China & Hong Kong In Luxury

Itinerary

• China

  China is an ancient land on a breathtaking scale. The sheer sweep of geography, history, cultures, cuisine, is enough to tempt even the most accomplished traveler to return. Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Hong Kong are on the main tourist trail. But venture further afield and you will be rewarded.  Tibet's monasteries, Chengdu pandas, Guilin's Li River cruise through karst peaks, Yunnan's alpine kingdoms, cave buddhas of Datong, preserved city of Pingyao, Yangtze river, the western desert cities of the Silk Road - all have unique appeal. A land that is particularly suited to private guide and vehicle. 

• Beijing

  Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

• Guilin

  Guilin is situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery.

• Hong Kong

  Hong Kong is a place with multiple personalities, as a result of being Cantonese Chinese with a long-time British influence. Today, the former British colony is a major tourism destination for China’s increasingly affluent population. It is also an important hub in the Chinese diaspora with global connections to many of the world’s cities. It is a unique destination that has absorbed people and cultural influences from places as diverse as Vietnam and Vancouver.

• Lijiang

  The cool mountain climate in Lijiang makes the intimate town of stone, tile and swift canals, a great place to unwind. Home of the Naxi people, it has a history of more than 800 years as a nexus of trading activities among Yunnan, Tibet and India. The streets of the Old Town reflect this prosperity with flourishing traditional houses and shops with fancy and superb collections of handicrafts. Another attraction in the area is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. About 100km northwest of Lijiang is Tiger Leaping Gorge. From the top of the gorge you can look down the sheer mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands River 700 feet below.

• Shanghai

  Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

• Xi'an

  Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

• Yunnan's Shangrila

  Zhongdian, known to local residents by the Tibetan name Glaythang and now officially recognized as "Shangri-La", is the home of the Songzhangling Monastery, founded by the 5th Dali Lama some 300 years ago. Annexed into Yunnan in the 1950’s, the surrounding countryside remains some of the most scenic in all of China.

• • Beijing
  • Fairmont Beijing Hotel

  Day 1: Beijing

  Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

  Accommodation: Fairmont Beijing Hotel

  Fairmont Beijing Hotel is within a short driving distance to Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, the Embassy District, Oriental Plaza or Wangfujing, and China World Trade Centre. The hotel offers natural-lit rooms with floor-to-ceiling-windows that are furnished in contemporary Chinese style. The gate-form architecture showcases natural light-filled interiors accented by contemporary Chinese artworks, creating a sense of space and luxury living in the heart of China.

• • Forbidden City
  • 

  Day 2: Beijing

  Full day private guided tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven with a deluxe lunch (is included). Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and stretches a vast 440,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven.

  Enjoy a private deluxe dinner at a fine local restaurant. Then transfer by private car to your VIP seat at Huguang Huiguan Peking Opera show (optional Acrobatic Show on request).

  Accommodation: Fairmont Beijing Hotel
• • Great Wall at MuTianYu

  Day 3: Beijing

  Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Lunch is included.

  Accommodation: Fairmont Beijing Hotel
• • Xi'an
  • Shangri La Xian

  Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an

  Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

  Direct flight from Beijing to Xi'an.

  Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display.

  Enjoy your VIP seats at the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with private car transfers. At each performance there are over 100 artists who entertain with a colorful spectacle of dance and music symbolizing the splendor of the Tang Dynasty, regarded as the most progressive and prosperous era of Imperial China.

  Accommodation: Shangri La

  Shangri-La Hotel Xian has the very best of the city right on its doorstep such as the finest in shopping and entertainment. The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Xian International Airport, and is within easy reach of many top tourist attractions. The hotel’s 386 guest rooms and suites set a new standard for deluxe accommodation in Xian and offer four trendsetting designer restaurants. With luxurious spa treatments and a fully equipped health club with heated pool, it's the perfect place to soothe mind, body and soul. Whether you're traveling for pleasure, Shangri-La Hotel, Xian offers exceptional levels of hospitality to further enhance your enjoyment of this magnificent city.

• • Shanghai
  • Xi'an City Wall
  • The Waldorf Astoria

  Day 5: Xi'an - Shanghai

  Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

  Direct flight from Xi'an to Shanghai.

  Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

  Half day private guided city tour taking in some highlights of Xian – the ancient capital of China for over 1100 years. Start with some of the 370,000 exhibits at the Shaanxi History Museum, quite simply one of the nation's best. Next stop is the City Wall. The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers from one of the oldest and most complete city defences still stand ready to repel attackers. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre, you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side. Finish with the Great Mosque, located In the heart of Xi'an's Muslim quarter, this is one of the largest Islamic mosques in China. Remarkable for the melding of Chinese architecture with Islamic practice, the courtyards align from east to west facing Mecca. The pavilions, halls and gateways are wonderfully decorated, and this is an active place of worship for the Hui descendants of Silk Road traders and travellers.

  Accommodation: Waldorf Astoria

  Located at the center of The Bund, a city boulevard which runs alongside the Huangpu River and one of the most photographed postcard scenes of city, the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund mixes the history and culture of the surrounding district with a taste for 21st century sophistication. The hotel comprises 269 guest rooms and suites across two buildings. A newly built modern tower connects to an all-suite heritage building - The Waldorf Astoria Club, once the legendary Shanghai Club and one of the few remaining heritage structures in Shanghai. This neo-classical architectural gem built in 1911, is painstakingly restored using archival photographs and records whilst equipping it with contemporary luxuries for modern-day travel experiences. This Shanghai luxury hotel can truly stake its claim as the place to be for the well-heeled global traveler.

• • Jade Buddha Temple

  Day 6: Shanghai

  Full day private guided tour of Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and Yu Garden with deluxe lunch. Shanghai Museum is a veritable treasure house of ancient Chinese art and houses 120,000 precious relics. Bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphies are distinctive features of the Museum's collection. The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

  Accommodation: Waldorf Astoria
• • Lijiang
  • Banyan Tree Lijiang

  Day 7: Shanghai - Lijiang

  Transfer from central Shanghai with a driver, and English-speaking Guide to the Maglev station in Pudong from where you can complete your airport transfer in about 8 minutes at speeds of over 400 km/h. (Warning - involves a little walking).

  Direct flight from Shanghai to Lijiang.

  Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

  Accommodation: Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*)

  Set amidst the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, The Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*) is the first luxury resort in Lijiang, with its stunning architecture and luxurious villas reflecting the rich fabric of its surroundings through its design and furnishings. Enjoy a delightful array of international cuisine at the indoor and outdoor café, offering buffet-style dining, following a nightcap at the hotel bar. Rejuvenate at the Banyan Tree Spa, gym, and sauna and take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, enveloped in the beauty of the surrounding region.

• • Black Dragon Pool

  Day 8: Lijiang

  Experience a full day private guided tour of Old Town, Black Dragon Pool and Naxi Museum with a deluxe lunch. The Old Town was built in the late Song Dynasty and the early Yuan Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years. Since Kublai Khan set his reign here, the first Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, Lijiang has been the nexus of trading activities among Yunnan, Tibet and India. The streets of Old Town reflect this prosperity with flourishing traditional houses and shops with fancy and superb collections of handicrafts. Naxi people are famed for their artists and poets. Great talents in the areas of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music have all come from this rich and captivating culture, featured in the Naxi Museum.

  Accommodation: Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*)
• • Zhongdian
  • exterior

  Day 9: Yunnan's Shangrila

  Full day transfer north from Lijiang through the mountains to the Tibetan town of Zhongdian. About 100km (62 miles) northwest of Lijiang is Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Gorge). From the top of the gorge you look down the sheer mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River with its 18 frothing rapids 700 feet below. Incl transfer

  Accommodation: Banyan Tree Ringha (5*)

  The Banyan Tree Resort (5*) is located in China's Yunnan province; a mountainous area designated as the official Shangri-La by the Chinese government and is part of Greater Tibet, both historically and culturally. The resort boasts 32 spacious lodges and suites that are traditional Tibetan farmhouses with intricate woodcarvings, smoky fireplaces and wooden balconies that have valley or river views. The onsite Llamo Restaurant sets the stage for dining in a congenial atmosphere with a variety of Chinese and Western set meals for breakfast and dinner, while the Chang Sa Bar & Restaurant is a wonderful place to sample the culinary delights of Yunnan province. Be captivated by the wilderness of Ringha during an adventure trek or reward tired muscles with a sensual massage at Banyan Tree Spa.

• • Emerald Pagoda Lake

  Day 10: Yunnan's Shangrila

  Zhongdian is a town in Yunnan which houses the Emerald Pagoda Lake locally known as Bita hai, the major highlight of this town. Situated about 32 kilometers (about 19.9 miles) away from Shangri-La County (zhongdian), Bita Hai covers an area of 166 hectares. Bita Lake, a fault lake, is an intact natural attraction with various species of flora and fauna and picturesque landscapes. In the Tibetan language, Bita means "a piece of land as soft as cattle hair felt". With an altitude of 3,539 meters (about 11,608 feet), the lake is the highest in Yunnan Province. The main attraction of this area is the Tibetan folklore, the primeval forest, the highland meadow, and the highland flowers and plants.

