Find a Tour > China's Hidden Jewels

China's Hidden Jewels

(15 days, Shanghai - Guilin, 2012)
China's Hidden Jewels Tour
A 15 day tour from Shanghai to Guilin showcasing China’s hidden jewels, including the Gardens of Suzhou, Hangzhou’s West Lake, Old Lijiang and Tibetan-influenced Yunnan.

Your 15 day tour begins in cosmopolitan Shanghai where you will discover the treasures of the Shanghai Museum, one of the best museums in China, followed by a walk through People’s Square, which is adjacent to the Museum. You will then visit the Yu Yuan markets before taking a ride on Shanghai’s famous Maglev Train.

Your tour continues to Suzhou, one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin with history dating back more than 2,000 years. It is also renowned as China’s leading producer of silks. You will visit some exquisite gardens, including the Lingering Garden from the Ming Dynasty, the charming Humble Administrators’ Garden with streams, ponds and bridges; and the smallest but more intricate Master of the Nets.

From Suzhou you will travel to Hangzhou, once described by Marco Polo as ‘the most splendid city in the world’ and view its stunningly beautiful West Lake. Here you will also learn about Chinese medicine at the Museum of Chinese Medicine and visit the largest and most famous temple in Southern China, the Lingyin Temple or Temple of Soul’s Retreat. Next you will travel to the capital of Yunnan, Kunming where you will visit the Yunnan Museum of Minority Nationalities and take a stroll through the Bird and Flower Markets.

You will then fly to Shangri-La, an enthralling town that is home to a large Tibetan community and is situated at a height of 3,200 metres above sea level. Whilst in Shangri-La you will visit the Nishi Black Pottery Village, Napa Hai Forest Reserve and Scenic Moon Crescent Gorge before travelling to the World Heritage-listed town of Lijiang, where you will wander the cobblestoned streets of its Old Town and visit the morning market. Your tour continues to Guilin, where you will float gently down the Li River and take in the beauty of the jagged green limestone karst scenery and fishing villages, before disembarking in Yangshou.

Your tour ends back in Guilin after visits to the famous Reed Flute Cave, with its beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations; and Fubo Hill with Buddhist grottoes and 360 degree views of the city and surrounding countryside.

  • 14 night tour
  • 2 nights Shanghai
  • 2 nights Hangzhou
  • 2 nights Guilin
  • All-Inclusive Touring
  • Authentic cultural experiences
  • Two night stay at the Westin Bund Centre, Shanghai
  • Overnight stay at Sofitel, Suzhou
  • Two night stay at the Sofitel Westlake, Hangzhou
  • Two night stay at the M Gallery Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-la
  • Two night stay at the Crowne Plaza, Lijiang
  • Small Group Touring
  • Fully Escorted including aboard cruise
  • Domestic flights throughout
  • Professional Tour Director
  • Knowledgeable local guides
  • Scenic FreeChoice activities INCLUDED
  • Scenic Enrich - highlight experiences allowing you to live the destination not just
    travel through
  • Airport Transfers
  • ALL TIPPING, GRATUITIES and PORTERAGE INCLUDED

Included Scenic Enrich

  • Visit the 300 year old Songzanlin Monastery and share a yak butter tea with a Tibetan family
  • In Hangzhou visit a tea plantation and enjoy a special tea ceremony

Included Scenic Free Choice

  • In Yangshuo watch the local fisherman who have trained cormorant birds to catch fish; or witness a spectacular sound and light show, Yangshuo Impressions
  • In Yangshuo discover the pretty countryside and enjoy a lunch with a local farmer and his family on your guided bicycle trip; or wander the bustling local markets and shop for fresh seasonal ingredients for your cooking class.

