Day 1 - DEPART U.S.

Day 2 – ARRIVE BEIJING

Arrive Beijing and transfer to hotel.

Day 3 - BEIJING (B, L, SD)

You are going to wake up this morning in the magnificent 800 year old Capital city of Beijing! While standing in the middle of the largest square in the world - Tiananmen Square, you will really want to pinch yourself. That’s right, you are in China! Then you will follow the meridian line of this ancient city and enter the majestic Forbidden City, which has been a monument to classic Chinese architecture for over 500 years.

In the afternoon, you will explore an authentic Chinese Imperial garden – the Summer Palace. It is a summer resort built exclusively for the Emperor and Empress. You are going to enjoy the legendary scenery on a Dragon Boat, a treat originally reserved only for the Imperial family!

Tonight you will savor the most authentic Peking Duck dinner in Beijing. A great way to finish an unforgettable day!
 

Day 4 - BEIJING (B, L, D)

A full-day excursion takes you forty miles north of Beijing to the Great Wall. This wonder of the world was built more than 2,600 years ago. The Wall was an extraordinary 4,000-mile-long fortification built to thwart barbarian invasions. A walk along a section of this enormous edifice is definitely a not-to-be-missed experience.

This afternoon, you are going to walk through the Sacred Way, which is lined with colossal stone statues leading to the Ming Tombs. These lavish burial chambers of thirteen emperors of Ming Dynasty will reveal those rare treasures that have been uncovered through years of excavations.
 

Day 5 - BEIJING (B, L, D)

We begin this day with a rickshaw tour through old downtown Beijing. These historic narrow alleyways are called Hutongs. You will really be amazed by the peek into the everyday life of the real Beijingers’! You are going to enjoy a face-to-face visit with a local family there. So prepare your list of questions that you are dying to ask, and anticipate a genuine warm welcome from your host!

This afternoon, you are going to visit the majestic Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed annually to the Heavens (delete the "s") for a good harvest. It is one of the most memorable symbols of Beijing and one of the most photographed sites in Chinese architecture!

A performance of the renowned Beijing Opera (or the fabulous Legends of Kung Fu Show) highlights your evening!

Day 6 BEIJING/XI’AN (B, L, SD)

Today you are going to fly to Xi'an, the cradle of Chinese civilization. Xi’an was the state capital of 73 emperors spanning 11 dynasties over 2,000 years. Get a feeling for this medieval metropolis as you stand on top of the old city walls, enjoying the fabulous bird’s-eye view. One of China’s most prosperous times in history was during the spectacular Tang Dynasty (619 – 907), during which Xi’an was the capital. As the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, Xi’an was the most important international metropolis in middle Asia; attracting businessmen, traders, scholars and students from all over the world.

Tonight, you are going to have a feast while enjoying the dazzling Tang Dynasty cultural show featuring music, dance, and colorful traditional Tang costumes.
 

Day 7 – XI’AN (B, L, SD)

This morning you are going to visit the Buddhist Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which is still an active temple. In the afternoon you are going to visit one of the most stunning sites in world, the life-sized Terra-Cotta Warriors Army. An underground army buried to protect the legendary first Emperor of China during his afterlife. While in awe of those thousands of life-sized soldiers, officers, horses and wagons dating from the third century BC, you can’t get over that this wonder was accidentally discovered by a farmer while he was digging out a well in the early 1970’s. If you are lucky, you will also see some archaeologists still working on site to uncover another part of the vast tomb complex built by first emperor in Chinese history!

The Dumpling Banquet dinner will be a great ending of your fantastic day in Xi’an.

Day 8 – XI’AN/GUILIN (B, L, D)

Your first stop today will be at Xi'an's well-presented Shaaxi Provincial Museum with its exceptional collection traces back from the matriarchal societies of the third millennium BC to the glorious Tang dynasty in the tenth century.

In the afternoon, you are flying to Guilin, the most picturesque city in China, famous for its splendid natural scenery. Its romantic countryside will soothe you of your tiring urbanism. Enjoy water buffalos strolling in the lush green rice paddies combined with the craggy limestone background, you will really get lost in this picture! The Reed Flute Cave, also known by another beautiful name, "The Art Palace of Nature", features fantastic natural stalactite and stalagmite formations, artfully illuminated by multicolored lights. Elephant Trunk Hill will vividly demonstrate the miracle of nature: An elephant enjoying his moment by the Li River! Don’t miss the well lit up image of this elephant at night. That will be a highlight of your dream!

After dinner, enjoy the Cormorant fishing during their night shift.

Day 9- GUILIN (B, L, SD)

Early in the morning you will enjoy a relaxing boat-ride along the highlight of Guilin, the meandering Li River. Clumps of phoenix tail bamboo trees line the shores, little bamboo rafts floating on the water with the cormorants resting on them, every once in a while awakened by the swimming boys. The cruise will take you to Yangshuo, which is more famous for its beauty than even Guilin! The open market in Yangshuo is a wonderful example of a country-style free market.

After heading back to Guilin, you will be entertained by the colorful Minority ethnic dinner and show.

Day 10- GUILIN/SHANGHAI (B, L, D)

This morning will find you en route to Shanghai, the city considered to be the most Western Chinese city. Established early in last century, it is the financial and commercial center of China today. You will be impressed by the skyline of this stunning metropolis. You are going to see the old section of this prosperous city, Yu Garden, a finely designed maze of elegant pavilions and ponds. While standing on the Bund, China’s most famous waterfront stretching about a mile along the Huangpu River, you will see the contrast of both the old western buildings finished at the beginning of last century, and the tallest TV tower in Asia, the Oriental Pearl.

Enjoy the marvelous stunts of an Acrobatic Show tonight.
 

Day 11 - SHANGHAI (B, L, SD)

Shanghai Museum is a very modern design, and has an extensive collection of all aspects of Chinese art from ceramics to jades, furniture, costumes to paintings, and more. In the afternoon you are going to visit the Children's Palace, where you are going to meet the future pianists, dancers and painters on their pilgrimage to stardom.

You are going to say good bye to China in the toast at the Farewell Banquet.

Day 12- DEPART SHANGHAI (B)

Departure from Shanghai to U.S.
 

Please note that B, L, D, SD denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Special Dinner