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Trip Itinerary:

• Day 1 - On the Plane

  Commercial Flight

  You will leave the US for China. The adventure begins! Meals on the plane.

• Day 2 - Beijing

  Welcome to Beijing.

  When you arrive in Beijing, you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel.

  Sightseeing

  Beijing - The capital of China, where many miraculous structures have been built for the glory of the Emperor! This city is rich in history and culture. Here you will experience China from the last 500 years of history to modern times.

  

• Day 3 - Beijing

  Sightseeing

  The day begins with a tour of a Chinese Hutong. This begins with a rickshaw ride through the old neighborhood, then a short walking tour into the narrow streets of the Hutong. You will be able to visit the home of a family who lives there; feel free to ask any questions. This is the traditional housing in old Beijing that was generally four small houses surrounding a court area. The Hutong has been home to both the poor and the rich. These quaint dwellings are disappearing in the continual modernization of China. (If you have a group of 10 or more we can arrange for you to have lunch prepared by a local family in the Hutong).

  Sporting Events

  After lunch, we can take you to some pre-Olympic events or the afternoon can be free. We will go to an early dinner and then take you to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony.

  Hotel

  Afterwards we will take you back to your hotel, or if you prefer, we can take you to a local night club or bar for Olympic Afterglow. B, L, D

• Day 4 - Beijing

  Shopping

  Today we will take you to visit the 2nd Hand Street Market. This market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays and is where the Beijingers shop. You will find a wide array of items from Jade, jewelry, art, cloth, chopsticks, furniture, etc. etc. If you know how to bargain you can get deals that are dimes or even pennies on the dollar.

  Olympic Events:
  

  Sporting Events

  We will take you to whatever Olympic Events that you want during the day.

• Day 5 - Beijing

  Sporting Events

  Options: Olympic Events or Tour sites. Olympic Events: We will take you to whatever Olympic Events that you want during the day.

  Sightseeing

  Options - Tour Sites: We can take you to one or more of the following: the Summer Palace, the Beijing Zoo, Panda Exhibit, the Yong He Gong Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery, to fill parts of the day that are not filled with Olympic events.

• Day 6 - Beijing

  OPT. A 2-days: 2nd Hand Market, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall + Ming Tombs:
  

  Sightseeing

  The day begins with a visit to TianAnmen Square and then to the Forbidden City. In addition to seeing the buildings and grounds of the Emperor's palace, you will also see the Emperor's clock collection and the Qing Dynasty Jewelry, Robes and Relics collection (which Westerners rarely see). . After lunch you will go to the Temple of Heaven, which is where the Emperor went every year to commune with the gods.

  2-day OPTION B: 2nd Hand St. Market and Overnight On The Great Wall!
  

  Sightseeing

  The day begins with a visit to TianAnmen Square and then to the Forbidden City. In addition to seeing the buildings and grounds of the Emperor's palace, you will also see the Emperor's clock collection and the Qing Dynasty Jewelry, Robes and Relics collection. Then we will take you to a special part of the Great Wall at Jinshanling, where you can stay overnight in a guard tower! This portion of the Wall is not offered to the tourist on most general tours, we are offering this site to those who want an adventurous Great Wall experience, which includes going to site where you will see few or no other Westerners on the wall and you can enjoy a home-cooked dinner by your Chinese hosts! You drive three hours outside of Beijing, passing out of the metropolitan area, past smaller villages, interesting farmland and animals and then into the mountainous area. Then you come to the small set of buildings below the Great Wall at Jinshangling. There you will meet your hosts. They will take you to the Great Wall and show you the options of where you will sleep. You can then explore the wall and walk along. Some of our clients have experienced being the only ones on the wall for hours (or you will see very few others). You should be able to take some particularly striking photos of this intriguing portion of the wall without hundreds of people on it. Later you hosts will cook for you a home-cooked meals with you can eat either on the Great Wall or down below in their home. Your hosts will then set you up with sleeping bags and a small mat on the guard tower floor (or if you prefer, there is an enclosed room that you can sleep in. You will be able to enjoy sunset and sunrise on the Great Wall. This requires a little more effort then some portions but we believe you will find it very rewarding.

  Relaxation

  This experience is a little more expensive, but is a unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. B, L, D

• Day 7 - Beijing

  OPT. A 2-days: 2nd Hand Market, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall + Ming Tombs:
  

  Sightseeing

  Today we will take you to the Ming Tombs, including both entering one of the tombs and walking the Sacred Way. After lunch we will go onto the incredible Great Wall of China (at Badaling). It is an incredible feeling to be standing on one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which is over 3,900 miles in length! We will then return you to your hotel. B, L

  2-day OPTION B: 2nd Hand St. Mkt and Overnight On The Great Wall!
  

  Sightseeing

  You will wake up one of the Wonders of the World! It is certainly the longest of the Wonders. You can spend more time enjoying the wall. After you have finished with your time there, you will be transferred to your hotel. B, L

  NOTE: Your tour could remain in Beijing for more days, if you like. However, for the purposes of this tour itinerary, we will proceed onto Xi'an. NOTE: You have the option to fly to Xi'an or to take the 15-hour train. Please let us know your preference.

