SPLENDID CHINA
( 15 Days)

from
$ 3649/pp
Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai - Suzhou - Guilin - Yangshuo - Hong Kong
The splendor of China's glorious past come to life on this luxurious journey--with cultural riches spanning a score of dynasties, landscapes out of Chinese water-color paintings and a musical extravaganza set in the world's largest natural theater.

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 RegentBeijing (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). Toast your arrival with a glass of wine and enjoy a fabulous welcome banquet featuring the famous Beijing Duck in the evening.

gwDay 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, nicknamed the “Bird’s Nest,” because of its unique design and the National Aquatics Center, known as the “Water Cube” (H2O3). Continue toward the 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. After dinner at your 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 neighborhoods of narrow lanes and courtyard houses hidden behind Beijing’s modern façade. Get acquainted with the local residents on a family visit. Watch little schoolchildren at play in their classes. Then climb high atop the Drum Tower for great city views. Fly to Xi’an and check in to the Shangri-La Golden Flower (or similar).

terraDay 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 dinner show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre recreating the music, costumes and dances of that era.

Day 7 Xi’an - Shanghai (AB,L,D)
After breakfast, you will enjoy a tour of the ancient City Wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, the “Paris of the Orient.” Upon arrival, your sightseeing features the bustling shopping street, Nanjing Road, and the Bund, the 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, take a scenic ride to Suzhou, a charming city of canals filled with gardens from the Ming and Qing dynasties–many of them, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites. 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 - Guilin (AB,L,WD)
You have the morning at leisure to explore this vibrant city on your own before transferring to the airport for your flight to tranquil Guilin. Upon arrival, check in to the Sheraton Guilin Hotel (or similar).

Day 11 Guilin - Yangshuo (AB,L,D)
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. After dinner, enjoy a grand musical show, “Impression Liu Sanjie,” set in the world’s largest natural theater, featuring a cast of 600 and a backdrop of 12 peaks and the Li River (weather permitting). Overnight at the Yangshuo Paradise Resort (or similar).

sc_chartDay 12 Yangshuo - Guilin - Hong Kong (AB,L)
Transfer back to Guilin and spend your day on a city tour which includes the Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill and the Fubo Hill’s dramatic rock formation. Then transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Hong Kong. Check in to your deluxe, harbor-view room at the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong (or similar).

hk

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 to 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.

 

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