  Accommodation: Banyan Tree Ringha (5*)
• • Guilin
  • Shangri-La Hotel Guilin

  Day 11: Yunnan's Shangrila - Kunming - Guilin

  Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

  Direct flight from Zhongdian to Kunming.

  Direct flight from Kunming to Guilin.

  Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

  Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Guilin

  Overlooking the picturesque banks of the legendary Li River, this classic Chinese-style hotel sits on an impressive 48,000 square-metre site, from where Guilin's leading tourist attractions - including Diecai Mountain and the city's charming pedestrianised tourist area - are all easily accessible. For business travellers, the city centre and the International Exhibition and Conference Centre are within a 10-minute drive, while Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is just 35 minutes away by car.

• • Li River
  • Impression Liu Sanjie show

  Day 12: Guilin - Yangshuo

  Relax on a full day Li River Cruise with a deluxe lunch (included). The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks surprise and delight at each bend of the river under the blue sky. Water buffalo ply the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. The river trip is over eighty kilometers (52 miles) long and is estimated to take seven to eight hours with lunch on board. The eye-feasting landscape and country scenery will never disappoint you. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River is one of China's top destinations.

  Enjoy a Deluxe local dinner followed by the Sister Liu Show. This spectacle was created by the Oscar winning Zhang Yimou and presents the local culture through a cavalcade of lights and cast of 500 using a private bay as the theatre and local mountains as the backdrop. This is sure to be one of the most memorable activities of your trip.

  Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Guilin
• • Hong Kong
  • peninsula

  Day 13: Guilin - Hong Kong

  Experience the Reed Flute Cave while transferring to/from the airport. Reed Flute Cave got its name from the verdant reeds growing outside it which are used to make flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition.

  Direct flight from Guilin to Hongkong.

  Transfer between the airport and your Kowloon hotel.

  Accommodation: Kowloon Peninsula Hong Kong (5*)

  The Peninsula Hong Kong offers a blend of the best of Eastern and Western hospitality in an atmosphere of unmatched classical grandeur and timeless elegance. Hotel is located in the heart of Kowloon's business and entertainment district, overlooking the Victoria Harbour. Three of Hong Kong's most important cultural attractions such as the Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum are close by. Each one of the hotel's opulent guest rooms is comfortable and stylish and equipped with advanced technology for the convenience of hotel guests - underlined, of course, by the world-famous Peninsula service.

• • The Peak
  • Repulse Bay

  Day 14: Hong Kong

  A half day tour where you will visit the famous “The Peak” by driving along the winding road uphill to the top where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the island, Kowloon peninsula and the New Territories. Driving downhill we come to the famous fishing village ‘Aberdeen’ by passing the two most popular summer resorts of the locals - Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay. When we arrive in Aberdeen, you have the opportunity to take a glimpse at the floating population whose lifestyle has not changed much since the early days. An optional 20 minutes ride in a sampan gives you the chance to explore and take a close up look at the interesting environment.  Victoria Peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island and one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. You will be able to overlook the bustling Victoria harbour and Kowloon peninsula with a magnificent bird's eye view. Night view is so fascinating that one should not miss going up to it.  Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay are the two most visited beaches in town and summer escapade for swimmers. One cannot resist admiring the beautiful scenery and the wonders of nature there.  Aberdeen is a very important harbor area; Europeans who initiated contact with locals in the 19th century mistook the name of the village here for the name of the island, hence Hong Kong. Here you can experience the lifestyle of a old fishing community.

  Enjoy a traditional Chinese Dim Sum lunch as part of your Hong Kong Island Tour.

  Accommodation: Kowloon Peninsula Hong Kong (5*)

• Day 15: Hong Kong

  Transfer between the airport and your Kowloon hotel.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Hong Kong international airport - end of itinerary

Accommodation

• Cultural Moments

  Throughout Asia, rice paddies are somewhat of a constant landscape element. Rice is grown in paddies, or shallow puddles carefully controlled to ensure the appropriate water depth (typically 15 cm).  The farmers take advantage of the rice plant's tolerance to water: the water in the paddies prevents weeds from outgrowing the crop. Once the rice has established dominance of the field, the water can be drained in preparation for harvest.

