12-day LGBT China Popular Tour

Show visitors the splendid culture in ancient China from Beijing and Xian, the great achievents Shanghai had after opening-up policy, dramatic Karst landscape and beautiful Li River in Guilin and elegant garden based scenery in Suzhou.

Day 1: Arrival at Beijing No Meals

Our local professional guide and experienced driver will expect you at the airport after your baggage reclaim and customs clearance, and then escort you to check in the hotel in downtown area. Relax during the rest time of the day to recover from the jet leg. You will get some suggestions about how to spend the rest time of the day from our tour guide.


Destination (club)(optional activity)
Location: 7 Gongti Xi Lu,Chaoyang district
Tel: 86-10-6552 8180
website: www.bjdestination.com
Opening Hour: 8pm-3am Sun-Thu; 8pm-5am Fri-Sat. Free entry Wednesdays.


Brief Introduction: The original golden oldie. Despite being Beijing's longest-established LGBT venue (it was launched around 2004), Des, as it’s affectionately known to locals, has managed to remain top dog. The popular Friday and Saturday spectaculars are among the best-attended and most colourful in town, and the multi-level layout prevents most spaces other than the heaving dance floor from ever being intolerably overcrowded. International guest DJs and occasionally a sprinkling of go-go boys, drag queens or even the odd celebrity arrive on weekends to sweeten the pot. The confidential and free HIV testing clinic on the top floor, run by golden-hearted volunteers from LGBT NGO Danlan, is also a valuable addition. Drinks are buy-one-get-one-free before 10pm. Entry charges vary and usually include a free drink. Regulars can purchase membership cards (500RMB or 1,000RMB) for discounted entry and drinks deals.


Attention:

1. If you have no intention to Bar visiting, please tell your trip advisor who will omit that activity, requote the tour and give you the practical arrangements immediately.
2. Bars do have rest time and not available in whole 365 days, and we will recommend the equivalent ones to you based on your specific touring date if the bars closed. If you do have some in mind, please feel free to let me know.
3. Generally, the bar visiting activity is placed at the first night of a new destination for giving both you and your tour guide much more time to rest and prepare for the next days' activity. However, we would pull it out and arrange to 2nd or 3rd day if it has time conflict with your flight, or sightseeing.

Day 2: Beijing Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Tiananmen Square

The Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world (440,000 square meters), which was originally designed and built in Beijing in 1651 and enlarged to its present size in 1958. Nowadays, it has become a great relaxing place for the common people to do exercises, and on holidays, the whole square will be covered with fresh flowers. Meanwhile, it is sitll the key tourist area of Beijing for here has Tianan'men Gatetower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Great Hall of the People, China Revolutionary Museum and Museum of Chinese History. If you have chance, the Tianan'men Flag Raising Ceremony should not be missed. Chinese military honor guards march with perfect rhythm and synchronicity to raise or lower the national flag.


Forbidden City

Located at the city center and called Gu Gong in Chinese, Beijing Forbidden City was the imperial palace for twenty-four emperors during the Ming(1368-1644) and Qing dynasties(1644-1911). Lying to the north of Tiananmen Square it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a 52-meter-wide moat and a 10-meter-high wall are more than 8,700 rooms. Construction of the palace complex began in 1407, the 5th year of the Yongle reign of the third emperor (Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Di) of the Ming dynasty. It was completed fourteen years later in 1420, and then the capital city was moved from Nanjing to Beijing the next year. Here is the right place to know the China's glorious past and imperial culture.


Summer Palace

The original Summer Palace was built for celebrtaing the birthday of Emperor Qianlongs' in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) but burnt down by Anglo-French allied forces in 1860. Rebuilt in 1888 by Empress Dowager Cixi but destroyed by the Eight Power Allied Forces in 1900. What you can see was rebuilt since 1903 though some architectures are destroyed forever. It is the largest preserved imperial garden and a former summer retreat for emperors. the 726.5 acres' area and three quarters water, Summer Palace is a perfect example of refined craftwork with finest materials, Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake etc with over 3,000 structures: pavilions, towers, bridges, corridors etc.


