Mountainside Tees, Valley Greens... And Much More!
Golf\'s popularity has surged across China in recent times with the opening of numerous courses meeting international standards across the country.
The Echo Golf Tour is designed to have you playing China\'s premier courses from the big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai to mountainous regions of Lijiang and Suzhou. When not on the links, you\'ll enjoy the best of Chinese culture in seven of the country\'s most tantalizing and beautiful destinations.
China\'s capital city eagerly awaits your visit! Locations below are available in our different package tours but can also be included in a custom upon request.Day 1: Tiananmen Square
Located at the center of Beijing City is Tiananmen Square, where you can visit Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People\'s Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and see the national flag raising ceremony. Thousands of people come to the Square every day.
The granite Monument to the People\'s Heroes is just at the center of the Tiananmen Square. Built in 1952, it is the largest monument in China\'s history. "The People\'s Heroes are Immortal", written by Chairman Mao, is engraved on the monument. Eight unusually large relief sculptures show to the people the development of Chinese modern history. Two rows of white marble railings provide a simple, yet beautiful, enclosure to the monument.
The present Tiananmen Square has an area of roughly 110 acres and has become a relaxing place for locals to fly kites and walk. On holidays, the entire square is covered with fresh flowers.
Lying at the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City (Gu Gong in Mandarin Chinese) was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is to the north of Tiananmen Square.
Rectangular in shape, it is the world\'s largest palace complex. Surrounded by a seven foot deep moat and a 12 foot high wall are 9,999 buildings. The wall has a gate on each side. Opposite the Tiananmen Gate and to the north is the Gate of Devine Might (Shenwumen), which faces Jingshan Park. There are unique and delicately structured towers on each of the four corners of the curtain wall that afford breathtaking views over both the palace and the city outside.
The Temple of Heaven, at three times the area of the Forbidden City, is China\'s largest existing complex of ancient sacrificial buildings. It was built in 1420 for emperors to worship Heaven. The principle buildings include the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Circular Mound Altar.
The Altar of Prayer for Good Harvest stands on a round foundation built with three levels of marble stones. This towering triple-eave hall is under a three-story, cone-shaped glaze-tile roof in blue color crowned with a gilded knob. A circular wall of polished bricks known as the Echo Wall encloses the Imperial Vault of Heaven.
The show focuses on a young boy found wondering outside an ancient temple somewhere in China, who dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master. As with all stories, things don\'t go exactly according to plan. After being taken into the temple the young novice monk called Chun Yi (the pure one) has many temptations to overcome, but through hard work and over time he conquers and finally reaches his sacred goal of enlightenment.
Many places of the show are presented like a dream in appearance. In the show you can find the flying fairy created in Chun Yi\'s mind and brimstone of the blacksmiths workshop, where the tools and armor are made. The ceiling of the theatre lights up like the night sky with twinkling stars. The main innovation is the blend of the different parts of performance art.&bnsp; The modern dancers have mixed elements of Kung Fu into their performance and the Kung Fu performers have adopted some of the modern dance actions.Day 2 am: Beijing International Golf Club
Built next to the beautiful Ming Tombs Reservoir, the 18-hole, par 72 course at the Beijing International Golf Club covers 250 acres with a length of 6,986 yards.
The entire course is at the feet of the surrounding mountains, with the fairways winding throught them.
The course is among the most popular in China and hosted the Volvo China Open three years in a row. The long fairways are well over 500 yards. The most difficult is the par 4, 405 yard 7th hole with its tight, tree-lined fairway. While working toward par on this challenging hole, you\'ll be in awe of the astounding natural beauty.
The Great Wall of China is acknowledged as one of the greatest wonders of the world. Like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles) from east to west of China.
