 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
CLASSIC
CHINA
BEIJING-XI'AN-GUILIN-SHANGHAI (12 days)
|
|
Day
1 US-BEIJING
Fly from US to Beijing (Flight details to be discussed).
Day 2 ARRIVE BEIJING
Welcome to Beijing! Arrive at Beijing International
Airport in the afternoon. Clear Chinese immigration/customs.
Greeted by your friendly guide/ private transfer
to Palace Hotel (5-star luxurious. Directly across
Imperial Palace Museum / Tiananmen Square).
Day 3 BEIJING
AM: Private escorted excursion to Tiananmen
Square (Gate of Heavenly Peace). This is the world's
largest public square and represents the heart of
Imperial and 'Tourist' Beijing. Continue your day
by visiting Imperial Palace Museum (former 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. Followed by a leisurely walk through
Jingshan Park and a short comfortable hike to a
nearby peak where you can get a fantastic view of
the Palace.
PM: Private guided walking or pedi-cab (Tricycle)
tour through Beijing's ancient back alleys and passageways
known as Hutongs. You will have an opportunity to
see this traditional communal life-style that has
existed for hundreds of years. There will also be
an opportunity for a private in-home visit with
Chinese families in their Dazayuan which is a traditional
courtyard house. These neighborhoods have their
origins in the Yuan (Mongol) Dynasty. Hutongs and
Dazayuan are unique Chinese structures and can be
found nowhere else outside China. Unfortunately
they are fast disappearing. You can also opt to
visit the community clinic, the neighborhood day-care
center or other places based on your own personal
interests.
Followed by a special interest program to Liulichang
Cultural District for Art Lovers or Panjiayuan for
antique lovers. Liulichang dates from the Ming Dynasty
and encompasses more than 800 years of history.
Here, you will be able to find many small galleries,
traditional art implements and classical Chinese
music stores as well as acupuncture and herbal clinics.
This is certainly one of the best places to hunt
for unique souvenirs. Ceramics, Chinese Paintings,
Seal Engravings, Jade Carvings and
Snuff Bottles are some of the most popular items.
Panjiayuan is the largest antique marketplace for
local dealers. You will also visit Dong Yue Taoist
Temple, built in the 13th century and once the most
important Taoist shrine in China.
EVENING: Peking Duck Banquet at Chungjude
Hepingmen Duck House. One of the best restaurants
in China. |
|
Day
4 GREAT WALL EXCURSION
AM: Private escorted 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. Based
on your interests, we will arrange for you to visit
Mutianyu (a rarely visited section), Huanghua (a
still unrestored section) Badaling (the most well
known part) or Simatai (great for soft-adventurer).
Take a cable car to the summit and walk around for
1-2 hours.
LUNCH: A Chinese picnic basket lunch will
be provided if weather permits. In case of inclement
weather, lunch will be in a local restaurant.
PM: Drive along the magnificent
Sacred Way to Ming Tombs (Burial site of 13 Emperors of Ming Dynasty). Although
Beijing was the capital city of five dynasties, the tombs of the Ming emperors
are the only ones found in modern Beijing. Your guide will give you an introductory
lesson on "Fengshiu" - one of the most popular concepts introduced to
the Western world from China while you enjoy an afternoon tea of traditional Chinese
desserts and Kung-Fu Tea in Tianqiaole House. Return to Beijing in the late afternoon.
Transfer to your Palace Hotel.
EVENING: Peking Opera Performance at renovated
Zhengyici Theater, the only surviving Peking Opera
House constructed entirely of wood. |
|
Day 5 BEIJING-XI'AN
AM: Private escorted tour to Yihe Yuan
(former Imperial summer palace). Since it was
for summer holiday use, the emphasis was therefore
on the cooling features, such a natural underground
stone cooler. You will see the famous Marble Boat
and enjoy a ride on Kunming Lake. Visit both the
old and new complexes.
SPECIAL LUNCH: Special lunch in Tinliguan Restaurant.
Enjoy an Imperial banquet. The delicious dishes
are elegantly prepared and served with the most
luxurious tableware.
PM: Private escorted 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. Try the Whispering Wall. If time permits,
also visit Lhama Temple (Yunhe Gong), the most
colorful Temple in Beijing. Transfer to the airport
to fly to Xi'an. Airport reception/ private transfer
to Castle Hotel (5-star luxurious, in the 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
AM: Private escorted tour to the Qin Dynasty
Imperial Tomb and the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum
(Binmayong). The site was accidentally uncovered
in 1974 by local peasants and is among the most
important archaeological discoveries of the 20th
Century. Start today's tour by viewing an informative
IMAX documentary that gives a brief overview of
2000 years of Chinese history. Followed by on-site
inspection of the 6,000 terra cotta warriors,
made in the 3rd Century BC and all with different
faces, expressions and postures, they were modeled
after real human beings. You may find it difficult
to believe that originally, when found, all these
life-size "soldiers" were mashed into
powder and broken pieces. On-site archaeologists
demonstrate how they restore them into their original
condition. Also visit the newly-opened site #3.
