9-Day 8-Night Classic Tour

Guangzhou · Zhangjiajie · Shanghai

Oriental Surprises Travel

Make Travel Real, Joyful & Unforgettable

Tour Overview

This 9-day journey connects three extraordinary chapters of China — from the ancient culinary capital of Guangzhou in the south, through the otherworldly sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie in the heart of the country, to the dazzling cosmopolitan brilliance of Shanghai on the east coast.

Begin in Guangzhou, where 2,000 years of Lingnan heritage meet cutting-edge technology and the world's finest dim sum. Then travel deep into Hunan province to witness the towering quartz-sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie — the real-life inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar. Finally, arrive in Shanghai — a city where colonial-era boulevards meet glass-and-steel towers, where ancient gardens hide behind modern storefronts, and where the Bund's iconic skyline tells the story of China's past, present, and future.

With VIP transfers at every stop, 4-star accommodations, and a dedicated English-speaking guide, this is a journey through China's culture, nature, and modernity — seamless, immersive, and unforgettable.

Tour Highlights

· ?  Explore 2,000-year-old Lingnan culture and the world's finest dim sum in Guangzhou

· ?  Experience cutting-edge future tech on Haixinsha Island

· ?  Ride the Bailong Elevator — the world's tallest outdoor lift up a cliff face

· ?  Walk through the real-life "Avatar Mountains" in Zhangjiajie

· ?  Trek the Golden Whip Stream and Ten Mile Gallery through surreal peaks

· ?  Stand on Tianmen Mountain's glass skywalk above the clouds

· ?  Wander Shanghai's French Concession and Tianzifang artistic alleyways

· ?  Ascend Shanghai Tower and cruise the Huangpu River at night

· ?  VIP airport/railway transfers at every destination

GUANGZHOU

The Culinary Capital — Where Lingnan Heritage Comes Alive

Guangzhou has been China's gateway to the world for over 2,000 years. As the heart of Cantonese culture, this is a city where ancient Lingnan traditions thrive alongside futuristic innovation — where morning dim sum is a sacred ritual, colonial-era buildings line tree-shaded islands, and traditional craft workshops have operated on the same streets for centuries.

Your three days here blend old-world charm with glimpses of tomorrow, all while eating some of the best food on the planet.

Day 1

Arrival in Guangzhou

· ? 24-hour VIP airport/railway station pick-up service and transfer to hotel

· ? Check in and settle into your 4-star hotel

· ? Free time to explore Beijing Road Pedestrian Street — a 2,000-year-old commercial district layered with archaeological ruins beneath modern storefronts

Meals: Breakfast: Not included | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Guangzhou

Day 2

Traditional Lingnan Culture Day

· ? Visit Chen Clan Academy — a masterpiece of traditional Cantonese architecture, featuring exquisite wood, stone, and brick carvings dating back to 1894

· ? Stroll Shamian Island — a riverside enclave of colonial-era European architecture, banyan trees, and tranquil ambiance

· ? Explore Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street — the heart of old Guangzhou, famous for authentic Cantonese street food and Qilou arcade architecture

· ? Discover Yongqing Fang — a beautifully restored Lingnan neighborhood where traditional architecture, local snacks, and old Cantonese lifestyle come alive

· ? Evening at Huacheng Square — the perfect vantage point for a stunning night view of the Canton Tower

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Cantonese Dim Sum | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Guangzhou

Day 3

Haixinsha Future Tech Island & Departure to Zhangjiajie

· ? Visit Haixinsha Future Tech Island — experience cutting-edge technologies including autonomous driving, humanoid robots, and interactive smart exhibits

· ? VIP transfer to railway station for high-speed train to Zhangjiajie

· ? VIP pick-up at Zhangjiajie railway station and transfer to hotel

· ? Free time to explore local Zhangjiajie cuisine and street food

· ? Optional: Visit 72 Wonders Tower for a spectacular overview of the region

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie

ZHANGJIAJIE

The Real Pandora — Nature's Masterpiece in Stone

If there's one place in China that defies belief, it's Zhangjiajie. These towering sandstone pillars — some rising over 1,000 meters from the forest floor — inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron's Avatar. But no film, no photograph, no VR experience can prepare you for standing among them in person.

Over three days, you'll ride the world's tallest outdoor elevator, walk through misty peaks that seem lifted from a Chinese scroll painting, and gaze out from glass skywalks perched on cliff edges. This is nature at its most dramatic.

