China Family Tour

CHINA FAMILY TOUR
BEIJING- XI'AN- CHENGDU- GUILIN- SHANGHAI (14days)

Day 1 US-BEIJING
Fly from US to Beijing. Airline selection to be discussed.

Day 2 ARRIVE BEIJING
Welcome to Beijing! Arrive at Beijing International Airport in the afternoon. Clear Chinese Immigration / Customs. Be greeted by your friendly guide/private transfer to Palace Hotel (5-star. Directly across from Imperial Palace Museum/Tiananmen Square).

Day 3 BEIJING-Visit the Imperial Palace today, a great opportunity to learn about the Chinese emperors.

AM: Escorted private excursion to Tiananmen Square (Gate of Heavenly Peace). This is the world's largest public square, representing the heart of Imperial and 'Tourist' Beijing. Continue your day by visiting Imperial Palace Museum (Forbidden City). This architectural marvel was completed in 1420 after 14 years of hard work by 200,000 laborers. It was the symbol of Imperial power for over 500 years and was the home of 24 emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
PM: Private guided walking tour through Beijing's ancient back alleys and passageways known as Hutongs. This traditional communal lifestyle has existed for hundreds of years. Also, visit real homes and meet Chinese families in their Dazayuan, a traditional courtyard house. These neighborhoods have their origins in the Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty. Hutongs and Dazayuan are unique Chinese structures and cannot be found anywhere else outside of China. Unfortunately, they are disappearing fast. A special arrangement can be made to visit to a kindergarten class for those interested.
EVENING: Peking Duck Banquet at Chungjude Duck House, one of the best restaurants in China.

Day 4 GREAT WALL EXCURSION
AM: All-day escorted private excursion to Great Wall. The construction of the Great Wall (Changcheng) started in the 7th Century BC during the Qin Dynasty, making the Great Wall over 2,500 years old. Escorted private tour to Mutianyu, a rarely visited section. Take cable car to summit and walk around for 1-2 hours.
LUNCH: Provided Chinese picnic basket lunch, if weather permits. In case of inclement weather, lunch in local restaurant.
EVENING: Peking Opera Performance and diversity show at Tianqiaole Happy Tea House.

Day 5 BEIJING-XI'AN
AM: Escorted private tour to Yihe Yuan (former Imperial Summer Palace). See the famous Marble Boat and enjoy a ride on Kunming Lake.
PM: Escorted private tour to Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park). This perfect example of Ming architecture was built in the 15th century. It was sacred ground where many of the emperors, as Sons of Heaven, performed major religious harvest ceremonies. Ask your children to stand on the other side of the hall and try to whisper in the Whispering Hall. Private transfer to airport to fly to Xi'an. Airport reception/private transfer to Castle Hotel (5-star, in center of ancient walled city, overlooking South Gate).
EVENING: Food is art! Let's prove it tonight. Enjoy a Sha'anxi local specialty and dumpling banquet at De Fa Chang (Mongolian Bar-B-Q Beef and Lamb, Dumplings and Sha'anxi local specialty and snacks), one of the most well-known restaurants in China.

Day 6 TERRA COTTA WARRIOR MUSEUM EXCURSION- Have you ever played with life-size "toy soldiers"?
AM: Escorted private tour to Terra Cotta Warriors Museum (Binmayong). This site, accidentally uncovered in 1974 by local peasants, is among the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century. Begin the tour by viewing an informative IMAX documentary that gives a brief overview of 2,000 years in Chinese history. Follow with an on-site inspection of the 6,000 terra cotta warriors, made in the 3rd Century BC. Each warrior has a different face, expression and posture, as they were modeled after real human beings. Amazingly, these life-size "soldiers" were originally found as powder and broken pieces. On-site archaeologists demonstrate how they restored them to their original condition. Also, visit the newly-opened site #3.
PM: Specially arranged visit to local elementary school. Your family can become teachers for ten minutes in an English class. Be creative!
Evening: Imperial banquet & restored Court music/dance in the luxurious Tang Dynasty Grand Dinner Theater.

Day 7 XI'AN/ CHENGDU
AM: Escorted private tour by car and on foot to Xi'an's Tang Dynasty site: Ancient Walled City, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Big Goose Pagoda and Forest of Steles Museum (Beilin Museum). Xi'an used to be called "Chang'an," and was the capital of the Tang Dynasty, among eleven other dynasties. In Chinese, Chang'an means "forever-lasting peace and prosperity." During the Tang Golden Age in the 10th Century, Chang'an was one of the largest and most developed cities in the world, being eight-times larger than Xi'an is now.
PM: Visit Great Muslim Mosque, the Muslim market and Sha'anxi Provincial Museum. The museum is one of the world's greatest repositories of Tang Dynasty ceramics, paintings, and textiles. Transfer to airport to fly to Chengdu. Airport reception/private transfer to Chengdu Holiday Crowne Plaza Hotel (4-star, great service and location)

Day 8 CHENGDU - Homeland of Giant Panda
EARLY AM: Depart at 7am for private excursion to Panda Breeding Research Center (World Wildlife Fund - just north of the city) .The research complex was opened to the public in 1995 and currently houses pandas of both the Giant and Red species. Follow with escorted tour to Divine Light Monastery.
PM: Wang Jian Tomb ("Music Pavilion"), Qingyang Gong Temple, Cottage of the Poet Dufu (8th Century) and Zhaojue Buddhist Temple. Shop in the largest antique market in Sichuan Province.SPECIAL PROGRAM: Visit Sichuan Culinary Institute. Cooking lessons and demonstration.SPECIAL PROGRAM: Enjoy two-hour "local life" in a Tea House. Teahouses have a long history in Chengdu of being numerous and of different styles. The tea set is unique, consisting of three parts: the lid, the bowl and the saucer. Skillful assistants serve water from a copper kettle, and fill the small bowls from a considerable distance, to the brim without a splash or spill.
Dinner: Enjoy a special hot and spicy Sichuan snacks banquet.

