Day 1: Hometown to Beijing (In-flight Meal)
All of your meals, beverages and various entertainment choices will be provided on your flight from your hometown to Beijing.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Day 2: Arrive in Beijing (In-flight Meal)
When you arrive at the Beijing Capital International Airport you will get your first real taste of the culture. China combines centuries of social rituals with the fast-paced modern world and growing economy.
Your guide will take you to your hotel
Forbidden City (the Imperial Palace)
Day 3: Explore Beijing
Start your day with an American breakfast to get a taste of the contrast between ancient and modern China. You can experience two distinct cultures in this country, and many regions have people who know how to read and write English, even if they can’t speak it.
The first official stop on the tour is Tiananmen Square, which was built back in 1651 but in the 1950s it grew to quadruple its original size. Your first "official" stop is at Tiananmen Square, built in 1651 and then enlarged to quadruple its original size in the 1950s. This is the third largest city square in the world, and got its name from the famous Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) which separates it from the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City stood as the imperial palace for China for nearly 500 years (from the Ming Dynasty all the way until the end of the Qing Dynasty), and, according to UNESCO, it is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. The Forbidden City features almost 1,000 buildings and 9,000 rooms, and it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
We will then take a 40-minute car ride from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palace This was a favorite retreat for many of the emperors during the summer months, where they could enjoy the carefully sculpted gardens. In 1990 this palace was also declared a World Heritage Site.
After experiencing the contrasts and culture throughout the day, you will finish with a Peking Duck Banquet – one of the most popular dishes in China. The meal will be prepared by master chefs’ right in front of you, and it is served with pancakes, spring onions, and hosing or sweet bean sauce.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner.
Day 4: Explore Beijing
Today you will get to see one of the most famous attractions in China the Great Wall. This has been called one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world, and it runs about 5,500 miles through 150 different counties. Originally it was meant to protect the country in war, and it began in the 5th century BC as a way to deter their enemies, and emperors just kept adding onto it until the 16th century.
In the afternoon, we will take our excursion to the Yonghe Gong Palace. The palace is a Tibetan Buddhist temple in the heart of Beijing that was first built in 1694 as the residence of Prince Yong of the Qing dynasty. The prince lived here until 1723 when he became Emperor and moved to the Forbidden City. Tradition dictated that his former home could only be converted to a temple, which was renamed Yonghe temple after the Emperor's name Yong Zheng. As a former imperial residence, the green roof tiles in the compound were replaced with yellow ones. The transition from home to temple took a long time to complete, and it wasn't until 1744 that the first Tibetan monks began moving in.
The temple architecture is an amalgam of Tibetan, Mongolian, and native Chinese. The chief artistic attraction is an 18-meter tall wooden Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree imported from Tibet, one of the largest wooden statues on earth.
We then are heading up to Beijing Botanical Garden .The Beijing Botanical Gardens are situated in the western outskirts of the city between Xiangshan Park and Jade Spring Mountain. Although the gardens are not large, with only some 3,000 different plant species, many famous and rare plant specimens are on display.
Just by walking towards it , we next will visit the Sleeping Buddha Temple. It owes its unofficial name to the presence of a sculpture in the form of a reclining figure of Sakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The original sculpture, which dates from the Tang Dynasty origin of the temple itself, was carved in sandalwood. During the Yuan Dynasty restoration and enlargement of the temple, a new reclining figure of Sakyamuni Buddha was made, this time cast in bronze and made on a much larger scale than the original figure. It is the bronze figure of Sakyamuni Buddha that graces the main hall of Sleeping Buddha Temple today.
As a classical Buddhist temple complex, Sleeping Buddha Temple has a compact overall arrangement, its three courtyards forming a center axis, and with the various courtyard buildings arranged symmetrically on either side of this center axis. The main temple structures include the Temple Gate, the Hall of the Temple Gate, the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Three Boddhisattvas, the Hall of Sleeping Buddha itself, and the Repository of Buddhist Scriptures. The following walk-through description will give a better picture of the temple complex...
We’ll then have a nice dinner before enjoying the iconic martial arts movie: “Legend of Kung Fu.” This part of the culture, of course, has become very popular in western countries as well, but experiencing it in China is a must.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Great Wall of China(Chang Cheng)
Day 5: Beijing to Xi'an
You will begin this day traveling by rickshaw (the most traditional way possible) to another Chinese treasure that is slowly disappearing. The hutongs are the alleys that were created by courtyard houses. This is an incredible way to experience the culture because these neighborhoods contain a long history of how families lived together as a community. Most of the hutongs are being demolished to make way for larger roads and building, but some of them are being preserved as part of Chinese history
The next stop is the exotic Lotus Flower Market. The lotus flower is an ancient Buddhist symbol of non-attachment to worldly things and sexual purity. These flowers are truly beautiful and you’ll be amazed by the displays here.
