10 Days / 9 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. 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. (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. (BLD)

Day 4 Tue: Hutong Tour / Temple of Heaven / Yichang
You will tour some of Beijing’s thousands of hutongs, or ancient city alleys. The hutongs were built as part of a city building plan that followed the etiquette systems of the Zhou dynasty, which had specific protocols regarding how residential areas should be set up. Visit the 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. Tonight you will enjoy a Beijing Roast 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 KING DYNASTY HOTEL. Afternoon enjoy your tour of Xian and visit the Shan’xi Provincial Historical Museum. (BLD)

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 / Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai, “the Paris of the East,” and China’s most westernized and largest city. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to GALAXY HOTEL. Rest of the day at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities. (B)

Day 8 Sat: Shanghai Sightseeing
Your tour of Shanghai includes a visit to Yu Yuan Garden, and a night view of the famous Bund, the wide, tree-lined avenue along the Huangpo River and the former “Wall Street” of foreign powers. Later, enjoy a performance by famous Chinese Acrobats. (BLD)

Day 9 Sun: Zhujiajiao
Enjoy a visit this morning to Zhujiajiao. Located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town wellknown throughout the country, with a history of more than 1700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers, the little anshaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. Later this afternoon visit the Oriental Pearl Tower for a birds eye view of Shanghai. (BLD)

Day 10 Mon: 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)