China Scenic 11 Days 9 Nights

Day 1:  USA – Beijing

Excitement fills the air as we board the international flight to Beijing. As the plane crosses the International Date Line we spend the night aboard.

Day 2: Arrival Beijing

Accommodation: Doubletree Hilton Beijing or Similar

Touch down in the capital city of China and greet our local guide in the arrivals hall. Transfer to our luxury hotel where we can unwind and relax for our full day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Optional Tour : China Scenic Best Seller Value Pack  ( $149 )  Upgrade to an Executive Room (Beijing 3 nts) 2017  ( $89 )

Day 3: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Doubletree Hilton Beijing or Similar

Today, we start our Beijing Capital tour with Qianmen Street. Qianmen Street was a commercial and entertainment hub due to its convenient location, connecting the Imperial Palace with other communities in Beijing. In the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, the street underwent a rejuvenation to restore the streetscape to that of the early 20th. A visit to Tiananmen Square, the world-famous and historic Tiananmen Square, or “Gate of Heavenly Peace”. Located in the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square was once the main gate to the Imperial Palace during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Today, it is home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, National Museum of China, and the Great Hall of the People. Afterwards, we drive by the famed Olympic Site and have a photo stop at Olympic National Stadium (the Bird's Nest), Olympic National Aquatics Center (the Water Cube) and National Center for the Performing Art. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to explore the home to Ming and Qing emperors, Forbidden City. Comprised of 800 buildings covering 720,000 sq. meters, it is the world's largest palace complex.

**For those travelers joining the Forbidden City optional tour - your passport is required for entry.  Please note if your passport does not match the passport on file for your reservation, you will be denied entry at the Forbidden City and your ticket will be nonrefundable**

Optional Tour : Forbidden City (only available for purchase prior to trip departure date**)   $28pp

Day 4: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Doubletree Hilton Beijing or Similar

Spend the day free or take the tour to visit the Great Wall, which is one of the man-built architectures that can be seen from the from the low orbit of the earth. The Great Wall is a massive defensive structure built to keep intruders from invading the mainland. It stretches an impossible 4000 miles across China's north, covering nine provinces. An enormous undertaking that originally began under Qin Shi Huang (first emperor of China) in 200 B.C., the Great Wall was not completed until the Ming Dynasty in 1640. This morning you have plenty of time to walk along its ancient path and experience part of China's fascinating history.

Optional Tour : Great Wall & Sacred Way  $49pp

Day 5: Beijing - Xian

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Noble Xian

Today we continue our journey by flying to Xian, the capital of Shannxi Province, one of the oldest cities in China. Xian is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China with more than 3100 years of history. The city was known as "Chang'an" before Ming Dynasty. Xian is the eastern teminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terra Cotta Warriors. Upon arrival in Xian, we will drive into town, passing through its massive City Wall, the best preserved defensive wall structure on earth and have a picture stop at Drum Tower and Bell Tower. In the evening, don't miss the chance to taste the local famous dumpling banquet.

Optional Tour : Dumpling Banquet  ( $28 )

Day 6: Xian

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Noble Xian

Rest at the hotel or take the opportunity to visit one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the Terra Cotta Warriors. One of the four ancient capitals of the world, Xian has been lauded for its abundance of historical relics, including its most famous, the Terra Cotta Warriors. Serendipitously discovered by a farmer in 1974, the realistic army of clay soldiers, horses and carriages has won the city international acclaim. Unearthed from the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, the life size army stand proudly in battle formation. After surveying the troops, we venture back to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the best-preserved Buddhist pagodas in China. Tonight, take the opportunity to enjoy the cultural musings of the Tang Dynasty Show, a song and dance performance which reflects the rich cultural history and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Optional Tour : Terracotta Warriors, First Qin Emperor's Mausoleum & Big Wild Goose Pagoda  ( $55 )  Tang Dynasty Dinner Show  ( $59 )

Day 7: Xian – Guilin

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

Depart for Guilin, a city renowned for its picturesque landscapes and dramatic natural beauty. Nestled on the banks of Li River, it is a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby city life. As the old Chinese saying goes, "The scenery of Guilin is unrivalled under heaven.” Karst limestone formations imbue Guilin's landscape with a mystical, dreamlike quality.

Day 8: Guilin

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

Today,we will explore Reed Flute Cave, where fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. After lunch, our tour continues to the Longji Ancient Zhuang Village and Longji Rice Terraces. These majestic terraced fields are built along the slope winding form the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest point being 880 m in elevation. The Longji rice terraces are simply breathtaking during every season – from the lush green paddies in the summer to the golden yellow sheen in autumn, the Longji Rice terraces are a sight you won't want to miss.

Optional Tour : Li River Cruise & Yangshuo Xi Street (Min. 6 participants)- will arrange on day 9( $70 )

Day 9: Guilin - Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar

Relax at the hotel today or join our optional excursion to witness the rolling landscapes of Southern China as we cruise down the jade waters of the Li River. A dazzling backdrop of mist-shrouded hills, steep cliffs and leisurely boats meandering by transports us to a place far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Lunch is served aboard. The riverboat will arrive at the town of Yangshuo, where we disembark for a brief city tour before returning back to Guilin. Afterwards we will depart Guilin for Shanghai, China’s most populous and modern city. Once dubbed the “Pearl of the Orient,” Shanghai holds an important place in modern China. Along the city’s famous waterfront Bund, glittering skyscrapers juxtapose older sections of the city, offering a glimpse into China’s past and present

Day 10: Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Yingxing Shanghai or Similar

This morning, we visit the Shanghai Museum and view the exhibits of ancient Chinese art. Designed by a local Shanghai Architect, the current building was completed in 1993 and resembles the shape of a bronze cooking vessel. Afterwards, we visit City God Temple Bazaar, the Nanjing Bund and the Bund. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel or take the optional tour to Lujiazui Finance and Trade Development Zone and a ride on Huang Pu River Cruise. In the evening, do not miss the opportunity to experience the exciting Chinese Acrobatics Show (with dinner).

Optional Tour : Lujiazui FTDZ & Huang Pu River Cruise  ( $25 )  Acrobatics Show with Dinner  $40pp

Day 11:  Shanghai - USA

Board the flight headed home, filled with memories to last a lifetime.