Pearls of the Orient

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 flying red flag in the front of the Tiananmen Square

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 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. 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 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 / 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’ll begin the visit with a tour of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures from India. You’ll stroll through Xi'an’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.

	The luxuriously green trees of the Lingering Garden

Day 5 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.
The remainder of the day will be left free for your leisure.

Day 6 XI’AN / HANGZHOU  (AB, L, D)

Today you will take a flight to the city of Hangzhou, the most beautiful city in the world as praised by Marco Polo. Upon arrival, 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 / SUZHOU (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. Then take an afternoon car ride to Suzhou, often referred to as the “Venice of the East.” On your way to Suzhou, you will take a tour of Wuzhen, a waterside town with a history of 1300 years, where you will experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents, and enjoy the “old world” architecture and the local customs that have been so well preserved.

Day 8 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. 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 season.)

	The Bund

Day 9 SUZHOU / SHANGHAI (AB, L, D)

Today you will take train ride back to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, often regarded as the "Paris of the East." Upon your arrival at Shanghai, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. After a shot 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 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