Arrive in Beijing (Sunday)
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 impressive 5 star 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 boat ride on the shimmering waters of Kunming Lake (boat ride is 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. Welcome Peking Duck Dinner in the hotel including one glass of wine, or local beer, or soft drink, and free flow of Chinese tea. [AB/L/DH]

Beijing
Full day excursion 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 at Changling 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. Drive by the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) & National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) for picture taking. Evening enjoy fabulous Beijing Night Culture Show. [AB/L/DS]

Beijing

“To be a Beijinger” – A full day interesting experience to get to know the local life in Beijing!

*Please check with our operations to seek the details of this full-day program. [AB/L/D]

Beijing/Xi'an Flight
Morning free for your last minute shopping. Transfer to airport for afternoon flight 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. Arrive Xian, meet and transfer to your hotel. Guided walking tour through the Muslim quarter and local market. Western Set Dinner at a nice local restaurant. [AB/L/WD]

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, 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. Xian local flavor lunch at a local restaurant. After that, we will visit Art Ceramics & Pottery Centre to learn how to make Terra Cotta replica. Afternoon visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. [AB/L/DS]

Xi'an/Guilin Flight
Morning visit the Hu County Villages, where you will experience the Chinese rural life and take the chance to learn to draw the famous farmer’s paintings! Lunch at local restaurant before transferring to airport for afternoon flight to Guilin. According to a popular Chinese saying, Guilin’s scenery bests all others in the world. Its shapely-rising limestone towers and crystal-clear waters are often portrayed in Chinese artworks. Upon arrival, you will be met by your friendly local tour guide and transferred to your hotel. [AB/L/D]

Guilin
Today, enjoy a scenic boat cruise down the Li-Jing River to the small town of Yang Shuo. Along the route, experience an endless variety of spectacular scenery and colorful river traffic which ranges from one man bamboo rafts to large junks plus an occasional wading water buffalo. After disembarkation and strolling a while in Yangshuo, we return back the city by vehicle. [AB/L/DH]

Guilin/Shanghai Flight
After breakfast, we have a city tour to Reed Flute Cave, a tour to the underground crystal palace; and Fu Bo Hill, is where you discover the old small temples and grottoes and experience the bird overview of beautiful landscape. Enjoy yourself in the pleasant surroundings. After lunch at a local restaurant, we fly to Shanghai. The cosmopolitan port city of Shanghai is a treat to the senses with its mix of ancient and modern influence. Arrive Shanghai, meet and transfer to your hotel. Western Buffet Dinner in the hotel. [AB/L/DH]

Shanghai
We will have a full day city tour in Shanghai. Start the exploration from The Bund, the window of Shanghai history and modern changes; Yu Garden, UNESCO site, built 400 years ago, is a famous ancient private garden with architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties; Jade Buddha Temple, a venerable and famous Buddhist temple, which was built in 1882 to keep two precious jade Buddha statues. After Shanghai Dim Sum lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Museum. After that, we visit the Silk Carpet Factory. Enjoy an exciting Acrobatic Show in the evening. Upgrade Shanghai Cuisine Dinner followed by the Acrobatic Show. [AB/L/D]

Shanghai
Free day at leisure for fabulous shopping opportunities on your own or go for optional Shanghai Expo. [AB]

Depart Shanghai (Thursday)
You will be transferred to airport for flight to your sweet home. [AB]

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

Includes:

• Superior First Class Hotel accommodations with daily breakfast as listed in the itinerary
  • Beijing: Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (5*) or similar
  • Xi’an Mercure on Renmin Square Xian (4*) or similar
  • Guilin Bravo Hotel (4*) or similar
  • Shanghai Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel (5* standard) or similar
• Round trip airport/hotel/airport transfers
• Sightseeing tours as specified in the itinerary with TOP English-speaking local guides
• Meals included as specified in the itinerary
  • AB: American Buffet Breakfast in hotel
  • LH: Lunch in the hotel
  • DH: Dinner in the hotel
  • WD: Western set dinner
  • DS: Dinner & show
  • L: Regular Chinese Lunch in selected local restaurant
  • D: Regular Chinese Dinner in selected local restaurant
• Evening shows
  • Night Culture Show in Beijing
  • Tang Dynasty Show in Xi’an
  • Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
• Special local life experience “To Be a Beijinger”
• Domestic air fare Beijing/Xi’an/Guilin/Shanghai in economy class with airport tax and fuel surcharge
• Fully escorted by National Guide if the departure is final at 10 passengers and up

Excludes:

• International flights & airport taxes (Please ask us for good fares)
• 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, laundry, telephone, minibar…
• Gratuities to guide, driver & porter
• Optional Shanghai Expo day tour with round trip transfers and admission USD $69.00/person