With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections of the great wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
Day 2 eve: Lao She Teahouse
The Lao She Teahouse is a very exciting cultural experience not usually found on a tourist itinerary. It is named after the drama Teahouse by Chinese author, Lao She. Although an attempt to give a taste of a Beijing tea-house during Lao She\'s time, it has instead transformed into a wonderful entertainment house with short shows by comedians, singers, musicians, acrobats and opera performers. In short, a kaleidoscopic view of Beijing culture is to be had while sipping tea with light refreshment.
Dinner before the show is provided separately in another section of the building. An adjacent room display paintings, art objects like paper cuttings, figurines, antiques, kites and jade carvings.Day 3 am: Beijing Country Golf Club
The Beijing Country Golf Club is an beautiful sight with tall, green trees, lakes, jade stone bridges, and green hills scattered about. You will feel the naturally rural atmosphere from tee box to green.
Challenging greens and a truly unique design make the lighted fairways an adventure every time you tee off and cater to golfers of all skill levels. The site also hosts a driving range, swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling, sauna room and workout center.
Xian stands as a living history book of the great changes of the Chinese nation. Called Chang\'an in ancient times, Xian is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of the country. During Xian\'s 3,100 year development, 13 dynasties such as Western Zhou (11th century BC - 771 BC), Qin (221 BC - 206 BC), Western Han (206 BC - 24 AD) and Tang (618 - 907) placed their capitals here.Day 4 am: Terra Cotta Warrior Site
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.
Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guards looked like back in the days of pomp and vigor.
Altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Most of them have been restored to their former grandeur.
As the symbol of the old-world Xian, Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It is located in the southern suburb of Xian City, about 4 kilometers (2.49 miles) from downtown Xian. Standing in the Da Ci\'en Temple complex, it attracts countless visitors because of its notoriety in the Buddhist religion, its simple but appealing architecture, and its new square at the front of the temple.
The attraction is comprised of three distinct parts in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Da Ci\'en Temple, and the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
The scenery immediately surrounding Big Wild Goose Pagoda is also quite charming, especially the square north of the Da Ci\'en Temple. The entire square is composed of waterscape fountains, gardens and tourist paths. There you can find genuine Chinese culture and traditions and fully enjoy truly attractive landscapes. With reliefs based on the prosperous Tang Dynasty, 650-foot long sculpture groups, sculpted figures, and musical fountains, it has become a must-see when visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.Day 5: Xian Ya Jian International Golf Club
Located in the Caotang Tourism and Holiday Resort of Huxian County in the southwest of Xian, the Xian Ya Jian International Golf Club lies at the foot of the undulating chain of the Qinling Mountains in the south, and faces the Caotang Temple, a famous Buddhist sacred site in the north, roughly 20 miles from Xian City.
The 165 acre, 18 hole, par 72 golf course meets international standards for play and has a total length of 7,105 yards. The driving range has 25 tee boxes and the course has a 250 yard long practice area.Day 6 am: Ancient City Wall
The Xian City Wall is not only the most completely well preserved example of ancient Chinese architecture but also the largest and most integral ancient military fort in the world.
The wall was constructed in the early Ming Dynasty on the basis of the Imperial City of Chang An (Everlasting Peace) of the Tang Dynasty. It is also a symbol of great significance of the famous historic cultural city of Xian.
As old as it is, the Xian Wall has been preserved intact. The construction of the Xian City was formally started in the seventh year of Emperor Hongwu\'s reign (1374) and completed in the eleventh year of Hongwu\'s reign (1378).
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement that creates harmony and prosperity in our lives. If you have walked into a home or a place of business and instantly felt at ease, chances are you have experienced good Feng Shui. If you couldn\'t get out of a store or office fast enough, you may have been in an establishment that didn\'t have good Feng Shui.
For over four thousand years, Feng Shui practitioners have balanced the relationship between the natural world and our dwelling spaces. While it began as a method for choosing auspicious land for optimum survival, Feng Shui is recognized today as an effective method for helping us function in our complex, modern societies.
