china TRADITIONAL

Day 1 November 5, 2004

Depart from US west-coast gateway cities (international airfare included).
Meals included: (several served on the flight over!)

November 6

Day 2: ARRIVE BEIJING (in the evening)
Arrive at Beijing International Airport and clear Chinese customs and immigration.
Transfer to Capital Hotel (4-star, and only 5 minutes to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City).
Meals included: none

November 7

Day 3: BEIJING/ TIANANMEN SQUARE AND THE FORBIDDEN CITY
You will start your China adventure with a guided visit to Tiananmen Square (the Gate of Heavenly Peace). This is the world's largest public square and represents the heart of Imperial Beijing. You will then tour the Forbidden City, an architectural marvel completed in 1420 after a decade of work by 200,000 laborers.The symbol of Imperial power for over 500 years, the Forbidden City was the home of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The last emperor's nephew doing calligraphy in the Forbidden City
After lunch, you will have 2-3 hours to explore the nooks and crannies of the Forbidden City on your own. Visit a Jade factory later in the afternoon.
Meals: B, L and a gala welcoming dinner banquet

November 8

Day 4 MING TOMBS/GREAT WALL
AM: Drive along the magnificent "Sacred Way" to Ming Tombs (Burial site of 13
Emperors of Ming Dynasty). You will also visit the underground Tomb, as well as the Stone Animals and the site museum. After, visit a friendship store to learn more about Chinese shopping opportunities!

Palace at Ming Tombs
PM: Private escorted excursion to the Badaling section of the Great Wall. The construction of The Great Wall started in the 7th century BC during the Qin Dynasty, making the Great Wall over 2,500 years old and more than 3000 miles long!
Meals: B, L and a special Beijing Duck dinner

November 9

Day 5 PEKING MAN SITE - 500,000 year old Peking Man
AM: Private escorted drive to Zhoukoudian Village to explore the Peking Man Site, an important archaeological discovery which added much to our understanding of prehistoric man. After visiting the fascinating museum, you can leisurely explore the caves, dwellings for thousands of years to early man.
LATE AFTERNOON: Return to Beijing. Remainder of the day is free for private explorations (perhaps a fried scorpion snack from a nearby street vendor?)
Meals: B, L (scorpions NOT included!)

November 10

Day 6 BEIJING
Today you have free to explore Beijing as you wish--perhaps a visit to the Silk Market, Prince Gong's Palace and Tea House or the Winter Palace? The choices are endless!

Tea ceremony at Prince Gong's Palace
For those interested in archaeology, we are offering an optional tour today to the recently opened Fengtai Han Tomb site and Beijing University's Sackler Museum (includes guide, transportation and lunch). $45 per person.
Meals: B (and L if you choose the optional excursion)

November 11

Day 7 BEIJING/ XI'AN
AM: Private transfer to the airport for early morning flight to Xi'an.
Airport reception/ private transfer to the restaurant for lunch.

PM: Private escorted tour to Sha'anxi Provincial Museum. The museum is one of the world's greatest repositories of Tang Dynasty ceramics, painting, and textiles. Then transfer to Xi'an Garden Hotel (4-star, in a beautiful Chinese garden setting).
Meals: B, L, D

November 12

Day 8 TERRA COTTA WARRIORS
Private all-day escorted tour to see the world-famous Terra Cotta Warriors.
The site was accidentally uncovered in 1974 by local peasants, and is among the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Start today's tour by viewing an informative IMAX documentary that gives a brief overview of 2000 years of Chinese history. Follow with on-site inspection of the 6,000 terra cotta warriors, made in the 3rd century BC and all with different faces, expressions and postures, they were modeled after real human beings. On-site archaeologists demonstrate how they restore them into their original condition.
PM: There will be 2 hours free time for you to explore the site on your own.
Afterwards a visit to a spectacular Terra Cotta Warrior/ Lacquer/ Silk Factory.
Return to Xi'an in the late afternoon.
Meals: B, L and a special Sha'anxi style dinner.

November 13

Day 9 YANGLING MAUSOLEUM AND XI'AN
Private all-day escorted tour to Yangling Mausoleum. The Yangling Mausoleum is the joint tomb of Liu Qi, the fourth Emperor of the Western Han Dynasty and his Empress, Wang. Construction of the mausoleum took 28 years, beginning in 153 B.C. and covers an area of more than 6 square miles. Around the mausoleum are 81 satellite tombs where over 60,000 art pieces have been unearthed, including painted nude pottery figurines, utensils, chariots, weapons, and a large number of pottery animals. The largest human sacrifice graveyard is also found here. There will be an opportunity to explore the nearby tomb site.

PM: Return to Xi'an in the afternoon. Remainder of the day is free to explore places like Xi'an's city walls, the Forest of Stelae or the Muslim Quarter.

Meals: B, L and a special Dumpling Banquet and Tang court dance and music show at Sha'anxi Theater.

November 4

Day 10 XI'AN/ CHONGQING/ DAZU
AM: Private transfer to the airport for flight to Chongqing.

PM: Arrive at Chongqing. Leisurely drive through ancient Yangtze River Valley hamlets to Dazu Grotto sculptures (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Dazu is home to more than a thousand large and small carvings and statues with Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian influences. After your visit, you will transfer to the Dazu Hotel, your lodging this evening.
Meals: B, L, D

November 15

Day 11 DAZU/ CHENGDU
AM: Continue visiting Baoding Shan to visit the second cave where you will see more amazing sculptures. Here we find China's largest Sleeping Buddha (31m/103 feet long and 5m/17 feet high) as well as thousands of other figures. These works were done in 12th Century during the Tang and Song Dynasties and took 70 years (AD 1149-1249) to complete. They were recently discovered and are virtually intact.
PM: Private escorted drive to Chengdu (about 4 hours). Arrive at the unique Tibet Hotel in late afternoon.

