Style : Self-guided tour

Captivating China with Hong Kong

By Monograms

4.7 . Excellent

97%

Travel Style: Relaxed

Physical Level: Very Easy

Lodging Level: Value (3*)

16 days

From: $ 3,249 $ 203 / day

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Overview Itinerary Availability Reviews Details

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

Visit the Dayan Pagoda, built in 652 Ad
Visit the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974
Visit a local Tea Farm for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process, followed by a tea ceremony
Visit the bustling Yu Yuan Gardens, dating back to the Ming Dynasty
Visit Fuxing Park, where locals play chess, dance, practice tai chi, and more
Visit the Dried Seafood Market
Visit the Temple Street night market, or take a sunset cruise on the harbor

Style Self-guided tour

Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights

Lodging Level Value (3*)

Flight & Transport Inclusions N/A

Start City ARRIVE IN BEIJING

End City HONG KONG

Theme

Cultural 50 plus

Destinations

China Hong Kong

Attractions & Cities Visited

Beijing Chengdu Guilin Hong Kong Shanghai Xian

Activities & Interests

Culture Independent

N/A

Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN BEIJING, CHINA. Welcome to China! Your hotel room is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

BEIJING. This morning, enjoy a PRIVATE GUIDED EXCURSION to the GREAT WALL OF CHINA, which once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Walk along the wall and take in the stunning views of this mammoth fortress and the surrounding scenery. Return to Beijing and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 3

BEIJING. Begin your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING at TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Next, stop at the FORBIDDEN CITY, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest palace complex. Once the home of China’s great emperors, today it showcases ancient Chinese architecture, landscaped gardens, and displays of rare art and artifacts. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)

Day 4

BEIJING–CHENGDU. Today, fly to Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province and known for its flavorful food. (B)

Day 5

CHENGDU. A full-day PRIVATE GUIDED EXCURSION brings you to the LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA, the world’s tallest stone Buddha at 233 feet. Leshan Town is located at the confluence of three rivers, and during the Tang Dynasty, boat accidents were a common occurrence. Out of growing concern for the people, a local monk decided to build a monument above the treacherous waters in hopes of making peace with the water spirit. Work on this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site started in 713 AD and took 90 years to complete. (B,L)

Day 6

CHENGDU–XI’AN. Join your PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR to the GIANT PANDA RESEARCH BASE and marvel at these beautiful animals. Later, fly to Xi’an, an archaeological treasure trove in central China. (B)

Day 7

XI’AN. Rare discoveries await on your PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR of Xi’an. Start with a visit to the DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD. Afterward, visit the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Last stop is Xi’an’s ancient CITY WALL. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 8

XI’AN–GUILIN. Fly to Guilin, one of China’s most beautiful areas. (B)

Day 9

GUILIN. Meet your Local Guide for PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING of Guilin’s highlights. Begin with a CRUISE on the tranquil Li River and be transported far from modern civilization. Mystical mountains surround you as you pass rice paddies, fishermen on bamboo rafts, and water buffalo grazing in the river. Afterward, visit a local TEA FARM for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process, followed by a tea ceremony. Return to Guilin, where the rest of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 10

GUILIN–SHANGHAI. Fly to Shanghai, China’s center of trade and industry. (B)

Day 11

SHANGHAI. Today, explore the highlights of Shanghai on a PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR. First, visit the bustling YU YUAN GARDENS, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Then, stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. For lunch, stop at a local restaurant featuring XIAOLONGBAO, Shanghai’s most famous dish. These tasty soup dumplings are handmade with at least 18 intricate folds to close the top. The broth is the star so, to avoid wasting a single drop, gently pick up the dumpling, dip in sauce, and transfer to a Chinese soup spoon. Next, make a small hole to release the steam and allow the broth to cool. After it cools, sip up the broth and then swallow the dumpling. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 12

SHANGHAI. This morning, your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING starts at the SHANGHAI MUSEUM, featuring stunning displays of ancient bronze, jade, and ceramics. Then, take a WALKING TOUR of the former French Concession, once Shanghai’s leading residential and retail area. Today, the qualities that made the area so popular endure—from quaint, tree-lined streets and exquisite architecture to charming shops and fashionable restaurants and bars. Along the way, see the famous Art Deco Cathay Theatre, explore the narrow lanes of Xintiandi, and visit Fuxing Park, where locals play chess, dance, practice tai chi, and more. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)

Day 13

SHANGHAI–HONG KONG. Today, fly to exciting Hong Kong. (B)

Day 14

HONG KONG. Your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING begins with a ride on the popular STAR FERRY from Kowloon Island to Hong Kong Island. On arrival, take a CABLE-CAR RIDE up Victoria Peak for panoramic vistas. Then, explore the old Sheung Wan neighborhood and visit the DRIED SEAFOOD MARKET. Savor a DIM SUM feast for lunch before traversing the Central District aboard the historic DOUBLE DECKER TRAM, commonly referred to as the “Ding Ding,” due to the sound of its bell. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 15

HONG KONG. Enjoy a full day to explore Hong Kong and the surrounding area on your own. Perhaps consider an excursion to see the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island, explore nearby Macau, visit the Temple Street night market, or take a sunset cruise on the harbor. (B)

Day 16

HONG KONG. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Availability

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Price From $ 3,249

Price Per Day: $ 203 _{per day}

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502 Monograms Travel Reviews & Ratings

97%

4.7 out of 5 (100+ reviews)

Excellent 400

Great 72

Average 13

Disappointing 3

Terrible 14

Value

4.7

Guide

4.7

Activities

4.7

Lodging

4.7

Transportation

4.7

Meals

4.7

Captivating China with Hong Kong

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Company Reviews

We had great tour guides

4.0

Norman Meder

December 2022

We had great tour guides. And we saw lots of monkeys.
Our hotels in La Fortuna and Monteverde were not good as I would have expected from Monogram. The Magic Mountain was a very nice property. But breakfast was average at best. Our room wasn't checked before we arrived. We had to change rooms. The safe box didn't work and the toilet seat was broken.
Our room at the Monteverde Country Lodge had no hot water the first night. And the rooms don't have heaters. So they were very cold.