The Chinese Feng Shui character literally means \'wind and water\'. This represents a natural balance of opposite forces such as the familiar yin yang.'+packagetourinquiry+'
Guilin is regarded in China as the country\'s most picturesque city. Two crystal-clear rivers meander through the city, which is encircled by mountains with unusual and bizarre rock formations and caves.Day 7: Guilin Merryland Golf Club
The par 72, 7,073 yard Guilin Merryland Golf Club is the largest golf club in Guangxi and is also the only one 18 hole foothill course in China that meets international standard.
The front and the back nine holes differ greatly. The front nine are surrounding by hills and follow a winding river, increasing the challenge with every swing. The foothills on each side of the fairways are very diverse. The back nine is divided by water. One one hole you\'ll find the green hidden in the valley while another hole challeges with a ladder-like green.
Day 7 eve: Grand Impression Show of Sister Liu
Boosting a total area of 2 km and 12 peaks, the Shanshui Theatre is ideal for its breathtaking scenery which includes mountains, rivers, forests, and one of the largest natural theatres in the world. The auditorium resembles a green terrace with a panoramic view. Lighting and sound equipment is elaborately designed to enhance the natural setting. There are roughly 2,200 seats with 180 reserved for VIPs and 20 for heads of state. The performance of \'The Grand Impression Show of Sister Liu\' is held here near the beautiful Lijiang River, facing the widely known Scholar\'s Page Hill.
Unlike a traditional stage performance which is limited by its facilities, the Shanshui Theatre incorporates its beautiful natural scenery into its performance. You will be truly impressed by the misty rains, bamboo forests, and mountains.'+packagetourinquiry+'
Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City. The special geography gives it breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a deep traditional culture. The diverse ethnic minority groups including Hui, Zhuang, Yao and others, enrich it with special folk cultures represented by their various festivals while many foreign residents add exotic flavors to its fascination.
Streets in Yangshuo are well kept in the original style, presenting the simple and primitive atmosphere of the ancient town. West Street is the most exciting one that locals call the \'Global Village\'. There are quite a number of foreign residents managing cafés and restaurants. The exotic flavor, combined with the traditional culture, make the West Street world famous.Day 8 am: Li River Cruise
The famous Li (also called Lijiang) River traverses the landscape surrounding Yangshuo and brings it the most beautiful scenery. Along the extremely pure river, thousands of hills stand in different poses and with different expressions, such as Moon Hill, Mural Hill and Schoolboy Hill which is the natural stage of the world famous opera \'Impression on Sanjie Liu\'.
The Li is cosidered one of Earth\'s most stunningly beautiful journeys. The river has very smooth water which mirrors and creates a fairytale landscape of mountain and hill peaks reaching for the sky.
The Li River cruise is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. You will also see water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts.
Day 8 pm: Bike Along the Yulong River
A major tributary of the Li River, the Yulong River flows through some of the most beautiful Karst (limestone) scenery near Yangshuo. Local people use rafts as daily transportation up and down the river between houses, markets, and rice paddies. Some villagers made bigger rafts and started to woo travelers and soon it became a highlight of the tour around Yangshuo.
Several bike rides and hikes also follow the Yulong river taking in local villages and rice paddies. These can be some of the most memorable days on your China experience.
Crisscrossed with rivers and streams, the Yangshuo area is embraced by the Li and Yulong Rivers on the outskirts while the city is within the arms of the Dragon-head Hill, Duli and other peaks and hills. Yangshou is famous for its many mountains that are an intergral part of the cityscape. They form designs that have been inspirations of writers and artists for centuries. Xu Xiake, a famous traveler of the Ming Dynasty praised Yangshuo as \'A world of green lotuses and jade bamboo-shoots\'.