In the late afternoon you will fly to Xi’an, the former capital of China.
After having dinner you will have the opportunity to experience some of the cultural diversity in China at The Great Mosque. This district is where many Muslims have made their home in Xi’an to retain their own customs.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Explore Xi'an
According to UNESCO, the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum is the Eighth Wonder of the World, and today you will have the chance to see it (and believe it) for yourself. This museum was built on the site where farmers accidentally discovered some pits filled with 8,000 life-size terra cotta soldiers. Each one of the figures is unique, and there were thousands of real weapons buried with them.
Estimates say that the statues had been buried there for around 2,200 years. These soldiers were placed here to protect the dead First Emperor of China.
In the late 1970s, the Museum was built on the site where, in 1974, farmers accidentally discovered pits. In those pits, to the farmers' shock and then just about everyone else's around the world, were 8000 life-size terra cotta soldiers and 1000s of real weapons. They had been buried there for about 2200 years. Back then, death was not only a mystery but an entity many, including the emperors, feared. Therefore, everything associated with a death was treated with great ritual
These soldiers depict the Qin Shi Huang armies, and their purpose here is to protect dead First Emperor of China in the afterlife. Everything from the facial expressions to the feet on every soldier is custom-made to be completely unique.
Afterward, we will visit the Banpo Neolithic Village Museum This New Stone Age site, dating from approximately 5,000 to 4,000 B.C., is one of the most complete examples of a Neolithic agricultural settlement in the. The remains of this village were discovered in 1953. The museum was built in 1958; there are the hall for the ruins, the hall for cultural relics, and the clay cave ruins.
Six to seven thousand years ago, a stable village was built by a late Neolithic people. Banpo had about 500 people lived in the village. Visitors today can see the remains of 45 houses, 2 stables, more than 200 cellars, 6 kilns, and about 250 graves. It was a matriarchal society based on farming. The houses were constructed of thatch over wood beams while the floors were sunk two to three feet into the ground. Heat was provided by a central fire. Food was stored in underground caves, dug deep enough to protect the provisions from being devoured by wildlife or contaminated by insects. Architecture, village organization, and food storage methods appear to have been strikingly similar to the way of life of some native American plains tribes….
Your dinner today will be the feast of the Imperial Dumpling Banquet, followed by the famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
Terra Cotta Warriors (Bing Ma Yong)
Day 7: Xi'an to Guilin
Before leaving Xi’an you will visit another major landmark:
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
This monastery was built in 642 for the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk, Xuan Zang. Like a Chinese version of Marco Polo, he made a famous pilgrimage to India (which was the inspiration for the novel “Journey to the West), and the Pagoda was originally created to store and protect the exotic artifacts he brought back.
You will also have the chance to visit another historic wall in China today. These walls are the remnants of a civilization that needed to protect itself from ground based enemies, and this wall, called The Ancient City Wall, is actually better preserved that the Great Wall. It was constructed in 1370 by the Ming Dynasty to completely enclose the city.
Bicycles will be available for anyone who wants to take advantage of that mode of transportation around Xi’an.
You will then board a plane bound for Guilin in southern China. Guilin is filled with the fragrance of Osman thus trees and some incredible scenery. It has been the inspiration for many artists and writers over the years.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 8: Guilin to Yangshuo
Today you will spend about four hours on a boat, heading down the Lijiang River from Guilin to Yangshou. Here you can experience the beautiful scenery, surrounded by the hills and bamboo that have inspired many artists over the centuries. You will have your lunch on the boat just before arriving on the shores of Yangshou, where will have a day to explore on your own.
You can bike or walk around West Street, a 1,400-year-old street paved with marble, or take a look at some of the diverse and charming stores and shops around the area.
When you’re winding down in the evening you can experience the light show, “Impression of Sister Liu” (“Liusanjie”), which is directed by the famous director Zhang Yimou and performed by local villagers and fishermen. The community clearly enjoys the production and always put everything they can into it.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Hotel Dinner
Lijiang River
Day 9: Yangshuo to Guilin to Shanghai
You will be driven back to Guilin where you can visit a natural wonder that is 180 million years old: The Reed Flute Cave. The cave was formed from limestone over the years, and resulted in some strange rock formations. There are 70 inscriptions in the cave written by people living during the Tang Dynasty (around 792). The name of the cave comes from the reeds around it that are used to make flutes.
After that, you will have the chance to visit the incredible Elephant Trunk Cave, located at the junction of the Li and Peach Blossom Rivers. The rock formation resembles an elephant just enjoying a refreshing drink of water.
Once you get back from visiting these caves you will have the chance to take a break from the complete immersion in Chinese culture. You can just be an “accidental tourists” and have some American hamburgers. Sometimes you just need a little taste of home before any homesickness sets in.
