The Best of China

Day 1: Depart USA

Your magical journey with our Best of China tour package begins this afternoon as you depart on your wide-body jet flight bound for Beijing.

Day 2: Arrive Beijing

Accommodation: Beijing Capital Hotel

After crossing the International Date Line you arrive late this afternoon in Beijing, China’s lively capital and recent host to the Summer Olympics. You’ll be greeted at the airport and travel to your upscale hotel centrally located in downtown Beijing, within easy access to Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a welcome briefing.

Day 3: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, visit the Forbidden City, the former seat of the emperors throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a true architectural masterpiece and is home to the National Palace museum. After lunch, proceed to the Summer Palace, a former royal retreat and now a lovely park. Here you might consider a scenic boat ride on peaceful Kunming Lake. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director.

Day 4: Beijing

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

On today’s exhilarating excursion, venture outside the city to the legendary Great Wall, which extends nearly 4,000 miles. Time to view and mount the well-preserved ramparts of this ancient wonder before proceeding to the Ming Tombs, burial site of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. On the way back to the city, make a photo stop at the iconic Beijing 2008 Olympic Park, including the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube which now hosts many spectacular opening ceremonies and events. Marvel at the stunning exterior of these buildings before returning to Beijing. This evening, delight in an optional banquet featuring the famous “Peking Duck” and attend the famous “Legend of Kung Fu” Show.

Day 5: Beijing/Xian

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Golden Flower Hotel

Enjoy the morning at your leisure. You may join an optional excursion to Beijing’s ancient back alleys (Hutong) by rickshaw and witness the way the Chinese have lived for centuries, and then proceed to the Temple of Heaven. Later today, fly to Xian, ancient capital of China for eleven dynasties and historic gateway to the old silk trading route.

Day 6: Xian

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

On a guided morning excursion visit one of the world’s most amazing archaeological discoveries: a life-size Terra Cotta Army of soldiers and horses guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi. It was unearthed in 1974 after being buried with the first Qin emperor for 22 centuries! Afterwards, visit the intriguing Tang Art Museum and view excellent exhibits and demonstrations of Chinese culture including folk art, ancient painting works, and calligraphy. On this evening’s optional outing, savor a delicious dumpling dinner, a local specialty, and delight in a Tang Dynasty spectacular folklore show.

Day 7: Xian/Chengdu

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Today you’ll travel to the train station where you’ll take a high-speed train from Xian to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province and once the capital of the Shu Kingdom. Upon arrival in Chengdu, you’ll travel to your hotel.

Day 8: Chengdu

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Start the day with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding for a truly memorable experience. The research base has created a perfect ecological environment for the breeding of pandas and other precious and rare wild animals. Giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base live in large naturalistic habitats which help visitors understand how these animals live in the wild. This Research Base is one of the important centers in China for the captive conservation of giant pandas and the current goal is to increase the captive population of giant pandas with an ultimate goal of reintroducing giant pandas to the wild.

After lunch enjoy a stroll down the narrow Jinli Street where you’ll find yourself surrounded by old-world stores selling Shu Embroidery, lacquer products, folk handicrafts, curios, or calligraphy. Featuring traditional architecture, snacks, and folk customs, Jinli Street is synonymous with leisure. You’ll also find many cafes here, blending modern elements into the old town harmoniously.You may choose to relax and sit on a wooden bench with a cup of delicious coffee.

Day 9: Chengdu/Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Shanghai Fudan Hotel

Today, fly to Shanghai, often described as “Paris of the East”. An intriguing, dynamic city, today’s Shanghai weaves the seaport legacy of its past with impressive new 21st century architecture.

Day 10

Meals: Breakfast

Embark on a guided orientation drive and stroll down the Bund, the bustling and exciting waterfront along the Huangpu River. Next, enjoy a guided walk amidst the scenic ponds, colorful pavilions and walkways of the 16th century Yu Yuan Garden, a delightful reminder of old Shanghai. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore at your own pace. You may join an optional excursion to see the Shanghai Tower followed by a visit to the famous Jade Buddha Temple which houses exceptional Buddha statues carved of a single piece of white jade. This evening you may join an optional dinner followed by a mesmerizing acrobatic show.

Day 11: Optional Suzhou Excursion

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

A full day at your leisure to explore Shanghai as you wish. We recommend an exciting optional excursion to the charming, canal laced Suzhou, often called “Paradise on Earth”. Here you embark on a boat ride on the ancient “Grand Canal” and visit one of Suzhou’s most famous gardens as well as other city highlights. Return to Shanghai later this afternoon. This evening join your fellow travelers for an included festive farewell dinner at a famous local restaurant.

Day 12: Shanghai/USA

Meals: Breakfast

Today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. Your memorable journey of your China Tours come to an end as you arrive back in the U.S. later today.