• Culinary Moments

  There are a vast array of fruits native to Asia that we are sure to see along the way - keep your eyes peeled for jackfruit, lychee, rambutan, mangosteen, durian, and starfruit  - all fruits somewhat unknown to the North American

• • Fairmont Beijing Hotel

  Fairmont Beijing Hotel

  Fairmont Beijing Hotel is within a short driving distance to Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, the Embassy District, Oriental Plaza or Wangfujing, and China World Trade Centre. The hotel offers natural-lit rooms with floor-to-ceiling-windows that are furnished in contemporary Chinese style. The gate-form architecture showcases natural light-filled interiors accented by contemporary Chinese artworks, creating a sense of space and luxury living in the heart of China.

  • More information
• • Shangri La Xian

  Shangri La

  Shangri-La Hotel Xian has the very best of the city right on its doorstep such as the finest in shopping and entertainment. The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Xian International Airport, and is within easy reach of many top tourist attractions. The hotel’s 386 guest rooms and suites set a new standard for deluxe accommodation in Xian and offer four trendsetting designer restaurants. With luxurious spa treatments and a fully equipped health club with heated pool, it's the perfect place to soothe mind, body and soul. Whether you're traveling for pleasure, Shangri-La Hotel, Xian offers exceptional levels of hospitality to further enhance your enjoyment of this magnificent city.

  • More information
• • The Waldorf Astoria
  • Room

  Waldorf Astoria

  Located at the center of The Bund, a city boulevard which runs alongside the Huangpu River and one of the most photographed postcard scenes of city, the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund mixes the history and culture of the surrounding district with a taste for 21st century sophistication. The hotel comprises 269 guest rooms and suites across two buildings. A newly built modern tower connects to an all-suite heritage building - The Waldorf Astoria Club, once the legendary Shanghai Club and one of the few remaining heritage structures in Shanghai. This neo-classical architectural gem built in 1911, is painstakingly restored using archival photographs and records whilst equipping it with contemporary luxuries for modern-day travel experiences. This Shanghai luxury hotel can truly stake its claim as the place to be for the well-heeled global traveler.

  • More information
• • Banyan Tree Lijiang

  Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*)

  Set amidst the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, The Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*) is the first luxury resort in Lijiang, with its stunning architecture and luxurious villas reflecting the rich fabric of its surroundings through its design and furnishings. Enjoy a delightful array of international cuisine at the indoor and outdoor café, offering buffet-style dining, following a nightcap at the hotel bar. Rejuvenate at the Banyan Tree Spa, gym, and sauna and take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, enveloped in the beauty of the surrounding region.

  • More information
• • exterior
  • Banyan Tree Ringha Lobby

  Banyan Tree Ringha (5*)

  The Banyan Tree Resort (5*) is located in China's Yunnan province; a mountainous area designated as the official Shangri-La by the Chinese government and is part of Greater Tibet, both historically and culturally. The resort boasts 32 spacious lodges and suites that are traditional Tibetan farmhouses with intricate woodcarvings, smoky fireplaces and wooden balconies that have valley or river views. The onsite Llamo Restaurant sets the stage for dining in a congenial atmosphere with a variety of Chinese and Western set meals for breakfast and dinner, while the Chang Sa Bar & Restaurant is a wonderful place to sample the culinary delights of Yunnan province. Be captivated by the wilderness of Ringha during an adventure trek or reward tired muscles with a sensual massage at Banyan Tree Spa.

  • More information
• • Shangri-La Hotel Guilin

  Shangri-La Hotel Guilin

  Overlooking the picturesque banks of the legendary Li River, this classic Chinese-style hotel sits on an impressive 48,000 square-metre site, from where Guilin's leading tourist attractions - including Diecai Mountain and the city's charming pedestrianised tourist area - are all easily accessible. For business travellers, the city centre and the International Exhibition and Conference Centre are within a 10-minute drive, while Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is just 35 minutes away by car.

  • More information
• • Kowloon Peninsula Hotel

  Kowloon Peninsula Hong Kong (5*)

  The Peninsula Hong Kong offers a blend of the best of Eastern and Western hospitality in an atmosphere of unmatched classical grandeur and timeless elegance. Hotel is located in the heart of Kowloon's business and entertainment district, overlooking the Victoria Harbour. Three of Hong Kong's most important cultural attractions such as the Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum are close by. Each one of the hotel's opulent guest rooms is comfortable and stylish and equipped with advanced technology for the convenience of hotel guests - underlined, of course, by the world-famous Peninsula service.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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