EN121 Beijing-Xi'an-Guilin-Yangshuo-Shanghai-Suzhou-Wuxi 15 Days
China Scenic 15 Days
Tour Code: EN121
Tour Itinerary:
Day 01 : USA - Beijing
We begin our vacation by boarding our flight bound for China. As the jetliner flies over the Pacific, spend the night aboard and cross the international date line.
Day 02 : Arrive Beijing (L)
Arrive at Beijing where we are met by our Ritz tourguide after clearing customs and baggage retrieval. Beijing is the capital of modern China and is home to over 13 million people. On the way into town, we see that it is a city in the midst of putting its best face forward to greet the fanfare that will be the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Catch up on some rest after the trans-Pacific flight in our luxury accommodations.
Day 03 : Beijing (B, L)
Located exactly in the middle of Beijing, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace to the emperor and his royal court. Covering a vast, expansive 74 hectares, it stands as the world's largest palace complex; it was home to Ming and Qing emperors from 1420 to 1924, when the last emperor Puyi abdicated the throne. In the afternoon, continue on to another "world's largest" - Tiananmen Square. Located right across the street from the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square is the world's largest open-air urban square. After lunch, the group spends time walking along Lake Kunming at the Summer Palace, the emperor's place for respite from Beijing summer heat. Tonight, you attend a special Peking Duck Feast, savoring the tasty morsels of duck prepared in the traditional local style.
Day 04 : Beijing (B, L)
The grandiose Great Wall runs almost 4000 miles across China's north (long than even the Yangtze!) and is one of the world's seven great man-made wonders. Construction of the Wall began in the 3rd century BC and was a work in process until the 17th century AD. This defensive wall was built to protect citizens from the constant attacks from the Mongols, Turks, and other nomad tribes from the north. We walk atop a section of the Wall and appreciate its imposing wonder. After the Great Wall our destination is the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb Museum. Return to our hotel later in the afternoon; dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Day 05 : Beijing (B, L)
There are no activities planned for today - enjoy a full day at leisure. Use the time to rest up at our luxury hotel, making full use of its facilities. Don't miss the opportunity to take an optional tour to the Hutongs. Several hundred years old, the Hutongs of Old Town Beijing are narrow alleyways formed by the walls of "siheyuan," the traditional courtyard style homes from Beijing's past. Sadly, many of these quaint siheyuans are being demolished and replaced with skyscrapers in Beijing's modernization. A pedicab will take your through Old Town Beijing, navigating through the narrow Hutongs to visit the siheyuan of a local family.
Day 06 : Beijing - Xi'an (B, L)
After breakfast we are off to the airport. On the way, stop at the Temple of Heaven to experience the place of prayer of the emperors. Arrive at Xi'an, the ancient capital city that served as the launching point of the celebrated Silk Road. Xi'an's history encompasses the entirety of Chinese civilization, a fact that its proud citizens are not remiss to impress upon us. On the way from Xi'anyang Airport into town, we drive by Xi'an's ancient City Wall, one of the last vestiges of imperial era. We also stop at the Bell Tower. Tonight, dinner is served at our hotel.
Day 07 : Xi'an (B, L)
An army of 6,000 Terra-Cotta Soldiers guard the tomb of the very first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Witness this incredible archeological discovery firsthand at each of the three excavation pits (more recently a 4th one has been opened). After sufficient time surveying the troops, return to our hotel, wash up before our evening festivities including a sumptuous Imperial Dumpling Banquet, followed by the world famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show.
Day 08 : Xi'an - Guilin (B, L)
Board a domestic flight that flies southwest to Guilin, a city of unrivalled natural beauty. Although not a large city (population of 670,000), it has the reputation of being one of China's most picturesque cities. Karst limestone formations imbue Guilin's landscape with a mystical quality. We explore Elephant Trunk Hill and the Reed Flute Cave where fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations impress us as magical and otherworldly.
