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China the Beautiful |
23Days / 22Nights from $ 3,090 USD |
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| Beijing~Xi'an~Dunhuang~Turpan~Kashgar~Kunming~ Guilin~Hangzhou~ Shanghai
Badaling Great Wall~Terracotta Warriors~Mogao Caves~ Sunday Bazaar~ Li River Cruise~ Lingyin Temple~Zhuozheng Garden
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| Enjoy the beautiful China, from ancient cities to tranquil country villages. Experience venerable traditions of Kashgar, Kunming and Guilin; archaeological treasures of Beijing, Xi'an and Dunhuang and compelling scenery of Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai on this 23-day journey of discovery. |
2005 Departure Dates
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23 Days / 22 Nights from $ 3,090
Begins Beijing and Ends Chengdu (Qinghai and Sichuan Province)
May 17, 28
June 18, 28
July 01, 05, 19, 30
Aug 09, 20
Sep 06, 10, 20
Oct 04, 08, 18
Additional departure dates may become available as these sell out or you can choose your own departure date.
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Full Itinerary |
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01 Beijing
Arrive at Beijing airport, where our guide will greet and transfer you to hotel where you will stay for three nights. This newly decorated hotel is located nearly in the famous Wangfujing Street. You can have a stroll in the vehicle-free street after you check in.
02 Beijing
Today you will see some of the contrasting sights of Beijing, our capital city. Your first stop will be at Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Dominating the north side of the square is the massive red Tian'anmen Gate through which you will pass into the fabled Forbidden City and another age, where you will be shown the home to the members of the royal family and their court in China's Ming and Qing Dynasties. After lunch you will visit the imposing Temple of Heaven where the Emperor came each year to intercede with the Gods for a good and plentiful harvest. To round off a memorable start to your tour, you will have Beijing Duck Dinner at the most famous and century-old Quan Ju De restaurant followed by the fascinating Peking Opera performance.
03 Beijing
After breakfast, you will make your way to the Badaling Great Wall where you will have the opportunity to not only see one of the most impressive sections of the Great Wall of China but you will be able to take a walk along it. After lunch you will travel some 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Beijing to the Sacred Way with its fabulous stone animals. It leads you to the Ming Tombs in the shadow of Longevity Mountain. A visit to the Underground Palace of Dingling, will allow you to see imperial coffins, burial artifacts and treasures. We arrange you to have a fresh and a gourmet dinner in your hotel after you have a big day to the Great Wall and the Ming tombs.
04 Beijing - Xian
This morning you will visit the favorite haunt of the Dowager Empress, the Summer Palace. Walking in this veritable museum of classical Chinese garden architecture that the royal family could relax away from the formal ceremony of the court is quite a pleasant experience. There are a number of pavilions as well as the Long Corridor that is now a popular place for people to spend the day on or near the lake. After lunch, we take an internal flight to the ancient former capital city of Xi'an. Visit the ancient Xi'an City Wall from the 14th century, one of the most important city walls in China on your way downtown to the 5-star Sheraton Hotel that is to be your home for the next two nights. To celebrate your arrival in Xi'an you will enjoy a local specialty, the Dumpling Dinner, the popular food in the Chinese Lunar New Year.
05 Xi'an
Following breakfast in the hotel, you set out for yet another highlight of your tour; the Terracotta Warriors Museum. The thousands of life size soldiers and horses were created to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first Emperor to unite China under his firm rule. The royal tomb itself has yet to be opened but the rank upon rank of Warriors is a sight that is unrivalled anywhere in the world. After lunch, you will visit the Provincial History Museum with its richest collection of artifacts in China. Your last visit for the afternoon will be to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The square, seven-storey pagoda was built in 652 AD and is a fine example of Tang Dynasty Buddhist architecture. Tonight, you will attend the deluxe Tang Dynasty Dinner Show at the famous Tang Dynasty Palace where fine food and spectacular entertainment bring another outstanding day to a close.
06 Xi'an 每 Dunhuang
Fly to Dunhuang this morning. Check in to your hotel upon arrival. Tour the White Horse Pagoda, Crescent Spring Lake, and Singing Sand Dunes in the afternoon.
07 Dunhuang 每 Turpan
Spend the day exploring the fascinating Buddhist art at the Mogao Caves. Visit a local market before transferring to Liuyuan for an overnight train ride to Turpan.
08 Turpan
 Arrive in Turpan in the morning. Turpan is a Uygur town set in a large oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains. The ancient Jiaohe City was built on a strategic high ground and now the remains of many structures are still standing. In the afternoon, visit the Emin Minaret and Grape Valley, where you have the chance to see the unique Karez Wells -- a thousand-year old irrigation system. Enjoy a local flavor dinner tonight.
09 Turpan
Today's activities take you to the mysterious Gaochang Ruins, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold. Later stop by the Astana Tombs, the burial ground for the nobles of ancient kingdoms, and the Beziklik Caves filled with Buddhist art created before Islam became the dominant religion in Xinjiang in the 15th century. Also stop by the legendary Flaming Mountain.
