Highlights of China Tour

Day 1 Saturday, May, 10
Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to the hotel.

Capital Hotel Beijing

Day 2 Sunday, May 11
This morning's activities contrast colossal monuments of the past and present. After strolling across the massive Tiananmen Square, an authoritative symbol of today's China, you will by awed by the majesty of the magnificent Forbidden City . In the afternoon, you will visit ancient China's most sacred sites, the majestic Temple of Heaven. This evening, be our guest at a traditional Beijing Duck dinner party.
(B, L, D)

Day 3 Monday, May 12
We start our day with walking the ancient ramparts of the stupendous Great Wall. Spanning over 4000 miles from the Gobi desert in the west to the Bohai Gulf in the east, the Great Wall was built and rebuilt since the 5th century BC. After this visit, stroll along the Sacred Way between statues of warriors and animals to the Ming Tombs and Chang Ling Exhibition Hall. After lunch, visit a cloisonné factory.
(B, L)

Day 4 Tuesday, May 13
No visit in Beijing is complete without a pedicab tour through one of Beijing's quaint Hutong neighborhoods. Here, canals, alleyways and narrow streets provide a rare glimpse of a Beijing scene missed by most tourists.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Summer Palace, built by the mid-18th century Emperor Qianlong. Within the imperial park is Kunming Lake offering refreshing boat rides.. Enjoy the Peking Opera Show at Liyuan Theatre in the evening.
(B, L, D)

Day 5 Wednesday, May 14
Experience some of Beijing's daily life at its largest open-air market. Here you will mingle with Beijingers, overseas and local art dealers as well as farmers who import goods from the countryside. In the afternoon, we travel to Xi'an, where you will be treated to a dumpling-rolling and noodle-throwing lesson.

Grand New World Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 6 Thursday, May 15
Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. As the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, Xi’an became an important melting pot for cultural exchange of ideas with diverse foreigners. The morning starts with Big Goose Pagoda and Great Mosque which stands in the midst of a thriving Muslim quarter. This afternoon you will visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Here, an entire subterranean Army stands ready to defend the tomb of China's first emperor – Qin Shi Huangdi. Discovered in 1974, the site ranks with King Tut's tomb as one of the 20th century's greatest archeological finds.
(B, L)

Day 7 Friday, May 16
This morning enjoy a half day sightseeing of the City Wall. Xian's City Wall is one of the largest and oldest military fortifications built during the Tang Dynasty.
In the afternoon we fly to Guilin, a place of poetic beauty that is the source of inspiration for Chinese landscape paintings. Its limestone towers and caves, connected by rolling mists, will surely evoke an unusual sense of peace and serenity.

(Guilin Bravo Hotel) (B, L, D)

Day 8 Saturday, May 17
After breakfast, we will explore traditional village life that Guilin has to offer. Visit a local school, take part in preparing soy milk, or just wander through the rice fields. The day continues with a relaxing boat-ride along a rarely visited stretch of the Li River. Along the river, you will be inspired by the breathtaking views of peaks and pinnacles, crystal-clear water and reflections in the water together with the serene pastoral views of rice paddies and water buffaloes. You will surely feel like being inside a traditional Chinese painting by cruising on this wonderful river.
(B, L, D)

Day 9 Sunday, May 18
This morning is free time for your own exploration.
After lunch a flight takes us from Guilin to Hangzhou, a city whose beauty is encapsulated by a famous Chinese couplet: "In heaven there is paradise, on earth there is Hangzhou and Suzhou.

Zhejiang International Hotel (B, L)

Day 10 Monday, May 19
Sightseeing in scenic Hangzhou includes a boat ride on lovely West Lake and Inner West Lake, Hua Gang Park, Huqingyu Pharmacy which dates back to the Qing Dynasty and was founded by the Hu Family, Ling Yin Monastery and a visit to the Tea Production Brigade.
(B, L, D)

Day 11 Tuesday, May 20

After breakfast, we will visit Lingyin Temple a historic temple with impressive sculptures by its Buddhist monks.
We depart for Shanghai, mainland China's most vibrant, cosmopolitan city. Tonight, we dine at one of Shanghai's chic new restaurants and get a taste of “modern Chinese” cuisine. Optionally, a marvelous Acrobatic Show after dinner.

Hua Ting Hotel & Towers (B, L, D)

Day 12 Wednesday, May 21
In the morning, we will visit Shanghai Museum - the biggest museum in China, with a collection of over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art & cultural relics. The museum is especially famous for its treasures of bronzes, ceramics, paintings, and calligraphy.
The afternoon continues with a visit to Yuyuan Garden - a traditional Chinese park decorated by beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rock formations.
En route, we will visit Oriental Pearl TV Tower: Standing by the Huangpu River with 468 meters high, Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the highest TV Tower in Asia (up to the last floor to see Shanghai scenery).It is a new landmark of Shanghai in 21st century.
(B, L)

Day 13 Thursday, May 22
After breakfast, we will visit The Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront area. It’s filled with dozens of historical European, American, and Russian commercial buildings, lining the Huangpu River. Architectural styles include gothic, baroque, Romanesque, and renaissance.

In the afternoon, we will visit some of Shanghai’s most important historical buildings and temples. Optionally, you can visit Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s main shopping street and one of the busiest shopping streets in the world, for some shopping on your last day.
(B, L,)

Day 14 Friday, May 23
You will be transferred to the airport in time for your return flight home. (B)