Best of China

Day 1:  Overnight Flight. Depart your gateway city for one of the world’s most fascinating countries: The People’s Republic of China.

Day 2:  Arrive Beijing, China - Tour Begins. Arrive at the international airport, clear customs and meet your local representatives. Transfer to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure to acclimate yourself.

Day 3:  Beijing. Your tour manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on this tour. A sightseeing tour of Beijing begins with a visit to historic Tiananmen Square. Named after Tiananmen (gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north and separates it from the Forbidden city, the square has great cultural significance. Continue to the Forbidden City, a vast network of palaces and courtyards once reserved for China’s most powerful rulers. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is the world's largest palace complex. Construction of the palace complex began in 1407 and completed fourteen years later in 1420. It was said that a million workers including one hundred thousand artisans built the complex. (B, L, D)

Day 4:  The Great Wall China’s legendary landmark, the Great Wall, is yours to discover today. Walk along a portion of this 3,700 mile marvel! Continue to the valley of the Ming Tombs and visit the extensive Sacred Way burial site. You will have time to experience a time-honored and favorite pastime of the Chinese when you go kite-flying. This evening enjoy a Peking duck dinner, followed by a traditional Peking opera show. You will be delighted by the colorful costumes and interesting music. (B, L, D)

Day 5:  Beijing This morning visit the Summer Palace, which is ranked amongst the most noted classical gardens in the world. It is an extremely fine example of the ancient arts, containing graceful landscapes and magnificent construction. In 1998, it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Begun during the Jin Dynasty (1115), by the Qing Dynasty (1644), it had become a luxurious royal garden providing royal families with rest and entertainment. After lunch, the remainder of your day is at leisure. (B, D)

Day 6:  Beijing – Xian. Explore the world-famous Temple of Heaven, an ornate sanctuary where Chinese Emperors worshiped their gods. Bigger than the Forbidden City and smaller than the Summer Palace, the Temple was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. Then take a once-in-a-lifetime rickshaw tour through the Hutongs of ancient Beijing. The word hutong came from the Mongolian language meaning "water well" meaning a place where people live. Today in Beijing, the word hutong means a small alleyway or lane. They are typical of the old part of Beijing. In the Hutong, you will visit a local home, share a simple lunch, and learn the art of dumpling making. Then, continue your journey with a flight to China’s interior city of Xian. (B, L, D)

Day 7:  Xian. Located in the central area of Northwest China, Xian is one of the most ancient capitals in the world. Xian was the national capital from 1046 BC to 907 AD. Begin your Xian experience with a visit to one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world, the classical Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built during the Tang Dynasty to house Buddhist treasures. For lunch you will savor a local specialty, Xian dumplings. Then you will visit the excavation site of the incredible Terra-Cotta Warriors. The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. This army of men and horses was buried with the first Emperor of Qin to protect him in the afterlife. Currently over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed. Most of them have been restored to their former grandeur. (B, L)

Day 8:  Xian – Guilin. An early morning flight will fly you from Xian to the beautiful city of Guilin. Here you’ll find mystical landscapes of limestone karst pinnacles covered with lush vegetation. Visit the legendary Reed Flute Caves. The Reed Flute Cave is a brilliant cave which got its name from the verdant reeds growing outside it, with which people make flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition. Here you will enjoy a guided tour showcasing the spectacular underground scenery. You’ll also stop to take in the view of Elephant Trunk Hill, located on the western bank of Li River. The hill is named for its curious shape, which resembles an enormous elephant drinking water from the placid river. Finally return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B, L,)

Day 9:  Guilin. Today is a day to remember. Begin with a scenic cruise along the Li River. A Li River cruise is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous landscapes give you surprises at each bend of the limpid river. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River has become one of China's top destinations. You will then visit the Guilin Tea Institute and learn the art of tea leaf picking and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony. (B, L, D)

Day 10:  Guilin – Shanghai. Start the day with a private Tai Chi lesson; a highly-revered Chinese martial art. Then depart Guilin for Shanghai, a bustling trade port and the economic heart of China. The sight of the city’s futuristic skyline will leave you speechless. After lunch, enjoy a locally-guided tour of the waterfront district known as the Bund. This area was the center of Shanghai’s politics, economy and culture hundreds of years ago. Consulates of most countries and many banks, businesses and newspaper offices were settled there and that's why there are these art-like buildings. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back into 19th century Europe as you wander among the impressive Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. (B, D)

Day 11:  Shanghai Visit the Children’s Palace, an ornate fortress where the local children come to learn various arts including calligraphy, piano and dance. Next, visit the Old Town and walk its winding, narrow lanes on the way to the once-private Yu Yuan Gardens. Leave the hustle and bustle behind as you wander through this 400-year-old oasis. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying and this garden was specially built as a place of tranquility and happy time. The garden occupies about five acres, however, the small size is not representative of the attractions of the garden. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics. End your day with a stop at the beautiful Temple of the Jade Buddha. Built in 1882, to keep two Jade Buddha statues brought from Burma, the original temple was destroyed. Fortunately, the Jade Buddha statues were saved and a new temple was built on the present site. These two precious Jade Buddhist statues are not only rare cultural relics but also porcelain artworks. Tonight, take in the energy and excitement of a Chinese acrobatics show. (B, L, D)

Day 12:  Shanghai - Zhujiajiao – Shanghai. A full day excursion to the water village of Zhujiajiao, an ancient city located on Dianshan Lake. After more than one thousand years, Ming & Quing dynasty buildings still stand and 36 ancient stone bridges cross the canal that runs through the center of the town. Visit the rice museum, enjoy a boat ride on the canal and have time to shop. This evening you may choose an optional cruise on the Huangpu River to enjoy the Shanghai skyline, followed by a western dinner. (B, L)

Day 13:  Shanghai. Today, discover the treasures of the Shanghai National History Museum. Formerly known as Shanghai Historical Relic Exhibition Hall, the 40,000-plus exhibits collected by the museum reflect the historic vicissitudes of the Shanghai city. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore more of the city on your own. This evening, bid farewell to China at an indulgent farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. (B, D)

Day 14: Shanghai - Tour Ends. Your tour ends in Shanghai but you will carry your memories of China with you as you make the journey home. (B)