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Day 1: Beijing (late morning departure)
Beijing: Site of the 2008 summer Olympics, Beijing is the political, cultural and historical epicenter of China. Home to national treasures such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, this vibrant city boasts cutting edge architecture, traditional courtyard homes, placid lakes and world class dining and entertainment.
Day 2: Guilin (morning arrival)
Located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin is one of China's most picturesque cities and popular tourist destinations. Distinctive strangely shaped karst/limestone mountains, unique caves, crystal clear waters and luxuriant green vegetation bring magic to the surroundings of Guilin. Named after the fragrance of osmanthus tree, Guilin was first inhabited in Qing Dynasty over 2,000 years ago. It is currently home to 12 ethnic nationalities with a total population of 1,260,000 in the city and surrounding area. Tangula passengers get the opportunity to explore the poetic and picturesque Li River on this exceptional Southern route tour. This cruise is obligatory for all passengers; a choice of options will be available upon completion of this cruise.
Li River Cruise C 5 hours (all guests) 09:30 C 14:30
The Li River is well-known all over the world. Many Chinese artists have been
inspired by the peaceful and enchanting scenery, with numerous paintings portraying
the famous peaks of the mountains. Between Guilin and Yangshuo, it traverses 84
kilometers like a jade ribbon winding among thousands of hills. Along the river the
rolling peaks, steep cliffs, green hills, mysterious caves and clear water resemble a
fascinating hundred-mile long picture gallery. The Li River Boat Company offers a cruise ship that is specially chartered for Tangula passengers (it has 88 tourist boats and 8000 passenger seats). Being the leading cruise company in Guilin, it has even catered for several famous former foreign state leaders, including US President Bill Clinton, United Nation's Secretary-general Palis. Dequiliyar and Singapore's President Wang Dingchang. Consequently, the company is used to servicing guests at the highest standards. Tangula guests will undertake the cruise at a specially appointed time (around 10h30) when the river is less frequented by other tourist cruise boats. This rare privilege is granted only to passengers of Tangula so they can truly absorb the peace and entrancing natural
landscape surrounding the river and avoid the hassles of the usual tourist crowd.
Li River Cruise followed by;
A. Yangshuo Market and Reed Flute Cave - 4 hours
Yangshuo is the most gorgeous town situated along the Li River. This small town demonstrates a spectacular fusion of the traditional lifestyle and architecture of Guilin
and at the same time offers many attractive leisure and entertainment opportunities including the famous cycling-tours through Guilin's spectacular landscapes. Lush green rice paddy fields, country villages, huge and bizarre karst mountains, farmers in traditional conical hats, water buffalos lumbering through the river.these fairytale images are a symbol of the real China' to many a traveler. Yangshuo has a delightful market which Tangula passengers can stop to explore on their journey. The winding market lies along the river front and the town centre. It is an excellent place to buy souvenirs as a keepsake to remember the magic of Yangshuo town.
Later, guests can journey to the Reed Flute Cave located in the Northwest of Guilin
City, 5 kilometers away from the centre of the city. An exciting opportunity of exploring this mystical labyrinth in seclusion from other tourists (after normal opening hours) is presented only to Tangula passengers. The cave is a famous scenic spot which resembles a magic fairyland of stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, curtains and flowers in fantastic shapes and colors. Among these never-to-be-forgotten scenes are the Rosy Dawn in the Lion Hill', the round-topped Mosquito Net', the Dragon-shaped Pagoda', the Forest', the Crystal Palace', the Hill of Flowers and Fruits', etc. Thus, the cave is highly praised as an :'Art Palace' of nature.
B. Chinese Calligraphy lesson C 4 hours
Tangula guests can bring forth the artist inside by trying out Chinese calligraphy, an ancient and abstract form of Chinese art. Calligraphy is one of the 4 arts which were part of an important criterion for the Chinese literati during the Imperial era.Shu fa' or calligraphy is thought to reveal one's personality. Through controlling the concentration of ink, the thickness and adsorbitivity of the paper, and the flexibility of the brush, the artist is free to produce an infinite variety of styles and forms. Offering harmony and relaxation, this remarkably unique excursion is ideal for creative souls. Tangula guests will be free to take home their pieces of art as a special souvenir.
