Arrive in Beijing (Saturday)

Welcome to Beijing-the capital of China and home to many wonders. On arrival, you will be met by your friendly local tour guide and transferred to your hotel.

Beijing
Today, we will walk across Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the symbolic center for all of China. We will then visit the magnificent Forbidden City. This complex, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace ever built in the world, features more than 800 buildings with 9999 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls. Afternoon, we will visit Summer Palace including cruise on the shimmering waters of Kunming Lake (subject to weather and water condition). The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) in the northwestern suburb of Beijing was built in 1750, so far the best-preserved imperial garden in China, and was endorsed by the UNESCO in 1998 as a world cultural heritage site. After that we visit the Pandas Garden in Beijing Zoo. It has been breeding the largest numbers of pandas as an institution away from the original habitat areas and it constitutes with other Panda Sanctuaries for being the UNESCO site. [B/L/D]

Beijing
This morning we start tours first to iconic “Beijing 2008 Olympic Center”-the Bird’s Nest & Water Cube, where hosts to many spectacular events. We stroll around the outside for photography. Then, we continue to the Badaling Great Wall, one of the most amazing feats of human labor. The Great Wall is the most famous image of China throughout the world. It is the only man made object visible from the moon, and as one of the Eight Wonders of the world. It is a symbol of Chinese traditional culture and the pride of the Chinese nation. Later visit the Ming Tombs along the Sacred Stature Road with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD). This is an attractive destination as much for the natural scenery of the area as for the tombs themselves. If time permits, we will visit a Jade stone carving factory en route and observe the skilled artisans at work as they create intricate designs. Enjoy cultural show in the evening. [B/L/D]

Beijing
After breakfast, we will visit Temple of Heaven to see local people doing Taiji and morning exercises. Built in 1420, Temple of Heaven was where Ming and Qing emperors prayed Heaven for good harvests. Major structures are hall of Prayer for good Harvest, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Circular Mound Altar, and Abstinence Palace. UNESCO endorsed Temple of Heaven as a world cultural heritage site in December 1998. Then we visit Beijing City Planning Museum and watch a 3D film which tells the glory history and fast changes of Beijing. Afternoon, we will take a tour to Hutong. Hutong is an ancient urban alley peculiar to Beijing. The ancient city has several thousands of hutong around the Forbidden City. Most of them were formed in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Most hutongs in Beijng are mainly located in the area near Shichahai, the most beautiful place in old Beijing, with the oldest water areas, the mansions of the former princes, temples, famous personages’ former residences. Visit and shopping at Pearl work-shop late in the afternoon if time permits. Enjoy the famous Peking Duck dinner in the evening. [B/L/SD]

Beijing/Xi'an Flight
After breakfast, we fly to Xian. Over a period of more than 2000 years, Xian was the capital for eleven dynasties. Along with Rome and Constantinople, this city was a world leader in culture and trade and played a vital role in bridging the gap between east and west. Afternoon, we will visit the Large Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the city, it is said to have been built to house and protect Buddhist scriptures collected by the Chinese monk, Xuan Zang. Later visit Shanxi Provincial History Museum, a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. [B/L/D]

Xi'an
Today we will visit the spectacular sight of the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang guarded by 8,000 Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses in battle formation. We will see all excavated Exhibition 1, 2, 3, 4, and watch the archaeologists are continuing on the fields for further excavation. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and regarded as “the eighth wonder of the world”.  Then, we watch the Circle Vision Movie of the historical story. After that, we will visit a Ceramics & Pottery Centre. Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. [B/L/SD]

Xi'an/Shanghai Flight
Today, we fly to Shanghai and transfer to your hotel. The cosmopolitan port city of Shanghai is a treat to the senses with its mix of ancient and modern influence. [B/L]

Shanghai
We will have a full day city tour in Shanghai. Start the exploration from Old Downtown and classical Yu Garden. Another UNESCO site, the Yu Garden, built 400 years ago, is a famous ancient private garden with architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties. After lunch, we will visit the marvelous Shanghai Museum. Its galleries contain world-class collections of ancient arts and artifacts. After that, we stroll to the People Square. The surroundings are the best collection of modern architecture.  If time permits, we visit the Carpet Factory. Enjoy an exciting Acrobatic Show in the evening. [B/L/D]

Shanghai/Suzhou Overland
To the east of the Yangtze River, Suzhou is a land of water, with crisscrossed rivers and lakes, picturesque scenery and a large number of historical sites and celebrities. Today, we will start our venture with a visit to UNESCO sites, Master of Nets Garden, and Humble Administrator’s Garden. The buildings in the gardens are displaying an ancient and natural style and showing the Ming architecture style with large ponds and lushly growing trees. It enjoys the equal popularity with the Summer Palace in Beijing and Chengde Mountain Summer Resort. Then, later in the afternoon, we cruise on the Grand Canal from the city to picturesque Hanshan Temple. [B/L/D]

Suzhou/Hangzhou       Overland
Today, we drive to Hangzhou. With a time honored history, Hangzhou is one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China, and one of the country’s seven major ancient capitals. As a renowned gardenlike city and a top tourist city in China, Hangzhou lies by the waters and hills, showing natural, exquisite and picturesque scenery. Afternoon, we take a cruise on small sampan on West Lake. Then we visit Six Harmonies Pagoda or Yanggong Dyke & Guozhuang Garden. Later, enjoy the most famous tea village in the green valley. Tea is popular everywhere in China, but few places enjoy Hangzhou's reputation for tea culture, an undefined element that seems to encompass all things related to tea. [B/L]

Hangzhou/Wuzhen/Shanghai                       Overland
Today, we drive to Wuzhen one of the best reserved water town by the ancient Grand Canal. We visit the traditional houses, a rice wine brewery and a weaving workshop, then, continue to the opera stage where you can enjoy a puppet show. Evening arrive in Shanghai. [B/L/D]

Depart Shanghai (Wednesday)
Today, you will be transferred to airport for flight to your sweet home. [B]

*Price per person in US dollars, minimum 2 passengers traveling together *Canadian travelers please click here (www.xe.com)  for price in Canadian dollar

Includes:

• 11 nights accommodation based on twin sharing with buffet breakfast
  • Beijing Chang An Grand Hotel (Superior first class)
  • Xian Aurum International Hotel or similar hotels (First class)
  • Shanghai Galaxy Hotel or similar (First class)
  • Suzhou Bamboo Groove Hotel or similar (First class)
  • Hangzhou Ramada Haihua Hotel or similar (First class)
• Sightseeing tours with lunch and dinner as listed in above itinerary, including
  • Peking Duck Dinner & Cultural Show in Beijing
  • Chinese Dumpling Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in Xian
  • Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
  • B: Full board western buffet breakfast at hotel
  • L/D: Lunch & dinner in selected restaurants with one glass of soft drinks
  • SD: Chinese special dinner in selected restaurants with soft drinks & local wine
  • SL: Chinese special cuisine lunch with one glass of soft drinks
• Professional English speaking tour guide service in each city
• Admission to sightseeing spots listed in itinerary
• Domestic airfare Beijing/Xi’an/Shanghai with airport tax and fuel surcharge
• Round trip airport/hotel transfers in each city

Excludes:

• International flights & airport taxes
• Domestic flight fuel surcharge is based on government published price in August 2009, if any increase afterwards, we keep right to adjust it accordingly
• Travel insurance
• Visa fee
• Personal expenses, e.g. laundry, telephone, minibar…
• Gratuities to guide, driver & porter