Day 3: Beijing Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Badaling Great Wall

Located in Yanqing County Beijing, Badaling Section Great Wall is an important pass of the Ming Great Wall as a part of the great defensive project. Badaling is in the first place among the nine forts and a unique representation in the Ming Great Wall. Due to its high position with a steep terrain, it had become an important military pass in Ming dynasty and barrier against enemies in Beijing. It is the earliest opened spot of the Ming Great Wall to tourists. The Badaling scenic spot includes Badaling Great Wall as main part, Badaling Hotel, the Great Wall Museum of China whose name was dedicated by former President Jiang Zemin and other fully functional modern facilities for tourism service. The scenic area is well-know to the world by its grand landscape, perfect facilities and profound cultural historical connotation.


Ming Tombs-Dingling Mausoleum

As the representative of the Ming Thirteen Mausoleum where buried 13 emperors and 23 empress of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Ding Mausoleum is the tomb of the Emperor Zhu Yijun, the 13th emperor of Ming Dynasty, and it is also the only one whose underground palace was unearthed. Buildings on the ground consist of Treasure City, Grand Mansion, Ling'en Hall, two ground auxiliary halls, Ling'en Gate, Ling Gate, Shenbo Oven, Dinvine Wardrobe, Divine Stock, Slaughter Pavilion and Wailuo City, etc. The Grand Mansion is definitely the highlight of the Dingling. It is not only gallant and splendid, but also does not have a piece of wood and a nail. The rafters, brackets and inscribed board of the upper and lower caves are all inlaid with white stone sculptures and painted with colorful pictures which look like wood structure. The underground Palace consists of 5 underground halls buried Emperor Zhuyijun and two Queens, Xiaoduan and Xiaojing.


Beijing Roast Duck

Usually, climbing the Great Wall, enjoying Beijing Opera and savoring Beijing Duck are considered as three "musts" for those visiting Beijing for the first time. The traditional method of preparing Beijing Duck has a history of over 100 years with many legendary stories. Nowadays, Beijing has several restaurants offering decent Beijing Roast Duck with different flavors, such as Quanjude and Pianyifang.

Day 4: Beijing Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Temple of Heaven

Listed in the World Heritage List in 1998, Temple of Heaven was used to hold a memorial ceremony for the God in Winter Solstice Festival and to pray for harvest in the first month of the lunar year by the emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties. It is China's existing largest structure for sacrifice to heaven. Built in the first half of the AD 15th century, it is located in the royal gardens and surrounded by ancient pines. Here you can find the ancient China's philosophy on the relationship between the heaven and earth, which dominated the whole ancient China's history.


Yonghe Lama Temple

Built in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as the residence of the Emperor Yongzheng (the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty) before he ascended the throne, Yonghe Lama Temple is the largest and best-preserved lamasery in Beijing. in 1744, the residence was completely converted into a lamasery, so the features make it very different and unique from others, looks like a mini-palace with yellow glazed tiles on the roof and red walls circling the group of buildings.


Beijing Opera Performance

Beijing Opera represents the finest combination of literature, music, dance, martial arts, fine arts, acrobatics and many other arts available. Its way of performing is of as much a feature, differing from opera, pantomime and drama. The Peking Opera is a kind of art that pays equal attention to 'Chang (Singing)', 'Nian (Speaking)', 'Zuo (Acting)' and 'Da (Fighting)'. Singing in Beijing Opera has the certain tune that expresses the sentiment of the dramatic persona;Speaking in the play is the speech except singing; Acting is the performance of movement and expression; Fighting is the martial arts performed by dancing. It enables the audience to be inspired by the affection, not only from the language but also from the music, the physique and the fine arts. Simultaneously, Beijing Opera provides the opportunity to appreciate the pleasing stylistic and artistic harmony of the dance and music, the strength of the rhythm and designs even from only experiencing one act.

