Day 1

Arrive Seoul, South Korea. Welcome to South Korea’s capital city. Your hotel room is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

Seoul. Your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING starts at GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE, built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty that ruled the country for five centuries. Gyeongbokgung was the primary residence of the royal family and considered the most magnificent of the “Five Grand Palaces” built in Seoul. The palace complex was razed by the Japanese invasion of 1592. It sat abandoned for nearly 300 years until the mid-19th century when the complex was rebuilt and expanded with some 500 buildings. You will also stop at the NATIONAL FOLK MUSEUM to learn more about Korean culture. Before leaving the complex, watch a re-enactment of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, and discover how the royal guards of the Joseon Dynasty were in charge of protecting the gates of the capital city and the royal palace. Next, take a WALKING TOUR through BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE. Here, you can see hundreds of hanoks (traditional Korean houses) dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. Walk along the quiet alleys lined with restaurants and tea houses. Travel to nearby Insadong for lunch in a local restaurant featuring Korean cuisine. A highlight is bibimbap, a signature dish of warm rice topped with sautéed vegetables, sliced meat, chili paste, and a fried egg. Afterward, stroll along Insadong Street, a center for traditional arts and crafts. The remainder of the
afternoon is at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 3

Seoul. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore this exciting city. (B)

Day 4

Seoul–Beijing, China. Today, fly to Beijing. (B)

Day 5

Beijing. This morning, enjoy a PRIVATE GUIDED EXCURSION to the GREAT WALL OF CHINA, which once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Walk along the wall and take in the stunning views of this mammoth fortress and the surrounding scenery. Return to Beijing and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 6

Beijing. Begin your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING at TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Next, stop at the FORBIDDEN CITY, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest palace complex. Once the home of China’s great emperors, today it showcases ancient Chinese architecture, landscaped gardens, and displays of rare art and artifacts. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)

Day 7

Beijing–Xi’an. Fly to Xi’an, an archaeological treasure trove in central China. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 8

Xi’an. Rare discoveries await on your PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR of Xi’an. Start with a visit to the DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD. Afterward, visit the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef, and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Last stop is Xi’an’s ancient CITY WALL. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 9

Xi’an–Shanghai. Fly to Shanghai, China’s center of trade and industry. (B)

Day 10

Shanghai. Today, explore the highlights of Shanghai on a PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR. First, visit the bustling YU YUAN GARDENS, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Then, stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. For lunch, a traditional DIM SUM feast awaits. Meaning “to touch your heart,” dim sum was originally just a snack but has transformed over time to a full meal consisting of a wide variety of steamed dumplings, spring rolls, and more. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B,L)

Day 11

Shanghai. This morning, your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING starts at the SHANGHAI MUSEUM, featuring stunning displays of ancient bronze, jade, and ceramics. Then, take a WALKING TOUR of the former French Concession, once Shanghai’s leading residential and retail area. Today, the qualities that made the area so popular endure—from quaint, tree-lined streets and exquisite architecture to charming shops and fashionable restaurants and bars. Along the way, see the famous Art Deco Cathay Theatre, explore the narrow lanes of Xintiandi, and visit Fuxing Park, where locals play chess, dance, practice tai chi, and more. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)

Day 12

Shanghai–Hong Kong. Today, fly to exciting Hong Kong. (B)

Day 13

Hong Kong. Your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING this morning includes a CABLE-CAR RIDE up Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of the city, a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbor, and a visit to STANLEY MARKET, where narrow streets are filled with inexpensive clothing and arts and crafts stalls. The afternoon is at your leisure for personal discoveries. (B,L)

Day 14

Hong Kong. Enjoy a full day to explore Hong Kong and the surrounding area on your own. Perhaps consider an excursion to see the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island, explore nearby Macau, visit the Temple Street night market, or take a sunset cruise on the harbor. (B)

Day 15

Hong Kong. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)