynasty. Find traditional Chinese buildings of different dynasties and even some western style residences here. A unique town nudge into the top few famous water towns in China. Stroll the shop and residence lined streets and cruise the town down those winding water canals. At the end of the day, we’ll return to Shanghai.

• Meals: Breakfast,

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Enjoy the whole day to relax or explore further on your own. If interested, you can set out on a Suzhou day tour to explore the beauty of those classic Chinese gardens.

• Meals: Breakfast,

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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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