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SPLENDID
CHINA
BEIJING-SHANGHAI-XI'AN-YANGTZE
RIVER CRUISE-GUILIN-HONG KONG (21 days)
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Day
1 US-BEIJING
Fly from US to Beijing via (Flight details to be
ascertained). |
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. 5-minute walking
to 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 Antique Market 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 most active and the largest antique
marketplace for local antique 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. |
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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 Laoshe Tea House.
EVENING: Peking Opera Performance at renovated
Zhengyici Theater, the only surviving Peking Opera
House constructed entirely of wood. |
Day
5 BEIJING-SHANGHAI
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. Visit both the old and new complexes.
Visit both the old and new complexes.
SPECIAL LUNCH: Special lunch in Tinliguan Restaurant. Enjoy a meal
based on an Imperial banquet. Enjoy delicious dishes 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 Shanghai. Welcome to the
"Paris of the East." Airport reception/
private transfer to Hyatt Hotel (5-star luxurious,
with fantastic view).
EVENING: Escorted tour of the Bund and the
waterfront. The Bund used to be Shanghai's 'Wall Street' (while now, the financial
center has switched across the river to the Pudong area). Enjoy the amazing and
romantic night view. |
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Day
6 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.
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Day
7 SHANGHAI
AM: 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. Followed by a 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.
EVENING : Performance of world-famous Shanghai
acrobatic show. |
Day
8 SHANGHAI-XIAN
AM: Private transfer to the airport to fly
to Xi'an. Airport reception/ private transfer to
Castle Hotel (5-star luxurious, excellent location.
Overlooking South Gate). 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.
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. |
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Day
9 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. 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
10 XIAN-WUHAN-YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
AM: Private transfer to the airport to
fly to Wuhan. Airport reception/ private escorted
tour of Wuhan to the Ancient Music Pavilion (Hubei
Provincial Museum ). The treasures housed in this
museum were discovered in a royal tomb of the
Zhankuo Dynasty (right before Qin Dynasty). Attend
a concert performed using restored ancient musical
instruments-Bienzong (oldest musical instrument
found in the world). Also visit Chinese poets'
favorite pavilion: The Yellow Crane, Guiyuan temple
and Tortoise Hill.
PM: Private country drive along Yangtze
Valley to Yichang (from Wuhan, about 4 hours).
Private transfer to the pier in Yichang to board
the Yangtze River Cruise -- Orient Royal East
Queen, a 5 star cruise, considered by many to
be among the best. Ship departs at 10:00pm and
sails through the night.
Day
11 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
East Queen/ King - Upstream Day 2
0630-0830:
Xiling Gorge
1030-1330: Shennong Stream
1430-1545: Wu Gorge
1730-1800:
Qutang Gorge
Today will prove to be the highlight of your Yangtze River
journey.
Early AM: Ship enters Xiling Gorge, the
Gorge famous for its strangely -shaped cliff faces
and rock formations. Try to see if you can identify
Ox Liver, Horse Lungs, Yellow Cat and Previous
Sword formations. This is the longest gorge of
the three. Arrives at Shennong Stream at about
10:30am. Shennong Stream is the entrance to Three
Lesser Gorges. Transfer to a smaller river craft
to drift down the river. One of the most famous
scenes along the Yangtze: The Hanging Coffin is
along the side. Return to the cruise ship for
lunch.
PM: The ship enters Wu Gorge at approximately
2:30pm. The wondrous Wu Gorge is the home of the
twelve peaks of the Wu Mountains. You may experience
a meandering landscape of dazzling peaks and rocks.
Wu Gorge is also known as the Gallery of the Natural
Beauty. Ship enters the third Gorge- Qutang Gorge
in the late afternoon. This is the shortest, the
narrowest and the rockiest gorge. Qutang Gorge
is full of abundant historical relics and cultural
heritage and is also home to the earliest human
cultures ever discovered in Asia. You can see
the original site of the famous Fenbi Wall, the
ruins of ancient cliff roads and the Mengliang
Steps. Chinese government plans to move these
sites to higher ground so that they will not be
submerged by the rising waters of the Three Gorges
Dam.
Day
12 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
East Queen/ King - Upstream Day 3
0930-1230
Shibaozhai
0830-1130 Wanxian
Depending on the water level, ship disembarks
at either Shibaozhai or Wanxian for shore excursion. Both are interesting places
and are worth a visit!
Shibaozhai has another beautiful name: Gem of
Chinese Architecture. A reddened wood pavilion was built against a protruding
220-meter rectangular rock with sheer cliffs on the north bank. You may climb
up to the top of the 11th floor by a spiral staircase.
Located halfway
between Chongqing and Yichang, Wanxian used to be a major port for East Sichuan.
Today, local markets are still bustling. Escorted tour will take you to silk-weaving
and cane-furniture factories and to two churches: one Catholic and one Protestant
both built in the 1940's.
Day
13 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE-CHONGQING-DAZU-DALI
East
Queen/ King - Upstream Day 4
0930 Disembark at Chongqing
AM:
Ship disembarks at 9:30am in Chongqing, the fourth
largest city in China . You will be greeted by
your guide at the terminal. Leisurely drive through
ancient Yangtze River Valley hamlets to Dazu (UNESCO
World Heritage Site), the home of grotto art.
Dazu is rated alongside China's other great Buddhist
cave sculptures at Dunhunag, Luoyang and Datong.