C. Stunning Yangshuo Landscapes Tour C 4 hours
Tangula passengers will be bicycling or taking golf carts to discover the magnificent scenery dotting the countryside near the town of Yangshuo. Breathtaking natural panorama including visions of lush green rice paddies, citrus orchards, exotic small canals, exotic bird life, water buffaloes splashing in the river, farmers in traditional conical hats tending the fields, and beautiful karst mountains meet the visitor's eyes as they pass through these traditional rustic villages which are untouched by modernization to this day.
Guests will get to explore an idyllic village tucked away in the hills of Yangshuo. Mysterious ancient dwelling houses made of clay and bamboo and gorgeous scenery are part of the main highlights. This opportunity is highly unique; the village is little known and generally undiscovered by most visitors. Moreover, Tangula passengers will get a fascinating chance to visit a local farmer's family and gain a private insight into what life is like in a small and sleepy Southern Chinese traditional village.
Afterwards, they can view Moon Hill, one of Yangshuo's main attractions. The hill
gets its name from the moon-like hole on the top of the hill. It evokes an overall
atmosphere of romance which charms many visitors.
Day 3: Xingyi (arrival early afternoon)
Xingyi, located in southwest Guizhou, is remote and off the beaten track for most travelers. Thus, it is a lot less touristic than other cities in Southern China. Despite
being a less developed, Guizhou is blessed with many natural delights, including beautiful karst landscape rivaling that of Guilin, a multitude of minority villages and festivals and wonderful weather. Its main attraction is the 15km long impressive Maling Gorge, just a few kilometers from town.
Itinerary:
A. Hiking in the Maling Gorge C 5 hours
The Maling Gorge is a long, deep crevice in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau cut by the surging Maling River. The narrowest point of the gorge is only 50metres wide and it has an average depth of about 200-400metres. Numerous imposing permanent and seasonal waterfalls (approximately 100 in total) plunge or cascade down the steep cliffs on both sides of the gorge, of which quite a few are more than a 100metres high. The gorge cliffs are covered in calcium deposits which form unique patterns resembling hanging tapestries.
Guests will take a 20 minute-ride to the Maling Gorge. They will go hiking down to the bottom of the gorge and walk along the plank ways built on the cliff faces above the river on both banks with a local guide. Taking about 3hours, this hike demands some strenuous trekking as most of the paths include many steps and are very steep. Hikers will follow paths behind and along several cascading waterfalls, many of which literally drop off the plateau from both sides of the gorge to the river below. While the trek is tiring, the stunning view at the bottom of the gorge makes it well worth the trip!
*Recommended for the adventurous and those in good physical condition.
B. Mabie Buyi village - Embroidery making- Maling Gorge C 5 hours
Mabie Buyi Village is well-known for the Buyi ethnic minority (the second largest ethnic group in the Guizhou province). Tangula guests will get the opportunity to enjoy the Buyi performance, Bayinzuochang in this village. Bayinzuochang is a welcome performance by the villagers, describing the local peoples' daily life with dancing and eight different kinds of musical instruments. This area is still quite untouched by outside influence and the people have retained their primitive and mysterious ethnic customs and architecture. Later, guests can watch the unique and fascinating embroidery making of the older women of the village. This is one of the main ways the locals are able to pass on the Buyi traditions to the younger generation.
Guests will also get the chance to do a short hiking trip to see the amazing scenery of the Maling Gorge area. They will go down steps to reach the bottom of the Maling Gorge and return to the entrance by elevator. This route is comfortable and it takes less than an hour to walk along the bottom of the gorge. Numerous spectacular waterfalls and magical stone formations form part of the spectacular view.
C. Ten Thousand Peaks - Village Visits- Market Tour C 5 hours
Ten Thousand Peaks', (also called Wanfeng Peak) is an unusual and visually striking
area of karst mountain landscapes, located along the lower reaches of the Maling River Valley and near to Xingyi. The ancient Chinese geologist Xu Xiake wrote in his travel journal, "There are countless mountain peaks on earth, but only the peaks in Xingyi actually resemble a peak forest".
Tangula guests will get a unique opportunity to explore this mountainous region and
appreciate the serenity and exquisite beauty of the surrounding landscape. Furthermore, they will be able to gain a special glimpse into the Nahui Buyi villagers' daily life. This ethnic tribe still lives in clay houses located between isolated and picturesque fields and hills.
