China Heritage and Splendor

Day 1 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.

Day 2 BEIJING (AB, L, SD)
     
  Today tour the delicately crafted Temple of Heaven, where the emperors used to pray for good harvests. Then visit a Chinese tea center and learn about the Chinese tea culture. After lunch, explore the Hutong, which means Chinese alleyways, by riding a rickshaw (Pedi cab) through the narrow lanes of the old residential quarters. This will give you a glimpse of the local residents' daily lives. Tonight's special dinner will be Beijing Duck, served at an original century-old restaurant. After dinner, enjoy a lively Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre.

Day 3 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-mile 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 4 BEIJING (AB, L, D)

The excursion today includes a visit to Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing and the largest public space in the world and the Forbidden City, the imperial palace which contains the largest and most intact collection of ancient structures in the world. This was the palace for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasty who ruled China for over 500 years. After lunch, there will be a tour of the Summer Palace, the famous resort of Empress Dowager Ci Xi. You can tour Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake and take a leisurely walk down the Long Corridor.

Day 5 BEIJING / XI’AN (AB, L, -)

This morning take a flight to Xi’an, the ancient capital city for 11 dynasties in Chinese history. Upon arrival in Xi’an, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Shanxi Provincial Museum of History. After a dumpling dinner banquet, you will be delighted by an on-stage performance of Tang Dynasty dance and music.

Day 6 XI’AN (AB, L, -)

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 Huaqing Hot Spring and Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. Drive back to the city and take a tour of the well-preserved City Wall and the Bell Tower, the emblem of Xi'an city. 　

Day 7 XI’AN / SUZHOU (via S SHANGHAI) (AB, L, -)

This morning fly to Shanghai, and upon arrival at the 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 the way to Suzhou, you will tour Zhouzhuang, a town with more than one thousand years history near Suzhou. In Zhouzhuang, you will experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents. There you will visit the Old World architecture and observe the local customs that have been so well preserved.

Day 8  SUZHOU / WUXI (AB, L, -)

Today you will cruise on the world-famous, ancient Grand Canal, which is more than 1400 years old. On this cruise you will experience the unique culture and catch a glimpse of the daily life of the local residents. Then visit the silk spinning factory, where you will watch a fashion show and have the opportunity to purchase silk products. Afterwards, explore the Lingering Garden and the ancient Panmen Gate the only existing water and land gate in China. You will head for the city of Wuxi, the "Land of Fish and Rice", where you will stay overnight.　　

Day 9 WUXI / NANJING / TUNXI (AB, L, -)

The highlight today is a tour of the beautiful Tai Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China. Then visit the famous pearl factory which produces the best jewelry in China. In fact, these freshwater 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. In the afternoon head for Nanjing, one of the most important ancient capital cities in China. Upon arrival, you will visit Dr. Sun Yat Sen's tomb. Dr. Sun is known as The Father of the Revolution or The Father of the Republic in the twentieth century of China. Then visit the city wall of more than 600 years and the biggest city gate in the world-Zhonghua City Gate. In the evening, enjoy the night view of Qinhuai River. Take a night train to Tunxi.  

	Sunrise of Mt. Huangshan

Day 10 TUNXI / YELLOW MOUNTAIN (AB, L, -)

Today take a 1.5-hour drive to the foothill of Mt. Huangshan, one of the mountainous scenes listed among China's ten most famous scenic spots. You will ascend the mountain by cable car and then hike and view Begin-to-Believe Peak, Lion peak and the West-sea Canyon in the Mountain Peak area. Stay at the best hotel in Peak area.

Day 11 YELLOW MOUNTAIN (AB, L, -)

Watch the sunrise. Hike and view Flying Rock, Bright Summit, Giant-fish Peak, etc. Stay overnight in the mountain.

Day 12 YELLOW MOUNTAIN / TUNXI / SHANGHAI (AB, L, -)

After breakfast, you will descend the mountain by cable car and go back to Tunxi City by car. Visit Tangyue Archways, Old Street, and the ancient Hui culture. In the evening, you will fly to Shanghai.

Day 13 SHANGHAI (AB, L, -)

Today's excursion you will take a stroll through the 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, then immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the Jade Buddha Temple.Take a city tour to visit Shanghai Museum, known as the Museum of Ancient Chinese Art, where you will find more than 120,000 precious and rare works of art. Then you will stroll along Nanjing Road and visit the Bund, famous waterfront with art-like buildings in China, the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. In the evening, enjoy a wonderful Acrobatic Show.

Day 14 DEPART FROM SHANGHAI (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.