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Ultimate China

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Ultimate China

22 day tour/cruise - April 5, 2027
Arnold Zheng
Special Guest Educator

WHY WE HAVE THE BEST TOUR OF CHINA!

CHINA is the owners of Fun For Less Tours favorite country in the world! From their first trip in the 1990’s they have been to China over 25 times. They have spent many weeks on their own exploring all over China. Every place you visit and see in China they experienced first. Our tour is not like any other; we didn’t copy someone else’s tour, others copy our tours. Our tours include the important sites in Beijing, the Great Wall, the Terra-cotta Warriors, the Yangtze, the Li River, Hong Kong and so much more. But we don’t stop there, we bring you many things that are not offered by other companies:

Here is a partial list that makes us better than the rest:

  • With us you see more of China: We have always been the BEST now we are even Better with the addition of Shanghai and Suzhou a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We zig zag through China, picking and choosing the very BEST to experience.
  • Suzhou: Ancient village with Venice like water ways and bridges – a huge highlight.
  • Zhangjiajie Mountains: We were the first ever to bring American groups to Zhangjiajie. This is likely the most beautiful place on Earth. It is where they filmed the floating mountains of Avatar. Yes, those mountains actually exist, they filmed them at Zhangjiajie and then cut off the bottoms to make them float in the movie. This is a highlight of highlights in China.
  • Tianmen Mountain: A HUGE highlight day. Experience the most beautiful cable car ride in the world. It also claims to be the longest cable car ride in the world. The ride is over 30 minutes as it travels through beautiful canyons and scenery to the top of Tianman Mountain, where we will spend the day.
  • Both the Yangtze and the Li River in one tour. Rarely will a tour include both. Usually, you must pick between a tour that includes the Li River or one that includes the Yangtze. If you are going to China, you need to do both.
  • The BEST Cultural Shows: We don’t add them as an extra that you have to buy, we have included some of the very best cultural shows China has to offer.
  • REAL 5-Star Luxury Hotels and Cruise Ship: In China hotels and Yangtze River cruise ships can assign their star rating more or less on their own – many companies passengers end up in hotels and cruise ships on the Yangtze that state they are 5 stars but in reality, they are more like a 3 star. Majority of our hotels are 5 Star PLUS and our luxury Yangtze Cruise ship’s cabins all have private balconies. In 2025 we were on the same cruise ship with a National Geographics group. They paid more than double for a shorter China tour that did not include the Zhangjiajie Mountains, the ancient walled city of Pingyao, Guangzhou or the many shows we included.
  • The ancient walled city of Pingyao: China’s best-preserved ancient walled city. The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is often called a living museum. Even though the ancient walled city is many hundreds of years old, the buildings are all lived in. The first banking system in China started in Pingyao. This will be a major highlight.
  • Pandas and the Guangzhou Zoo Shows: A great place to see Pandas is at the Guangzhou Zoo. The Zoo also has many animal shows to enjoy. We will also enjoy a fantastic evening show across from our luxury hotel.
  • High-Speed Trains are faster than flying: By the end of 2022 China was close to having 30,000 miles of high-speed rail lines, they are working on getting to 50,000 miles of highspeed rails. Highspeed trains travel between 120 to 220 miles an hour. We used to do 5 airplane flights inside of China. By the time you add the drive through traffic to the airports, the hours needed at the airport before the flights, along with the drive time back into the next city – in every routing, traveling by high speed train has become faster than flying. That doesn’t even take into consideration that the vast majority of our flights were over an hour late. The trains have more comfortable seats, more leg room and you get to enjoy the beautiful China landscapes when traveling by train.
  • High-Speed Train Baggage issues: China’s High-Speed Trains have only a small area around your seat that can handle American’s small carry-ons – which is the size of what the Chinese would take as a suitcase. There is no room for large suitcases without having to eat up your leg room. Then there is the massive headache of loading and unloading buses, dragging large suitcases through train stations, along with having to lift your large suitcases on and off the trains. We are the only company we know of that has solved this issue. Your suitcases are taken from your hotel room in one city and will magically appear in your hotel room in the next city. We have your large luggage trucked from your hotel room to your next hotel in the next city. You are free to travel on the high-speed trains with your day pack or small carry-on – without having to handle or worry about your large suitcases.

