Day 1
Arrive in Beijing
This 10 Day Impression Tour of China is your best way to experience China with combined China tour including Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo and Shanghai. In the first day, arrive in Beijing. Be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Just relax and take a leisured stroll around the city. You can excurse and reveal this charming city by person. Happy travel!
Beijing is the cultural and political capital of the People’s Republic of China. This ancient city has remained a constant throughout the many incarnations of the Chinese nation, a history stretching back over 5000 years. The history of modern Beijing, however, began in the 13th century, when Genghis Khan built his fortress city Khanbaliq amongst the ashes of Yanjing - the Liao Dynasty capital that he burned to the ground in 1215. Beijing remained the centre of power throughout the reigns of the succeeding Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties - most of the last 800 years. After the Nationalist Government in Nanjing was usurped by the Communists Party in 1949, Mao Zedong made his capital in Beijing; famously announcing the birth of the People’s Republic of China in Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1949. Beijing’s lengthy and diverse history can be seen on the streets of Beijing, in the variety of monuments and palaces built by emperors and governments over the centuries. Beijing is one of the world’s most iconic cities; full of must-see sights for all first-time visitors to the Middle Kingdom.
Day 2
Beijing
Today you will discover Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and have a chance to enjoy Chinese Kung Fu Show.
Tiananmen Square: Tiananmen (the Gate of Heavenly Peace), is located in the center of Beijing. It was first built in 1417 and named Chengtianmen (the Gate of Heavenly Succession). At the end of the Ming Dynasty, it was seriously damaged by war. When it was rebuilt under the Qing in 1651, it was renamed Tiananmen, and served as the main entrance to the Imperial City, the administrative and residential quarters for court officials and retainers. The southern sections of the Imperial City wall still stand on both sides of the Gate. The tower at the top of the gate is nine-room wide and five-room deep. According to the Book of Changes, the two numbers nine and five, when combined, symbolize the supreme status of a sovereign. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tiananmen was the place where state ceremonies took place.
Forbidden City: Forbidden City also known as Palace Museum was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the ancient time, the emperor claimed to be the son of the heaven and therefore their supreme power was conferred upon them from the heaven. Their residence on the earth was built as a replica of the Purple Palace where the God lived in the Heaven. Such divine place was certain forbidden for the ordinary people and it is why the Forbidden City is so called. The museum is a real treasures house of Chinese cultural and historical relics, recognized as one of the most important five palaces in the world. The splendid architecture of the Forbidden City represents the essence and culmination of the traditional Chinese architectural accomplishment. In 1961 the Palace Museum was listed as one of the important historical monuments under the special preservation by the Chinese central government and in 1987, it was nominated as the world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.
Temple of Heaven: The Temple of Heaven is a large park and temple complex situated in more or less the south central area of Beijing. Its center piece is a large tower built, it is said, entirely of wood and not using a single nail. It is said that the main features of the park are its trees and inhabitants. The park is filled with more than a thousand species of tree, some of which are hundreds of years old, despite their relatively small size. One thing you could notice here is that most of the architecture here. The park also attracts local residents by the thousand each day, which come to practice singing, martial arts, Peking opera, chess, dancing, and calligraphy. Of course, this can be said of many parks in Beijing, but the Temple of Heaven attracts more than its fair share. Chinese Kung Fu Show: In this optional program by GWD, you can have a look at the Chinese historic essence - Kong Fu.
Day 3
Beijing
Today you will discover Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tombs and have a chance to taste Beijing Roast Duck for Dinner.
Badaling Great Wall: The Great Wall was initially built in the Spring and Autumn Period. During the following 2,000 years, the construction, connection and restoration of the wall had never ceased. The present Great Wall was largely built in the Ming Dynasty. The Badaling stretch, the best preserved portion of the Ming Great Wall, was widely realized as the essence of the Ming Great Wall. Standing on the top of Badaling and looking to the distance, one will be amazed at the great wonder of the Wall. In 1961 it was listed by the Chinese State Council as a key national historical heritage protection site. Later in 1988,it was nominated by the UNESCO as a world cultural heritage.
Ming Tombs: The Ming Tombs, located in Changping District, about 50 kilometers from the northwest of Beijing, are surrounded by mountains on three sides. The imperial cemetery covers an area of 120 square kilometers and there are 13 Ming Dynasty emperors buried there (along with 23 empresses and a number of concubines, princes and princesses), thus it is also called The 13 Mausoleums. These tombs are the best preserved Chinese imperial tombs and have been nominated by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. Beijing Roast Duck: Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most delicious dishes all over the world; most visitors coming to Beijing will never forget to have a try. The two famous restaurants that serve Beijing Roast Duck are Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant and Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, both of which have a history of over one hundred years. They represent two different schools of roasting duck. Bianyifang, founded in 1855, makes use of a close oven and straw as the fuel, which won’t make flames go directly onto the duck. Before being put into the oven, a duck is filled with specially-made soup to make it possible to roast the duck outside and boil it inside at the same time.
