China Tour from Brisbane

SG03-INTL: 17 Days Tour of Brisbane - Beijing - Xian - Chongqing - Yangtze Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai - Guilin - Hong Kong - Brisbane
Tour Type: Independent Travel
Accommodation: 11 nights at nice 3-star hotels, 3 nights on Yangtze River cruise
Meals: 14 western buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Highlights:
  • Must-see sights in China - Mutianyu Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army
  • Fantastic cruise tour on the Li River from Guilin to rural Yangshuo
  • Unwind with a Yangtze River cruise tour & see the Three Gorges
Day 1 Brisbane - Beijing
Today, please arrange your own way to the airport for your flight to Beijing. There is no direct flight from Brisbane to Beijing, so we suggest making a connection in Sydney or Hong Kong. You will spend at least 14 hours for the flight journey. 

Upon arriving in Beijing, please take a taxi to the hotel we booked for you in advance. It take around one hour from the Beijing capital airport to your hotel at a cost of CNY120. While CNY160 per taxi from Daxing airport to your hotel. The rest of the time is free for you to relax in preparation for your coming adventure. If your flight arrives early, take a stroll around the neighborhood near the hotel on your own to get your first impression of the capital city. 

Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Accommodation: Hotel Yoo Beijing
Day 2 Beijing
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square
Today we suggest our Beijing Mini Group Day Tour for you. On this guided tour, you will visit the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Bird’s Nest and old Hutongs.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 3 Beijing
Today's suggestion is the One Day Beijing Mini Group Tour. You will travel with a group of no more than six travelers to get insights into the imperial city - Beijing. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an
Mutianyu Great Wall
The entire day is free time for you without a guide or driver. Please be sure to check out of the hotel before 12:00. For your convenience, you may leave your luggage with the hotel concierge and retrieve it before you go to the railway station in the evening. We suggest that today you might take the Hutong tour or visit the Xiushui silk market. You will learn more about the traditional culture of our ancient capital from another perspective by exploring the narrow alleys of the Beijing Hutong. Take bus No. 60 for 8 stops from Nanheyan station to Drum Tower station. To reach Nayheyan station, walk eastward for 40 meters from the hotel and turn left. After you get off the bus, walk forward for 30 meters and then turn left. You will arrive at the Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street (Yandai Xiejie), which is the starting point of your Hutong visit. Walk across the Silver Ingot Bridge, and you will find many Hutongs at the rear of Shichahai Lake area. During the visit, you may also take time to stop at one or two quadrangle courtyards to visit the local families. Then move on to Prince Gong's Mansion, which was the largest princely mansion during the Qing Dynasty. A rickshaw ride is very popular among those who visit the area. If you are interested in this kind of experience, please remember to find a pedicab driver in uniform and whose vehicle displays a license plate. The rate is from CNY30 to CNY200 per person based on the route and please don't forget to bargain over the price. You may find restaurants easily at Tea & Bar Street along Shichahai Lake. From here you could move on to the Silk Market after lunch. Walking southward along the Tea & Bar Street, you will reach West Di'anmen Street. From there we suggest you take a taxi (CNY22 per cab) to the Xiushui Silk Market. To return to your hotel, walk for 30 meters to the south, turn right into Jianguomen Outer Street and go along the street westward for 270 meters. You will arrive at the Jianguomen Subway Station. Take Subway Line 1 (Pingguoyuan Direction) for 2 stops. Get off at Wangfujing station and leave from Exit C (southeast exit). Walk along East Changan Street for about 400 meters. Turn right and pass through the underground passage. Keep walking along Nanyanhe Street for 200 meters. There you will find the Nanwanzi Hutong where your hotel is located.

After retrieving your luggage from the hotel, please take a taxi to Beijing West Railway Station for your overnight soft-sleeper train to Xian. Although there are meals available on the train, the food they offered does not come up to passenger's expectations. Therefore, we recommend that you bring some simple food along with you. Here is a link to some information about the train baggage allowance

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight soft sleeper train
Day 5 Xi'an
Our clients at the Terracotta Army Museum
You will arrive in the ancient city of Xian this morning. After getting off the train, please take a short taxi ride to the hotel we booked for you. Breakfast is not included today, but there is a variety of restaurants near your hotel. After that, we suggest you joinning in the Xian Mini Group Day Tour to see the highlights of this city.