10 Turpan 每 Urumchi 每 Kashgar
Travel by motor coach to Urumchi, the capital of Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Upon arrival in the afternoon, visit the Xinjiang Museum to view the incredible 2,000 year old mummies. Fly to China's western-most city - Kashgar, in the evening and transfer to your hotel upon arrival.
11 Kashgar
You are here for the world-famous outdoor market--the Sunday Bazaar, which attracts traders, vendors, and buyers from all parts of central Asia. Also pay a visit to Id Kah Mosque in the center of the city and the Tomb of Yusup Hazi Hajup, the great Uygur poet and philosopher of the middle ages. Enjoy a Uygur Song & Dance Show tonight after dinner.
12 Kashgar - Urumchi
This morning, head southwest for a unique Monday Market in a small Uygur village. In the afternoon, visit the Tombs of Abakh Hoja, which contains the burial site of a famous concubine of a Qing Emperor. Tour the grounds of Hannoyi Ruins and the Moer Pagoda. Fly back to Urumchi in the evening.
13 Urumchi 每 Kunming
Fly to Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province. Visit Daguan Lou (Grand View Pavilion), which was built in 1690 and sports a brilliant poetic couplet. Tour the Ethnic Village, a big park that showcases the colorful cultures of Yunnan's different ethnic groups.
14 Kunming
Today's excursion takes you to the Stone Forest, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Kunming. Located in Lunan Yi National Autonomous County, this area offers visitors a unique landscape of stark limestone pillars twisted and sculpted by the elements. In addition to the natural beauty, the local markets and villages of the ethnic Sani people are definitely attractive and worth exploring. Return to Kunming in the evening for a special Yunnan Flavor Dinner.
15 Kunming
Today you will have a chance to explore the suburban hills of Kunming and check out the intriguing Buddhist art at Qiongzhu Temple. Later, go to the Western Hill to get a bird's-eye-view of the Dianchi Lake and to appreciate some wonderful stone carvings. The afternoon is free for your own exploration.
16 Kunming 每 Guilin
Fly to Guilin, one of China's most beautiful cities. Visit to Fubo Hill for a panoramic  view of the city after checking in to your hotel. Enjoy a Western Dinner in your hotel restaurant. Later in the evening, go to the Spring Theater for an Ethnic Song & Dance Performance.
17 Guilin 每 Yangshuo - Guilin
Embark on a 4-hour motorboat Li River Cruise and savor the lovely view of the area's extraordinary limestone peaks. Disembark in the small county town of Yangshuo and explore the local markets and a nearby village. Return to Guilin by evening.
18 Guilin - Hangzhou
Embark on an excursion to Daxu, a well-preserved country village with quaint houses and narrow streets. Transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Hangzhou. You are greeted and taken to your beautiful hotel overlooking the West Lake.
19 Hangzhou
Go to the Lingyin Temple (Temple of the Soul's Retreat), a huge Buddhist Shrine initially built in 326 AD. Then cruise the famed West Lake (known as the number-one beauty spot in the city) and tour the nearby vistas. On the outskirts of Hangzhou are the natural wonder of Longjing Quan (Dragon Well Spring) and the lush tea bushes of nearby Longjing Village that produce the highly regarded tea. You will also visit a Tea Museum located next to the plantation.
20 Hangzhou 每 Shanghai
Take a morning train ride to Shanghai and check in to your hotel downtown. Visit the Bund, this splendid row of early 20th century European buildings remains the quintessential Shanghai sight. Visit to Yuyuan Garden, a well-restored Suzhou-style garden that was created by a Ming Dynasty official in 1559. A fabulous Acrobatic Show concludes your first day in Shanghai.
21 Shanghai 每 Suzhou - Shanghai
Take a full-day excursion to Suzhou. Founded in 514BC, this city is known as the "Venice of the East". It was so named by early travelers because the town was built around a network of canals and 300criss-crossing bridges that fanned out from the Grand Canal. Visit one of Suzhou's most beautiful gardens -- Zhuozheng Garden. Then, move on to visit the Suzhou Silk Factory and the Silk Museum. Return to Shanghai in late afternoon.
22 Shanghai
Visit the marvelous Shanghai Museum, a leading attraction of the city since it opened in 1994. Wander around the former  French Concession laid out by the French in 1909, represented by Fuxing Park and the architecture in the area. The rest of the afternoon is for your own exploration. Tonight, you are invited to a farewell dinner featuring genuine Shanghai Cuisine.
23 Shanghai 每 Exit
Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight.
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| 2005 Prices |
| Land Price Per Person |
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Group Size
Minimum Size: 06persons
Double: $ 3,090
Single : $ 3,890
TOUR COST INCLUDES
All accommodations mentioned above
All meals mentioned above
All entrance fee where applicable
English speaking guide
Travel insurance inside mainland China
Transfer from airport to hotel and private vehicles to sightseeing spots
Airfares and airport taxes as Beijing / Xi＊an / Dunhuang, Urumchi / Kashgar / Urumchi / Kunming / Guilin / Hangzhou
Train fee as Dunhuang / Turpan
TOUR COST EXCLUDES
All transportation fees on entering Beijing and exiting Shanghai
All personal expenses such as extra drinks, laundry, telephone calls, excess baggage charges
Gratuities, Tips to guides or drivers |
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