From there, you will fly to Shanghai and check in at the luxurious hotel.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
Elephant Trunk Hill
Day 10: Shanghai to Suzhou then back to Shanghai
On day 10 your tour will take you to Suzhou, which dates clearly back to 514 BC. This city is famous for its canals and stone bridges, and is, in fact, sometimes called the “Venice of the East.” UNESCO has also recognized some of the wonders here like the Master of Nets, and the Hanshan Temple has been a famous destination since the Tang Dynasty (when it was first immortalized in the poem “A Night Mooring near Maple Bridge.”
The culture and the arts of this area were built around the silk industry, and you will have the chance to visit the Silk Spinning Factory. This afternoon, we will visit one of the four best gardens in Suzhou—the Lion Grove Garden.
As the representative garden of the Yuan Dynasty, the most noted and attractive scenery of Lion Grove Garden is the labyrinthine rockery, which was mostly made of the limestone from Taihu Lake in Wuxi City. Reputed as the 'Kingdom of Rockery', the rocks were piled up skillfully and ingeniously, and most of them look like lions in different postures and verves: playing, roaring, fighting, sleeping, or even dancing. It is said that looking north from Small Square Hall (Xiaofangting), one can see nine stone lions standing in a row and that is the Nine-Lion Peak. Due to the changes and ravages of the time and climate, the peak now only bears little resemblance to the lines. There are altogether 9 paths and 21 caverns cross among the steep peaks, sharp crags and narrow valleys made up by countless grotesque rocks. Walking through those numerous winding pathways and caverns of the anfractuous stone forest, one could easily lose one's way. With the old pines and cypress trees, the whole landscapes represent scenes of real mountains and forests.
The whole structure of Lion Grove Garden shows a flavor of Zen Buddhism and is an apotheosis of the gardens' constructions. A part of the Imperial Summer Resort of the Qing Dynasty in Chengde of Hebei Province was a mimic of Lion Grove Garden. The garden occupies a very important place in history, representing the diversity of cultural and architectural development in Suzhou over the years.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Experience Shanghai
Today’s portion of the tour will take you into the heart of China. Shanghai was once a fishing and textile town back in the 5th century, but has become a major power in financial, technological, and fashion industries. Even as the city of 23 million continues to grow, it still maintains its cultural heritage. You can take some time to explore the commercial aspects of Old Street, Nanjing Road, and the Lujiazui Financial area before checking out the 120,000 art exhibits in the Shanghai Museum.
There will also be an opportunity to visit the financial center of China, called The Bund. This is a lot like Manhattan’s Wall Street and is filled with history. The financial transactions that happen here shape the economic future of the country, and impact many other nations around the world. As China’s influence continues to grow, the Bund will become even more important. It has already been featured in the novel, “Empire of the Sun,” by J.G. Ballard, and the Steven Spielberg movie of the same name.
There is a special farewell dinner of Shanghai Cuisine waiting for you this evening. It will be followed by the world-famous Acrobatic Show, where you can witness some extreme displays of discipline over the movement of the body. This ancient art is something you simply can’t miss.
Food Amenities: American Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Special Farewell Dinner
Shanghai Skyline at Night
Day 12: Shanghai to Home or Post-Shanghai Trip Extension
The tour comes to an end today, and it’s time to pack up all your belongings, mementos, and special memories as you get ready to return home. On the other hand, if you just haven’t had enough of China yet, you can arrange a trip extension for an additional cost.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
All prices listed above are per person in Canadian dollars based on double occupancy. If three adults need to share one room and the third person asking for extra bed, the third person's price will be the same as others.
Children 11 years and under who share a room with two adults and do not ask for an extra bed will be charged the listed child fare or 75% of the regular adult price; if they need an extra bed in the same room with two adults, the cost will be 90% of the regular adult price. Children 12 and older will be charged at the regular adult price.
Price does not include Tour guide Tips and Chinese visa fee.
Hotel Accommodation: Tour fare is based on two adults sharing one twin-bed-room; Single supplement applies for travelers use single room.
Note a single room supplement is 400. Dollars. Extra
Tour Fare Does Not Include:
-Airport Tax, and other Fees.
-Any personal charges, such as phone bills, laundry, Postage, baggage over- weight charge, insurance, beverages, water, etc.
-Fee for extended stay.
-Tips for tour leader, tour guides, driver, bellman, etc.
-Chinese Visa Processing Fee, Passport Application or Re-new Fee.
-Round trip air fares from your hometown to gateway city.
-Any other charges caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority's orders, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or injury caused by the accident beyond the responsibilities of travel agents and curred due to the tourist action violating the law.
-Any items not listed in the itinerary.
All customers' passports must be valid for at least 7 months for traveling to foreign countries