Day 09 : Guilin - Yangshuo (B, L)
A meandering river cruise down the Li River is a delightful way to savor the serene, fairy-tale scenery of Southern China as it passes by. We may even catch the fascinating sights of fisherman with cormorant birds! Lunch is served aboard. Our riverboat arrives at the town of Yangshuo, where we will overnight. Local conditions permitting, tonight we will attend "YinXi'ang Liusanjie," an exciting local minority show performed on the banks of the Li River.
Day 10 : Yangshuo - Guilin (B, L)
With a population of less than 300,000, Yangshuo is quaint town situated on a small plain with the Li River on one side and numerous karst peaks surrounding it. Our group will take a tour around town, then head back to Guilin by motorcoach where, in the evening, we attend a special performance of Minority Folklore Dance.
Day 11 : Guilin - Shanghai - Suzhou (B, L)
We depart Guilin and head for Suzhou. Upon our flight's arrival into Shanghai, we continue onwards by motorcoach to the picturesque canal town of Suzhou. With 2500 years of history, Suzhou is an ancient town interlaced by canals and has been aptly nicknamed the "Venice of the East."
Day 12 : Suzhou - Wuxi (B, L)
Our sightseeing tour of Suzhou this morning takes us to the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Grand Canal, the main trade artery that connected northern China and its south back during the Yuan Dynasty. Enjoy a cruise of the Grand Canal. Suzhou has long been known as an imporant center of the silk trade ever since the Song Dynasty. A stop has also been scheduled at a Silk Factory where we see firsthand how the excellent Chinese silk is produced and have an opportunity to shop. Continue on by motorcoach to Wuxi, where we overnite.
Day 13 : Wuxi - Shanghai (B, L)
Wuxi was founded 3000 years ago by two fugitive princes who escaped here from the north. Originally a tin mining town, the city was renamed Wuxi (means "without tin") when the tin was depleted. Today Wuxi is an important industrial center for China's textile industry. In the morning we tour Lake Tai, a large fresh water lake containing over forty small islands and known locally as a producer of China's most excellent fresh water pearls. Leave Wuxi after lunch and travel back to Shanghai by motorcoach. Time permitting, we'll start the city tour of Shanghai driving by bustling local shopping area Nanjing Road and the fabulous waterfront Bund; if not, we'll do it tomorrow. Check in to the hotel where dinner is served.
Day 14 : Shanghai (B, L)
Shanghai is a city unlike any other in China. It is the bustling, undisputed economic heartbeat of China that enjoys all of the comforts and amenities of a fully modern metropolis. Shanghai today looks to regain its former position of being one of the largest financial centers in the world, behind New York and London. It is a city that seamlessly blends East and West. This morning, admission tickets have been provided for us to see the exhibits at Shanghai Museum, located at the very center of the city, People's Square. The afternoon is at leisure. We may choose either to stay at the museum for the duration of the day, continue on to Nanjing Road for free time, or head back to the hotel. After a farewell banquet tonight, attend an exciting performance of Chinese Acrobatics.
Day 15 : Shanghai (B)
Our vacation is over all too soon! Transfer to the airport to board the homebound international flight, recrossing the international date line to arrive back at home.
Departure Date: January-December
Price: Special Offers on request.
Service Included:
* Entrance fees.
* Meals as listed in the itinerary, B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=Dinner.
* Private Car/Van for transfers & sightseeing and English-speaking Local Guide.
* Hotels deluxe/comfort class (Land category 4-star or 5 star by any possibility, twin share bases with breakfast).
* Trains and Flights as listed in the itinerary and Airport Taxes.
Service not Included:
* Visa Fees and International flight.
* Gratuities, Tips to guides and drivers.
* Personal Expenses.
* Single Room Supplement.
Note:
Prices are not valid by High Season and Chinese holiday periods, for e.g.: April 30th - May 3th, Sep 30th to Oct 7th, and Chinese New Year period which usually falls in End of January. With high season and main holidays the Price will increase. Price for Superior class hotels will be some higher and for middle class hotels will be some lower.
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