13 Days China UNESCO Tour

After you arrive in Beijing, our local guide will pick you up and then drive to hotel for a good rest.

No one will miss the Great Wall when he/she visits Beijing. This grand ancient project has been inscribed as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Badaling Great Wall, the first sector of Great Wall that opened to tourists, is one of the best preserved part and most magnificent. Allow yourself among this great ancient project and enjoy beautiful sceneries on both sides. Cable car and slides are available for tourists' convenience.

After the Great Wall, head for Changling Tomb of Ming Tombs through the Sacred Road while learning the holy belief of the ancient dynasty. The 13 Ming Tombs in Beijing was listed as World Cultural Heritage Site in 2003. And Changling, one of the 13 tombs, was the first and largest one built in the area and was the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Di of Ming Dynasty. Huge columns and grand architecture of Changling Tomb, delicate animal scultures (in shape of legendary kylins, dragons, lions and other mascots or mythical beasts) on both sides of the Sacred Road are so awe-inspiring that you will never forget in your future days.

Starting today, let's take a tour to Tian'anmen Square, the largest city square in the world and one of the top landmarks of China.

Another must-visit is the Forbidden City, also an UNESCO site since 1987. It once served as the Chinese imperial palace during Ming & Qing Dynasties. Numerous historical treasures and curios set you into an atmosphere as if you were in that ancient time, hanging around through beautifully-designed corridors and from one hall to another.

Beijing is such a history-honored city that it embraces a good number of world heritage sites. Summer Palace is another imperial palace and World Cultural Heritage Site, once serving as the summer getaway for the royal family. Just enjoy the serene sceneries in this classical garden!

Continue with your UNESCO tour. On your visit list today is Temple of Heaven, an imperial sacrificial alter for heaven worship. Its overall layout symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven - the human world and the God's world. Start your exploration of Chinese cosmogony in this dignified complex.

After that, try not to get lost at the maze-like Hutongs. Traveling among these alleyways allow you to experience the traditional life of the local commoners.

Also visits to the Temple of Confucius and the Imperial Academy. Temple of Confucius is devoted to the memory of the great philosopher Confucius and the sages and other philosophers of Confucianism, while the Imperial Academy was the highest official educational institution in the feudal dynasties. Just immerse yourself in a traditional academic atmosphere.

Later you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Huangshan City, and then be escorted by local guide to the hotel for rest and preparation for next day's activities.

Start your journey to Mt. Huangshan, an UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Site from which the city drew its present name. Drive about 1.5h from the city centre to Mt. Huangshan Scenic Area and then take a cable car from Yungu (Cloud Valley) Station to White Goose Ridge Station. Feast your eyes on the fabulous pines and bizarre rocks nearby Beginning-to-Believe Peak and Lian Li Pine (Couple Pine).

After lunch, get your energy ready for a hiking to West Sea Grand Canyon, freeing your soul in the untouched beauty of Mt. Huangshan. Stay overnight at the mountain hotel.

Try to get up early! Or you will regret to miss the glorious sunrise on Mt. Huangshan. Just imagine that the sun comes out from a floating sea of clouds and shines through the dreamy morning mist. Later, have a visit to the 1,690m (5,544.62mi) high Lion Peak and the surrounding areas, and then take cable car down the mountain.

After lunch, one of the representative local villages is waiting for you! Drive about 1.5h to Hongcun, a local featured ancient village which was recognized as World Cultural Heritage Site together with Xidi Village. Free yourself in this tranquil village and have fun learning what the local life is like.

Take your time easy and stroll along the 500-year-old Tunxi Ancient Street. It's interesting to immerse in the local life which mixes adequately traditional lifestyle and the modern one. Abundant local products and souvenirs are available in this ancient street.

Then get on a coach and drive about 4h to the graceful Hangzhou. Transfer to hotel and prepare for next day's wonders!

In Chinese, landscapes are usually referred to as "Shan Shui", that is, mountains and waters. So since yesterday you have the Mt. Huangshan, today a water town! Drive about 2h to Wuzhen, one of the top four renowned towns in Jiangnan Area (south of Yangtze River). It's a typical ancient water town with over 6,000 years' civilization history and nearly 2,000 years' history of Jiangnan Culture. Time is soft here, resting on the mottled old houses and the slow-moving waters.

Later return to Hangzhou, this enchanting city is waiting for you, with its natural beauty and elegance, as well as romantic tales and cultural heritages.

Open your day in Hangzhou city with an exuberant stroll along the Hefang Street, a unique pedestrian shopping street showcasing a variety of Chinese crafts like paper-cutting and hand-made dough figurines. You can also feast on different local featured snacks - roasted walnuts, dragon-whisker candy, etc.

Your Hangzhou tour will surely not forget the West Lake (Xi Hu)! West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, a new site recognized by UNESCO in June 2011, comprises the West Lake and hills arounds it. This elegant scenic spot has long been an attractive and inspiring beauty since the 9th century ever. Take in the refined landscapes with a boat tour on the serene lake, while learning the romantic love story Legend of the White Snake; you'll never be disappointed!

Then a visit to Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda), a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture that built to calm the tidal waters of Qiantang River and aid in navigation.

While your Hangzhou tour is drawing to the end, head for the train station and take the High Speed Train to Shanghai. Speed up and get your blood stirred up for the Shanghai tour!

Themed on "City, Citizens, Environment and Development", Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is where you can get to know this metropolis. From professional exhibits and various interactive display means, you can have a wonderful experience of Shanghai's yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Then march your way into the noisy shopping area - Nanjing Road, which is the world's longest shopping district and one of the world's busiest shopping streets. Even despite its 6km's length, you probably cannot finish a thorough trek in one day 'cause you will surely stop your steps being attracted by numerous shops where varicolored clothes, ornaments, and other shopping stuff are on display.

Withdrawing from the shopping life, let's take visits to The Bund and Shanghai World Financial Center and take and overview of this big city. The Bund, running along the west bank of Huangpu River, is where you can find magnificent buildings standing in different architectural styles: Gothic, Baroque, Rome, Renaissance, Classic and Mixed Eastern and Western style...Here you can not only embraces an epitomized old Shanghai, but also take in the booming view of the new Shanghai on the other side across the River. There is where the Shanghai World Financial Center stands. There are always something fresh and exciting to discover - economic energy, new forms of cultural activities, shopping arcades...You can also enjoy a bird's eye view of this vibrant city when climbing to high floors of this building.

There are so many attractions to visit the vigorous Shanghai that we cannot arrange all for you! So today is free for your own choice. You may ask for recommendations from our trip advisors or the local guide.

Head for Suzhou city today, which is only 0.5 hour by High Speed Train! Suzhou is another beautiful city comparing to paradise and often dubbed the "Venice of the East". A famous Chinese saying goes: "Up there is the Heaven, while Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth."

One of the best known of the city is its classical gardens, which won the UNESCO recognition as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1997. Wangshi Garden (Master-of-Nets Garden) is a typical Suzhou Mansion garden among the finest gardens in China, divided into three major parts: residential area in the east, landscape area middle and inner garden (Garden in Garden) west. Lingering among this exquisitely designed garden is surely a wonderful enjoyment.

Silk is also Suzhou's top fame. So after taking a boat tour along the downtown canal to have a fast hold of the city's charm, head for the Suzhou Silk Factory. From silk producing to silk making, let's see how the No. 1 silk factory is made!

Today you will be driven to the airport for your departure flight, tour ends.