Day 4

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

· ? Ride the Bailong Elevator — the world's highest outdoor elevator, soaring 326 meters up a sheer cliff face

· ? Explore Yuanjiajie — including the famous "Avatar Mountain" (Southern Sky Column), First Bridge Under Heaven, and other surreal formations

· ? Continue to Tianzi Mountain — marvel at Imperial Pen Peak and He Long Park, where cloud seas frequently engulf the peaks

· ? Optional evening: "Charm of Xiangxi" — a large-scale cultural show showcasing Tujia ethnic traditions, music, and dance

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Wulingyuan

Day 5

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — Golden Whip Stream

· ? Enter through the main gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

· ? Walk the Ten-mile Gallery — a scenic valley trail flanked by extraordinary rock formations with poetic names

· ? Hike along Golden Whip Stream — the core scenic area featuring unique quartz-sandstone pillars, lush green valleys, and crystal-clear waterways

· ? A paradise for photographers and nature lovers alike

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Zhangjiajie

Day 6

Tianmen Mountain & Departure to Shanghai

· ? Tianmen Mountain — ride Asia's longest cable car to the summit

· ? Walk the breathtaking Glass Skywalk — a transparent path clinging to the cliff at 1,430 meters elevation

· ? Visit the iconic Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate) — a massive natural arch in the mountain face

· ? VIP transfer to airport/railway station for flight or high-speed train to Shanghai

· ? VIP pick-up at Shanghai airport/railway station and transfer to hotel

· ? Free evening: Recommended — night view of the Bund, watching the Pudong skyline light up across the Huangpu River

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Shanghai

SHANGHAI

Where East Meets West — A City of Timeless Elegance

Shanghai is a city of contradictions that somehow work perfectly together. Art Deco skyscrapers rise above centuries-old temples, and Michelin-starred restaurants sit alongside street vendors selling scallion pancakes. Your final chapter unfolds in this dazzling metropolis — a place where colonial-era boulevards meet glass-and-steel towers, where ancient gardens hide behind modern storefronts, and where every corner tells a different story.

Spend three days exploring the Bund's iconic waterfront, wandering through artistic alleyways, ascending one of the world's tallest buildings, and discovering why Shanghai remains China's most cosmopolitan city.

Day 7

Wukang Road & Shanghai Tower

· ? Morning stroll along Wukang Road — soak in the romantic French Concession vibes with plane tree-lined streets and heritage architecture

· ? Visit Tianzifang — a charming maze of art galleries, boutique shops, and local delicacies hidden in Shikumen alleyways

· ? Explore Xintiandi — iconic Shikumen stone-gate architecture blending traditional charm with modern dining and fashion

· ? Ascend Shanghai Tower — enjoy a complimentary coffee while taking in breathtaking skyline views from one of the world's tallest buildings

· ? Optional: Visit the 118th-floor Top of Shanghai Observation Deck for the ultimate 360° panoramic experience

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Shanghai

Day 8

Yu Garden & City God Temple and Huangpu River Cruise

· ? Explore Yu Garden — a classical Jiangnan garden dating back to the Ming Dynasty, featuring exquisite rockeries, pavilions, and dragon walls

· ? Visit City God Temple — browse traditional folk crafts, local snacks, and vibrant marketplace energy

· ? Stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street — Shanghai's most famous shopping avenue

· ? Evening Huangpu River Cruise — glide past the illuminated Bund and Pudong skyline for a spectacular night panorama

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel in Shanghai

Day 9

Free Time & Departure

· ? Free morning — relax or explore at your own pace

· ? Optional: North Bund City Tour — a leisurely stroll along the trendy waterfront promenade with a different perspective of the Pudong skyline

· ? 24-hour VIP drop-off service at the airport according to your return flight schedule — farewell to an unforgettable 9-day adventure!

Meals: Breakfast: Hotel buffet | Lunch: Not included | Dinner: Not included

Accommodation: Tour concludes

Important Notes

?  Included:

· ?  All accommodations (4-star hotels)

· ?  Daily breakfast at hotel

· ?  Cantonese Dim Sum lunch in Guangzhou

· ?  VIP airport/railway station transfers at every destination

· ?  Private tourist coach for ground transportation

· ?  Professional English-speaking guide throughout

· ?  All entrance tickets to listed attractions

· ?  High-speed train tickets between cities

· ?  Huangpu River Cruise

?  Not Included:

· ?  Round-trip international flights

· ?  Visa fees

· ?  Lunch and dinner (except where specified)

· ?  Travel insurance

· ?  Personal expenses and souvenirs

· ?  Optional activities and shows

Oriental Surprises Travel

Make Travel Real, Joyful & Unforgettable.