Day 1 West Coast - Beijing
Aboard your transpacific flight to Beijing.
Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, China's capital, you will be greeted and escorted to The Regent Beijing (or similar).
Day 3 Beijing (AB,L,SD)
After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square and the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City, home of Chinese Emperors for more than 500 years. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, taking a leisure stroll while admiring the thousands of ancient murals along the Long Corridor and a boat ride on the Kunming Lake (weather permitting). Toast your arrival with a glass of wine and enjoy a fabulous welcome banquet featuring the famous Beijing Duck in the evening.
 Day 4 Beijing (AB,L,WD)
The highlight today is an excursion to the Great Wall. Enjoy the dramatic vistas and marvel at the Wall as it climbs and descends steep ridges and narrow valleys. A scenic cable car ride enhances your visit through the steep hills. Continue on to visit a cloisonné factory on the way to lunch. After lunch, en route back to city, drive around the intriguing architecture of the main Olympic venues, the National Stadium which is nicknamed the "Bird's Nest" because of the unique design and the National Aquatics with the nickname of "the Water Cube (H2O3). Continue toward the Beijing Sport University, where we can visit the Garden of Champions, as more than 50 students graduated from this university have won world championship titles, and more than 60 have won Asian championship titles; visiting indoor training gyms and outdoor sports fields and courts, museum etc. After dinner at hotel, enjoy a mystical and amazing show, "Legend of Kung Fu".
Day 5 Beijing - Xi'an (AB,L,WD)
This morning, enjoy a pedicab tour of the Hutongs, the "Old City" neighborhood of narrow lanes and courtyard houses hidden behind Beijing's modern facade. Get acquainted with the local residents on a family visit; watching little children play in their classes and climbing the Drum Tower for a city view from atop. Fly to Xi'an and check in to the Shangri-La Golden Flower (or similar).
 Day 6 Xi'an (AB,L,SD)
Today's highlight is a visit to the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, home to more than 6,000 life-size army excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. After lunch, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, renowned for its collection of Han and Tang dynasty antiquities. In the evening, enjoy a special dinner show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre recreating the music, costumes and dance of that era.
Day 7 Xi'an - Shanghai (AB,L,D)
After breakfast, you will enjoy a tour of the Ancient City Walls, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai - "Paris of the Orient". Upon arrival, your sightseeing features the bustling shopping street Nanjing Road, and The Bund, famous promenade along the Huangpu River. Check in to The Regent Shanghai (or similar).
 Day 8 Shanghai (AB,L,D)
This morning, you will visit the Shanghai Museum, China's most up-to-date museum showcasing the country's ancient glory. In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, renowned for its huge statue of the Buddha carved from a single piece of white jade; and the Children's Palace where you will enjoy musical and cultural performances by children attending classes. After dinner, you will attend a spectacular acrobatic show.
 Day 9 Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai (AB,L,WD)
After breakfast, a scenic ride to Suzhou, a charming city of canals filled with gardens from Ming and Qing dynasty which some of them have been designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Your sightseeing will include the Garden of the Humble Administrator, the Silk Embroidery Research Institute, Pan Men City Gate and the North Temple Pagoda. Return to Shanghai and enjoy a glass of wine with your western dinner at the hotel.
Day 10 Shanghai - Hong Kong (AB,L)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your morning flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, your half day sightseeing tour gives an introduction to Hong Kong Island. Your tour will take you through Repulse Bay, Stanley Market and Aberdeen's floating community. Then up to Victoria Peak to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Check into your deluxe harbor view room at the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong (or similar).
 Day 11 Hong Kong (AB)
You have the whole day to interpret the meaning of Hong Kong begin "The Shopping Capital of Asia". You may also consider taking of the optional tours.
Day 12 Hong Kong - West Coast (AB)
Farewell to Hong Kong. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA |
