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Day 1
DEPART USA
Depart from your home gateway city, bound for Beijing.
Day 2
ARRIVE BEIJING (3 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and settle in before meeting your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception drink and local appetisers at 8 p.m.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 3
BEIJING SIGHTSEEING
Begin your visit to one of the world’s great capital cities and an exploration of the world’s largest public areas—Tiananmen Square, home to the National Museum of China, the mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the great Monument to the Peoples’ Heroes. Pass through the south gate to the magnificent Forbidden City, a 250-acre complex of courtyards, palaces, pavilions and gardens, which was the imperial palace for emperors and their households for more than 500 years. Continue to the stunning Temple of Heaven visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. Later, indulge in a relaxing foot massage, a Local Speciality, at the Foot Reflexology Centre. This evening, enjoy a succulent Peking Duck Highlight Dinner—a must during any visit to Beijing.
Day 4
BEIJING SIGHTSEEING AND THE GREAT WALL
Travel outside the city and look down upon the Chinese countryside from your perch on top of the Great Wall, which is actually a collection of fortifications built and rebuilt from the 5th century B.C. to the 16th century to repulse nomadic invaders like the Mongols. Then walk the Sacred Way home to remnants of the Ming Tombs, the once-lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Later this evening back in Beijing, attend a lively show of acrobatics, kung fu and dance at the Red Theatre.
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Day 5
BEIJING SIGHTSEEING - XI'AN (2 NIGHTS)
Embark on a unique tour by rickshaw around the ancient alleyways of the traditional courtyard Hutong residence. Visit the home of a local Hutong family for a Be My Guest lunch of traditional Chinese cuisine. This afternoon, bid farewell to Beijing and fly to the city of Xi’an. Arrive at your hotel for an evening of free time to relax or begin your exploration.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 6
XI'AN SIGHTSEEING
Venture out with a Local Guide during a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the legendary army of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses in Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s subterranean tomb. Later, enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the old city wall, which protected Xi’an’s inhabitants from its invaders. This evening, indulge in a Tang Dynasty Highlight Dinner and cultural performance featuring music, dance, and traditional costumes with a special backstage visit.
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Day 7
XI'AN - CHENGDU (2 NIGHTS)
Start your day by trying your hand at calligraphy, a Local Speciality, as you discover the origins of the Chinese characters. During a calligraphy class, learn basic calligraphy knowledge, how to hold a brush and how to appreciate traditional Chinese water-colour painting. Continue to Big Wild Goose Pagoda with a Local Guide, one of the city’s most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, possibly the most beautiful building left in Xi’an today. Experience a Highlight Lunch where you can try your hand at making traditional dumplings at a local restaurant before enjoying the fruits of your labour. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. On arrival at Chengdu, get settled into the hotel for a relaxing evening of free time.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 8
CHENGDU FREE TIME
Today, you have the option to take a day tour to Leshan for a Minjiang Cruise to see the Giant Buddha, a statue of Maitreya, which took 90 years to carve. Or simply enjoy some free time to absorb the city’s parks, temples and surrounding teahouses. This evening, see the famous changing faces at the Sichuan Opera, an important part of Chengdu culture.
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Day 9
CHENGDU - GUILIN
Today begins with an introduction to Tai Chi, a Local Speciality, where you learn some of the basic movements and discover its importance to the culture. With a Local Guide visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre where the Pandas natural habitat has been created to ensure the best possible environment for rearing and breeding pandas. Later, visit the Wenshu Monastery, the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu with hundreds of bronze, wooden and stone statues and Buddhist relics. Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Guilin. On arrival in Guilin, transfer to your luxurious hotel.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 10
GUILIN - YANGSHOU
Embark on a cruise along the Li River, one of China’s top destinations, with a Local Guide and enjoy its breathtaking scenery and a taste of life far removed from the busy metropolis. Disembark at Yangshuo to wander around the colourful streets and markets in the afternoon. Later, visit the biggest natural open-air theatre in the world for the the Impression Liusanjie Show.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 11
YANGSHOU - GUILIN - HANGZHOU (2 NIGHTS)
Return to Guilin this morning with a Local Guide for a visit to the Reed Flute Cave to enjoy the distinctly-coloured stalactites and stalagmites, and the enchanting stone pillars and flower curtains inside the cave. After an included lunch, depart for the airport for an afternoon flight to Hangzhou, one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in all of China. The beautiful natural scenery includes West Lake, the city’s best known attraction. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and enjoy the evening relaxing at your own pace.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 12
HANGZHOU SIGHTSEEING
With a Local Guide this morning, choose to take an optional meditation class reading the Buddhist scriptures inside a Buddhist Temple. Marvel during a visit to Lingyin Temple, one of China’s oldest Buddhist temples, and home to treasures of Buddhist literature and art. Enjoy a Highlight Lunch with a local family at their tea farm where you’ll learn why tea, for thousands of years, was such an important part of Chinese culture. Sample a variety of locally grown leaves and teas during a performance of tea art in a serene and peaceful setting. This afternoon, take a scenic boat ride on breathtaking West Lake, followed by a thrilling performance of the spectacular “Impressions West Lake” show, which exhibits the deep-rooted culture and natural beauty of Hangzhou.
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Day 13
HANGZHOU - SHANGHAI (2 NIGHTS)
Head to Wuzhen water town today with a Local Guide, who’s numerous canals have earned it the nickname “the Venice of the East.” The houses that line the canals have a charming look with their oil-painted timber framework, white walls and black tiles. Its two-thousand-year history shines through ancient stone bridges floating on mild water, stone pathways between the mottled walls and delicate wood carvings. While here, enjoy a visit to a Chinese Alcohol Distillery. This evening, arrive in Shanghai and attend a performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 14
SHANGHAI SIGHTSEEING
Take in the many splendours of Shanghai with a Local Guide, including the Old Town, the Bund and the Shanghai Museum, a large museum of ancient Chinese art. Enjoy a Dim Sum Highlight Lunch at a local restaurant before an afternoon of shopping on the Nanjing Road. Tonight, cruise along the Huangpu River before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a festive Farewell Dinner.
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Day 15
DEPART SHANGHAI
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continue your holiday with one of our popular optional extensions.