Four Corners of China Special

Day 1. DEPART NORTH AMERICA
When flying to China you will cross the International dateline and move your watch ahead, temporarily losing this day. You will gain it back on your return. (In Flight Meals)

Day 2. ARRIVE BEIJING
Arrive in Beijing, China's capital city with a 3,000 year history and a current population over 12 million. You will be met at the Beijing airport by your English speaking guide, and transfer to the 5-star State Guest Hotel Presidential Plaza or similar. (In Flight Meals)

Day 3. TIANANMEN SQUARE / FORBIDDEN CITY / GREAT WALL OF CHINA
Visit Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest square, covering 400,000 square meters in the heart of Beijing. Then explore the vast exotic Forbidden City, originally built in 1420 to house the emperor’s family and the royal court. Then see and experience the Great Wall of China, which stretches like a dragon along the ridges and hilltops beyond Beijing, toward Mongolia. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4. LEISURE DAY / OPTIONAL TOUR AVAILABLE INCLUDING HUTONGS TOUR BY PEDICAB / LAMA TEMPLE / TEMPLE OF HEAVEN / PEKING DUCK DINNER
Today explore Beijing on your own, or join an optional tour which includes exploring the Hutongs of central Beijing by pedicab, a visit to a traditional Beijing home, the Lama Temple (a former royal residence, built in 1694, subsequently converted to a Tibetan Buddhist Temple which houses the largest wooden Buddha in the world), local lunch, the Temple of Heaven and a special Peking Duck Dinner. The optional tour is $75 per person and includes lunch and dinner. (Breakfast)

Day 5. SUMMER PALACE / FLY TO XI'AN
This morning visit the Imperial Summer Palace, famous for its Long Corridor, decorated with over 1,000 Chinese paintings, the Marble Boat and the Kunming Lake.  Later, fly to Xi'an. Xi'an is the capital of Sha'anxi Province, and was China's capital when the country was first unified under the Qin emperor.  There transfer to the Sheraton Hotel (5 star) or similar. (Breakfast, Lunch)

DAY 6. TERRA COTTA WARRIORS AND BRONZE CHARIOTS / FARMING VILLAGE AT LINTONG / MING-ERA CITY WALL / DUMPLING DINNER / TANG DYNASTY SHOW.
This morning visit the Terra Cotta Warriors & Bronze Chariots, which have consistently been named as one of the world's great sights since they were first unearthed in the early 1970's. The vivid life size clay warriors and horses were buried 2,200 years ago near the tomb of the first Chinese emperor - a faithful army standing before their leader even in death. Afterward visit a Farming Village at Lintong for a glimpse into the rural life of northwestern China. After returning to the city see the City Wall, which has stood from the era of Columbus, over 600 years ago. This evening enjoy a special Dumpling Dinner and then the colorful Tang Dynasty Show.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 7. BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA / DRUM TOWER / FLY TO GUILIN
This morning visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which has stood as the symbol of Xi'an for over 1,000 years, and then see the ancient Drum Tower, built in 1380, and remembered in local history for the daily sounding that signified dusk. Then fly to Guilin and transfer to the 5-star Sheraton Hotel or similar. This southeastern city is famous for mesmerizing landscapes, for the beautiful Lijiang river, and for its serene mountains. An ancient dictum declares that the area is "unmatched under heaven" in beauty. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8. LI RIVER CRUISE / YANGSU MARKET
Today you will have a wonderful, fairytale-like boat cruise on the beautiful Lijiang River. Your senses will be thrilled by the almost mythical view of the lime hills standing on both sides of the river in strange shapes, and the bamboo raffles and water buffalos in the water. After the cruise enjoy the huge market at Yangsu. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9. FLY TO SHANGHAI / PUDONG DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT / ORIENTAL PEARL TV TOWER / BUND
Today fly to Shanghai, China's most modern and cosmopolitan city. Transfer to the 5-star Jin Jiang Hotel or similar.  Then visit Shanghai's high tech Pudong Development District and enjoy the breathtaking view from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Then ferry across the Huangpu River to the famous Bund, with its European-influenced gothic buildings. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 10. OLD TOWN / YU YUAN GARDEN / SHANGHAI MUSEUM / JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE /  ACROBATIC SHOW
Today explore Shanghai's Old Town, with its famous teahouse, bazaar, and the aristocratic Yu Yuan Garden.  Tour the Shanghai Museum, with thousands of years of treasures from Chinese history, including and a magnificent collection of bronze ware, and an eclectic display of the distinguishing clothing and ornaments of China's many ethnic minorities.  Also visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of the city's most colorful religious centers.  This evening enjoy a memorable Chinese Acrobatic Show.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11. LEISURE DAY / OPTIONAL TOUR TO SUZHOU
Relax or explore Shanghai on your own, or join our optional day tour to Suzhou, a small city with a 2,500 year history, famous for its classical gardens. At Suzhou's Tiger Hill you will enjoy the incredible diversity in design and landscaping, a 2,000 year old Leaning Pagoda, a wonderful view, stone and rock formations, ponds, bridges, walkways and beautiful trees and flowers. We also visit the ancient Grand Canal, which facilitated trade in East China for over 1,600 years. Later we visit the Garden of the Humble Administrator, an ancient private garden that is treasured even in this city with dozens of other classical gardens. Finally visit the Silk Embroidery Institute where the art of double-faced silk embroidery is studied and practiced as it has been in Suzhou since the days of Marco Polo. The optional tour is $100 per person and includes a local lunch in Suzhou. (Breakfast)

Day 12. JOURNEY HOME
Today transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving in the U.S. the same day, for most cities, gaining back the day that was "lost", and filled with wonderful memories of a very special time in China. (Breakfast, In Flight Meals)

To Reserve Space, just complete the Reservation Form on the Main Tour Page. Click here.