12 Days / 11 Nights

Day 1 Sat: Arrive Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of the People’s Republic of China. You are welcomed at the airport and escorted to BEIJING GRAND CHANG AN HOTEL. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Day 2 Sun: Forbidden City with Tiananmen Square & Summer Palace
Visit the Forbidden City, the 250-acre palace containing more than 9,000 rooms. Closed to the common people for centuries, it was only opened to the public in 1949. Also visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Later, explore the Summer Palace, the retreat of China’s royal families for over 2,000 years. Evening enjoy the famous Peking Opera. (BLD)

Day 3 Mon: Great Wall Excursion
The highlight of your stay in this ancient capital is a visit to the Great Wall. It is easy to see why the Great Wall, built 2,300 years ago and extending 3,750 miles, can be seen by astronauts from space! You will also visit the Ming Tombs, including a nice walk on the Sacred Way, which was regarded as the formal entrance to the Tombs. Also visit the Tomb of Emperor Zhudi, founder of the Forbidden City. (BL)

Day 4 Tue: Hutong Tour / Temple of Heaven
Start your tour with the marvelous 15th century Temple of Heaven, possibly the country’s most popular symbol. It was believed to be the closest place to heaven and was where the emperors would communicate with the gods. Enjoy Hutong excursion by trishaw with a very different look at daily life of old Beijing, stopping for tea at a local family. Tonight you will enjoy a Beijing Duck Dinner. (BLD)

Day 5 Wed: Beijing / Xian
Morning fly to the ancient capital city of Xian, formerly Changan, once the largest city in the world. Upon arrival, met and transferred to XIAN AURUM INTERNATIONAL HOTEL. Afternoon enjoy your tour of Xian and visit the Shan’xi Provincial Historical Museum. (BL)

Day 6 Thu: Terra Cotta Warriors
Visit the archaeological site of the Terra Cotta Warriors, which have been standing guard over the Imperial Tomb for more than 2,000 years. In the evening, you will be treated to a traditional Tang Dynasty Show with dinner, focusing on the ancient culture of the period. (BLD)

Day 7 Fri: Xian / Guilin
Fly to Guilin, one of the most gorgeous areas in China. It is set amidst jagged, vertical limestone mountains and the soft crop-green banks of the Li River. Check in to GUILIN PARK HOTEL. Later visit Elephant Truck Hill & Piled Silk Hill. (BD)

Day 8 Sat: Li River Excursion
The beauty of this part of China is most fully appreciated from the decks of a slow-moving boat on the Li River as you glimpse some of the mystery of this ancient region. Full day cruise on Li River. (BLD)

Day 9 Sun: Guilin / Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai, “the Paris of the East”—China’s most westernized and largest city. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to GLAXAY HOTEL. Afternoon will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. (B)

Day 10 Mon: Shanghai Sightseeing
Enjoy your sightseeing tour of Shanghai. Stroll along the Bund, a riverside promenade with grand colonial buildings. Then explore the classical Yuyuan Garden, a classic Chinese garden with traditional red walls, upturned tiles roofs and beautiful pavilions. Discover the Jade Buddha Temple, famous for its two Buddha statues made of white jade. Following lunch, visit Children’s Palace, a comprehensive after-school educational facility where children develop their talents by learning special skills such as music and dance, Chinese calligraphy and painting, computer and martial arts. Later, enjoy a performance by famous Chinese Acrobats. (BLD)

Day 11 Tue: Zhujiajiao
Travel to the lakeside water town of Zhujiajiao, which preserves the buildings and customs of old China. Explore its meandering streets, famous canals, and its historic buildings, including the Daqing Youju, a post office dating from the Qing Dynasty. Afternoon return to Shanghai to visit the impressive Shanghai Museum, which houses 110,000 historical objects and 430,000 reference pieces. (BL)

Day 12 Wed: Shanghai / North America
Leave the Orient behind today and board your flight home, filled with memories of your exciting tour of the many marvelous treasures of ancient China. (B)