Day 9 CHENGDU- GUILIN
AM: Private country drive to Sanxingdwei Musuem. The museum houses findings uncovered by archaeologists during the last 15 years. These include bronze images of deities, lively human figures, fantastic ritual vessels, exquisite jades, and spirited ceramic sculptures dating from the late phase of Sanxingdui culture (13th-11th century B.C.) to the Han dynasty (3rd century B.C.-3rd century A.D.). They are among the most unusual and spectacular works of art from the ancient world.
PM: Private transfer to airport for flight to Guilin. Airport reception/private transfer to Guilin Sheraton Hotel (5-star; beautiful garden setting). Escorted private city tour of Guilin: Visit Reed Flute Cave. Local people say that Guilin's most spectacular scenery is 1000 feet under this cave. Don't miss the Crystal Palace of the Sea Dragon King. This "Palace" can accommodate 1000 people comfortably and was once used as an air-raid shelter during WWII
EVENING: Private small boat excursion in evening to watch cormorants (water birds) catch fishes. Local fishermen still practice ancient methods with cormorants. Return with leisurely drive through pristine villages, rice paddies and mammoth caves.

Day 10 GUILIN/ LI RIVER EXCURSION -SHANGHAI
AM: Revel in relaxing atmosphere and sights. As the Chinese poem goes, "Guilin is the most beautiful place in the world, and Yangshuo is the prettiest spot in Guilin." A tranquil cruise on Li Jiang (Li River) is the best way to absorb the superb beauty of this area. Li Jiang is the connecting river between Yangshuo and Guilin. Sail along and pass through the fabled Karsts mountain landscape while you sip tea, wine and enjoy your lunch on board.
PM: Pass by Crown Cave before disembarking ship at colorful market town of Yangshuo. Relax yourself in a coffee bar along Pantao Road - now nicknamed "Foreigners' Street" or follow your guide for a private off-the-beaten-path experience of small-town trekking: back alleys, small markets, and bicycling to Moon Hill village.
Return drive to airport to board flight to Shanghai. Airport reception/ private transfer to Shanghai Hilton Hotel (5-star, great location).

Day 11 SHANGHAI
AM: Welcome to "Paris of the East." Escorted private tour around Shanghai's old sections, with center being Town God's Temple (Chenghuang Miao). This is a great place to find souvenirs and sample popular Shanghai-style snacks. When shopping, remember to compare prices and bargain before making purchases. Walk around neighboring Yu Garden, built by a wealthy official of the Ming Dynasty. You will be on your own for lunch so you can choose from the many famous Shanghai style snacks.
PM: Visit world-renowned Shanghai Museum of Art. It has the best collection of public art in China, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, sculpture jade, seals, paintings and other objects dating back 8000 years. Spend the rest of the afternoon in the museum or opt for a short cruise trip on Huangpu River for an unforgettable view of the Bund.
EVENING: Performance of world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 12 SUZHOU & ZHOUZHUANG EXCURSION
AM: Relaxing one-hour drive to Suzhou, the 'Garden City' and famed silk production center. Walk through Suzhou's ancient gardens, including Garden of the Master of the Nets (Wangxhi Yuan), Humble Administrators' Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan), and Surging Wave Pavilion (Cunlang Ting). Optional visit to the silk factory and silk museum.
PM: Escorted private drive through the local countryside to 'water village' of Zhouzhuang. Zhouzhuang is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has a thousand year history. Take a private boat excursion on canal. The 'boatmen' are usually a husband and wife duo who are usually great signers. Optional shopping can be arranged in old town. Local specialties include woven goods, wood carvings, teapots and locally harvested water pearls. Return to Shanghai. Transfer to Hilton Hotel.

Day 13 SHANGHAI
AM: Escorted private walking tour including Nanjing Road, Huihai Road, and Maoming Road -- the most famous historic roads, as well as delightful shopping districts. Huihai Road is the former French Concession, and fittingly nicknamed 'Frenchtown.' There are architectural structures stemming from the 1920s, with styles ranging from Art-deco apartment buildings to classical mansions and villas. Take coffee break at a cafe and try some delicious French pastries. The bakeries and antique shops around this area are almost 100 years old.
PM: Specially arranged "Make-A-Friend" program in Children's Palace (Xiaoniangon) - a government sponsored after-school center for talented children. Meet with gifted children and watch their performances of traditional arts, music, dance and crafts. EVENING: Shanghai style farewell dinner.

Day 14 SHANGHAI-US
AM: Say 'Zaijian' (By now, you should know how to say good-bye in Chinese!) to China. Private transfer to airport to board return flight to US. Back home the same day.