 Day 01 West Coast / Shanghai
Board your transpacific flight to Shanghai.
Day 02 Shanghai
Upon arrival in Shanghai, the “Paris of the Orient”, you will be greeted and escorted to the Salvo Hotel (or similar).
 Day 03 Shanghai (AB, L, D)
This morning, an orientation will be presented by your tour escort. Next, visit Yu Yuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden dating from the Ming dynasty. We will also visit old Shanghai, a labyrinth of shops featuring all manner of antiques and traditional Chinese medicines. After lunch we will visit the Shanghai Museum, one of the finest museums in China (features an English audio tour). During a special dinner, savor Shanghainese cuisine prepared at Meilongzhen Restaurant, a Shanghai institution. Then watch a spectacular acrobatic show.
Day 04 Shanghai (AB, L, D)
This morning, attend a lecture on China's food and nutrition presented by experts. Then take a Chinese cooking class at Bei Tai Cooking School. Taught by a local chef, this hands-on class includes preparation of a 3-course meal (one cold dish, one hot dish and one soup). Then dine on these courses along with other tasty local fare. Also, every tour member receives recipes written in English. During the afternoon, visit Xintiandi, the restored historic neighborhood that’s the hottest entertainment district in the city. Also tour the futuristic Pudong area. In the evening, enjoy a fabulous dinner at Wang Steak, an immensely popular Western-style steakhouse.
 Day 05 Shanghai / Hangzhou (AB, L, D)
After breakfast, take a private coach to Hangzhou (2.5 hours). Check in to the luxurious Fuchun Resort, rated by World Travel Awards™ as “Asia’s Leading Villa” and “China’s Leading Resort” for 2007. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure as you immerse yourself in the resort’s offerings and its exquisite natural surroundings—a traditional Chinese landscape of beautiful mountain ranges, picturesque villages and a tea plantation. Experience an exclusive spa program featuring a harmonious blend of luxury accommodations, relaxation and dining:
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Welcome refreshments at Aqua Lounge |
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1-night stay in a garden-view room or lake-view room (based on availability) |
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Lake
lounge breakfast and spa–inspired menus (one lunch and one dinner) |
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Himalayan Yoga or morning Tai Chi class |
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 Day 06 Hangzhou / Xi’an (AB, L, D)
After morning Tai Chi class or Himalayan Yoga and breakfast, continue your exploration of Hangzhou with a boat ride on the West Lake and a visit to Linyin Temple. Next, have a delicious lunch with a scenic view of the lake at the legendary Louwailou restaurant. Fly to Xi’an in the evening. Visit the ancient City Wall then check in to the five-star Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel (or similar).
 Day 07
Xi’an (AB, L, D)
The exciting day begins with a visit to the world-famous Terra Cotta Warriors. See an entire army of 6,000 life- size clay soldiers and horses excavated in 1974 from the tomb of China’s first emperor from the Qin dynasty. After lunch, visit Xi’an Museum, where you will see China’s 6,000-year-old history showcased chronologically, from its primitive past to the present. Tonight enjoy an amazing dinner show that includes dancing from the Tang dynasty and regional dumpling delicacies.
Day 08 Xi’an / Beijing (AB, L, D)
Fly to Beijing. Upon arrival, visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, home to Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. Tonight at the famous, century-old Donglaishun restaurant, taste Mongolian Hot Pot, a northern specialty which features dunking meat into old-fashioned brass cooking pots filled with bubbling broth that is found only in Beijing. Overnight at the Capital Hotel (or similar).
Day 09 Beijing (AB, L, D)
This morning we will visit exciting Great Wall of China, the world’s longest manmade strategic wall. First built over 2,000 years ago, it stretches over 6,000 miles across diverse terrain. After lunch, enjoy a leisure walk to Summer Palace, which is the biggest imperial garden in China. Tonight, experience the fresh flavors of Cantonese fare during a fun and casual dinner styled on Hong Kong’s famed open-air Dai Pai Dongs.
Day 10 Beijing (AB, L, D)
 This morning, cooking experts lecture, and then teach a cooking class at CTS Plaza. In the afternoon, visit Lama Temple, the well-preserved and only Tibetan Buddhist temple in
Beijing. Next, visit the Temple of Heaven, the sacred imperial compound exclusively designed and used by the emperors to pray for good harvests. We will also have a chance to explore a distinctive Cloisonné factory, today. Tonight at Fang Shan restaurant, feast on a multi-course imperial banquet featuring unique dishes served to China’s imperial courts from dynasties past.
Day 11 Beijing (AB)
Farewell to Beijing. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA.
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