China for the Independent Traveler
The Scott Way — 19 Days/18 Nights
Scott travels to China in style, with the very best hotels all the way
through. Starting in Beijing for 3 nights with visits to Simatai Great Wall
(the least crowded part), and the Hutongs in Beijing by rickshaw. On to
Yangshuo with a wonderful 2 nights stay with time to shop, walk, bike. Up to
Emeishan, one of China's sacred mountains, well travelled by local pilgrims.
Cruises down the Yangtze and up by cable car to Huangshan "Yellow Mountain"
that has inspired painters, poets for centuries, and finally all too soon
ending with 1 night in Shanghai.
19 Days, Beijing/Guilin/Emeisha/Huangshan/Shanghai; Rate at $4410.00 per
person double occupancy, excluding international air fare. Starts Beijing,
ends Shanghai, mostly suites, September.
Day 1: Arrive Beijing
Our guide will meet you after customs/immigration and transfer you to the
Palace Hotel.
Day 2: Beijing (B)
Our guide will pick you up today for a tour of Forbidden City, Temple of
Heaven and Hutong.
Day 3: Beijing (B,L)
Today is an exciting day for a visit to the Simitai section of the Great
Wall. Our guide will pick you up early in the day as the drive one way is 110
km. On this day you want to make sure that you have bottled water, a hat,
and a back-pack so that you can have both hands free as some sections of the
wall are steep. Return to Beijing late afternoon.
Day 4: Beijing to Guilin by airplane (B)
Check out after a late breakfast. Our guide will transfer you to the airport
for China Southern flight (CZ) # 8912. Flight departs Beijing at 11:35am and
arrives Guilin at 2:45pm. On arrival, our guide will meet you at airport
(after luggage claim) and proceed up to Fubo Hill and Elephant Hill. Both of
these will offer a fine overall view of the city. Then check into Royal
Garden Hotel.
Day 5: Guilin to Yangshuo by boat (B,L)
After an early breakfast, check out and proceed for a relaxing cruise on the
Li River. The boat meanders through limestone hills, and offers scenes of
daily life along the river. At the end of the cruise, disembark at the small
town of Yangshuo. Overnight at the Yangshuo Paradise Resort.
Day 6: Yangshuo (B)
This is a free day to explore Yangshuo. You can rent bicycles to explore
surrounding villages, lots of cafes and shops to spend time on your own.
Day 7: Yangshuo to Chengdu by car/airplane (B)
Your have a free morning on your own. At 1.00pm, the guide will pick you up
to Guilin for a tour of Reed Flute cave. Reed Flute Caves is one of the most
famous sites in Guilin. The series of underground caves offer fantastic
stalactites and stalagmites. In the evening, the guide will help check you
in for China S.West flight # 4325 departing Guilin at 10:45pm, and arriving
into Chengdu at 12:15am (16Sep.) On arrival in Chengdu, our guide will meet
you and transfer you to the Crowne Plaza.
Day 8: Up Emeishan (B,L)
After breakfast, proceed by car from Chengdu with guide to foot of Emeishan.
(one way trip by car is about 2 hours.) Take cable car to top of Emeishan
and check into Jinding hotel at Golden Summit (3077 meters above sea level ).
Emeishan is one of the Sacred Mountains in China. If you do hike up you will
be sharing the trail with pilgrims. Many try to stay for the sunset and the
sunrise.
Day 9: Down Emeishan (B,L)
Free in the morning to explore Emeishan on your own. In the afternoon take
the cable car down to the foot of the mountain, and overnight at Hongzhushan
hotel.
Day 10: Emeishan to Chongqin by car (B,L)
Drive to Chongqin. Chongqin is perched on steep hills, and to many tourists
a boarding/disembarking point for the Yangtze River Cruises. Our guide will
take you for a brief tour of the Art Village and Eling Park before checking
to the Marriot Hotel. Chongqin is also a good city to explore on foot.
Day 11: Boarding the Regal (B,L,D)
Our guide will pick you up at 7:00am to check in for Regal Cruise. Cruise
sails at 8:00am.
Days 12,13: On Board the Regal (B,L,D)
Off shore excursions, on board activities organized by Regal. Off shore
excursions subject to water and traffic conditions.
Day 14: Arrive Wuhan (B,L)
Cruise ends at 12:00pm. Our guide will pick you up for a visit to the Yellow
Crane Pavilion and then proceed to the Shangrila Hotel.
Day 15: Wuhan to foot of Huangshan by airplane (B,L)
There is time today to visit the Hubei Provincial Museum (good collection of
artifacts from tomb dated 433BC) and exhibits of lacquerware, etc. Also a
visit to the Asian Music Terrace before flight to Tunxi (Huangshan shi),
leaving Wuhan at 2:00pm, and arriving Tunxi at 3:00pm.(Wuhan air U 533).
Overnight at Huangshan International Hotel.
You are free after checking in. You might want to check with your local guide
on possibilities, but there are nearby towns with old merchant
houses.(Shexian andYixian about 30 mins drive each way as additional side
trip ).
** Pack an overnight bag for Huangshan for tomorrow.**
Day 16: Up Huangshan (B,L)
Drive to the foot of Huangshan (takes approximately 2 hrs each way) and
proceed by cable car up to the summit. (You can also hike up if you wish ).
Overnight at Xihai Hotel. Free to explore the hiking trails on your own.
Huangshan had inspired poets and painters since the Tang dynasty (1200 yrs
ago).
Day 17: Down Huangshan (B,L)
In the late afternoon, take the cable car down, driver will pick you up to
check into Huangshan International Hotel for the night.
Day 18: Tunxi - Shanghai (B,L)
Transfer to airport for China Eastern (MU) 5512 departing Tunxi at 8:50am and
arriving into Shanghai at 9:40am. On arrival proceed for a tour of the Yu
Gardens and Jade Buddha Temple before checking into the Portman Hotel.
Day 19: Departure
Transfer to airport.
Rates include:
- Hotel accommodations as above with suites for Yangshuo Paradise
Hotel, Honzhushan Hotel, and on board Regal.
- Deluxe room at Beijing Palace Hotel and at Jinding Hotel.
- Meals as stated above.
- Transportation as stated above.
- Sightseeing, transfers with private guide/car.
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