Day 5: Beijing/Xian Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hutong Rickshaw Tour

If you want to know Beijing culture and local history, Hutong should not be missed, and the best way to tour Hutong in limited time should be the rickshaw which saves time and energy and enlarges your tour range. The lanes have their own layout and structure, and when viewed from the air the combination of the lanes and courtyards resemble a chessboard with delicate gardens, fine rockeries and ancient ruins this makes them a wonder in the world. In the past, Beijing was composed of hundreds of courtyards around the Forbidden City, and these lanes stretched out in all four directions, connecting the different kinds of courtyards in the city. However, as the requirement for city construction, the number of them has fallen dramatically from 3250 to 1000.


Beijing to Xian

After touring Hutong, you will be transfered to Beijing airport taking flight to Xian. While arrived at Xian, you will escorted to hotel in downtown Xian. You will get some suggestions about how to spend the rest time of the day from our tour guide.


1+1 Club (mixed)(optional activity)

Location: Dong Da Jie (opposite the Royal Hotel).


Brief Introduction: The locals call it Yi Jia Yi. A two-floor club divided into three sections: a dance area always packed with young party people and DJ spinning hip hop/R&B/electronica beats; a lounge/chill section located at the back where people are better dressed and drink more expensive booze (dancing occurs here intermittently in the space between tables); and a pool area where guests sit in lounge chairs and tables to rest their feet or ears from the pulsating club (people here usually order coffee or tea). Navigating the club is tricky at first as there are several stairs and passageways leading to all three sections. There are a lot of attendants to help you find your way though. Crowded even on weekdays.

Day 6: Xi'an Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

It is a MUSTSEE tour spot in China. History shows that upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC), Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of all China, who destroyed 6 states in China and unified whole China, had begun to work for his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. Over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Most of them have been restored to their former grandeur. These life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and vigor.


Muslim Quarter

Located to the north of the West Street in the city center, Xian Muslim Quarter is the hub of the Muslim community in Xian City. Here covers several blocks inhabitated over 20,000 Muslims. The world famous Great Mosque locates here. Walking along this twisted, narrow street, you will find numerous artwork stalls and the Muslim men with white hats sit inside it and talk leisurely with each other. Meanwhile, more and more tourists are coming here for the delicious snacks, such as preserved meat, casserole, various noodles, and so on. Besides, if you want to buy souvenirs, no place is better than here.


Tang Dynasty Dance Show

As an art form, the show has its roots in folk fetes, praying for a good harvest or a better life, stories about Emperors. By combining poetry with the skilled playing of musical instruments, singing, dancing and also stunning costumes, the modern presentation is certain to give you an impressive view of ancient China including its splendid history, brilliant arts, distinct traditions and customs. Besides, Xian does have many places to enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, such as Tang Dynasty Palace (Tang Yue Gong), Tang Paradise, Theater in Grand New World Hotel, Shaanxi Song & Dance Theater, Sunshine  Lido grand theater and Live Singing and Dancing Show in Huaqing Hot Spring.


Day 7: Xian/Guilin Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Ancient City Wall

Xian Ancient City Wall is 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide at the top, 15-18 meters thick at the bottom and covers 13.7 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it. The 98 ramparts on the wall, which extend out from the main wall with every 120 meters distance, were built to defend against the enemy climbing up the wall. Each rampart has a sentry building, in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the enemy. On the outer side of the city wall, there are 5948 crenellations (battlement), from which the soldiers can outlook and shoot at the enemy. On the inner side, parapets were built to protect the soldiers from falling off.


Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Located in the southern suburb of Xian City, about 4 kilometers (2.49 miles) from the downtown of the city, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists and the symbol of the old-line Xian. Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. Have you heard or watched the movie<Journey to the West> or the handsome Monkey King? Do it, then you will find the meaning of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.


Xian to Guilin

After touring, you will be transfered to Xian airport taking flight to Guilin. While arrived at Guilin, you will escorted to hotel in downtown Guilin. You will get some suggestions about how to spend the rest time of the day from our tour guide.


No. 8 Club (mixed)(optional activity)

Location: 8 Jie Fang Dong Rd
Tel: 139-7730-3388, 299-9189, 237-7999
Features: Mixed club frequented by lots of tourists and locals. No dance floor.