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: Days Inn City Centre Xi'an
Day 6 Xi'an - Chongqing
Today we would like to recommend the following plan as one of your options. Being built along the old city wall, the City Wall Park is a popular place for local people to do morning exercises like walking, running or dancing. If you are interested in learning more about local people's lives, you may spend some time here and join the fun. The nearest entrance to the park from your hotel is the South Gate. Walk south along the North street to the Bell Tower Crossroad, then cross the street through the underpass and walk for about 800 meters along the South street, you will see the park on the right. After enjoying yourself at the park, we suggest you get back to the South Gate before 10:30 to see the Warrior Parade Performance and ascend the City Wall. The entrance fee is CNY40 per person. Once on the wall you may either take a leisurely walk or rent a bicycle to ride. Depending on your energy level, you can ride for a short distance and then back the same way, or you can make a complete circle around the wall, which takes about 2 hours. Then you might also pay a short visit to Shuyuanmen, which is an antique cultural street situated on the eastern side of the South Gate. The street is filled with traditional crafts and souvenir shops that sell curios, calligraphies, paintings and handcrafts. Chinese and Western restaurants can be found along South Street. In the afternoon you can stay in the inner city area. From the Bell Tower, you can stroll along East Street to the large shopping malls and boutiques located on both its sides. Or you could visit the Drum Tower and Muslim Bazaar along West Street. Please do not forget to buy some food for the train journey tonight.

In the evening, take an overnight soft-sleeper train to Chongqing. We advise you to get to the railway station early to assure a smooth tour. According to our experience, it is not easy to get a taxi from the city center, so you may choose the bus instead. You can take bus No. 611 or No. 201 at the station east of the Bell Tower and get off at the railway station (the terminal). Keep walking northward for about 100 meters and the railway station is on the left. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight soft sleeper train
Day 7 Chongqing
The train will arrive in Chongqing in the morning. Please take a taxi to Chaotianmen Port at a cost of around CNY50. You may leave your luggage on the ship and have a brief city sightseeing tour to the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo, the General Joseph W. Stilwell Museum and Ciqikou Village. You need to go back to the pier to board the cruise ship before 20:00. All activities on the cruise ship are arranged by the cruise company and we only purchase the cruise ticket for you. There will be an English-speaking river guide on the ship at your service. You may call on him or her for help whenever needed. Your memorable Yangtze River cruise begins at 22:00.

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: President No.7/No.8 with balcony
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise
In the morning, the river guide will give you some specific details about the activities schedule during the river cruise. In the early afternoon, disembark from the ship and visit Shuangguishan National Forest Park. Following the river guide, you will appreciate the beautiful natural landscapes and learn about the Chinese culture. In the evening, take part in the exciting Captain's Welcome Party.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River cruise
Yangtze River cruise
Today, the ship will first arrive at the Qutang Gorge, which is the most dangerous part of the Three Gorges. Then, it sails into Wu Gorge. Moreover, an exciting excursion to Shennong Stream by sampan will be arranged for you. It will take almost 3-4 hours, but the wonderful views along the stream will make the travel well worth it. Next, continue your Yangtze River cruise to Xiling Gorge

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Yichang - Shanghai
After breakfast, you need to pack your luggage and check out. Then go ashore to visit the Three Gorges Dam. After visiting this grand project, the ship company will transfer you to the Three Gorges Tourist Center in Yichang. Then you can take a taxi to the railway station to catch the bullet train to Shanghai with a duration of around 7.5 hours. All arrangements in Shanghai are on your own except for the hotel booking.The most convenient way from the train station to your hotel is by taxi. Hongqiao Railway Station is 20 kilometers away from your hotel, and it takes around 30 minutes and CNY70 by taxi. If coming from Shanghai Railway Station which is only 1.5 kilometers away, you will spend CNY 20 per cab and get to the hotel in 10 minutes.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Golden River-view Hotel
Day 11 Shanghai
The Bund
The Bund
The day is free for you to draw up a plan by yourself. Shanghai is a modern city with a good selection of sights and places to visit. The top famous attractions you should not miss on your tour in Shanghai are Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road, the Bund and the Huangpu River. We suggest you walk to Hanzhong Road Station to take metro line 12 (Jinhai Rd. direction). Get off at Tiantong Road (the 2nd stop), interchange to subway line 10 (Hongqiao Railway Station direction) to Yuyuan station (the 2nd stop) and leave from Exit 1. Visit the Yuyuan Garden on your own at leisure. It used to be a private garden during the Ming Dynasty and there are more than 40 ancient structures in the garden with exquisite design and delicate layout. Outside Yuyuan Garden is the bustling Yuyuan Market. With a combination of traditional local culture, architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and a shopping market, it is also an attractive place that appeals to many travelers. Some of the famous restaurants in the market are the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, the Lubolang Restaurant and the Shanghai Old Restaurant. There is also a variety of local street foods in the market for you to try. 

