Highlights of China

Exotic Travels in China

Included Highlights

• All domestic airfares included within China

• Accommodations throughout

• 10 breakfasts (B), 8 lunches (L), 4 dinners (D or SD-special dinner)

• Full-day Great Wall and Ming Tombs outing

• Pedicab tour of the seldom-visited Hutong quarter of Old Beijing

• Comprehensive sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA
Depart on a flight aboard your preferred carrier to China.

Day 2 Beijing
You are welcomed to the dynamic capital of China, and transferred to your hotel. 

Accommodations, 3 nights:
Deluxe Palace
Superior Presidential Hotel

Day 3 Beijing
A walk along the Great Wall of China ranks high on the wish lists of many travelers, and your excursion today will confirm that this, indeed, is one of the world's great travel experiences. Also, visit the Ming Tombs, before returning to Beijing to crown your day with a sumptuous Peking Duck dinner at a prestigious city venue. (B,L,SD) buy HLI-I515XL

Day 4 Beijing
Walk in the steps of ancient emperors today as you tour the powerful Forbidden City, hidden from public view for over 500 years; and the masterpiece Temple of Heaven, the embodiment of grace and harmony. Continuing to the Summer Palace, now a favorite recreational spot for locals. (B,L)

Day 5 Beijing/Xian
The hutongs of old Beijing offer a rare glimpse of pre-revolutionary China. Tour in style this morning as you are driven on traditional three-wheel cycle taxis through the hutongs' teeming maze of alleyways, past courtyard homes and gracious old mansions. In the 15th century Drum Tower, enjoy panoramas of this unusual historic quarter before flying to Xian, gateway to the Silk Road. (B,L)

Accommodations, 2 nights:
Deluxe Shangri-La Hotel
Superior ANA Grand Castle

Day 6 Xian
Walk in the steps of ancient traders and travelers on today's sightseeing tour of Xian. Tour the archaeological site which so far has yielded some 8000 ancient terra cotta soldiers and horses, each a unique, finely detailed sculpture. Also tour the Provincial Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and City Gate, and then enjoy a delicious dumpling banquet and stage show at Tang Dynasty Theater. (B,L,SD)

Day 7 Xian/Guilin
Fly south to the green hills of Guilin. This afternoon, tour the city sights and the immense Reed Flute Cave, filled with impressive grottos, pillars, and inscriptions over 1000 years old, if time permits. (B,L)

Accommodations, 2 nights:
Deluxe Sheraton
Superior Park Hotel

Day 8 Guilin
A full day cruise on the crystalline Li River will immerse you in the extraordinary natural beauty of this unique area. View towering stone pinnacles, unusual rock formations, quaint country villages, and fishermen casting their nets or bringing in the catch the traditional way, with cormorants. Complete the day with a dinner, followed by an entertaining cultural performance. (B,L,SD)

Day 9 Guilin/ Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai. Your hotel is a comfortable place to rest or set off shopping at the Arts and Crafts Center. (B) 

Accommodations, 2 nights:
Deluxe JC Mandarin
Superior Hua Ting Hotel

Day 10 Shanghai
View all aspects of Chinese arts, beautifully displayed in the astounding galleries of the Shanghai Museum. Explore the paths and pavilions of Yuyuan Gardens; stroll the waterfront Bund; visit the endearing Children's Palace, then return to your hotel to prepare for a thrilling evening at the Shanghai Acrobatics Show. (B,L) 

Day 11 Shanghai/Zhouzhuang/Grand Canal Cruise/Suzhou
China's glorious history unfolds on your excursion to Zhouzhuang, a remarkably intact, 900-year-old Song Dynasty town. Next, cruise along one of the oldest sections of the 1000 mile Grand Canal to the garden city of Suzhou. Experience the many moods of the intimate Garden of the Master of Nets on an evening visit, enhanced by classical music and dances performed by the city's finest artists. (B,L,SD)

Accommodations, 1 night:
Deluxe Sheraton
Superior Bamboo Grove Hotel

Day 12 Suzhou/Shanghai/USA
Bid farewell to China as you transfer from Suzhou to the Pudong Airport in Shanghai for your afternoon departure on your selected airline to the United States. (B)

Pricing & Departures

Add $100 to the Land Price if tour package does not include Transpacific airfare.  Land prices are inclusive of domestic airfares within China

Prices listed above are based on departures from Los Angeles, for add-on pricing from other cities within the US please see our Special Add-On Cities.