Included Scenic Dining

  • 30 superb meals including 14 Full Buffet Breakfasts (FB), 6 Lunches (L),
    2 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 8 Dinners (D)
  • Traditional dinner of tantalising Hangzhou specialities overlooking the West Lake
  • Sumptuous farewell Chinese banquet dinner comprising regional specialities

Included Scenic Special Stays

  • The Westin Bund Centre Shanghai is located close to the historic Bund waterfront
  • The centrally located Sofitel Suzhou is designed in a traditional Chinese style
  • The Sofitel Westlake Hangzhou, has stunning views of the legendary lake
  • The M Gallery Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-la is designed in a distinctly Tibetan design
  • Crowne Plaza in Lijiang provides seamless views of jade Dragon Mountain

Included Scenic Highlights

  • Discover ancient treasures in the amazing Shanghai Museum
  • Ride Shanghai’s Maglev train and travel at speeds above 300 kilometres per hour
  • Wander historic lanes and bustling markets in Old Shanghai and Yu Yuan Gardens
  • Enjoy an evening performance by the Shanghai Acrobats Troupe
  • Cruise the Grand Canal and visit some of the exquisite gardens in Suzhou
  • Explore Hangzhou’s Old Town and the interesting Museum of Chinese Medicine
  • Watch Impression of West Lake, a spectacle of light, music, dance and theatrics based on a local legend
  • Uncover cultural relics at the interesting Yunnan Museum of Minority Nationalities
  • Stroll the cobbled streets of Lijiang and view spectacular scenery of the nearby Jade Dragon Mountain
  • Visit the famous Reed Flute Cave with its beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations
Day 1: Shanghai (D)
Ni Hao and welcome to China! On arrival you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. Settle in, relax or take a stroll along the magnificent historic riverfront Bund, with its European architecture and incredible view across the Huangpu River to the Oriental Tower and skyscrapers of Pudong. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a briefing followed by an Included welcome dinner, the perfect start to a wonderful trip.
Two Night Special Stay : Shanghai
Day 2: Shanghai (FB,L,D)
Encounter amazing treasures and antiques on your Included visit to the Shanghai Museum, one of the best museums in China and wander the large public square adjacent to the museum, People’s Square. Explore the narrow historic lanes and bustling street markets on your Included tour of old Shanghai with a visit to the exquisite Yu Yuan Gardens. Take an Included ride on Shanghai’s famous Bullet Train (Maglev). Included this evening witness the energy and excitement of a performance by the world renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
Day 3: Shanghai - Suzhou (FB,L,D)
Travel to Suzhou, one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze basin with a history dating back more than 2000 years, and China’s leading silk producer. Included visit to some exquisite gardens created by rich families including Lingering Garden from the Ming Dynasty, the charming Humble Administrators’ Garden with streams, ponds and bridges and the smallest but most intricate Master of the Nets. Included cruise along a small section of the historic Grand Canal. See how silk is produced today and learn about the industry’s past with your Included visit to a silk factory.
Overnight Special Stay: Suzhou
Day 4: Suzhou - Hangzhou (FB,HD)
This morning travel on your Included fast train to the city of Hangzhou with its stunningly beautiful West Lake, a scene immortalised by countless Chinese artists and once described by Marco Polo as the most splendid city in the world. SCENIC ENRICH visit to a tea plantation followed by a wonderful tea ceremony. Dine on your Included traditional dinner of tantalising Hangzhou specialities overlooking the West Lake.
Two Night Special Stay: Hangzhou
Day 5: Hangzhou (FB,L)
Included visit to the Old Town, the interesting Museum of Chinese Medicine and discover magnificent examples of courtyard architecture at the residence of Hu Xueyan. Included visit to the largest and most famous temple in southern China, the Lingyin Temple or Temple of Soul’s Retreat. This evening enjoy your Included Impression of West Lake, a spectacle of light, music, dance and theatrics based on a Hangzhou legend.
Day 6: Hangzhou - Kunming (FB,D)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Tucked away in the south west corner of China, the province is a rich mix of different minority cultures. Included visit to the engaging Yunnan Museum of Minority Nationalities to uncover cultural relics of ethnic minorities. This evening your Included dinner is a local speciality - delicious noodles.
Overnight Stay: Kunming
Day 7: Kunming - Shangri-la (Zhongdian) (FB,D)
