The best cities of China

Day 01  ARRIVE IN BEIJING

Upon arrival in Beijing; our tour guide will meet you at the customs exit of Beijing airport holding a welcome sign board with your name on it. The guide will assist your transfer to the hotel and help you check in. The rest of the day is on your own and can be used for relaxing or exploring the city.

	Forbidden City

Day 02  BEIJING (AB, L, SD)

This morning you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, one of China’s most photographed attractions. This ornate wooden structure was where the “Sons of Heaven”, as the Chinese Emperors were known, worshipped the gods and prayed for good harvests. It is the largest temple complex in China and the lovely park surrounding the ancient tower is a popular spot for morning Tai Chi. After lunch you’ll forget about the skyscrapers and construction cranes of modern Beijing as you venture into Hutong, where the atmosphere of Old Peking lives on. You’ll bicycle or ride rickshaws down narrow lanes and alleyways, past vegetable markets, traditional medicine shops and wooden teahouses. Tonight's special dinner will be Beijing Duck, served at an original century-old restaurant.
Optional program:  Enjoy Beijing Opera in the evening. 

Day 03  BEIJING (AB, L, SD)

This morning you will leave the bustle and traffic of Beijing behind and journey through the countryside to see The Great Wall in Badaling where you will experience at first hand one of the Wonders of the World. There will be plenty of time to walk along a portion of this 3700 miles long marvel or to simply sit and contemplate the wonders of China’s past. Compared with the other normal tours having lunch at the shopping site restaurant, we specially arrange your lunch to be served at a local popular Sichuan food restaurant. Later the journey will take you to the Ming Tomb in the peaceful shadow of Longevity Mountain,where you’ll walk along the “Sacred Way” passing between pairs of huge stone sculptures. We arrange a special a la carte dinner at a famous restaurant in the Wangfujing area, so bring you a good appetite.

Day 04  BEIJING / XI’AN (AB, L, SD)

This morning take a flight to Xi'an, the ancient capital city for 11 dynasties in Chinese history. Upon arrival in Xi'an airport, you will be met and transported to hotel. You tour starts with visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures from India. You’ll stroll through Xian’s bustling markets and visit the Provincial Museum of History where you’ll see artifacts from the Paleolithic period, priceless Tang Dynasty bronzes and treasures from the Silk Road caravans.  Tonight you will be served a delicious dumpling dinner banquet.
Optional program: Enjoy the on-stage performance of Tang Dynasty dance and music in the evening.

Day 05  XI’AN (AB, L, D)

Today you’ll visit the excavation site of the Terra-Cotta Warriors, which many people consider the high point of their trip to China. More than 6000 soldiers, ministers and horses, each individually sculpted from a real life model, stand guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s still unopened tomb. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the site, get a good look at the warriors from various vantage points and visit the excellent museum. You will then take a tour of the well-preserved ancient City Wall and the Bell Tower, the emblem of Xi'an City.

	Zhouzhuang Watertown

Day 06  XI’AN / SHANGHAI / SUZHOU (AB, L, D) (via Shanghai)

This morning you will fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival at Shanghai Airport, you will be met and transported to the city of Suzhou, which is often referred to as the Venice of the East. On your way to Suzhou, you will take a tour of Zhouzhuang, a town of has more than 1,000 years history near Suzhou. In Zhouzhuang, you will experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents, and visit the Old World architecture and observe the local custom that have been so well preserved.

Day 07  SUZHOU / WUXI (AB, L, D)

Today you will cruise on the world famous ancient Grand Canal, with more than 1400 years history, to experience the unique culture and glimpse at the daily life of the local residents. Visit the silk spinning factory, where you will watch the fashion show and have a chance to buy the finest silk products in China. Then visit the Lingering Garden and the ancient Panmen Gate, the only existing water and land gate in China. Later take highway to the city of Wuxi, the Land of Fish and Rice. Stay overnight in Wuxi.

	The Bund of Shanghai

Day 08  WUXI / SHANGHAI (AB, L, D)

The highlight today is a tour of the beautiful Tai Lake in Wuxi, the third largest freshwater lake in China. Visit the famous pearl factory which produces the best jewelry in China. In fact, these fresh-water pearls of Tai Lake are as pretty and precious as Mikimoto pearls in Japan and Tahitian pearls in the Pacific Ocean. The ideal depth of Tai Lake and the right amount of nutrients in the water create colorful and lustrous freshwater pearls.Take train back to Shanghai, China's most popular cosmopolis, which has attracted visitors from all over the world. After arriving in Shanghai, you will be free to explore this exciting city on your own.

Day 09   SHANGHAI (AB, L, SD)

Today you will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, which chronicles Shanghai's past, present and future. Later you will take a stroll through Yuyuan Garden, one of the best Suzhou-style gardens in southern China, and after get a taste of Shanghai's local life in the Yuyuan Market. In the afternoon you will walk down the Bund along the Huangpu River and visit Nanjing Road, and then get a bird's eye view of Shanghai from the Jinmao Tower. In the evening you will witness an exciting Acrobatic Show.  

Day10   SHANGHAI DEPARTURE (AB)

You will be free on this day until the time for your personal guide to escort you to the airport for your flight home.

Itinerary: AB: American Breakfast   L: Lunch   D: Dinner   SD: Special Dinner