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ITINERARY |
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USA - Beijing |
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Our China vacation starts as we board the international flight bound for Beijing, the capital of modern-day China. Spend the night aboard the plane. |
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Arrive at Beijing |
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Arrive at Beijing. After clearing customs and retrieving our baggage, we are met by our guide and transferred to the luxury hotel for well-deserved rest and relaxation. |
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Beijing (AB, L, DS) |
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After breakfast, our Beijing tour starts with a visit to the Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square. Later we proceed to Forbidden City, where for over 500 years commoners were forbidden to enter. The next we roll over to Summer Palace, the summer home of the emperors and their royal family. After a local specialty cuisine dinner, we will be entertained by a popular “Chinese Acrobatics Show”. |
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Beijing (AB, L, DP) |
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Built to protect its people from northern
marauders, the Great Wall snakes its way thousands of miles across Northern China and is one of the few objects on the earth visible even from the moon. This morning we spend time walking atop this man-made wonder of the world and appreciate its imposing wonder. After the Great Wall, our next destination is the Olympic Park where we will visit the Qianmen Street, and view the new attractions including “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium, “Water Cube” Aquatics Centre, and the National Grand Theatre. Tonight we indulge our plates with the famed Peking Duck Banquet for dinner. |
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Beijing - Xian (AB, L, DP) |
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After breakfast we are off to the airport. On the way, stop at the Temple of Heaven to experience
the place of prayer to the emperors. After a short flight, we arrive at Xian, the historic starting point of the famed Silk Road. Xian’s history encompasses the entirety of Chinese civilization, a fact that its proud citizens are not remiss to impress upon us.
Tonight, the local specialty cuisine “Hot Pot” is served for dinner. |
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Xian (AB, L, DS) |
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Xian is home to the life-sized Terra-Cotta Warriors of Qin Shi Huang. Made to protect China’s first emperor even in death, the Terra-Cotta Army was found by a farmer in 1974 and attracts thousands of visitors each year. After viewing the fine troops, we return back to the city limits for a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and a view of the Old City Wall and the ancient Bell Tower. Tonight we watch a Tang Dynasty stage opera after the imperial Dumpling Banquet. |
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Xian - Shanghai - Hangzhou
(AB, L, DP) |
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After breakfast, we board a short flight for Shanghai. Upon arrival, proceed to Hangzhou immediately by coach. China’s poets have praised Hangzhou likening it to a paradise on earth. Our Hangzhou sightseeing tour starts with a scenic cruise on the famous West Lake. The majestic Lin Yin Temple, Fei Lai Feng and General Yue Fei’s Mausoleum are also visited. A local cuisine is served at dinner. |
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Hangzhou - Suzhou - Wuxi
(AB, L, DP) |
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We depart for Suzhou, a picturesque city known as the “Venice of the East”. Built around Grand Canal, Suzhou’s many excellent classical gardens have entitled Suzhou the “Garden City”. The city tour of Suzhou features visits to Lingering Garden and Hanshan Temple, overlook the Tiger Hill and pass by the Grand Canal. After a local cuisine for lunch, we head to Wuxi, where we will visit the Yuantoudu Park and Lake Tai. In the evening, the local cuisine with Wuxi Ribs are served for dinner. |
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Wuxi - Shanghai (AB, L, D) |
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We return back to Shanghai, China’s largest city with a population of over 14 million. Upon arrival, a city tour takes us to the City Temple, the bustling Nanjing Road, and the exotic waterfront Bund. We’ll also have a chance to over look the Oriental TV Tower. |
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Shanghai (AB) |
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The full day is free for leisure activities. You may choose either to stay at the hotel, or spend the day further exploring Shanghai at your own pace, or perhaps continue on to Nanjing Road for some last minute souvenir shopping. |
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Shanghai - USA (AB) |
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Our vacation is over all too soon as we board the homebound international jetliner and bid a fond farewell to China. |
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