Bottom Line: We designed our tour to bring the very best of China, you will see and experience more with us than any other company. China should be your #1 Choice. There are more WOW days in China than you will find on any other tour anywhere in the world!

4-night Bali Pre-tour Option

Note: With the Bali pre tour option your international airfare will be from the U.S. to Bali and then back to the U.S. from Beijing at the end of the China tour. The flight from Bali to join the regular group in Shanghai, is included as part of your Bali Package.

4-night Bali Pre-tour Option

This is highly recommended: Bali has been voted the most beautiful island in the world. You are already in the area; it is too fantastic of a deal to pass up. In addition to having time to enjoy a fantastic luxury beach resort your touring will include a tour of the island along with an exciting rafting experience through an area that feels like the Grand Canyon covered in moss. It’s absolutely stunning.

Here is what Is included in the Bali Option:

  • 4 nights in 5-star luxury at The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa.
  • $490 in one way airfare between Bali and Shanghai.
  • All tours, buses, guides and entrance fees during your time in Bali.
  • Possibly the most beautiful rafting experience in the world.
  • Tour managers from Fun For Less Tours “We Don’t Send You, We Take You”.
  • Total of Optional Bali Pre-tour experience: $1,795

Package Price Includes:

22 Day China, Yangtze & Zhangjiajie Package Includes:

  • 16 nights in Real 5-Star Luxury Hotels.
  • 4 nights on a Real 5-Star Luxury River Cruise Ship.
    • All rooms have a private balcony.
    • Includes all shore excursions.
    • Includes all ship taxes and fees.
  • High Speed Trains.
    • Shanghai to Guilin.
    • Guilin to Guangzhou.
    • Guangzhou to Hong Kong.
    • Hong Kong to Guangzhou.
    • Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie.
    • Chongqing to Xian.
    • Xian to Pingyao.
    • Pingyao to Beijing.
  • Special Luggage Service others do not do: We take all large pieces of luggage by truck to the next area while you travel by high-speed train. Our passengers do not have to handle luggage at the train station or on the trains!
  • Li River Cruise AND the Yangtze River Cruise: Very few tours offer both the Li River and the Yangtze on the same tour. We include both!
  • FANTASTIC included Cultural Shows.
  • Guangzhou Zoo – Includes pandas and shows inside the zoo.
  • Quality Meals: The quality of the meals can make or break your tour. We have the quality! Breakfast is included every morning in China and dinner is included on all but two nights in China. Also, lunches are included during your Yangtze cruise.
  • All buses, guides and entrance fees.
  • Gondola and cable car rides at Zhangjiajie.
  • All transfers, if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.
  • All internal transfers, to and from hotels, airports, hotels, train stations and ships throughout China.
  • All land taxes, hotel taxes and airline taxes inside of China.
  • Cities Visited: Shanghai, Suzhou, Guilin, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Zhangjiajie, Yichang, Chongqing, Xian, Pingyao, Beijing, plus many other small cities on the Yangtze.
  • Special Guest Educator: Arnold Zheng.
  • Fun For Less Tours staff throughout your tour and Yangtze Cruise. “We don’t send you, WE TAKE YOU.”
  • “Whisper Perfect” headset receivers. You can hear every word clearly, even when you step away from the group to take that important picture.
  • Option to purchase our 4-night pre-tour to Bali, the most beautiful island in the world!

Package Price: $6,895**

*Price does not include airfare into Shanghai and home from Beijing. Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy. Does not include Bali pre-tour, international airfare, China visa and tips.

Day 1 April 5: Fly from the US to Shanghai
Depart from the USA and fly to Shanghai, China.

