China is an intriguing land that immerses you in six millennia of history and civilization while at the same time it dazzles you with ultramodern architecture and cutting-edge culture. China also tempts you with its regional cuisines, enriches you with one-of-a-kind experiences and awes you with its natural beauty. And while it’s exotic and different, China is safe. Of course, in anticipation of the 2008 Beijing Games, everyone’s catching fever. So, it’s no exaggeration to say that the trip of a lifetime awaits you in China, now. And China Travel Service (U.S.A.), Inc., with its tremendous expertise in the country and the high quality of its trips, is the key that unlocks the very best of China for you.

Discover China Your Way
China Travel Service (U.S.A.), Inc. can give you the China trip of your dreams, whatever your budget, interests or travel style. Our Platinum Classic Series’ journeys feature 4-star comfort. And our new Diamond Deluxe Series’ vacations lavish you in 5- to 6-star luxury. First-time visitors may wish to tour those forever-favorite sites in China that have beckoned visitors from around the world, including several recent U.S. presidents. Why not trace their presidential travels with stays in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Hong Kong on our Golden China tour? You’ll feel the echoes of empires past in the Forbidden City, scale the parapets of the Great Wall, see the awesome sight of Xi’an’s 6,000 Terracotta Warriors and delight in the vibrant metropolises of Shanghai and Hong Kong. Not surprisingly, returning visitors may wish to venture further to explore China in depth. You can trek across the Silk Road following in the footsteps of ancient merchants and Marco Polo to the country’s western outposts. Journey to Tibet, the “Rooftop of the World” where devotion and tradition reign amid the monasteries and peaks of the mighty Himalayas. Or take our Legendary Shangri-la tour to explore the mountain paradise made famous by James Hilton’s novel, “Lost Horizon.” Travelers desiring a bit more flexibility as well as a private guide, car and driver can opt for our Independent Journey packages.

Beijing 2008
In the summer of 2008, Beijing will host the 29th games. But, anytime you travel with us to China in 2008—before, during or after the games —you’ll get swept up in the games spirit, the sense of global goodwill and the excitement of the Summer Games. All our 2008 trips showcase iconic venues like the “Water Cube” and the “Bird’s Nest” and visit Beijing Sport University, the training site of many of China’s gold medalists. Our Pre-Games China Specials (April and May 2008) as well as our post-games trips offer great value and are perfect for those wishing to avoid the crowds. And certainly, our Beijing 2008 Packages during the Summer Games period (August 8 to 24, 2008) will put you at the heart of the action with all the pageantry of the games and the drama of the competitions.

Unique Experiences
Designed for travel connoisseurs, our itineraries and packages are thoughtfully planned so you that can experience China to the fullest. Not only do China Travel Service’s journeys show you China’s world-renowned highlights, they also reveal the country’s hidden gems. You can visit the ancient walled city of Pingyao, perhaps the best-preserved Ming-and-Qing Dynasty town in the entire country. Take in a grand musical show, “Impression Liu Sanjie,” staged at the world’s largest natural theater, featuring a cast of 600 and set against the backdrop of the Li River and the ethereal limestone karsts of Yangshou. Or sail along the most atmospheric stretches of the legendary Yangtze River aboard a 5-star Victoria Cruises’ ship. You’ll voyage past verdant peaks, ornate pagodas, sheer cliffs and the breathtaking Three Gorges as well as tour the area’s historic dam project—the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Trips with China Travel Service (U.S.A.), Inc. also let you experience life like the locals and insiders do as you feast on a regional delicacies, like Kunming’s “Cross the Bridge Noodles” or take a pedicab tour of through the warren of narrow streets and traditional courtyard homes that make up Beijing’s hutongs.

World Heritage Sites & Enrichment Abound
A vacation with China Travel Service (U.S.A.), Inc. steeps you in China’s wealth of culture, history and natural marvels. In fact, China is home to 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites, considered to be of outstanding value to all humanity. Every one of our tours feature visits to the most famous of these wonders in China. And many of our trips take you to lesser-known World Heritage sites, like the Old Town of Lijiang, the Mogao Caves and Suzhou’s Classic Gardens. Our expert guides also bring the past alive with visits to museums and monuments of the revolution. Since tradition is the lifeblood of the land, the mystique of old Cathay lingers in the everyday. Live it as you tuck into a retro apothecary shop dispensing traditional Chinese remedies or as you sip Dragonwell tea during a tea ceremony at a Hangzhou tea plantation. Beyond doubt, China is a living museum. But it is constantly evolving, too. Gain insights into the country’s changes and emerging culture on a visit to the futurist spires of Shanghai’s Pudong Area. Not surprisingly, growth-oriented China’s fast-forward city of Shanghai will host the 2010 World Expo—an event likened to the Games devoted to innovations in economy, science and technology.

Inspiring Encounters
The chance to connect with the locals is a hallmark of the China Travel Service (U.S.A.), Inc. journey. Instead of being insulated in a bubble, you’ll meet some of China’s 56 ethnic peoples as you hone your bargaining skills at open-air bazaars with the descendents of Middle-Eastern merchants on the Silk Road’s far-flung western outposts. Rub shoulders with the Shanghai glitterati that frequent the luxe lounges and upscale eateries of European-style Bund. Mingle with the Naxi people who live in rustic villages in the hauntingly beautiful mountains of Shangri-la. Or visit a typical Beijing or Tibetan family at home. Meetings such as these make all the difference in your travels.

The Colors of China
China is celebration for the senses: a heady whirl of colors, sights, tastes and sounds. China Travel Service (U.S.A.), Inc. invites you to savor them as you delight in traditional performances including ethnic folk dances, Beijing operas, acrobatic feats and martial arts presentations. Thrill to exhilarating events and vibrant festivals like the 2008 Games in Beijing, Formula 1 racing in Shanghai, the week-long extravaganza that is Chinese New Year in Hong Kong or the Shoton Festival in Tibet where a massive silk tapestry of Buddha is unfurled down a mountainside. And relish China’s delectable regional cuisines: the hearty dishes of the North, the spicy fare of Sichuan cookery, the fresh, delicate flavors of Cantonese cuisine and more.