Day 4
Beijing - 
- Xian
Today you will explore the Beijing Hutong.
Beijing Hutong: The Beijing Hutong (old lane) areas have a very special and important position in the rich history and culture of Beijing. The alleys give a wonderful glimpse into the world of yesterday in Beijing. While visiting the Beijing Hutong, you can appreciate the dramatic changes that the rest of Beijing has undergone. You can see evidence of the history of Beijing, experience the old way of life and experience traditional Beijing culture. Longer Beijing tours usually include a visit to a hutong area.
Day 5
Xian
Today you will discover Qin Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horse Figurines, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower and have a chance to enjoy Tang Dynasty Dancing.
Qin Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horse Figurines: Viewing Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s terracotta army guarding his burial site and protecting his entry to the afterlife from the earthen side of a continuing archeological project is certainly one of the most memorable parts of any trip to China. Every figure differs from those around in facial features and expression, clothing, hairstyle, and gestures. The horsemen, the longbow bearers, the archers and the senior officers and generals were positioned in strict accordance with the ancient directives on the Art of War. The site was made a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda: The temple complex in which the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is located is filled with beautiful gardens and stunning architecture. Although destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, the current buildings were built in the style of the Tang Dynasty, the period in which the pagoda was built. The temple complex was constructed along an axis, with matching buildings on either side. The beautiful architecture is constructed of grey brick with glazed roofs. The many gardens hidden amongst the temple’s many courtyards are very lovely and a wonderful place for visitors to take a break and soak in the beauty that surrounds them. The temple complex is filled with ancient artifacts. The Forest of Stupas located hidden on one side of the temple complex is where prominent monks are buried. The stupas, or gravestones, are exquisite and have been placed in the temple grounds over the centuries.
Bell Tower: The Bell Tower, is a stately traditional building, that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital. From this important landmark extend East, South, West and North Streets, connecting the Tower to the East, South, West and North Gates of the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty. The wooden tower, which is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China, is 36 meters (118 feet) high. It stands on a brick base 35.5 meters (116.4 feet) long and 8.6 meters (28.2 feet) high on each side. During the Ming Dynasty, Xian was an important military town in Northwest China, a fact that is reflected in the size and historic significance of its tower.
Day 6
Xian - - Guilin
Today you will discover Shaanxi Provincial Museum and Ancient City Wall.
Shaanxi Provincial Museum: The museum occupies an area of 65,000 square meters (16 acres). It is a grand complex of buildings imitating the architecture style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). A primary pavilion stands in the center, and secondary pavilions of varying heights are distributed orderly around it. With black, white and grey as the predominant colors, the buildings have a solemn and rustic charm. The museum is furnished with central air-conditioning and multi-functional lighting system to ensure the protection of the culture relics. It is a comprehensive museum with more than 370,000 exhibits of different times and kinds. The two-storied primary pavilion is divided into the following three main exhibition halls: Basic Exhibition Hall, Theme Exhibition Hall and East Exhibition Hall.
Ancient City Wall: The first landmark visitors will encounter in Xian is the ancient city wall, which stretches round the old city. The northern side runs parallel to the railway. Xian was originally a walled city, and even today the wall is considered a landmark dividing the city into the inner part and the outer part. The city wall is massive - tall, long and thick. The South Gate and North Gate are the two main entrances to the inner city. The city itself is neatly arranged along the city wall.
Day 7
Guilin - 
- Yangshuo - 
- Guilin
Today you will take a Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshou and Stroll in the Yangshuo Street.
Li River Cruise: Originating in Cat Mountain in Xin’an county northeast of Guilin, the Li River winds its way southeast for about 437 km, passing through Guilin, Yangshuo, Pingle, Zhaoping and finally meets Xi River in Wulin. It boasts the largest and most beautiful scenic area in China and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The 83-km-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is like an artist’s masterpiece. The landscape is decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and is lined with bamboo. A poem says: "The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hair-pins".Mostly the cruise starts from Zhujiang Wharf. It is about 40 minutes’ drive from Guilin city. and then 4 to 5 hours’ cruise will take you to a beautiful and sedate ancient city - Yangshuo.
Yangshuo Street: The west street is also named Foreigners' Street because a lot of foreigners make the street their homes. The street has a history of more than 1400 years. The bars, hotels, internet cafes, handicraft shops are all designed in a complex style of Chinese and Western. Most Chinese people living or working in the street can speak fluent English. The West Street is an international community where visitors of different skins sit together chatting and drinking coffee. There is traditional Chinese food: glutinous rice cake, rice noodles even offered together with traditional Italian coffee.
Day 8
Guilin - - Shanghai
Today you will explore the beautiful Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave.
Elephant Trunk Hill: Elephant Trunk Hill, also known as Elephant Hill is located at the confluence of Li River and Peach Blossom River in the southwest of Guilin city. It looks like a huge elephant stretching its trunk drinking water hence the name. Elephant Trunk Hill has been the symbol of the karst landscape in the area. Fubo Hill: Fubo Hill is on the west bank of the Li River. Partially submerged in the river and partially above ground; it is 213 meters above sea level and 62 meters above ground. Measuring 120 meters long and 60 meters wide, it covers an area of 0.7ha. It was named for General Fubo of the Tang Dynasty who built Mayuan Temple on the hill.
Because of its location and height, Fubo Hill can tame the waves, stopping the surging waters which then form whirlpools. Attractions include Pearl-Returning Cave, One-Thousand-Buddhas Cave, Sword Testing Stone, Listening-to-the-Waves Pavilion and One-Thousand-Persons Pot and Big Iron Clock.
Reed Fleet Cave: The Reed Flute Cave is absolutely a must-see attraction. It is situated in the highway of the Guangming Hill, in the northwestern suburbs of the city. The cave got its name from a kind of flutes growing outside which can be made into melodious flutes. The cave is filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites, rocks in all strange shapes. The cave is about 240 meters long and a trip last about one hour. Along the u-shaped route, visitors can see those oddly shaped rocks, stone pillars and your guide will give you interesting story about them. Illuminated by the colored lights, the cave looks like a dazzling palace that??s why the cave is otherwise known as the "Art Palace of the Nature".
Day 9
Shanghai
Today you will discover Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, and Jade Buddha Temple and The bund.
Yu Garden: It is a renowned traditional landscape garden in Jiangnan. It is also a historical site and tourist attraction famous at home and abroad. It was built by a man named Pan during the Ming Dynasty. It was changed and rebuilt for hundreds of years by different descendents of the original builder. The garden is a virtual maze of caves, gardens, rockeries, paths, bridges, and buildings. Even though many people have had a hand in rebuilding the garden over the centuries, it is seamlessly blended. Every corner you turn has a new surprise, and a total different view.
Shanghai Museum: As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. The museum style and presentation surround visitors with artifacts demonstrating ancient wisdom and philosophy. The exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. The museum is divided into eleven galleries and three exhibition halls. The eleven Galleries cover most of the major categories of Chinese art: Ancient Bronze, Ancient Ceramics, Paintings, Calligraphy, Ancient Sculpture, Ancient Jade, Coins, Ming and Qing Furniture, Seals, and Minority Nationalities.
Jade Buddha Temple: The two precious jade Buddhist statues are not only rare cultural relics but also porcelain artworks. Both the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha are carved with whole white jade. The sparkling and crystal-clear white jade gives the Buddhas the beauty of sanctity and make them more vivid. The Sitting Buddha is 190 centimeters high and encrusted by the agate and the emerald, portraying the Buddha at the moment of his meditation and enlightenment. The Recumbent Buddha is 96 centimeters long, lying on the right side with the right hand supporting the head and the left hand placing on the left leg, this shape is called the ’lucky repose’. In the temple there is also another Recumbent Buddha which is four meters long and was brought from Singapore by the tenth abbot of the temple in 1989.
Day 10
Depart from shanghai
Today you will visit the TV Tower of Oriental Pearl . Then you will be transferred to the airport. Your amazing 10 Day Impression Tour of China (Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai ) is finished.
TV Tower of Oriental Pearl: The Oriental Pearl TV Tower has become one of the modern symbols of Shanghai. The 468 meter tall tower is the tallest in Asia and the third tallest TV tower in the world. The bird’s eye view from its observation platform is breathtaking, especially at night, when the nearby Bund is lit up. With a unique design composed of balls and columns, the tower has become Shanghai’s newest landmark and a big magnet for tourists. The designers magically set the eleven beautiful spheres of various sizes up from the green grassland to the blue sky with two giant spheres shining like two rubies. The whole design is rich in poetic and pictorial splendor, which gives the tourist the impression that pearls of various sizes are dropping onto the emerald plate.