Day 2 April 6: Shanghai
Upon arrival in Shanghai, we will transfer to our hotel. (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)

Day 3 April 7: Suzhou
Today we will visit Suzhou. Suzhou is famous for its exquisite gardens designed in the Classical Chinese style, which aim to recreate smaller versions of beautiful natural landscapes.  Suzhou is home to nine of these UNESCO World Heritage gardens, like the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Lingering Gardens.  It is also well known for its intricate network of canals, earning it the nickname “Venice of the East”.  Later, we will return to Shanghai. (Breakfast, Buffet dinner)

Day 4 April 8: Guilin
Today we will be either taking a flight or going by high-speed train to Guilin. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel. (Breakfast, Buffet dinner)

Day 5 April 9: Guilin – Li River
After breakfast, we will travel to the Li River, where we will board our boat. Our boat will take us through some of the most beautiful and unique rock formations found anywhere in the world. The scenic drive to and from the Li River is filled with terraced rice paddies. (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)

Day 6 April 10: Guilin/Guangzhou by high-speed train:
This morning we will visit one of the most impressive, stunning caves in the world – the Reed Flute Cave. Then we will head to the train station for our mid-day high-speed train from Guilin to Guangzhou. Your special 5-Star luxury hotel is one of the biggest highlights on this trip.  We want to arrive early enough to allow our group time to fully enjoy this special hotel.  (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)

Day 7 April 11: Guangzhou Panda Day (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)
Today we will visit the Chimelong Safari Park. There is so much to do and see, and we will have the full day to enjoy the animals and shows at your leisure. Our local guides will give you advice on what is best to see and experience. One of the highlights will be your visit to the pandas. Chimelong Safari Park is home to one of the largest panda populations in captivity. This evening, we are scheduled for another wonderful show just across the street from our hotel. (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)

Day 8 April 12: Guangzhou – Hong Kong – Guangzhou
This morning we will take a high-speed train to Hong Kong. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, we will enjoy a city tour including the Victoria Peak Tram and Stanley Market. Later, we will take a high-speed train back to Guangzhou. (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)

Day 9 April 13: Guangzhou – Zhangjiajie
Today we will travel by high-speed train from Guangzhou to Zhangjiajie, where they filmed the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.  Though the mountains only float through the magic of cinematography, this is still a stunning place to visit.  As we draw closer to this area, later in the day, you will be amazed by the beauty outside of your train windows. (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)

Day 10 April 14: Zhangjiajie – Tianmen Mountain
After breakfast, we transfer to Zhangjiajie downtown to take the 4.5-mile-long cable car way to the top of Tianmen Mountain, the highest mountain in the Zhangjiajie area (standing at over 5,000 feet).  We will experience sub-primitive forests, enjoy the breathtaking glass skywalk and the 100-meter-tall natural hole—Tianmen Cave, before riding one of the longest escalators in the world down through the middle of the mountain. This evening, we will attend an outdoor show that will absolutely amaze you, the Tian Men Hu Xian. (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)

Day 11 April 15: Zhangjiajie – Zhangjiajie/Tianzi Mountains
Another huge highlight day. After breakfast at the hotel, we will take the bus to Mountain Tianzi—nicknamed the “King of the Peak Forest”.  We will take a cable car up to the peak of this over 3,000 feet high mountain, enjoying incredible views of the surrounding rolling mountains, peaks, and picturesque rocks, which gives a sense of mystery as if in a fairyland.  This is the area where Avatar was filmed.  (Breakfast, Buffet dinner at the hotel)

Day 12 April 16: Zhangjiajie – Yichang – Ship
This morning, we will take a beautiful drive to the Three Gorges Dam and board our 5-star luxury ship on the Yangtze. We will spend 5 days and 4 nights cruising the beautiful, majestic Yangtze River. Tonight we enjoy a Welcome Dinner on the ship.
Cruise: Century Cruise 5-star cruise ship – (Breakfast, Buffet on the ship)