• Day 8 - Xian

  Sightseeing

  Xian is the oldest capital of China. Xi'an is the home of incredible archaeological discoveries and is the Eastern-most city of the Silk Road. The ancient emperor's burial sites can be found here. Xi'an is naturally a flat area. The many hills that you see are actually burial mounds of emperors and other rich dignitaries. This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Xi'an. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After you are settled you will be taken on a tour of the city, including the old city wall (which 4 chariots could ride abreast). After lunch you will go to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which has an extensive collection of artifacts from the various Chinese Dynasties. B, L, D

  Evening Option:
  

  Performing Arts

  Watch the Wild Goose Pagoda water show. This free show is the largest of its kind in China.

• Day 9 - Guilin

  Sightseeing

  Today you will visit what has been called the 8th Wonder of the World the Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum. Oftentimes, one of the farmers who discovered the site is at the museum. After lunch you will go to the Hua Qing Hot Springs. Although the hot springs are inactive, the scenery is beautiful, with interesting buildings and the ancient Emperors' Jacuzzi.

  Commercial Flight

  Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin.

  Hotel

  Your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. B, L

  Sightseeing

  GUILIN: This is one of the most beautiful areas on the face of the earth. The fantasy-shaped mountains, the beautiful river and beautiful caves all combine to make Guilin a delight to the eyes.

• Day 10 - Guilin

  Sightseeing

  Today you will see Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, and the natural beauty of the Reed Flute Caves. B, L, D

• Day 11 - Yangzhou

  River or Barge Cruise

  We will take you on the 3-4 hour Li Jiang River Cruise. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the whole world, showing the magnificent limestone mountains rising along the river banks, usually shrouded in clouds and catching a glimpse of the people who live along the riverbanks. Of which are th Cormorant fishermen who still use these unusual birds to catch their daily fish.

  Sightseeing

  As the cruise ends, you will disembark in Yangshuo, a quaint village with a very nice street market. You are very close to the beautiful mountains and you can go into the countryside to see the beautiful vistas. You can take a bicycle ride or a drive through these fantasy-shaped mountains. We will check you into your hotel in Yangshuo. B, L

  Evening Option:
  

  Performing Arts

  Enjoy the spectacular show Impressions with over 600 performers, live animals, and spectacular lighting effects all performed on the Li River with the majestic limestone mountains as the back drop.

• Day 12 - Yangzhou

  Commercial Flight

  The morning is free to enjoy the scenery in Yangshuo. Today you will be driven to the Guilin airport for your flight to Then we will take you to the airport for your flight to Chongqing.

  River or Barge Cruise

  Upon arriving you will be taken to the Three Gorges Museum, which will give you an interesting overview of the cruise you will be taken. Then after a delicious Sichuan Dinner you will be transferred to the 5-star Victoria Cruise Ship The ship leaves the harbor around 9:00pm. (as we will be on the move during lunchtime, we suggest that lunch can be individually obtained in the airport or by snacking) B, D

• Day 13 - 14 - At Sea

  Yangtze River Cruise.

  River or Barge Cruise

  The Yangtze River Cruise continues (The Ghost Temple, Shendong stream and beautiful scenery.) B, L, D.

• Day 15 - Shanghai

  River or Barge Cruise

  You will visit the Three Gorges Dam project and then reboard the ship for the remainder of the cruise.

  Commercial Flight

  The cruise ship arrives at Yichang where your guide will transfer you to the airport. Then you will fly to Shanghai.

  You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

  Food and Dining

  We will take you to dinner and then to see the Bund, which is particularly beautiful at night. B, L, D

  Evening Option:
  

  Performing Arts

  The famous Peace Hotel Jazz Band (in the Bund area)

• Day 16 - Shanghai

  Sightseeing

  SHANGHAI - The east meets the west city. This historic home of the European and American headquarters in China is still witnessed by the historic Bund. The day begins with a tour of the classic Yu Yuan Gardens, which is a gorgeous example of a classic Chinese Garden. This area exits into the main shopping center of Shanghai. Shanghai is such an East-Meets-West city that they call this area China Town. After lunch, you will be taken to the world-class Shanghai Art Museum. This fantastic museum has a number of quality exhibits including an ancient coin collection and on the fourth floor an ethnic minority exhibit which features their costumes, masks, and various implements and tools. B, L

  Evening Option:
  

  Performing Arts

  Shanghai Acrobats.

• Day 17 - Suzhou

  Sightseeing

  Suzhou: The city of beautiful gardens, canals and fine art. The silk factory and the Embroidery Institute are delightful. This city is also famous for its beautiful women and their very soft skin. The day begins with a drive to Suzhou. On the way to your hotel we will take you to beautiful Tiger Hill and the Leaning Pagoda. Tiger Hill is a beautiful public garden area which is quite beautiful. The Leaning Pagoda is the 2nd largest leaning structure in the world. Afterwards you will be checked into your hotel. Once you are settled you will be taken to lunch. After lunch, we will take you to Humble Administrator's Garden. This is a classic beautiful large Chinese Garden Then you will be taken to the much smaller, yet still gorgeous Master of the Net garden. B, L, D

• Day 18 - Suzhou

  River or Barge Cruise

  Today the day starts with a 1-hour Grand Canal Cruise.

  Sightseeing

  Then you will be visit the incredible Embroidery Institute, where Chinese masters do with thread what our Western masters did with oil paint. After lunch we will take you to the Silk Factory and the Pearl Factory.

  Bus

  Then you will be driven back to Shanghai. B, L, D

• Day 19 - Suzhou

  The morning is free. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the USA with many wonderful memories! Option: Return to Beijing for more Olympic Events and/or for more tours and the Closing Ceremony.

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