Fragrant Fields

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.

	Suzhou Master of Fishing Nets Garden

Day 2 BEIJING (AB, L, SD)

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. 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 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. Following lunch there will be a tour of the Summer Palace, a fairyland of pagodas, pavilions and stone bridges on the outskirts of the city. There you can visit Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake and take a leisurely walk down the Long Corridor. 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, D)

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 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 / SUZHOU (via Shanghai) (AB, L, D)

This morning you will fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival at Shanghai airport, 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. Continue your ride to the city of Suzhou, which is often referred to as the "Venice of the East." Enjoy the rest time for leisure in Suzhou.

	Hangzhou West Lake

Day 5 SUZHOU (AB, L, D)

Today 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, the Lingering Garden and the ancient Panmen Gate, the only existing water and land gate in China. After dinner 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 tonight. (A night tour of the Master of Fishing Nets Garden may not be available in the winter time.)

Day 6 SUZHOU / HANGZHOU (AB, L, D)

This morning you will take train ride to the city of Hangzhou, the most beautiful city in the world as praised by Marco Polo. Upon arrival in Hangzhou, you will tour the Pagoda of Six Harmonies, built in the year 970 AD, and view goldfish at Flower Harbor at the West Lake, which is considered one of the top ten scenic attractions of the West Lake.

Day 7 HANGZHOU / NANJING (AB, L, D)

After breakfast, you will cruise the scenic West Lake and enjoy the fascinating sceneries around the lake. Visit a tea orchard and learn the Chinese tea culture. After lunch, take train ride to Nanjing, one of the ancient capital cities in China. Enjoy the rest of evening for leisure.

Day 8 NANJING (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 have a tour of the city wall of more than 600 years and the biggest city gate in the world-Zhonghua City Gate. In late afternoon, you will be taken to the Confucious Temple and Qinhuai River scenic belt for sightseeing and dinner. Enjoy the night view of Qinhuai River.

	Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center

Day 9 NANJING / SHANGHAI (AB, L, SD)

After breakfast, you will take a train ride to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. After a short rest in hotel, you will walk down Nanjing Road to the Bund and have a Cruise on Huangpu River, along the river, you can see row upon row of high-rises standing on both banks of the river and ships cruising one after another on the river. Then get a bird's eye view of Shanghai from the Jinmao Tower.

Day 10 SHANGHAI(AB, L)

Today's excursion you will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, which chronicles Shanghai's past, present and future, then 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.
In the evening you enjoy a wonderful Acrobatic Show.

Day 11 DEPART FROM SHANGHAI (AB)

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

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