Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/604881
CHINA'S COUNTRYSIDE Escape the big city bustle with a few days in China's countryside. Famous for its picturesque hills, charming rivers, and amazing caves, Guilin has long inspired countless artists and poets with its natural beauty. The scenic Li River will guide you down to the small mountain town of Yangshuo, where you can shop the colorful markets or sit at an outdoor café, observing the daily life of the local people. GUILIN & YANGSHUO SHORT STAY Uncover the beautiful natural gems of Southern China, complete with a cruise down the Li River. DAY 1: GUILIN Be met at Guilin Airport and transfer to your hotel. Visit the colorful stalagmites and stalactites of the Reed Flute Caves. DAY 2: GUILIN TO YANGSHUO Cruise on the stunning Li River and enjoy the breathtaking natural landscape of beautiful limestone hills, tranquil fishing scenes, and picturesque villages. Continue downstream to the town of Yangshuo, set in the lush green rice paddies of southern China. (B, L) DAY 3: YANGSHUO This morning, discover the beautiful rural countryside around Yangshuo, its pretty hills, and local farms. This afternoon is at leisure. Meet again this evening for a display of traditional cormorant fishing. (B) DAY 4: DEPART YANGSHUO Drive back to Guilin and transfer to the airport for your ongoing flight. (B) 56 | Short Stays and City Tours SHANGHAI Treat yourself with a visit to Shanghai, a city unlike anywhere else, where a wealth of contrasts and blend of cultures will leave you in awe. Prior to Communist arrival in 1949, Shanghai boasted European-style mansions and the most important trading port in Asia. Today, it presents a blend of cultures—the modern and the traditional, along with European and Asian influences. Modern skyscrapers intermingle with 1920s-shikumen buildings. These combinations are what attracts millions of visitors each year. SHANGHAI SHORT STAY Experience this mega-city, full of excitement, opportunity, history, shopping, and culinary adventures. DAY 1: ARRIVE SHANGHAI Be met at Shanghai Airport and transfer to your hotel. DAY 2: SHANGHAI Discover the beauty of Shanghai today, appreciating the remarkable architecture on the famous historical riverfront area known as the Bund. Tour the Shanghai Museum, filled with fine art and antiques. Continue on to the bustling cobblestone streets of the Old Town, dotted with shops selling various wares, and the lovely Yu Gardens, the inspiration for willow patterned china. (B, L) DAY 3: DEPART SHANGHAI Transfer to Shanghai Airport for your ongoing flight. (B) XIAN Xian, which means "Western Peace," is located on the banks of the Yellow River and has a history dating back to 1000 bc. It once rivaled great cities such as Constantinople and Rome in size, culture, and development, and was also the starting point for the famous trade route, the Silk Road—a caravan passageway that carried not only silks, ceramics, and spices, but also an exchange of cultures, technologies, and ideas. Buddhism, brought from India during the Tang Dynasty (612 – 907 ad), was perhaps one of the most influential of the religions to travel along this famed road into Xian. XIAN SHORT STAY Step back in time in this ancient city and marvel at the incredible life-sized Terracotta Warriors. DAY 1: ARRIVE XIAN Be met at Xian Airport and transfer to your hotel. DAY 2: XIAN Start the day with a visit to one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20 th century, the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors and Horses, a collection of over 7,000 soldiers, horses, and chariots. This afternoon, walk along the ancient city wall, one of the best preserved in China. (B, L) DAY 3: DEPART XIAN Transfer to Xian Airport for your ongoing flight. (B) Yangshuo