Forbidden City, Beijing & Summer Palace, Beijing

Our Guests at Mutianyu Great Wall & Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Terracotta Army Museum, Xi'an & Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an

Day 8

Zhangjiajie

In the morning, a 40-minute drive will take you to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, which is regarded as the Zhangjiajie landscape museum, offering you a whole view of karst topography blending with the twitter of the birds and lively animals. Here, you will get one of the most thrilling experiences in your life; that is, walking across the world’s longest and highest Glass Bridge, with a relative height of around 300 meters (984 feet) and a length of 430 meters (1,411 feet). It is characterized by its bridge panels, which are made of three layers of 15-millimeter-thick toughened glass to ensure its safety, allowing visitors to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the Canyon while also feeling the harmonious coexistence of technology and nature. Don’t worry too much, the opaque areas on both sides of the bridge can help you overcome your inner fear of walking this high. Later, let’s drive back to the vicinity of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for lunch.

After a simple energy boost, enter from the East Gate of the Park and take the scenic car to Shuirao Simen, where we will begin a relaxing hike along the most beautiful part of Golden Whip Stream, a 7.5-kilometer-long (4.7-mile-long) hiking trail known for its gentle inclines, high concentration of negative oxygen ions and dense woods. During this journey, you will have the opportunity to see rare giant salamanders in the clear stream, ancient auspicious lobster flowers on the banksides, as well as first-class protected Chinese dove trees and metasequoias, which are all unique to Zhangjiajie. What’s more, prepare to be fascinated by the Lovers Peak, which resembles a male and a female hugging and gazing into each other’s eyes affectionately. If you are not too tired and still want to discover more charms, you can also discuss with the guide to accompany you to walk a bit far. At the end of today’s tour, you will be escorted to the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Day 9

Zhangjiajie to Shanghai by Flight

After breakfast, follow our guide’s footsteps to uncover the mystery of Tianmen Mountain, the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie at 1,518.6 meters (4,982 feet) above sea level, which is commonly referred to as the “first sacred mountain of Western Hunan” and the “soul of Zhangjiajie”. To get to the summit, taking the Tianmen cableway, the longest of its kind in the world, is the most convenient way. From the urban area to the countryside, and then to the mountaintop, over the course of a 28-minute run, the beauty of the entire Zhangjiajie will be panoramic. Up on the mountain, we will ensure you the visiting time for around 4 hours. Not only can you stroll along the Cloud Corridor to admire the sea of clouds, but you can also walk on the transparent Glass Skywalk at the edge of the cliff to challenge yourself. Then take the 7-level escalator down to appreciate the prestigious Tianmen Cave. The mountain was once called Songliang Mountain. It is said that during The Three Kingdoms period (220 - 280), one of its precipices suddenly collapsed, creating a huge stone cave that looks like a door leading to heaven. At that time, the emperor of the Wu State, Sun Xiu, thought that this was a good omen, so he changed the name of Songliang to Tianmen, which literally means the Heavenly Door. Afterwards, continue on the 5-level downhill escalator to Tianmen Square and get down to the exit by express cable car.

In the afternoon, let’s pay a visit to the sublime 72 Tujia Stilted Buildings. It is interesting to know that “72” doesn’t represent the exact amount in Chinese, but rather a large number that is unclear. Measuring 109.9 meters (360.6 feet) high, it is the highest stilt house style architecture in the world, which has been included in the Guinness World Records. Looking from a distance, it looks like a village of the Tujia ethnic minority floating in the air. In addition to appreciating its distinctive appearance, various well-preserved private residences of ancient celebrities, exquisitely decorated teahouses belonging to intangible cultural heritage, and a good array of local snacks are waiting for you to discover.

The essence of Zhangjiajie’s charms has almost been explored, and then you will be escorted to the airport and take a flight to Shanghai. Upon your arrival, another guide and driver based there will transfer you to the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Sunrise On The Bund

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World

Shanghai Pudong Seen from the Bund & Enjoy A La Carte Lunch

Day 10

Shanghai

The itinerary in this morning will cover Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and Yu Garden. The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall displays how Shanghai grew from a small fishing village into a giant modern metropolis. It also exhibits the clever city planning with models, photos, videos and more. The Yu Garden with exquisite design and elegant environment is a classic private garden with more than 400 years' history. It’s the best of its kind in Shanghai. After, walking past Yuyuan Bazaar outside the Yu Garden and take the private car to the noted restaurant we have selected for you. An a la carte farewell lunch will be served there.

★ Appreciate Cityscape Joyfully on Huangpu River Cruise Afterwards, take a pleasant cruise on the Huangpu River, which is flanked by old Euromerican style buildings in the west and outstanding skyscrapers in the east. They are the representative cityscape of Shanghai in the past, present and future.

Free time will then be left for you to explore the Bund for a while. The day will conclude with a leisurely stroll in an old cultural zone, Tianzifang, where you will experience elegant and artsy culture.

► Dinner Suggestion:
Do drop by the Xing’An Restaurant on Xing’An Road, not far away from whichever hotel you choose. It has sat there for three decades and radiates an ambiance that belongs to past Shanghai. It’s said the owner-cook knows how to make Japanese cuisine, which has inspired him to make experiments that later became his featured dishes. Anyway, this is where you can get a taste of distinctive Shanghai cuisine. (Average cost per person: CNY 90 / USD 12.) The Xing’An Road, some 600 meters (0.4 miles) long, is interesting as well. Dating back to 1902, it is a longtang, historical lane in local language, once home to many famous people with old traces found everywhere. For its cultural significance, now the entire lane are being protected.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte farewell lunchThe itinerary in this morning will cover Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and Yu Garden. The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall displays how Shanghai grew from a small fishing village into a giant modern metropolis. It also exhibits the clever city planning with models, photos, videos and more. The Yu Garden with exquisite design and elegant environment is a classic private garden with more than 400 years' history. It’s the best of its kind in Shanghai. After, walking past Yuyuan Bazaar outside the Yu Garden and take the private car to the noted restaurant we have selected for you. An a la carte farewell lunch will be served there.

★ Appreciate Cityscape Joyfully on Huangpu River Cruise Afterwards, take a pleasant cruise on the Huangpu River, which is flanked by old Euromerican style buildings in the west and outstanding skyscrapers in the east. They are the representative cityscape of Shanghai in the past, present and future.

Free time will then be left for you to explore the Bund for a while. The day will conclude with a leisurely stroll in an old cultural zone, Tianzifang, where you will experience elegant and artsy culture.

► Dinner Suggestion:
Do drop by the Xing’An Restaurant on Xing’An Road, not far away from whichever hotel you choose. It has sat there for three decades and radiates an ambiance that belongs to past Shanghai. It’s said the owner-cook knows how to make Japanese cuisine, which has inspired him to make experiments that later became his featured dishes. Anyway, this is where you can get a taste of distinctive Shanghai cuisine. (Average cost per person: CNY 90 / USD 12.) The Xing’An Road, some 600 meters (0.4 miles) long, is interesting as well. Dating back to 1902, it is a longtang, historical lane in local language, once home to many famous people with old traces found everywhere. For its cultural significance, now the entire lane are being protected.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte farewell lunch