In Beishan, you may find more than a thousand
large and small carvings and statues with Buddhist,
Taoist and Confucian influences. A short drive
brings us to Baoding Shan, where you will see
more amazing sculptures. Here we find China's
largest Sleeping Buddha (31m long and 5m high)
as well as thousands other figures. These works
were done in 12th Century during the Tang and
Song Dynasties and took 70 years (AD 1149-1249)
to complete. They were recently discovered and
are virtually intact. Return drive to Chonging
to board the flight to Dali via Kunming. Airport
reception/private transfer to Asia Star Hotel
(5-star luxurious, in the center of old town).
Day 14 DALI
AM: Private escorted tour to The Three
Pagodas, the 'official' first stop in Dali. Standing
on the hillside, with a reflection in the lake
nearby, it is impressively pretty. Followed by
an up-close visit to Xizhou, a well-preserved
Bai National Ethnic Minority village with traditional
architecture and friendly people. Explore a Bai
market and watch Batik making.
LUNCH: Enjoy traditional Bai cuisine with
local families. The famous Bai Three Course Tea
will be served.
PM: Visit Erhai Lake. The Bai have long-established
roots in the Erhai Lake area. They are thought
to have settled in this region more than 3,000
years ago. Boat excursion, horse and buggy rides
or bicycling available. Also visit Putuo Island
.
Evening: Bai Minority Dance and Concert
Day
15 DALI-LIJIANG
AM: Private country drive to Lijiang (about
4 hours). Enjoy the breath-taking scenery. Stop
at Butterfly Spring en route. So named because
the trees flower with butterfly-shaped blooms
in springtime. Short drive brings us to Diannan
and a visit to Stone Bell Monastery, Lion Pass
and Shadeng Villages. The Bai stone carvings in
Stone Bell Monastery are the best you can find
in Southwest China.
PM: Arrive at Lijiang in the early afternoon.
Private escorted walking tour of Lijiang Old Town,
which is charming with its cobblestone streets,
wooden buildings and flowing canals. You will
be able to distinguish at least ten different
types of Naxi National Ethnic Minority buildings.
EVENING: Naxi Nationality Concert, performed
with 28 different types of ancient music instruments.
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Day
16 LIJIANG
AM: Private escorted tour to Black Dragon
Pool, where you can appreciate from afar the breathtaking
view of Dragon Snow Mountains. ( Almost all guide
books mentioning Lijiang would include a photo
taken here) Bicycles available to tour around
the pool. Followed by a hike along the back trail
of Elephant Hill.
PM: Private guided tour to Jade Dragon
Snow Mountains. So named because the 5000 meter
(16667 feet) high mountains are in the shape of
a dragon, and are covered with snow year-round.
The mountains interlock the Yungui and Tibet Plateaus.
Take the chairlift half-way up, followed by a
horseback ride to a large meadow. You will be
greeted by a stunning view of the Snow Mountains
and probably by a group of Naxi women enthusiastically
waiving at you.
Day
17 LIJIANG-KUNMING-STONE FOREST EXCURSION
AM:
Private transfer to the airport to fly to Kunming.
Airport reception/private transfer to Harbor Plaza
Hotel (5-star luxurious, 5-minute walking to Green
Lake). Relaxing two-hour private drive through
the beautiful countryside to the legendary ' Stone
Forest .' Marine fossils found in this area suggest
that the whole area was once under water. There
are several 'Stone Forests' in this region. You
will visit Fungi Forest -the most well known region.
Marvel at the enthralling limestone crags, Karsts
caves and waterfall.
PM: Private excursion to Sani village of
the Yi National Ethnic Minority in Lunan on market
day (Wednesday or Saturday). At this time, Lunan
will be crowded with Donkeys and horses, and the
Sani women will be dressed in their finest.
LATE PM: Return drive to Kunming.
Day
18 KUNMING-GUILIN
AM: Private country drive to Dian Chi (Lake
Dian) and Western Hill. An easy hike to Long Men
(Dragon Gate), a group of grottos, sculptures
and corridors carved from the cliff in the late
16th Century by a Taoist monk.
PM: Private transfer to the airport to
fly to Guilin. Airport reception/ private transfer
to Guilin Sheraton Hotel (5-star luxurious, traditional
Chinese garden settings). Private escorted 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
used as an air-raid shelter during WWII. Also
visit Elephant Trunk Hill.
Evening: National Ethnic Minority dance
and music concert.
Day
19 GUILIN-HONG KONG
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.
Followed by
a private small boat excursion in the evening to watch the cormorants catching
fishes. Local fishermen still practice the ancient methods catching fish with
cormorants. Return drive to the airport to board flight to Hong Kong. Airport
reception/ private transfer to Regent- Inter-Continental Hotel (5-star luxurious,
right by the river, fantastic view). | |
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Day
20 HONG KONG
AM: Private guided tour: take tram up to
Victoria Peak circuit walkway at summit. Drive
down far side of Hong Kong Island to Stanley Village
open market. Seacoast drive through scenic Repulse
Bay to "floating village" of Aberdeen,
take a sampan boat taxi through moored junk fishing
community.
PM: On-own exploring.
Day
21 HONG KONG-US
AM:
Say Zaijian (Now you should know how to say
"good-bye" in Chinese) to China and
Hong Kong. Board return flight back to your sweet
home.
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