China Splendors

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.

	The Great Wall winding in the mountain ranges

Day 2 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: A lively Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre.

Day 3 BEIJING (AB, L, -)

The highlight today is a trip to the astonishing Great Wall of China. You will leave the bustle and traffic of Beijing behind and journey through the countryside to see The Great Wall in Mutianyu where you will experience at first hand one of the Wonders of the World (a cable car ride is included). 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" lined with stone statues of different kinds of animals such as lions, elephants, camels and etc. Then back to Beijing.

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. Step back in time as you pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace and enter the Forbidden City, home to the Imperial Courts of the Ming and Qing Dynasty for more than 500 years. The Forbidden City is an enormous complex of perfectly preserved palaces, temples, magnificent squares and formal gardens. You’ll stroll along cobblestone paths once known only to the Emperor's most intimate advisors, visit the private apartments of Imperial concubines and see stunning collections of priceless art, furnishings, and jewelry. After lunch you’ll visit the Summer Palace, a fairyland of pagodas, pavilions and stone bridges on the outskirts of the city. Feast your eyes on the Long Corridor, Longevity Hill, and Kunming Lake. You may also have the opportunity to see pandas at the zoo in Beijing.

	Suzhou Lingering Garden

Day 5 BEIJING / SHANGHAI  (AB, L, D)

This morning you will take a flight to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, often regarded as the Paris of the East. Upon your arrival in Shanghai, you will take an excursion to Zhujiajiao, a water village near Shanghai with a history of more than 1000 years. You will experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents, and immerse yourself in the "old world" architecture and the local customs that have been well preserved.
Optional program:In the evening you enjoy a wonderful Acrobatic Show.

Day 6 SHANGHAI  (AB, L, SD)

Today's excursion takes you to Yuyuan Garden, the Bund, the bustling Nanjing Road, and the well-known Shanghai Museum of Art and History, which ranks among the great museums of the world. Attend a dinner of Shanghai cuisine in the evening, followed by a cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy a fascinating night view of Shanghai.  

Day 7 SHANGHAI / SUZHOU (AB, L, D)

This morning you will visit the Children’s Palace and take a tour of the Oriental Pearl Tower to have a bird’s-eye view of Shanghai before transfer to Suzhou, often referred to as the "Venice of the East". Arrive in Suzhou, you will visit the ancient Panmen Gate, the only existing water and land gate. Tonight you will take a night tour of the Master of Fishing Nets Garden, the most elegantly designed garden while enjoy watching the singing and dancing performances in the garden. (A night tour of the Master of Fishing Nets Garden may not be available in the winter season.)

Day 8 SUZHOU / NANJING (AB, L, SD)

This morning you will cruise on the world famous ancient Grand Canal of more than 2400 years history to experience the unique cultures and glimpse the daily life of the local residents. You will also visit the silk embroidery factory and the Lingering Garden. Then you will be transferred to Nanjing, one of the ancient capital cities in China. You will have a tour of the city wall of more than 600 years and the biggest city gate in the world - Zhonghua City Gate. Then you will be taken to the Confucious Temple and Qinhuai River scenic belt for sightseeing and dinner.  

Day 9 NANJING / HANGZHOU (AB, L, D)

The excursion today takes you to Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s Mausoleum, and the Ming Tomb for the first Ming Emperor which has been designated as the World Cultural Heritage Site by the United Nations. After lunch you will take a train to Hangzhou, the most beautiful city in the world as praised by Marco Polo. Enjoy the rest of evening for leisure. 

	The flower blossom of the West Lake

Day 10 HANGZHOU / GUILIN  (AB, L, D)

After breakfast, you will cruise the scenic West Lake, enjoy the fascinating sceneries and view goldfish at Flower Harbor at the West Lake, which is considered one of the top ten scenic attractions of the West Lake. Then you will tour the Pagoda of Six Harmonies. After that you will visit a tea orchard and learn the Chinese tea culture. In late afternoon, take a late flight to Guilin, famous for its picturesque limestone peaks and rivers.  

Day 11 GUILIN (AB, L, D)

Today you will take a relaxing cruise on the Li River to Yangshuo. Depart from your hotel in the morning. Be transferred to the Zhujiang Pier for a 4 hours wonderful cruise. Enjoy the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank. Disembark at the one-thousand-year-old town Yangshuo in the afternoon and take a countryside tour by Sightseeing Electric Car. You will visit plantings fields, markets and the beautiful villages and a local villager's home to experience the farmer's lifestyle. Enjoy a grand performance of folklore dance accompanied with a backdrop of limestone peaks and rivers accompanied by light and sound on Li River in the evening before returning to Guilin by car.  
 
Day 12 GUILIN / XI’AN (AB, L, SD)

After breakfast, you will take a tour of the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of the city, and the Reed Flute Cave, a fairy land of limestone known as the "Art Gallery of Nature." 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, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures from India. 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 13 XI’AN (AB, L, SD)

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. There is nothing scheduled for the rest of the day, have fun!

Day 14 DEPART FROM XI’AN (AB)

You will be free on this day until be transported to the airport for your flight home.