Tangula guests can later on exclusively accompany local housewives as they do their
shopping in the Fengyuan Market (a vast fruit and vegetable market) and learn first-hand about the culture and routines of the local people. They will also hopefully have the opportunity to browse the market with the Chef of the Tanglula Train as he shops for fresh ingredients.
*This option was customized for people who prefer less walking as the largest part of
the trip is conducted by golf cart.
Day 4: Shilin - Stone forest (morning)
A. Explore the stone forest C 4 hours
The Stone Forest is a 270-million-year-old limestone karst formation of tightly bundled gray rocky outcrops located about 80 miles Southeast of Kunming. This forest is a geological phenomenon, created by a vast expanse of sea during the Paleozoic era about 270 million years ago. The extraordinary stone pinnacles rising abruptly from the ground resemble a huge, dense forest or a mysterious labyrinth. The Tangula passengers' local tour guide will lead them part of the way in golf carts, after which they will get the chance to walk through these natural stone masterpieces and bewitching intricate formations. They will then get to enjoy a traditional and beautiful folk dance performance from the Yi people, which are the one of the minority groups inhabiting this area. The isolated route undertaken by the guests to view the natural sights is less frequented by other tourists, making this sightseeing trip very special.
B. Explore the stone forest and Hiking in the outer stone forest C 4 hours
Transfer to the entrance of hiking at the outside of stone forest by golf carts. Tangula
passengers will receive a rare and wonderful treat - they get to hike and discover the fantastical landscape of a special and extremely remote and quiet area of the outer stone forest, a privilege granted to few other visitors. This option is strenuous and concentrated more on active trekking rather than just sightseeing in the forest.
Kunming (afternoon)
Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province is located in central Yunnan and north of the Dianchi Basin. Because it is covered all year around in a luxuriant abundance of gorgeous plants and flowers and has a mild climate with cool summers and warm winters, Kunming has been nicknamed "City of Spring". It is also known as the main historical and cultural centre in southwest China. During the ancient Silk Road times, Kunming was an important gateway to Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India. The city is celebrated for its alluring highland scenery and its diverse and exotic people and culture.
Itinerary:
A. Visit of flower market-green lake park-tea house Ikebana C 4 hours
Tangula guests can wander through this vast flower market made up of nearly a 100
small flower shops. Fresh and dried flowers, rare orchids and rosesyou can find almost any type of flower imaginable here. The intense heavenly fragrance of the blooms surrounds you as soon as you enter the market. The picturesque Green Lake Park is located in the city centre. The park was once part of Dianchi Lake, but is now filled with small islands covered with bamboo, palms and willows. Every afternoon, locals congregate in different sections of the park to play music, sing traditional songs, dance or experience the wide variety of free entertainment available. Providing a welcome respite from the busy city streets, it is one of the best places in Kunming to relax and people watch.
Later, Tangula guests can taste and enjoy not only the many special blends of Chinese tea in a teahouse, but also experience traditional music and a Mahjong demonstration! Mahjong is a very famous and ancient Chinese game played with usually 150 pieces and 4 players. Afterwards, they can watch an Ikebana demonstration, a unique Japanese style of flower arrangement in the park. They will also get to explore the local wholesale market accompanied by a housewife who can provide invaluable local knowledge and advice.
B. Western Hill and Dragon Gate C 4 hours
The guide will take Tangula passengers for a tour around the Western Hills which lie
among the Biji Mountain chain to the west of Kunming. Locally called Sleeping Beauty', folk legends say that she is dreaming of her lover's return and her tears have formed the vast Dianchi Lake. The Western Hills are famous for their numerous scenic spots and beautiful and ancient temples hidden among the clouds and mist. Tangula visitors can hike up to the unique Dragon Gate, a stone carved edifice which includes a stone archway, a platform, a stone room and a number of sculptures, all carved out of the same rock on top of the cliff. After marveling at the stunning views, they can visit small temples on the way down and explore a small and charming market at the foot of the hill.
*Walking uphill will be required.
Day 5: Dali (morning arrival) transfer to Lijiang
Lijiang (arrival at 13:00)
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