Visit Tiananmen Square, a place that conjures up deep emotions in locals and visitors alike. It is ideally situated near many famous sites and located directly in front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace (tiananmen in Chinese). Pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace into the Forbidden City. Now known as the National Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was once the imperial residence of the emperors and their families from the 1400s until 1911 and housed up to 100,000 people, including servants, soldiers and attendants. After lunch, take a walking tour of the 19th-century Summer Palace and enjoy a cruise on Kunmin Lakes, its manicured islands designed to evoke landscapes along the Yangtze. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

 

Day 1 Home City/Beijing

The journey of discovery begins after boarding a flight to Beijing, China.

Day 2 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing where your day is at leisure. The lovely city has undergone a face-lift to its historic monuments, adding stunning buildings, theaters and stadiums by world-renowned architects to its impressive skyline.

Day 3 Beijing

Visit Tiananmen Square, a place that conjures up deep emotions in locals and visitors alike. It is ideally situated near many famous sites and located directly in front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace (tiananmen in Chinese). Pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace into the Forbidden City. Now known as the National Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was once the imperial residence of the emperors and their families from the 1400s until 1911 and housed up to 100,000 people, including servants, soldiers and attendants. After lunch, take a walking tour of the 19th-century Summer Palace and enjoy a cruise on Kunmin Lake, its manicured islands designed to evoke landscapes along the Yangtze. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Day 4 Beijing

Travel to the less-visited Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the great wonders of the world. The wall rides the highest point of the mountaintops and provides stunning views of the countryside. Spend the late afternoon browsing through the tiny shops of the bustling Hongqiao Market. In the evening, enjoy a performance of Beijing opera, followed by a farewell Beijing Duck Dinner.

Day 5 Beijing/Xian

This morning’s visit is to the Panda Zoo and the Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example of Chinese craftsmanship. With its unique circular shape, blue roof and intricate gold inlay work, the Temple of Heaven has been called the single most outstanding example of ancient Chinese architecture. Later, fly to Xian.

Day 6 Xian

Visit the magnificent site of the Terra Cotta Warriors, over 8,000 life-size military figures said to represent second-century Chinese military might. The site is just a portion of a vast funerary complex that includes the emperor’s tomb and satellite tombs of his extended family. After dinner, enjoy a Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 7 Xian/Guilin

Visit the Xian Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built in 684 AD in honor of the Tang Dynasty Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi (628-683 AD). You depart with a flight to Guilin, transferring on arrival to your hotel on the banks of the Li River.

Day 8 Guilin

Today, you board a river boat for a half-day cruise on the Li River, disembarking at the charming village of Yangshou and returning overland to Guilin, whose beauties have been celebrated for centuries in Chinese art and song.

Day 9 Guilin/Shanghai

Today, sightseeing also includes a visit to the mysterious Reed Flute Cave and Fubo Hill. Then you board your flight for Shanghai. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 10 Shanghai/Zhujiajiao/Shanghai

Visit Zhujiajiao, a “water village” threaded with lakes, stone bridges and lush tea gardens - the perfect way to spend your day in this magnificent country. This evening, attend the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 11 Shanghai

Visit the Yu Garden, a 16th-century Ming period private garden/ residence in the heart of Shanghai’s old Chinese Quarter, a neighborhood of twisting lanes, home to wonderful boutiques. The phenomenal garden architecture, built in traditional Chinese style, includes many ponds, dragon-lined walls and bridges separating the unique garden areas and pavilions. Next, explore the Shanghai Museum, considered among the finest museums of Chinese art in the world. The city’s famous waterfront, the Bund, is still faced with stately European buildings, reminders of Shanghai’s colonial past. Also visit the graceful the Jade Buddha Temple. Tonight, bid farewell to your fellow travelers over cocktails and dinner.

Day 12 Shanghai/Home City

Board your homebound flight or travel on to another destination in the Orient. China Holidays can help you plan your own extension, “tailor-made” as you require. (B)

Dates	Days	Priced from	Single Supplement
Mar. 13 - 24, 2011	12/11	$7,980	$2,950
Apr. 10 - 21, 2011	12/11	$7,980	$2,950
May 08 - 19, 2011	12/11	$7,980	$2,950
Jun. 05 - 16, 2011	12/11	$7,980	$2,950
July 10 - 21, 2011	12/11	$7,980	$2,950
Aug. 07 - 18, 2011	12/11	$7,980	$2,950
Sep. 04 - 15, 2011	12/11	$8,650	$3,350
Sep. 18 - 29, 2011	12/11	$8,650	$3,350
Oct. 09 - 20, 2011	12/11	$8,650	$3,350
Oct. 23 - Nov. 03, 2011	12/11	$8,650	$3,350

Price does not include International airfare from your home city to your destination, but includes internal airfares (economy class) and airport departure taxes. Price per person based on double occupancy. Please check with China Holidays for our special international airfares.

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