China Highlights (2011)

This is a shorter version of our signature 14-Day "China's Best Treasures". Even though the shortened itinerary covers most of the highlights of "China's Best Treasures" it lacks the reasonable length of travel time (a full two days) required to implement a more complete itinerary in a leisurely manner. As a senior China trip designer I believe any itinerary trying to include Guilin in a 12-day tour (which is very common with other tour companies) is simply rushing things too much. This is because Guilin, in southwest China is quite distant from other cities, and also because Guilin is really a leisure destination in the midst of China's most renowned landscape. A hurried visit does not do justice to this remarkable destination.

This 12-day trip is designed for those who would like to see as much as China has to offer in a very limited time frame. Your tour includes Beijing where you visit China's imperious wonders including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Continue to the ancient capital Xian in Central China to visit its amazing Terra-cotta Army. Then fly to southwest China to cruise on the picturesque Li River and soak in China's most renowned landscape. Your tour concludes in metropolitan Shanghai with a side trip to the water town Suzhou, famous for its classic gardens, canals and silk production.

Note: Hotel used for this trip is 4-star as opposed to mainly 5-star hotels in our 14-Day China's Best Treasures tour.