Day 8: Guilin/Yangshuo Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Li River cruise

From Guilin to Yangshuo, the Li River gracefully flows over 83 kilometers and the banks of the river offer the most beautiful scenery. This section of the Li River appears like a classic Chinese ink painting with its green hills, crystal water, verdant bamboo and clear water reflection. The great Tang Dynasty poet Han Yu vividly described the landscape as "the river winds like a green silk ribbon, while the hills are like jade hairpins". The comfortable Li River cruise will take approximately 4 hours from the bustle of city life and into a peaceful and relaxing world. The only thing you need to do is bring your imagination, a camera, and keep your eyes open, as the stunning Karst landscape will give you a surprise around each bend of the Li River flows under the clear blue sky.


West Sreet

"Global Street", ancient and local architectures, Chinese and western style restaurants and coffee bars, various and memorable tourist souvenirs, special and tasty snacks and beautiful night scene with exotic styles, sounds weird, but it's West Street Yangshuo. Meanwhile, it is very modern and fashionable, nearly every store has bilingual shop signs, and more than 20 stores are opened by foreigners who have settled here. On the other hand, It is the best place for Chinese people to learn foreign languages and for foreigners to study Chinese. There are dozens of foreign language schools, training centers, training camps and computer training courses along West Street.


Impression Liu Sanjie

Impression Liu Sanjie is an outdoor performance set in real mountains and rivers in Yangshuo County. The stage is a 2km (1.25 miles) stretch along Li River with 12 mountain peaks and the clear sky as the background. Indistinct mountain peaks, reflections in the clear water, misty rain, and bamboo forests along with the sound of animals in their natural environment all vie for our attention and serve as peaceful interludes to the performance itself. You can sit back and relax to enjoy the show and peaceful surroundings while the director and actors bring you an unforgettable night.


Day 9: Guilin/Shanghai Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Reed Fleet Cave

Reed Flute Cave is a marvelous cave with a stunning world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition since 180 million years ago. And illuminated by colored lighting, this fantastic world of stunning sceneries is found in many variations along 240 meters long cave. Walking through the serried stone pillars on changing spots, a feeling of here is the paradise Gods live. This natural limestone cave with multicolored lighting has been one of the Guilin’s "Must see" marvelous attractions for over 1,200 years, and got the name from the type of reed growing outside, which could be made into melodious flutes.


Elephant Trunk Hill

Located at the confluence of the Taohua River and the Lijiang River, Elephant Trunk Hill is just like a huge elephant drinking water from the river with its trunk, hence the name. Shui Yue Cave (Water Moon Cave), the round opening which is between the trunk and the legs, got the name because the reflection of the moon could be seen through the arch, and it looks like it is under the water and floating on the surface of the water at the same time. It will be romantic to boat through the semi-round cave when the river is rich in water with “half moon” under the water. A must see attraction of Guilin.


Seven Star Park

As the largest comprehensive and most beautiful park in Guilin, Seven Star Park with elegant mountains, miraculous stone forest, deep and serene valleys, valued cultural relics, clear water and plentiful animals and plants becomes very popular since the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) Dynasties. It got its name from the seven peaks that are supposed to resemble the star pattern of the Big Dipper constellation. The main sights contain Flower Bridge, Putuo Mountain, Seven Stars Cave (at the Putuo Hill), Camel Hill, Crescent Mountain, Guihai Stele Forest and Light of China Square.


Guilin to Shanghai

After touring, you will be transfered to Guilin airport taking flight to Shanghai. While arrived at Shanghai, you will escorted to hotel in downtown Shanghai. You will get some suggestions about how to spend the rest time of the day from our tour guide.

