China Explorer D - 13 Days

Beijing, Xi'an, Luoyang, Zhengzhou & Shanghai

Departure: April - December 2012 (Every Sunday)

Hometown Beijing

Begin your adventure. Depart from your hometown to Beijing. En-route, you will cross the International Dateline.

Arrive Beijing, China's seventh-century-old capital. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.

After breakfast, visit the Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Forbidden City, the largest existing ancient architectural structure in China today. This afternoon, take a Hutong tour with Pedicab ride. Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys, most commonly associated in Beijing. At present, there are about 4,550 hutongs, the broadest over four meters wide and the smallest - the eastern part of Dongfu' an Hutong, a mere 70 cm across - just wide enough for a single person to traverse. Although the city has changed a great deal over the last 500 years, the hutongs remain much the same as during Ming and Qing times.

This morning visit the the Great Wall and a jade factory en-route. You will also have a Chinese & Western Buffet Lunch at Badaling Foreign Guest Restaurant. Then, visit the Sacred Way, lined on both sides by a succession of statues, pillas, and stelae. The statues along the Sacred Way depict real and mythical animals, as well as civilian and military officials.. Next, visit the 2008 Olympic Games Venues - the Water Cube and Bird's Nest - from outside for photography opportunity.

This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of 15th Century architecture. Next, visit the Summer Palace, where presents a breathtaking arrangement of lake, landscape, pagodas and pavilions. Visit the Beijing Zoo, where hoses over 7,000 creatures of 600 different species, including the giant panda, red-crowned crane and Pere David's deer - all unique to China - as well as the African giraffe, rhinoceros, chimpanzee and antelope. Today's tour ends with a visit at a peral factory. Tonight, enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner.

Beijing Xi'an

Today, fly to Xi'an, once the capital of 11 dynasties, and one of the most important archaeological sites in China. Upon arrival in Xi’an, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a brick-tower architecture boasted a five-storey structure about 60 meters high. Next, visit the Provincial History Museum, where collects a total of 113,000 relics unearthe locally, of whcih 3,000 are on display.

A full day excursion takes you to one of the most exciting archaeological finds in recent years – the unearthing of more than 6,000 Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. These figures guard the tomb of Emperor Qin and are buried in the huge pit covering more than three acres. Next, visit the Ceramics & Pottery Center. This evening, enjoy a special Dumpling Dinner, followed by a delightful Tang Dynasty Show.

Xi'an Luoyang

Take a high-speed train to Luoyang, located the southern banks of the middle reaches of the Yellow River, is one of the seven ancient capitals of China. You will visit the Longmen Grottoes, built in the year 494 during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The Longmen Grottoes are one of China's three leading treasure houses of grotto art, with over 2100 grottoes.

Luoyang Zhengzhou

This morning, visit the White Horse Temple, one of oldest Buddhist Temple in China. Next, coach ride to Zhengzhou, where you will visit the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Chinese Kungfu. Enjoy a Kungfu Show.

Morning tour to scenic area of Yellow River, the birthplace of Chinese Civilization 5000 years ago before you fly to Shanghai, China’s largest city, major seaport and important commercial centre. Upon arrival, free at leisure.

Today, you will visit the Yu Garden and Chenghuangmiao area. Next, visit the Shanghai Museum, which collects 123,000 relics in 21 categories, including bronze ware, pottery ware, calligraphy and paintings followed by a visit of Carpet Factory. Tonight enjoy an Acrobatic Show.

This morning, take a day excursion to Zhujiajiao, a well-preserved ancient town in water country in Shanghai typical of southeast China. During Three Kingdom as appeared as a village. Nowadays old streets and architecture in the style of Ming and Qing periods can be found the local customs characteristic of water country can be observed. Return to Shanghai and visit the Tianzifang Local Artist Area, an arts and crafts enclave that has developed from a renovated residential area in the French Concession area of Shanghai. Today's tour ends with a visit of the Bund, a splendid vantage point to view the colourful traffic on the Huangpu River and Pudong Development Zone. Tonight, enjoy a Shanghai Local Flavor Farewell Dinner at local restaurant.

Shanghai Hometown

Bid farewell to China and depart for your hometown.

• Round trip transpacific economy class airfare
• China domestic airfares
• All transfers
• Hotel accommodation as specified Sightseeing with English speaking tour guide
• Meals as specified
• Special Dinner:
  • Beijing: Peking Duck Dinner
  • Xi'an: Dumpling Dinner
  • Shanghai: Local Flavor Farewell Dinner
• Evening entertainment:
  • Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Show
  • Zhengzhou: Kungfu Show
  • Shanghai:Acrobatic Show

• Airport taxes and fuel surcharges, Valid travel document, China Visa fee, Travel insurance, Tipping and Personal expenses