7 Days Zhangjiajie Tour with Changsha and Hong Kong

Welcome to Changsha! To ensure a seamless experience, your private guide will be waiting for you ahead of your schedule at the exit of the airport or train station holding a sign with your name on it. As soon as you meet, enjoy a private transfer to your accommodation to check-in. The rest of the day is at your disposal. You can either refresh yourself in the hotel or go around the neighborhood to experience the real lifestyle of old Changsha people. ► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense): You are advised to try the restaurant Source of a Happy Meal · Family Feast (Xinkaipu Road branch), which is about a fifteen-minute walk from your hotel. As a ten-plus-year-old catering brand specializing in Hunan cuisine with seven branches in Changsha, it has enjoyed a good reputation among locals. The restaurant is spacious and bright, with a comfortable atmosphere that makes diners feel at home and ease. Here, you can either have your meal in the communal dining area on the first floor or in the private room on the second or third floor. You will find the dishes on offer are homely and diverse, and if you are interested, order the signature Steamed Fish with Salted Chilies, served on the table with the alcohol stove still keeping heat up. The flesh tastes tender and yummy to eat with the broth, and it is definitely the authentic Hunan flavor - spicy! Average cost per person: CNY 70 / USD 10 Address: Intersection of Xinkaipu Road and Zhutang West Road, Tianxin District, Changsha Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Changsha Tianxin (4 stars)

Ready for an exhilarating city sightseeing in Changsha? This morning, your guide will first accompany you to Yuelu Academy, built in 976 AD during the Song Dynasty and is one of the four greatest academies in ancient China. Over the past 1,000 years, it had been destroyed but rebuilt after many wars, and cultivated countless talented scholars, especially in the late 19th century, when a large number of politicians, diplomats and militarists emerged. Here, when strolling through the lecture halls, study rooms and library, you might imagine the scene of scholars studying classics or debating on academics in the past. Besides, under the guide’s explanation of those words on steles, plaques and couplets, you will be touched by their love for learning and thinking about life. After that, go off for Orange Isle in the heart of the Xiangjiang River, known as the “First Sandbank in China”. Set foot on this land, what comes into sight first will be the huge stone statue of Chairman Mao. This 32-meter-high statue is made of more than 8,000 pieces of granite, showing the heroic posture of the great man in his youth. With exquisite artistic expression, it makes every visitor who comes to pay respect can feel Mao’s revolutionary passion and great ambition. Apart from the profound historical and cultural heritage, you can also enjoy fascinating natural scenery here. Then, let’s pay a visit to Tianxin Pavilion, which was first built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD) and once a tower on the destroyed ancient city wall of Changsha. It is interesting to know that this is also where the ancients admired the stars and sacrificed to gods. The main pavilion has three stories, and on each side of it there is a two-layer sub-pavilion connected by the corridor. Taking a close look, you will find it is exquisitely carved everywhere, with 32 copper bells hanging on its cornices, showing the ingenuity of ancient crafts and the unique charm of traditional Chinese architectural aesthetics. Upon ascending it, you will get a panoramic view of this bustling city. Also you can take a leisurely walk on the winding path to admire flowers, lakes and rockery landscapes. In the late afternoon, your guide will escort you to the railway station to take a smooth high speed train ride traversing central Hunan and arriving in Zhangjiajie in 2 hours. Upon arrival, the guide there will greet you at the railway station and send you to the hotel near the core scenic area of Zhangjiajie. After checking in, have a good rest for tomorrow’s exploration. Meals: Western buffet breakfast Accommodation: Expert Village Courtyard Hotel, Zhangjiajie (4 stars)

Entry Priority of Our Guests In order to save your time, we have booked the tickets for you in advance, so that you will not have to wait in line. Unlike some other travel agencies that may offer only an entrance ticket, we offer you a combo ticket, which covers the entry fee, as well as the elevator, shuttle bus, and cable car fare among different scenic spots inside. After breakfast, follow your guide’s steps to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. What will surprise you first is the world’s highest and fastest outdoor sightseeing Bailong Elevator, which is the most convenient transportation that takes you to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area on the mountaintop. In the past, to appreciate the natural charms there, one had to drive along snaking and dangerous mountain roads for five to six hours. Moreover, hundreds of hotels, restaurants and other reception facilities opened inside it to meet the needs of tourists, which has caused varying degrees of damage and pollution to nature. However, the advent of the Elevator has shortened the climbing time to 88 seconds, allowing people to travel back and forth within a day, which is undoubtedly beneficial for both tourists and the scenic area. At the summit, you can overlook thousands of grotesque-shaped peaks at the Enchanting Platform, learn how nature “builds” the No.1 Bridge under Heaven without any human intervention, witness the real towering figure of floating Hallelujah Mountain in the movie Avatar, as well as stroll in the Back Garden that resembles the imperial garden in ancient palace... Afterwards, take an eco-car to Yangjiajie Scenic Area, where you will be mesmerized by an endless stretch of mountains. Unlike the isolated peaks of Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie’s mountains are arranged vertically and horizontally in rows, forming a natural barrier. CCTV News Broadcast has reported to the world this "major new discovery of Zhangjiajie landform", giving it the name of Natural Great Wall. Then the guide will lead you to visit Tianzi Mountain, formerly known as Qingyan Mountain, which was renamed to commemorate the bravery and indomitable spirit of Xiang Dakun, the Tujia head who proclaimed himself Tianzi, meaning son of Heaven, and once led a peasant uprising here. Densely distributed with steep peaks and stone pillars, this spot has also earned the title of "Kingdom of Peaks". Accompanied by the guide, you will stand on one of the observation decks of Helong Park, which sits at a relatively high elevation here, to marvel at spectacular surrounding peaks, including the famous Imperial Brush Peak and Fairy Dispersing Flowers. Next, take the cable car down the mountain and back to the hotel. ► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense): After a full day of sightseeing, treat your stomach with some of Zhangjiajie’s specialties. Perhaps walk 15 minutes or take a cab from the hotel for 3 minutes to the CCTV-interviewed Suoxi Mountain Village · Folk Local Cuisine of Western Hunan, also featured as a folk culture museum. It is a large four-story stilted building, in front of which are two golden bronze statues, like doormen greeting eaters. As soon as you enter the dining area on the first floor, which is themed with western Hunan farming culture, you will be warmly received by waiters dressed in national costumes. Go up to the second floor, and you will behold a variety of pure handmade Miao silverworks; while exquisite Tujia brocade is displayed in a box on the third floor. The perfect integration of restaurant and museum has won the favor of innumerable domestic and foreign eaters, including celebrities like UNESCO expert Dr. Randy Miller. Average cost per person: CNY 70 / USD 10 Address: Southeast corner of the intersection of Jundi Road and Tuofeng Road, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Expert Village Courtyard Hotel, Zhangjiajie (4 stars)

In the morning, set out for Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, featuring a typical karst landscape, near-vertical cliffs, evergreen vegetation, limestone caves, breathtaking waterfalls and turquoise lakes. Prepare for an adrenaline-pumping journey on the transparent Glass Bridge. The 430-meter-long bridge, suspended 260 meters above the ground, is the longest and highest of its kind in the world. Standing at one end of it and looking ahead, you will feel that it is like a jade dragon stretching across the canyon, shrouded in mists. Walking on it, you can clearly see the cliffs and green trees under your feet, which are so close that they seem to be within reach. With each step, you could hear the glass vibrate slightly, and your heart may beat faster. After lunch, continue our visit to the Golden Whip Stream. It flows serpentinely through the gorge, with Zhangjiajie’s specialty giant salamander swimming in and various endemic flowers and plants growing on the banks. Accompanied by your guide, you will hike along the most scenic part of this 7.5-kilometer-long stream, where birds will sing for you and monkeys will frolic around you. Along the way, you will pass the Zicao Pool and Jumping Fish Pool, which are regarded as the “eyes” of the valley. If you see the purple grass growing on the wall of a pond, you have come to the former site. And the bridge over it is a large natural rock. The latter one is so called because there are always countless fish that jump and swim merrily with rushing water from the higher place during the breeding season. Of course, if it’s early and you are physically fit, you can go further and explore more beauties. After that, get back to the hotel to loosen up your muscles and have a good night. Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Expert Village Courtyard Hotel, Zhangjiajie (4 stars)