The town\'s well-preserved dwellings, winding cobblestone alleys and narrow streams have made her a Mecca for backpackers in China. Indeed, Yangshuo has a vibe that makes you want to sip tea by a small stream and soak in the sun as you ponder the patina of a stately weathered old house, and catch a fleeting insight into what life must have been like generations ago.'+packagetourinquiry+'
Lijiang is an attractive tourist destination in Yunnan Province that covers four counties and an Old Town District. Lijiang is the main region inhabited by the Naxi people, one of China\'s 55 minority ethnic groups. Local residents have, for centuries, established their splendid Dongba Culture which has absorbed aspects of the culture of Tibet and the Central Plains along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The various souvenirs marked with these Dongba hieroglyphs are very popular with visitors from home and abroad.Day 9: Old Town
The Old Town of Lijiang, a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, is a central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province. Located on a plateau which is 7,874 feet above the sea level, the city is embraced by the tree-covered Lion Mountain in the west, Elephant and Golden Row Mountains in the north, vast fertile fields in the southeast, and has crystal clear water running through it.
Due primarily to the progress of the Naxi ethnic minority, buildings in town incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free-style and flexible. Houses are close and diverse and the lanes are narrow and meandering.Day 10 am: Yulong Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Course
At 8,450 yards from the pro tees, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Course is currently the longest regulation 18-hole golf course in the world. Situated at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, the course plays to a more traditional 7,000 yards thanks to the length inducing effect of altitude (at 10,000 feet the ball travels some 20% further).
The course is set in the bottom of the valley of Shangri-La, which inspired the famous book by James Hilton and later the award-winning film of the same name. The valley faces the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that has eleven snow capped peaks and permanent glacier – the only one in China. Little dirt was moved during construction and the course ebbs and flows with the natural landscape.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Mountain) is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Consisting of 13 peaks, among which Shanzidou is the highest at 18,360 feet, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches 22 miles long and 13 miles wide. Looking from Lijiang Old Town nine miles away, the snow-covered and fog-enshrouded mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants. One fourth of all plant species in China can be found here and 20 ancient forest communities shelter a big family of 400 types of trees and 30 kinds of animals which are protected by the state. These species live in different temperature levels and create different kinds of views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The 13 peaks are covered by snow all year round; the mountain is called the \'Natural Glacier Museum\' for it has all glacier types. Descending from the mountaintop you can see rivers and pools, which are formed by the thawed snow water running along the valley and through the forests. The plants and the animals are different according to the altitude, so are the views. Every sight brings a surprise and every step takes you to a new scene.'+packagetourinquiry+'
As the saying goes - \'Gardens to the south of Yangtze River are the best in the world, and Suzhou gardens are the best among them\'.
These gardens attain their grand reputation not only for their vast numbers, but also for their charming natural beauty and harmonious construction. At present more than 60 gardens are kept intact in Suzhou, and a series of them have been listed in the World Heritage List, including the Humble Administrator\'s Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Garden of Master of Nets and the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty.Day 12 am: Humble Administrator\'s Garden
The beautiful waterside City of Suzhou in South China is most famous for its elegant classical gardens. Among these, the Humble Administrator\'s Garden, covering almost 13 acres, is the largest and most renowned. Due to its unique designs and ethereal beauty, the garden has garnered many special honors. Along with the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mountain Resort of Chengde in Hebei Province and the Lingering Garden in Suzhou, it is considered as one of China\'s four most famous gardens. No other classic garden in the country has been honored more than this one.
The Humble Administrator\'s Garden was originally built in 1509 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was initially a private garden of a former government servant named Wang Xianchen. It was said he intended to build a garden after retired and just do some gardening work like planting trees and vegetables there, which was said to be the life of a humble man by him, hence is the name of the garden. The garden was created upon the old relics of a resident and a temple. Water is the main background and its natural landscape includes small forests, hills and rock formations.
The Master-of-the-Nets Garden, or Wang Shi Yuan, was first prepared during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279) but was later abandoned. It was rediscovered in the 18th century by a retired official who restored the gardens. Like many Confucian scholar-officials, he preferred the peace of nature to the wrangling of Court life. He is said to have remarked that he would rather be a fisherman than a bureaucrat. Hence the origin of the garden\'s name.
