Ancient pride and modern wonders
Experience a tour full of diversity and contrasts between urban and rural China. Start in the vibrant capital Beijing where ancient pride and modern wonders coexist. Visit the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and stroll through the traditional hutong districts. Take a walk on the Great Wall and travel on to Xi'An, starting point of the Silk Road, cradle of Chinese civilization and home of the famed Terracotta Army.
Shangri-La: mountains and Buddhism
In the foothills of the Himalayas lies the mythical Shangri-La, heavily influenced by Tibetan culture. You will travel via Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Old Tea Route to the Naxi minority town of Lijiang. See the ancient small houses and streams in this sympathetic town. Set course for the mighty Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, you can take a cable car to 4500 meters altitude. Chengdu is the relaxed heart of Sichuan, China's largest province. Besides being the home of pandas, the city is also known for its vibrant tea culture and spicy Sichuan cuisine. In Leshan, you will come face to face with Dafu; the imposing 1,200-year-old Great Buddha carved out of rocks. At the sacred mountain of Emeishan, you can take a scenic walk to ancient temples in beautiful surroundings
Tips & tops Round trip contrasting China :
- Explore all the highlights of Beijing including the Square, the Forbidden City, Tai-Chi and the world-famous dish Peking Duck
- Stand eye-to-eye with the warriors from the Terracotta Army and bike along the 14-kilometer-long Ming Dynasty city wall near Xi'an
- Discover Tibetan Zhongdian in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Shangri La, according to the Chinese
- Take a walk through part of the Tiger Gorge near the Yangtze River, one of the deepest gorges in the world
- Near the beautiful "First Bend of the Yangtze River" lies historic Shigu from the Ming Dynasty
- Walk with local Naxi people through the streets and streams in the old town of Lijiang
- By cable car, take a ride to the flanks of the Jaden Dragon Snow Mountain.
- Visit pandas, drink tea in a teahouse and try a spicy 'Sichuan-style' meal in Chengdu
- On the flanks of the sacred Emei Shan mountain, you can hike and enjoy the beautiful views
