PRIVATE TOUR: SCENIC CHINA BY TRAIN 10 DAYS

DAY 1 : BEIJING
Arrival Beijing airport. You will be met by your private guide and driver and transfer to the hotel of your choice for a 3 nights stay. After settling in at your hotel, your guide will take you for a city walking tour visiting Tiananmen Square, Great Hall of People, Chairman Mao Mausoleum, and the Forbidden City. Enjoy a Peking Duck lunch. (L)

DAY 2 : BEIJING
Morning to visit the Temple of Heaven followed by a leisurely walk along the cobblestone lanes nearby lined with street artists, teahouses and private shops. Then visit the Summer Palace, a grand and sensual palace complex set around the beautiful Kunming Lake, dotted with dozens of halls, pavilions and temples. Your guide will escort you through the wonderful 'Long Corridor' and describe its artistic history. (B, L)

DAY 3 : BEIJING
A day trip outside Beijing to visit the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall, stretches over 6000 km, from the Yellow Sea on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west, is one of the few sights in the world still able to exceed the expectations of visitors. Walk along, or ride the cable car, on the wall admiring the panoramic views it offers. Later this day returns to hotel for a refreshing shower. Tonight a cultural performance is included - your choice of peking opera, acrobatics show or puppet show in a local teahouse. (B, L)
* Cultural performance is excluded in Standard Class.

DAY 4 : BEIJING - NANJING
Half day free at leisure. Afternoon transfer to station for your journey south along the east coast to Nanjing. Overnight. Your comfortable private compartment is equiped with air-conditioning, two comfortable beds supplied with clean blankets, sheets and pillows, a sofa, table, and private washroom. The tourist train also features a dining car serve freshly prepared dishes. This train is designated to provide the highest comfortability for tourists and is at least as comfortable as those of European or American. (B)

DAY 5 : NANJING
This morning, enjoy a spectacular departure over the vast Yangzi River Bridge before arriving Nanjing. Nanjing means 'Southern Capital'. The city lies on a strategic location on the southern bank of Yangzi River. It was frequently the capital of regional empires and twice the capital of China, and each has left its mark on Nanjing.
After settling in at your hotel, you will be taken to visit the Ming City Wall, built in the 14th century, this wall rivals that of Xian and is the longest city wall in the world. The Drum Tower, built in 1382, was used to signal time and warned the citizens of danger. After lunch with local delicacies, drive to the Purple Gold Mountain, a scenic wooden hill hosting a collection of historical sights. Visit the Masuoleum of Sun Yat-sen, founder of Republican China; walk along the Scared Way, lined with beautifully carved stone statues, leading to the Tomb of First Ming Emperor. You may also want to see the Beamless Hall and Linggu Temple. (B, L)

DAY 6 : NANJING - HANGZHOU
After breakfast, transfer to station for a five hours scenic train journey to Hangzhou. Sit back and relax as the train winds its way south, crossing the fertile Jiangsu province dotted with muddy rice fields and rural villages. Greeted by children who waved at us as the iron roaster passes by. Mid-day arrival into Hangzhou. Lunch in a local restaurant with many Hangzhou speciality dishes. This afternoon you'll visit the Temple of Solidary followed by a tea tasting in a tea villa. (B, L)

DAY 7 : HANGZHOU
Hangzhou is famed throughout China for its tea and the picturesque West Lake, which for centuries has inspired poets and literates for great creations. Today you'll spend leisurely on the charming lake. Take a chartered sampan and immense in the beauty of the lake. After sampling a seafood lunch on a delightful boat restaurant, explore its landscaped islands and stroll along the winding paths lined with blooming flowers and bamboo trees. Try out some snack in a lakeside tea house and soak up plenty of atmosphere! (B, L)
* Free day at leisure for Standard Class.

DAY 8 : HANGZHOU - SHANGHAI
After breafkast, transfer to station for the last train journey (2 hours) along the countryside to Shanghai. Private transfer to hotel followed by an overview city tour covering the Yuyuan Garden, the Old Town, Jade Buddha Temple and the Bund - colorful waterfront filled with neo-classical and art deco buildings. Tonight, a cultural performance in included - your choice of circus show, ballet, or acrobatics show. (B, L)
* Cultural performance is not included in Standard Class.

DAY 9 : SHANGHAI
Today is free at leisure. We suggest a visit to the newly opened Shanghai Art Museum on your own. Stroll along the Former French Concession Area with its unique stone framed houses (Shikumen), traditional clinics and private shops, and have lunch in one of the chic restaurants. You may also want to do some shopping along the bustling Nanjing Road and walk along its night market. (B)

DAY 10 : SHANGHAI
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight home or perhaps extend your train journey to Hong Kong? (B)
* Departure transfer is not included in Standard Class.

Optional Extension to Hong Kong on the Overland Express —

DAY 10 : SHANGHAI - HONG KONG
After breakfast, transfer to station for the overland express train to Hong Kong. Prepare yourself for the scenic 24 hours journey, crossing four different provinces in southeast China. Your private deluxe compartment is equiped with air-conditioning, two lower beds which convert to seating during daytime, supplied with clean blanket, sheet, and pillow, a table, and two western WC at the each end of your car. The train also features a dining car serve freshly prepared dishes. This train is designated to provide the highest comfortability for tourists and is at least as comfortable as those of European or American.

DAY 11 : HONG KONG
Mid-day arrival into Hong Kong, own way to your hotel which is conveniently located in the center of the city and within walking distance from the station. Stay for 2 nights. Rest of the day free.

DAY 12 : HONG KONG
Free day at leisure.

DAY 13 : HONG KONG
Own shuttle bus to airport. End of itinerary.