9 Days-China (Shanghai, Zhangjiajie & Guangzhou)

About the destination: Shanghai is modern city located just south of the mouth of the mighty Yangtze River and split in two by the Huangpu River. It is one of China's largest metropolis and it is considered the most cosmopolitan, sophisticated and progressive city in mainland China. Shanghai is a good place to visit if you want to catch a glimpse of the future of China. A whole new city of skyscrapers has been built in its Pudong district, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has become one of the city’s landmarks and is one of the tallest structures in Asia and the Shanghai World Financial Center, the third largest building in Asia and the world. At the west side of the Yangzi River is Puxi area, the older central part of the city. Puxi has very rich history and is here where you will encounter many of the city’s old buildings and attractions, such as the French Concession, the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden, the Jiu Qu Bridge, the Huxin Pavilion and the Temple. Shanghai is China’s cosmopolitan hub of finance and culture. Shanghai has a special oriental charm and a fresh western style that appeal to everyone. And it is also a good base to explore the more rural and classical sights of nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

About the destination: Zhangjiajie is located in central China, northwest Hunan Province, over 1,000 kilometers from both Shanghai and Beijing. Zhangjiajie is famous for its precarious peaks, limpid streams, dense forests, and large karst caves. Zhangjiajie was thrust into foreigner travelers' eyes after the movie Avatar. The Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar were inspired by Heavenly Pillar in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. In 1982, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park became China's first national forest park.

About the destination: Guangzhou or Canton, the capital of Guangdong Province, is the third biggest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai with a population of more than 12 million. Founded in 214 BC, the city has been a springboard for trading, cultural exchanges, many revolutions and reforms, making it an unavoidable stopover to understand what shapes the modern China. Guangzhou is one of the twenty-four famous historical and cultural cities in China. It does not, however, have the amount of cultural attractions found in some cities such as Beijing and Xian. The Pearl River flows through Guangzhou City. At evening, taking a boat tour on the river to admire the breathtaking night view of the city is a great enjoyment. Stretching one's eyesight, visitors can see the gorgeous Canton Tower under dazzling lights reaching up to the sky. There are more sites to visit than those just listed. Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, having a long history of about 1,400 years, is one of the four best Buddhist temples in the city; Huaisheng Mosque (Remember the Sage Mosque) was built in 7th century in memory of the ancestor of Islam, Mohammed; Western Han Nanyue King's Tomb Museum is the oldest and largest Han tomb with the most funerary objects in Lingnan Area.