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Day 1 West Coast - Beijing
Board your transpacific flight to Beijing.
Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, China's capital, you
will be greeted and escorted to the Capital
Hotel (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 Kunming
Lake (weather permitting). Enjoy a fabulous
welcome banquet featuring the
famous Beijing Duck in the
evening.
 Day 4 Beijing (AB,L)
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. Continue on to visit a cloisonné
factory on the way to lunch. After lunch,
visit the Ming Tombs starting with a stroll
along the Sacred Way, which is guarded
by stone statues. Then tour the Chang Ling
Exhibition Museum.
Day 5 Beijing - Xi'an (AB)
This morning, visit Beijing Sport University,
where over 50 graduates have won world
championship titles, and more than 60 have
won Asian championship titles. Visit the
university's museum, Garden of Champions,
indoor training gyms, outdoor sports
fields and courts, etc. En route to the airport,
drive around the intriguing architecture of
the main Olympic venues: the
National Stadium, nicknamed
the “Bird's Nest,” because
of its unique design, and
the National Aquatics Center,
known as the “Water
Cube” (H2O3). Take
an afternoon flight to
Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will start your tour
of the ancient City Wall, the Big Wild Goose
Pagoda and the Bell Tower. Overnight at the
Grand New World Hotel (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 an
army of more than 6,000 life-size statues
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
dumpling dinner and cultural show at the
Tang Dynasty Theatre recreating the music,
costumes and dances of that era.
Day 7 Xi'an - Shanghai (AB,L)
Transfer to the airport for your flight
to Shanghai, the “Paris of the Orient.”
Afternoon sightseeing features the bustling
shopping street, Nanjing Road, and the
Bund, the famous promenade along the
Huangpu River. Check in to the Salvo
Hotel Shanghai (or similar).
Day 8 Shanghai (AB,L,D)
After breakfast, 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 Yu Garden,
famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls
and ponds, and Old Shanghai Bazaar, with
shops filled with all manner of interesting
curios.
 Day 9 Shanghai (AB)
Spend today at leisure to explore this vibrant
city on your own. Perhaps take an optional
tour to one of the nearby picturesque water
towns, known for their winding canals,
arched stone bridges and well-preserved
architecture from the Ming and Qing
dynasties.
Day 10 Shanghai - Guilin (AB,L,D)
This morning, you will visit the Shanghai
Museum, China's most up-to-date museum
showcasing the country's ancient glory. Then
transfer to the airport and board your flight
to tranquil Guilin. Upon arrival, check in to
the Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (or similar).
Day 11 Guilin (AB,L)
Today's excursion is a cruise along the
beautiful Li River. Experience the magical
beauty of limestone rock formations and
farmland commonly seen in Chinese
landscape paintings. Disembark at the
charming village of Yangshuo, which has
one of the best antique and craft markets in
China. Browse at the market, or relax at one
of the local cafes.
  Day 12 Guilin - Hong Kong (AB,L)
This morning, begin your explorationwith a tour to Reed Flute Cave, Elephant
Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill's dramatic rock
formation. Transfer to the airport for your
evening flight to Hong Kong. You will be
met and transferred to the Harbour Plaza
Metropolis (or similar).
Day 13 Hong Kong (AB)
Today's 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 ascend Victoria Peak to take in the
breathtaking, panoramic views of the city.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 14 Hong Kong (AB)
You have the whole day at leisure discover
why Hong Kong is known as “The Shopping
Capital of Asia.” You may also consider
taking one of the optional tours.
Day 15 Hong Kong - West Coast
(AB)
Farewell to Hong Kong. Transfer to the
airport for your flight back to the USA. |