Day 13 April 17: Cruising the Yangtze
The Yangtze is beautiful with green mountains, manicured farms, and fjord-like 3,000-foot cliffs; you will be awe-struck by its beauty. We will start our day by visiting the world’s largest man-made dam. The ship locks of the Panama Canal pale in comparison. Each of the 5 ship locks will raise the ship 60 feet into the air. Spectacular, unique, mystic, and magical are the adjectives describing the magnificent scenery along the Three Gorges, unfolding on a monumental scale, equal to the Grand Canyon. Today, we will go through the Misty Gorge, where you will see exquisite peaks, grotesquely shaped rocks, and silvery waterfalls. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14 April 18: Cruising the Yangtze
We will start our day with our shore excursion to Shennv Stream. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We will then return and continue sailing through Wu Gorge and on to the grandest Gorge on the Yangtze, the Qutang Gorge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15 April 19: Cruising the Yangtze
Today we will visit one of the relocation cities.  Before the dam was built, everyone lived in small cities next to the Yangtze.  Many small cities had to be moved up to higher “relocation cities” before the dam was filled with water, and these low-lying cities were flooded, creating a long lake instead of a river. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 16 April 20: Chongqing – Xian
This morning, we will leave our 5-star luxury ship on the Yangtze in Chongqing and drive through China’s largest city, with a population of over 34 million.  We will then travel by high-speed train from Chongqing to Xian.  You will love this ride through the many canyons, tunnels, and beautiful landscapes on our way to Xian. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 17 April 21: Xian – Terracotta Warriors
After breakfast, we will spend the day visiting the Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s great archeological treasures. Xian was the ancient capital of 11 dynasties and one of the largest medieval cities in the world. The huge city wall with its intact moat surrounds the city.  We will find time for you to walk on the city wall.  This evening, we will attend one of the best cultural shows you will see anywhere in the world – The Tang Dynasty Dinner and Cultural Show. This fantastic show is full of music, dance, and colorful traditional costumes. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 18 April 22: Xian – PingYao
This morning, we travel by high-speed train to visit the Ancient city, PingYao. PingYao was so impressive that our 2025 tour expressed that there wasn’t enough time to really experience it.  Our 2025 group took a high-speed train from Xian to Beijing with a few hours’ stopover in Pingyao.  After listening to the comments and suggestions from our 2025 group about not having enough time AND wanting to overnight in PingYao, we did just that for this tour. PingYao is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Its ancient city wall still surrounds the full city.  Little has changed inside this walled city over the past 500 years.  This will be a huge highlight!  By adding an extra day with an overnight in PingYao, our 2026 group will now have time to even enjoy the ancient city at night when it is lit up by lanterns.   (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 19 April 23: PingYao – Beijing
This morning we will take the high-speed train from PingYao to Beijing.  Later today, we will visit the Summer Palace in Beijing.  This is the other reason we added a day.  Our 2025 Group missed the Summer Palace because there simply wasn’t enough time in Beijing due to all the traffic. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 20 April 24: Beijing
Today we will visit the Temple of Heaven.  This afternoon, we will make our anticipated visit to the Forbidden City. A huge complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards, and gardens. The Forbidden City was off-limits to common people for over 500 years. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 21 April 25: Beijing bus
This morning early, we will travel 40 miles north of Beijing to the Juyongguan Pass Great Wall. This extraordinary 4,000-mile-long fortification was built to thwart the barbarian invasions. A walk along the enormous towered and turreted wall is spectacular. We will return to Beijing midafternoon, where you will have free time to shop at Silk Market and explore more on your own. Dinner is not included tonight as many will be out shopping before heading home. (Breakfast)

Day 21 April 26: Beijing /ETD Flight Home
This morning, we will transfer to the airport for your flight home.  (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.) (Breakfast)

OPTIONAL BALI PRE-TOUR EXTENSION (Day-by-Day Itinerary)

Day 1: April 1: Fly to Bali
Today you will fly to Bali.

Day 2: April 2: Bali
Upon arrival in Bali, we will transfer to your beautiful LUXURY beach resort, where you will stay for the next 4 nights.

Day 3: April 3: Bali
Free day to enjoy your fantastic beach resort.

Day 4: April 4: Bali – Full-Day Tour
Full-day tour of Bali. You will see beautifully layered rice paddies and also enjoy one of the most beautiful rafting experiences in the world as you float by moss-covered cliffs and deep jungles in the middle of Bali. We will then visit Tanah Lot before returning to our hotel.

Day 5: April 5: Bali
Free day to enjoy your fantastic beach resort.

Day 6: April 6: Bali – Shanghai
This morning you will travel to the airport and fly to Shanghai.  After our arrival, we transfer to our hotel. Tonight, we will meet those in the group who are not going to Bali. We will remain together for the rest of the tour.  (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)