Nanjing Road is about 1.5 kilometers from Yuyuan. If you take a taxi, it is about 5-6 minutes driving time and costs about CNY14. If you choose to walk, it takes about 30 minutes. Just walk along South Henan Road to Middle Henan Road and then to Nanjing Road. You may also take subway line 10 (New Jiangwan City direction) for one stop and leave from Exit 3 of East Nanjing Road Station. As one of the most famous and prosperous commercial streets, East Nanjing Road is a must-go place for visitors from home and abroad for shopping and sightseeing. Not far away from the east end of East Nanjing Road, the Bund area along the Hangpu River is another famous spot that's worth exploring. A short evening cruise on the Huangpu River is also a good choice to appreciate the night scenery of Shanghai. Then take a taxi back to the hotel and have a good rest. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 12 Shanghai - Guilin
The whole morning is free for you to relax at the hotel or step out for some fun. Pack your luggage and take a taxi to the airport by yourselves. We will inform you of the flight schedule in advance, so that you can check-in at the designated counter properly. Upon your arrival in Guilin, please take a taxi to the hotel we booked for you. It takes around one hour at a cost of CNY70 per taxi. 

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Universal
Day 13 Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin
Pleasant Li River cruise
Pleasant Li River cruise
When talking about beautiful scenery, many people believe that the mountains and waters of Guilin are the best, and the essential part of its landscape is in Yangshuo. This morning, please take a taxi to the Zhujiang pier before 09:00. It takes about 40 minutes by taxi to the wharf and the taxi fee is around CNY100. From the peir, you will take a cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo on your own. In addition to the nearly four hours of delightful and pleasurable cruise experience, you can also explore Yangshuo on your own for two or three hours. Yangshuo is a famous ancient town with a long history. The whole town appears to be a large colorful garden with abundant natural resources and plenty of things to see including the unique mountains, winding rivers and fancy caves. You can take an electric car along the country roads to admire the graceful and tranquil rural scenes, or just walk along West Street and have a cup of coffee. Travel back to Guilin by bus on your own. The bus ticket can be bought at the New Century Hotel or at the bus station. The last non-stop bus departs at 19:00 and the driving time is around 1.5 hours. After you get off the bus, please take a taxi back to the hotel.

Tips: Since the simple box lunch provided by the cruise is not up to TCG's serving standard, you may consider having a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch
Day 14 Guilin
Please manage your own sightseeing today. It is convenient and economical to take taxis between the scenic spots in Guilin city. Our suggestion on your self-guided visit starts with the Reed Flute Cave, which is one of the most important parts of the entire Li River Scenic Spot. Opened in 1962, the cave is not only physically beautiful, but is also of great historical interest. At least 170 ancient writings have been found on the walls including poems, autographs, and works of calligraphy made by literati, monks and tourists from all parts of the country. Then take a taxi to Seven Star Park, which is the city's largest and most popular park. You may have lunch at Chun Ji Roasted Goose near the North Gate of the park, or Zi Ran Ji restaurant near the West Gate of the park. There are also some other restaurants around the park so you can explore a little and find one that interests you. After exploring Seven Star Park, you may move on to visit Elephant Trunk Hill, which looks like a giant elephant with a long trunk. Then, you will take a taxi back to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 15 Guilin - Hong Kong
After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and take a taxi to Guilin West Railway Station for a high speed train to Hong Kong directly. The train will depart from Guilin at 13:38 and arrive at Hong Kong at 16:54 in the afternoon.

After around 3.5 hours' journey, you will get to the West Kowloon Station, where you can easily get a taxi or take around 10 minutes' walk to the hotel we booked for you.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Accommodation: B P International House
Day 16 Hong Kong
Hong Kong is an international metropolis with a developed economy and convenient transportation. It is a brilliant city and definitely deserving of a visit. The whole day is free for you to explore the city on your own. The hotel accommodation will be arranged by our company in advance. Here we would like to recommend Ocean Park for today's activity. From your hotel, you may take the Tsuen Wan Line at Jordan Station and get off at Admiralty Station (Exit B), then transfer to bus No. 629 to get to Ocean Park. If there are children in your group, then Hong Kong Disneyland is a good alternative choice. You may walk to Austin Station from the hotel to take the West Rail Line for two stops. After arriving at Nam Cheong Station, please transfer to the Tung Chung Line and get off at the third stop. From here the Disneyland Resort Line will take you to the destination.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
Day 17 Hong Kong - Brisbane
After breakfast, please check out of the hotel before noon and travel to the airport on your own according to your homebound flight schedule. A shuttle bus from the hotel to the airport is available. Check the schedule and the cost at the hotel reception and reserve your seats at least 3 hours prior to departure. If your flight leaves early in the morning or late at night, you may choose to take a taxi which cost at around HD$215.There is one direct flight from Hong Kong to Brisbane every Thursday and Sunday, whose flight time is about 9 hours. If your travel date couldn't match the direct flight schedule, you may make connections via Sydney or Melbourne. We sincerely wish you have had a nice China tour from Brisbane with us!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast
This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!
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