EVENING: Enjoy a Sichuan style Hot Pot Dinner.
Meals: B, L, D

November 16

Day 12 PANDA BREEDING CENTER/ SANXINGDWEI MUSEUM
AM: We get an early start this morning for feeding time at the Panda Breeding Research, just north of Chengdu. The research complex was opened to public in 1995 and currently houses both Giant and Red Pandas.
PM: Private escorted tour to Sanxingdwei Museum. Bronze images of deities, lively human figures, fantastic ritual vessels, exquisite jades, and spirited ceramic sculptures from the late phase of Sanxingdwei culture (13th-11th century B.C.) to the Han dynasty (3rd century B.C.-3rd century A.D.) are among the most unusual and spectacular works of art from the ancient world. This museum is a hidden treasure that most visitors do not see!
EVENING: Sichuan Bianlian Opera at Shufang Yayun Tea House. Performance accompanied by tea.
Meals: B, L, D

November 17

Day 13 CHENGDU
AM: Private escorted tour to Wenshu, a Buddhist temple dating back to 1691. In the main buildings you will not only enjoy traditional Buddhist architecture, but also more than 100 bronze Buddhist figures, most of which were cast during the Qing Dynasty. You will also enjoy a special Buddhist Vegetarian lunch while at the temple.
PM: At leisure to further explore Chengdu; some good options include a visit to the beautiful gardens at People's Park or the Du Fu's Thatch Cottage (really, it is a pretty place!).
Meals: B, L

November 18

Day 14 CHENGDU/GUILIN
AM: Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Guilin. Once there you will be met and taken on an escorted tour city of Guilin.
PM: Visit Seven Star Park. Explore the peaks and caves to see the stalagmites, stalactites and other natural formations that resemble animals and landscapes. Private transfer to Park Hotel (4-star, in a beautiful park setting).
Meals: B, L and a special Guangxi style dinner with an ethnic dance performance and show.

November 19

Day 15 LI RIVER CRUISE/ YANGSHUO
AM: As the Chinese poem goes, "Guilin is the most beautiful place in the world, and Yangshuo is the prettiest spot in Guilin." A tranquil cruise on Li Jiang (Li River) is the best way to absorb the superb beauty of this area. Sail along and pass through the fabled Karst mountain landscape while you sip tea, wine and enjoy your lunch on board.
PM: Ship disembarks at Yangshuo. After transfer to your hotel, the remainder of your day is free to explore this magical town.

EVENING: Experience a private small boat excursion in the evening to watch the ancient method of fishing with trained cormorants--this is unforgettable!
Meals: B, L

November 20

Day 16 YANGSHUO
Today you have free to enjoy this scenic city and surrounding area at your leisure. Hikers will love the walk to the top of Moon Hill, especially for the sunset, while others may like the butterfly sanctuary, shopping on Pantao Road, or simply wandering amidst the Karst landscape that is everywhere you look.
Meals: B

November 21

Day 17 YANGSHUO/GUILIN TO SHANGHAI
AM: Private transfer to the Guilin airport for a late morning flight to Shanghai.
PM: Arrive at Shanghai at around 1:10pm. Private escorted tour to Shanghai Museum. It has the best collection of public art in China, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, sculpture jade, seals, paintings and objects dating back 8000 years. All items are beautifully displayed and have descriptions in English.

EVENING: Enjoy a farewell Shanghai-style banquet at Shanghai Laufandian Old Restaurant, the best restaurant in Shanghai that has served countless world leaders and celebrities. Private transfer to hotel afterward. Stop at The Bund and Waterfront Park of Shanghai to enjoy the fantastic night view.
Meals: B, L, D

November 22

Day 18 RETURN TO US WEST COAST
AM: Private transfer to the airport to board return flight to the US, where you will arrive the same morning you left (you gotta love time zones!). This will give you the whole weekend to organize your photos, shopping and memories before showing them to your family and friends on Thanksgiving!
Meals: B

Thanks for joining us on this very special adventure!

Trip price includes:
Airfare from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Seattle to Beijing and return to US from Shanghai,
All lodging,
Special cultural shows as listed,
39 meals (as noted, including special meals such as Peking Duck, the Dumpling Banquet and Sichuan Hotpot),
All internal Chinese airfare (Beijing to Xian, Xian to Chongqing, Chengdu to Guilin and Guilin to Shanghai),
All listed excursions (too many to put here!),
All entrance fees,
All transfers and transportation (land and water),
A detailed trip information package with maps and supporting documentation
The services of a bilingual guide throughout the trip.

Trip Prices (dependent on final group size):

4-5 travelers: $4995 per person, double occupancy
6-9 $3995
10+ $3275

15 (max) $2950
Single supplement, if you want your own room throughout: $550

Not included in trip price:
Airfare from and to your departure city to west coast gateways (but we can help you find a good deal--email us for more info).
Chinese entrance visa (approximately $60--we can help you get this painlessly),
Tips for guides, host, drivers, waitresses, hotel staff, etc.
Personal purchases such as souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks and alcoholic beverages.
Meals not included (as noted in the itinerary),
Optional excursions such as the Beijing excursion to the Fenghai Tomb and Sackler Museum,
Chinese airport tax for domestic flights (totaling approximately $15),
Chinese departure tax ($30 per person).

We look forward to traveling in China with you!