Stroll through the Bird and Flower Markets before transferring to the airport for your Included flight to Shangri-la, an enthralling town that is home to a large Tibetan community. Situated at a height of 3200 metres you will need to take it easy as you begin to acclimatise. Included SCENIC ENRICH visit to the most important Lamaist monastery outside Tibet, the 300 year old Songzanlin Monastery perched on a hillside high above the town and share a yak butter tea with a Tibetan family.
Two Night Special Stay: Shangri-la
Day 8: Shangri-la (FB,L,D)
Renamed as Shangri-la after James Hilton’s mythical mountain paradise, the surrounding countryside is filled with Tibetan villages and minority communities. Included visit to the Nishi Black pottery village, Napa Hai Forest Reserve and Scenic Moon Crescent Gorge. In the evening sample a Tibetan speciality with your Included Hot Pot dinner.
Day 9: Shangri-la - Lijiang (FB,L,D)
Passing spectacular scenery your journey leads to Lijiang, a UNESCO World heritage listed town. En-route the winding road leads to the first bend in the Yangtze River and the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. This natural wonder was formed by the Jinsha River forcing its way between the mountains and according to ancient tradition, a tiger once leapt across the gorge at its narrowest point. This evening enjoy an Included performance of traditional Naxi music, descendants from Tibetans, their culture is dominated by shamans.
Two Night Special Stay: Lijiang
Day 10: Lijiang (FB)
Explore the cobbled streets of Lijiang, with your Included orientation walk. The old city is criss-crossed with canals and the morning market is crowded with Naxi women in traditional dress. Uncover the secrets of the well preserved frescoes in the small village of Baisha and take in the spectacular Jade Dragon Mountain views with your Included chairlift to the meadows and forests of the mountain.
Day 11: Lijiang - Guilin (FB,D)
Leave the stunning mountains behind and take your Included flights to Guilin via Kunming. On arrival relax in the hotel with your Included dinner.
Overnight Stay: Guilin
Day 12: Guilin - Yangshuo (FB,L)
Float gently down Guilin’s scenic jewel the Li River and take in the beauty of the jagged green limestone karst scenery, fishing villages and farmers tending their rice fields on your Included cruise to charming Yangshuo. Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) take an opportunity to watch the local fisherman who have trained cormorant birds to catch fish; or (2) watch a spectacular sound and light show, Yangshuo Impressions, which traces the life and loves of a local heroine. The show is choreographed by Zhang Yimao who directed the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
Two Night Stay: Yangshuo
Day 13: Yangshuo (FB)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) discover the pretty countryside and enjoy a lunch with a local farmer and his family on your guided bicycle trip; or (2) wander the bustling local markets and shop for fresh seasonal ingredients for your cooking class.
Day 14: Yangshuo - Guilin (FB,HD)
Travel back to Guilin and enjoy an Included visit to the famous Reed Flute Cave with its beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations before continuing to Fubo Hill with Buddhist grottoes and spectacular 360 degree views of the city and surrounding countryside, which has inspired artists, poets and musicians for centuries. Visit Elephant Trunk Hill standing at the intersection of the Li and Peach Blossom Rivers and is the symbol of Guilin. This evening enjoy your delicious Included farewell Chinese banquet, a fitting end to your adventure.
Overnight Stay: Guilin
Day 15: Guilin (FB)

After breakfast you will be transferred* to the airport for your onward or homebound flight (flight not included).

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.

At a glance
Duration
15 Days
From
$
per person twin share
Dates

Interested?

Enquire now or call 1300 723 642 Download the brochure

Related tours

Journey Along the Mekong Tour
Journey along the Mekong (Ho Chi Minh City - Luang Prabang, 2012 - 2013)
This 18 day journey along the Mekong River from Ho Chi Minh City to Luang Prabang includes a seven night luxury cruise and a visit to the famous Angkor Wat temple.
Tour information
Images of Cambodia and Laos Tour
Images of Cambodia and Laos (Siem Reap - Luang Prabang, 2012 - 2013)
This 11 day journey through the picturesque countrysides of Cambodia and Laos takes you from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang, with a visit to the iconic Angkor Wat temple.
Tour information
Essence of Vietnam Tour
Essence of Vietnam (Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City, 2012 - 2013)
This 14 day journey explores the best of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, including a two night cruise along Halong Bay and a night cruise in the Mekong Delta.
Tour information
 
Close