PM: Private drive and escorted tour to
Xiahe Village, the famous hometown of pomegranate
orchards. Former president Clinton made a stop
at this rarely visited village while visiting
Xi'an in '97. Private in-home visit and lunch
with local families can be arranged. Continue
the private excursion to Banpo Neolithic Village,
which is Xi'an's number two attraction. Banpo
is the earliest example of Yangshao Culture, a
representation of human life from 4500 BC to 3750
BC. Another interesting stop will be made at a
bustling countryside open market en route before
returning to the city.
Evening: Imperial banquet & restored
Court music/dance in the luxurious Tang Dynasty
Grand Dinner Theater.
|
|
|
Day
7 XI'AN/ GUILIN
AM: Private escorted 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. In Chinese, Chang'an
means "forever-lasting peace and prosperity."
It was also the ancient capital for eleven other
Chinese dynasties. During the Tang Golden Age
in the 10th Century, Chang'an was one of the largest
and most cosmopolitan cities on earth, and it
was eight-times larger than Xi'an is now.
PM: Visit the 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, painting, and textiles.
Transfer to the airport to fly to Guilin. Airport
reception/ private transfer to Guilin Sheraton
Hotel (5-star Superior, beautiful Chinese garden
setting).
Day
8 LI RIVER EXCURSION
AM: 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: You will pass by Crown Cave before
the ship disembarks at colorful market town of
Yangshuo. Relax yourself in a coffee bar along
Pantao Road - now nicknamed "Foreigners'
Street" or following your guide for a private
off-the-beaten-path experience of small-town trekking:
back alleys, small markets, and bicycling to Moon
Hill village.
LATE PM: Private small boat excursion in
the evening to watch the cormorants catching fishes.
Local fishermen still practice the ancient methods
with cormorants to catch fish. Leisurely return
drive (or bicycling if you like!) through pristine
villages, rice paddies and mammoth caves.
EVENING: National Ethnic Minority dance
and music concert.
Day
9 GUILIN-SHANGHAI
AM: Private transfer to the airport to
fly to Shanghai, the "Paris of the East."
Start devouring this cosmopolitan city by discovering
its old section. Airport reception/ private transfer
to Hyatt Hotel (5-star luxurious, with fantastic
view). Private escorted tour to the best part
of the Old Town centered on the Town God's Temple
(Chenghuang Miao). This is a great place to shop
for souvenirs and sample the famous Shanghai-style
snacks. When shopping, remember to compare prices
and bargain before making purchases! Walk around
the neighboring Yu Garden, built by a wealthy
official of the Ming Dynasty, followed by a private
drive to the famous Jade Buddha Temple.
PM: Visit the 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 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 unforgettable views of the Bund.
EVENING: Performance
of world-famous Shanghai acrobatic show.
Day
10 SUZHOU & ZHOUZHUANG EXCURSION
AM: Relaxing two-hour drive to Suzhou,
the famed silk production center and the 'Garden
City.' 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: Private escorted drive through the
local countryside (about 1 1/2 hours) to 'water
village' of Zhouzhuang. Zhouzhuang is listed as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a 1000 year
history. Take a private boat excursion on the
canal. The 'boatmen' are usually a husband and
wife duo and are good singers. Optional shopping
can be arranged in old town. Local specialties
include woven goods, wood carvings, teapots and
locally harvested water pearls. Return to Shanghai
and transfer to Hyatt hotel.
Day
11 SHANGHAI
AM: Private escorted walking tour including
Nanjing Road, Huihai Road, and Maoming Road --
the most famous historic roads and delightful
shopping districts. Huihai Road is the former
French Concession, and is nicknamed 'Frenchtown.'
Find an entrance back to the 1920's from a side
street. You can expect to see some of the best
old architecture from Art-deco apartment buildings
to classical mansions and villas. Take a coffee
break at a cafe and try some delicious French
pastry. The bakeries and antique shops around
the area have been here for almost 100 years.
Walking tour ends on the Bund and the waterfront
of Huangpu River for a breath-taking panorama
of the world's famous "Shanghaitan"!
|
|
PM:
Special arranged "Make-A-Friend" program
with families in Shanghai Workers Housing Estate
and in Children's Palace (Xiaoniangon) - a government
sponsored after-school center for talented children.
You will meet with gifted children and watch them
perform traditional arts, music, dance and crafts.
Also visit the Chinese Sex Museum, a collection
of works with the theme of the history of sex.
EVENING: Shanghai style farewell dinner.
Day
12 SHANGHAI-US
AM:
Say Zaijian (Now you should know how to say good-bye
in Chinese) to China. Private transfer to the
airport to board returns flight to US. Back home
the same day.
Back to Top
|
|
 |
|  |
| |
