April 15 to May1, 2014
01
April 15
This is a royal journey and a trip of a lifetime. The mysterious dragon beckons as you board your wide-body jet to China. Set your watch a date ahead as you cross the international dateline.
02
April 16
Arrive in China’s largest city. The cosmopolitan port city of Shanghai is a treat to your senses with its mix of ancient and modern influences. You will be fascinated by its unique culture and people, and delighted by the incredible world-famous cuisine. Meet your friendly guide and transfer to your hotel.
03
April 17
In the morning, your tour takes you to the Jade Buddha Temple, the 400-year-old Yu Garden in the Old Town of Shanghai and laid out in 1559 AD by a powerful Ming official. Yu Garden recreates a beautiful landscape of pagodas, pavilions, rockeries, fountains, ancient trees and precious flowers.. Enjoy a delicious Dim Sum Lunch at Lu Bo Lang Restaurant.
04
April 18
Take one of the new High Speed Trains to Suzhou, a water town built along ancient canals. Visit the Bonsai Garden, Tiger Hill, the Silk Factory and the classic Garden of Fishing Net
05
April 19
Shanghai/Huangshan ϖ AB Box Lunch DH
After breakfast, drive to Huangshan accompanied by your guide from Huangshan (approx. 5.5 hours). Upon arrival in Tunxi, base of the Mountain, check-in to your hotel. Afternoon, visit Hong Village where the movie 'Crouching Tiger' was shot on location and the Ancient Street in Tunxi.
06
April 20
Tunxi/Huangshan AB L DH
After breakfast, transfer to mid way to take a cable car up to the summit of Mt. Huangshan. Walk to the hotel (approximately 50 minutes). Mt Huangshan was named by Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty. As you wait for the sun to rise on Huangshan on the next day, you will see the beautiful scenery of the Pine Trees, Rocks, Clouds and Springs of Mt Huangshan. You will see 30 peaks of 1,500 metres high and the surrounding countryside with its traditional villages and patchwork of paddy fields. The scenery is breathtaking as it changes by the hour with a rolling sea of clouds, bizarrely contorted pine trees, and the spectacular rock formations. View from different peaks of the mountain to enjoy the natural scenery.
Hotel Accommodation: The completely renovated Xihai Hotel
07
April 21
Huangshan AB L DH
Get up early this morning to witness the awe-inspiring Huangshan sunrise. It is just pure ecstasy as you watch the Golden Sun emerging above the sea of clouds, growing bigger and bigger, and spreading its rays across the quiet sky with brilliant colors. Sightseeing to the different scenic spot. Watch an unforgettable sunset.
08
April 22
Huangshan/Hangzhou/Guilin b ϖ AB L SC4645 1630/1830
Take the cable car down to the base of the mountain and drive to Hangzhou Airport (approx. 3 hours) for your flight to Guilin. Your guide from Huangshan will transfer you to Hangzhou Airport.
Meet and transfer to your hotel in Guilin. Dinner on you own.
09
April 23
Enjoy a boat cruise on the tranquil water of the beautiful Li River - sailing through a landscape of needle-like limestone hills. Arriving in Yangshuo in the afternoon, stroll about the interesting art and craft markets. Guilin is a painters’ paradise, you will find a lot of beautiful paintings and embroidery in the markets. An array of Internet café for the local youngsters to spend their time.
Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel.
10
April 24
Saunter through the lovely Reed Flute Cave to gaze at stalagmites and stalactites that are still growing. Seven Star Park, named from its seven peaks which are laid out like the Big Dipper constellation (with its handle bent forward) visiting the Zoo with Pandas. And climb up to the top of Fubo Hill to have a nice view of the whole city.
11
April 25
Fly to Xian, an ancient capital for 11 dynasties. Meet and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the ancient City Wall and the Grand Mosque, which has incorporated lots of the traditional Chinese architecture characteristics with a symmetric layout.
Tonight, an entertaining evening awaits you at the famous Tang Dynasty Dinner Theatre where you enjoy music and dance of the 7th century Chinese Imperial Court.
12
April 26
Xi’an AB L BD
Marvel at the important Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses underground army pits of the 1st Qing Emperor (3rd century BCE). In 1974, a farmer digging a well uncovered what turned out to be a major archaeological discovery of the 20th century; the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang guarded by the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum. We then go to the yet-to-be really discovered Ox Museum, a new cultural gem that pays homage to Chinese agrarian culture with farm related artwork, including Song Dynasty (960-1279) pottery. Special arrangements have been made. You are invited to the private Curator’s Room to handle and closely inspect selected National Treasures, a rare opportunity that is extended to few.
13
April 27
Transfer to airport for flight to Beijing, the capital of China and home to many wonders. You will be met and escorted to check-in at your hotel for a stay of four nights.
This afternoon, hunt for treasures at the Weekend Panjiayuen Dirt Market.
14
April 28
Beijing AB L PD
Walk from Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest urban open space that can hold over a million people at one time, to the magnificent Forbidden City/Palace Museum (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the home/office for China’s rulers until 1911 and it was off-limits to all commoners for almost 500 years. Enjoy bargain hunting at the Pearl Market complex in the afternoon.
15
April 29
This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, that was once a sacred area used only by the Emperors of China. Twice a year for over 600 years China’s Son of Heaven held a solemn ceremony honoring the supreme power, Heaven. Now, the park is a favorite gathering spot for local citizens, where they come to sing, dance, exercise and relax. After lunch, see the exquisite Summer Palace with a boat ride on its Lake Kunming (weather permitting). Artisans reproduced the garden architecture styles of various palaces in China. Kunming Lake was created by extending an existing body of water to imitate the Dian Chi Lake in Kunming. It served as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi, who diverted 30 million taels of silver, said to be originally designated for the Chinese Navy into the construction of the Summer Palace
16
April 30
A daylong excursion to the mighty Great Wall - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Also visit the ancient Ming Tombs.
Enjoy a Farewell Royal Banquet at the famous Fangshan Restaurant. (This restaurant was originally catering to the royal family. It opens to the public since 1925. It offers Sichuan dishes which are based on the banquet menus of the Qing Dynasty.
17
May 1
Beijing/Seattle AB
Say goodbye to China as you will be transferred to the airport to board your returning flight home. Arriving Seattle the same day.
AB = American Breakfast
L= Lunch
D= Dinner
BD = Buffet dinner
DS = Dinner Show
PD = Peking Duck dinner
DP = Dinner Party
China Domestic Flights are subject to change in 2014