Like the Humble Administrator\'s Garden, this garden is divided into three parts: an eastern, or residential, area; a central, or main, garden; and a western, or inner, garden. This garden is, however, one of the smallest in Suzhou, being only one-tenth the size of the Humble Administrator\'s Garden.
A famous Song Dynasty poet, Su Shi said, \'It is a lifelong pity if having visited Suzhou you did not visit Tiger Hill.\' This epitomizes the general opinion of those who have seen this local point of interest with its many attractions.
Tiger Hill, known also as Surging Sea Hill, covers over three acres and is 118 feet in high. Climbing the hill, numerous historical sites are seen, some of which can be traced back over 2,500 years to the founding of Suzhou.
Tiger Hill is a wonderful sight with its leaning pagoda, waterfalls and landscaped paths. It is hard to believe the hill was man made to be the burial place of a king but this is yet another part of the wonder that is China, a land that will never cease to amaze and enthral the visitor with its heritage.Day 13 am: Suzhou Sunrise Golf Club
This is a masterpiece of Jack Nicklaus - the world famous golf grandmaster and golf course architect. Suzhou Sunrise Golf Course is a perfect mixture of "links" style and Chinese characteristics. There are 5 different courses. Each of the artistically designed greens with 480 to 750 square meters in area presents challenge golfers. Even expert putters will find a number of the greens a real challenge.
The club provides a full range of recreation facilities such as tennis courts, villas for holidaymakers, luxury hotel, children\'s paradise, etc. Besides the exhilarating golf, members can take a cruise tour to the picturesque Yangcheng Lake or completely relax with a sun bath or sauna. Guests can relish local Jiangsu cuisine, Shanghai crabs as well as Japanese delicacies. There is a golf shop in the club providing a gamut of golf products.
Today\'s Shanghai is a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Bubbling Shanghai shows off every aspect of her unique glamour.
Shanghai is a scintillating city swirling with rapid cultural change. Since market restrictions were lifted, it has embraced the forces of business and design and rewritten its rule book shaping a fresh, new city that is sophisticated, innovative and living a life it has never lived before.
A wide variety of cuisines can be found in the city and today Shanghai offers a plethora of culinary delights focusing on the traditions of Beijing, Yangzhou, Sichuan, Guangzhou as well as its own local dishes. Shanghai\'s restaurants are among the finest to be found in China and they welcome diners from anywhere at any time.Day 14 pm: Visit Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan\'s parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.
In the 400 years of its existence, Yuyuan Garden has undergone many changes. During the late Ming Dynasty, it became very dilapidated with the decline of Pan\'s family. In 1760, some rich merchants bought Yuyuan Garden and spent more than 20 years reconstructing the buildings. The Yuyuan Garden you see today is the result of a five year restoration project which began in 1956. The garden was open to the public in September, 1961.
The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. It starts from the Baidu Bridge, which is at the connecting point of the Huangpu River and the Suzhou Creek, to the East Jinling Road and winds less than one mile in length. Walking along the Bund, which is at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen on the opposite side and also the Jin Mao Tower. Being one of the Top Ten Shanghai attractions, the Bund is a really beautiful and special place which is worth visiting.
The most famous and attractive sites are the 52 various buildings of different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. The Bund was the centre of Shanghai\'s politics, economy and culture hundreds of years ago, consulates of most countries and many banks, businesses and newspaper offices were settled there.Day 15: Shanghai Sun Island Golf Course
About 35 miles outside of Shanghai\'s city center lies this 6,861 yard, par 72, 18-hole course, designed by the Nelson, Wright & Haworth Golf Course Architects group, arguably the most difficult golf course in Shanghai.
Sun Island Golf club has hosted such great tournaments as the Volvo China open. As if the designers knew the high level of skill that would be required to par this course, they added practice facilities that include a driving range with 30 individual bays, pitching and bunker area, and an 18-hole mini-golf course to sharpen your green skills.'+packagetourinquiry+'