Day 10: Shanghai/Suzhou/Shanghai Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The Humber Administration's Garden

Humber Administration's Garden, the largest garden in Suzhou at nearly 52,000sqm, is one of the most flowing and beautiful classical Chinese gardens in all Eastern China. A garden was first built on this site in the 1100's. The grounds and flowing waterways are lovely any time of the year, but mid April thru May is when the flowering trees are most in bloom. It is a great place for children, but peace and serenity only abide before the crowds and megaphones join the flow from 10AM. Keep in mind that the beautiful carved stone steps and paths are not pushchair or wheelchair friendly and allow yourself a good 2 hours to meander through all the elements.


Panmen Gate

Located in the southwest of Suzhou city, Panmen Gate is the oldest city gate in Suzhou city. It was first built in B.C. 514 as one of eight city gates in the Spring & Autumn Period (770-476 BC) when Suzhou was the capital of the Wu Kingdom. The present gate was reconstructed in 1351, and consists of Water and Land Gates, the City Gate Tower and City Walls at both sides. The current magnificent gate tower was rebuilt in 1986 with flying eaves and up-turning corners. Panmen Gate is a fortress suitable for ancient water-towns like Suzhou in the southern part of China. It is also known in China for its architecture complex of both land and water city gates.


The Grand Canal

Grand Canal, also known as Jinghang (Beijing to Hangzhou) Grand Canal, is the most ancient man-made canal in China and the world. With a length of around 1,770 km, Grand Canal traverses Beijing, Tianjin, and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, to the city of Hangzhou. The oldest sections of the canal can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period, more than 2,400 years ago. Suzhou Section is the essential part undertaking freight transport on the canal. Most of the coal, constructional materials, rice, oil and various agricultural products to the city, towns, villages are transferred through the course of the river.


Silk Museum

Here you can see the actual silk worms and the cocoons in which they unravel and use to make the silk blankets, clothes and scarves. They put several silk cocoons on top of each other to create the blankets and use various dyes to add color to the clothing articles. Here sells silk comforters, silk duvet covers, silk ties and so on, and the price listed is not negotiable.


Day 11: Day11. Shanghai Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Bund

Centres on a section of Zhongshan Road (East-1 Zhongshan Rd.),the Bund is a mustsee in Shanghai for all reasons you have. There are 26 various buildings in different architectural styles, such as Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance etc. Besides, the 1,700-meters long flood-control wall, which is located on the side of Huangpu River from Huangpu Park to Xinkai River, is also known as the 'the lovers' wall' for the romantic hollowed-out railings and nice position to take the 'snap-shot' of the scenery of Pudong Area and Huangpu River. The Symphony of Lights, the night Huangpu river cruise, the cate along the bund, the shopping malls group, all of these give you reasons to go there.  


Yuyuan Garden

Located in the Anren Street of Shanghai, Yuyuan Garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer named Pan Yunduan of the Ming Dynasty for his parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. With an area of 20,000 square meters, Yuyuan Garden has plenty of unique pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters in six main scenic areas, Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall and the Inner Garden.


Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui, Shanghai. It is the world's third tallest TV (468 meters high) tower surpassed in height only by towers in Toronto, Canada and Moscow, Russia.There are three large spheres including the top sphere, known as the space module. Then there are five smaller spheres and three decorative spheres on the tower base. Its unique alluring architectural design makes it one of the world most attractive places.


Xintiandi

Located in the center of Shanghai City south of Huaihai Middle Road, Xintaindi is a fashioable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style. Xin Tian Di is unique because of its concept of construction. It retains the antique walls, tiles and exterior of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery, bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into it, you will get the taste of both Shanghai in the 1920's and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century.

Day 12: Day12. Shanghai/Departure Meals: Breakfast

Your private car, driver and tour guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel lobby to get you to the airport on time. Sit back and relax as they help you check-in and escort you to the correct security gate.

Price Per Person in US Dollars
Nov.1 - Mar. 31 Superior Class Deluxe Class
2-5 travelers $2859 $2492
6-9 travelers $2188 $1895
10 travelers & above $2135 $1764
Apr.1 - Oct.31 Superior Class Deluxe Class
2-5 travelers $3010 $2615
6-9 travelers $2400 $2005
10 travelers & above $2280 $1890
Inquire of our Trip Advisor, Enjoy the best Discount Now!