Fly to Beijing. Cross the Int’l Date Line.

Upon arrival in Beijing, the capital city of China, you will be warmly greeted at the airport by the tour guide and transferred to your hotel. 

Start your city tour with a visit to the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Next stop is the pills Forbidden City, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace ever built in the world. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, which was used by emperors to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvest during ancient times Visit Tongren Tang to learn about the culture of traditional Chinese medicine, which has existed for thousands of years. Your welcome banquet includes the local delicacy, Peking Roast Duck. 

Today’s highlight is a tour of the astonishing Great Wall. Much anticipated by our guests, the Great Wall serves as one of the most famous images of China. It is the only manmade object visible from the moon and one of the Seven Wonders of the World!  After lunch, see skilled artisans at work at the Cloisonné Factory. Later, walk the Sacred Path of Ming Tombs. Have an up-close view of the beautiful Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, both of which are national stadiums built for the 2008 Olympics. Visit one of the largest Jade Centers in Asia and learn Chinese jade culture.. Tonight, you can choose to attend an optional Chinese cultural show at your own expense, “The Golden Mask Dynasty” ($55pp), a spectacular one that incorporates dancing, acrobatics and magnificent costumes. 

Tour the exquisite Summer Palace, the largest preserved ancient imperial garden in China, and a former summer resort for Emperors. Later explore Beijing’s ancient alleyways also known as “hutongs” by pedicab. Enjoy this afternoon at leisure or join an optional half day tour. 

Fly to Xi’an in the morning. Xian was the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world during the Tang Dynasty; it served as the Chinese capital for eleven dynasties, a period of more than 2,000 years. Upon arrival, visit the fascinating Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum. Enjoy lunch before a visit to the Ancient City Wall, the most complete ancient city wall surviving in China. It also is one of the largest and most complete ancient military defense systems in the world. Stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter and explore the Islamic food markets. 

Today’s highlight is a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and see the life-sized defending army to the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. This site is regarded as “the Eighth Wonder of the World” and is among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century. Later, visit a Ceramics Art Factory, followed by a special Imperial Dumpling Banquet Dinner and traditional Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Show. 

Fly to Guilin in the morning. With its name translating to “Forest of Sweet Osmanthus”, Guilin has long been renowned for its unique scenery, amazing landscape and rich ethnic cultures. Tour the Elephant Trunk Hill and the Reed Flute Caves where you’ll be amazed by the extraordinary limestone formations.

Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Li River. You may have an opportunity to catch the fascinating sights of fisherman with cormorant birds while enjoying your lunch on board. Walk along the 1400 years old West Street. You have the option to watch a large scale ethnic show over the Li River -- “Impression Liu San Jie” at your own expense this evening ($60PP).

Today, travel by coach to the Longji Dragon Spine Rice Terraces. This part of the country encompasses China's most famous scenic landscapes. Over the centuries, the Zhuang and Yao minorities have sculpted 2,000 feet peaks with remarkable step-like terraces for growing rice in the hilly areas of Southwest China. Visit the unique culture of local minorities and their villages where life has remained unchanged for thousands of years. This memorable journey is rarely included in the conventional itinerary.  Return to Guilin in the evening.  

Fly to Shanghai. Your city tour starts by walking along the famous Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River. Lined by the colonial architectures of European design, this area is the best place to capture the western influences of the old days. Continue on to visit the Ming Dynasty Yuyuan Garden which is considered to be one of the four greatest Chinese gardens. Our final stop will be the bustling shopping district, Nanjing Road. After dinner, you may take an optional tour, the Night Cruise on the Huangpu River tour at your own expense ($50pp). 

After breakfast, visit the Shanghai Museum. Spend ample time there to see the ancient Chinese art, furniture and jade. Visit a Silk Mill to learn the Chinese silk culture and production before enjoying authentic Shanghainese cuisine for lunch. This afternoon is at leisure. You may attend a thrilling optional Chinese acrobatic show at your own expense - “ERA: The Intersection of Time” ($60pp).

Your China journey is over all too soon…Fly back home and arrive home on the same day as you leave China.