Privilege of Our Guests: Round-trip Cableway Tour We have generously included a round trip cable car ticket for you to make your visit to the Tianmen Mountain (Heaven's Gate Mountain) most efficient and labor-saving. In addition to the cable car, you can also take the 7-level transmountain escalator, without extra charge. No trip to Zhangjiajie would be complete without a visit to the Tianmen Mountain, the second largest national forest park in Zhangjiajie. Known for its fascinating natural scenery and the mysterious Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), it receives nearly 5 million visitors a year. After a hearty breakfast, your guide will escort you to the lower cableway station, where you will be transported halfway up the mountain to admire the Tianmen Cave, the world’s highest natural mountain cave, up close. Since ancient times, there have been many myths and legends about it - some say that there is a giant python guarding the cave all year round, some rumor that the legendary strategist Guiguzi in the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC) had come here to practice divine power, while some claim the Chinese auspicious mythical animal kylin once appeared here. Next, take the 7-level transmountain escalator, and we will reach the mountaintop. There, you will set foot on the Cloud Corridor, also called Love Bridge as many people think that walking hand in hand here is particularly romantic, just like walking in the clouds. Then comes China’s first glass-bottomed walkway, the Glass Skywalk, which hangs on the edge of the cliff and can also be thrilling to walk on. When finishing the tour, let's take the escalator down to the Tianmen Square and walk along a plank road for around 20 minutes or sit in the shuttle bus of the scenic area along the 99-bend mountain road to take the cable car down the mountain. Afterwards, your guide will escort you to the railway station for a high speed train to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel we have booked for you. Just take the MTR Tuen Ma Line at the railway station to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station for HKD 5 / USD 0.6, and then walk a few steps from exit P1. If you prefer private service, you can take a taxi to the hotel for about 15 minutes and it costs HKD 50 / 6.5 USD or so. Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Regal Kowloon Hotel, Hong Kong (4 stars)

No guided tour will be arranged today. Take the opportunity to explore Hong Kong at your own pace. ► Recommended Free-time Activities in Hong Kong: Want a panoramic view of Hong Kong? Then ascend to its highest mountain, Victoria Peak. It is said that pirates used the Peak as a lookout point when they occupied the island in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), and whenever they saw a merchant ship passing by at sea, they would wave a flag to signal the partners under the mountain to intercept. At the summit, the varying heights of skyscrapers, the world-famous Victoria Harbor and the undulating verdant hills can all be seen. Once down the mountain, perhaps experience the colorful double-decker Ding Ding Tram, one of Hong Kong’s oldest transport, which has accompanied the local people for more than a century. Get off at Wan Chai Ferry Pier and ride on the Star Ferry, which is the first choice of most travelers to roam Victoria Harbor, and has been hailed as one of the “50 places of a lifetime” by National Geographic. After disembarking at Tsim Sha Tsui Pier, take a walk along the Avenue of Stars, where the palm prints and bronze statues of more than 100 Hong Kong movie stars including Jackie Chan and Stephen Chow are displayed, witnessing the development of the “Hollywood of the East” movie kingdom over the past 100 years! As one of the symbols of Hong Kong, the Victoria Harbor ranks among “the world’s top three night scenes” along with Hakodate of Japan and Naples of Italy. You should not miss the large-scale light show “A Symphony of Lights” by the harbor. At 8 pm, the flashing and dynamic lasers and the changing patterns from more than 40 buildings on both sides of the Harbor, together with the rhythmic symphony, will give you a dazzling feast of sound and light. Meals: Western buffet breakfast Accommodation: Regal Kowloon Hotel, Hong Kong (4 stars)

Today is the last day of your 7 days Zhangjiajie tour with Changsha and Hong Kong. Remember to pack all your personal belongings well and check out from the hotel before noon. It’s our duty to remind you to pay careful attention to your departure time and arrive at the airport in advance. Since it is a little cumbersome to make transfers by public subway or bus, we suggest you take a taxi, which will send you to the airport in 30 minutes for about HKD 300 / USD 38. Hope you had a pleasant journey with us! If you want to extend your tour to other cities in China or other countries, feel free to contact our travel consultant, who will be sure to customize it to your satisfaction. Meals: Western buffet breakfast