14-day China Experience (2009)

Shanghai - Xi'an - Tai'an - Qufu - Jinan - Beijing

"We have just returned from our '15 day China Experience' tour. Words can not express the experience. It was the most fantastic trip we have taken, and we have travelled a great deal. It exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were superb--yes the hotel at Qufu was a little worn, but you did advise us that it was the best available. The courteous and friendly staff certainly outweighed any inconvenience of the room." [please go to the Testimonial page for the entire letter]

Chantal and Lorne Z.
Milton, Ontario

Day 1/Fri: Departing North America
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Sat: Arrival in Shanghai
Meet the guide on arrival in mid-afternoon and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3/Sun: Shanghai
Paris of China, Pearl of the Orient, city of quick riches, paradise of the adventurers - those were some of the names by which Shanghai was known before the Communists took it over from the Nationalist Government in 1949. Like of the rest of the country Shanghai is currently undergoing one of the fastest economic expansions the world has ever seen, having experienced 19% GDP growth per year for the past 16 years.

Our sightseeing today begins with a walk on the Bund, a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style. We then visit Shanghai Museum and Yu Garden. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Mon: Shanghai - Xi'an
Free morning. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own is easy and fun. Our recommended to-do list includes Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centera and a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby in late afternoon and transfer to airport to fly to Xi'an. (B)

Day 5/Tue: Xi'an
Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity. Visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city. A stroll on the ancient wall before dinner is also on our schedule. Tonight we enjoy a spectacular music and dance show reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), a period generally considered a golden era of the Chinese civilization. (B/L/D)

Day 6/Wed: Xi'an - Tai'an
Morning sightseeing takes in the Provincial Museum. The modern, well-organized museum was completed in 1992 and traces the history of Xi'an from prehistory to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The extensive galleries and exhibitions offer the visitor an excellent introduction to the area that greatly improves understanding of the numerous historical sites in and around the city. We fly to Jinan in the afternoon and transfer to Tai'an (80km) upon arrival. (B/L/D)

Day 7/Thu: Tai'an
We dedicate the whole morning to exploring the historic Mt. Tai or Taishan. The most revered of the five sacred Taoist mountains of China, Mt. Tai has since the dawn of Chinese history been a great source of inspiration for poets, writers and painters. In 1982, the UNESCO designated Mt. Tai a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. We ride the cable car and then walk about an hour to the summit for a rewarding view of the surrounding countryside. The energetic may choose to skip the cable car and conquer the entire 6000 steps on foot. The climb can be hard work but the central route's bewildering catalogue of bridges, trees, towers, statues, inscribed stones, caves, pavilions and temples combine to take your mind off your aching calves. (B/L)

Day 8/Fri: Tai'an - Qufu - Jinan
Drive to Qufu (100km) after breakfast. Qufu is hometown of Confucius whose philosophy, known as Confucianism, played and continues to play a vital role in the evolution of the Chinese civilization. We visit the mansions inhabited by Confucius' descendants, now a museum, the sage's last resting place at Confucian Forest, and finally the massive Confucius Temple, which features a series of impressive gateways, clusters of twisted pines and cypresses, inscribed steles and tortoise tablets recording ancient events. We return to Jinan later in the day and arrive around dinnertime. (B/L/D)

Day 9/Sat: Jinan
 Jinan is the capital of Shandong Province and best known for its hundreds of gushing springs. Visit Baotu Springs Park and the Provincial Museum before exploring the city on your own. (B/L)

Day 10/Sun: Jinan - Beijing
Travel to Beijing in the morning by air-conditioned express train (3 1/2 hours) and arrive in Beijing around lunchtime. Visit Tian'anmen Square and adjacent Forbidden City following lunch. (B/L)

Day 11/Mon: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall, 90km northwest of the city. Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. On the way back to the city in the afternoon we stop by at the Spirit Way at Ming Tombs. The Spirit Way, serving at the entrance to the Ming Tombs, is lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. (B/L)

Day 12/Tue: Beijing
Today we visit the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and a hutong - traditional alleyway flanked with courtyard residences. We then wrap up the day with a sumptuous Peking Roast Duck dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 13/Wed: Beijing
Today is a free day. You may use it to relax, go souvenir shopping or do whatever that interests you. Your guide will be happy to provide you with a list of recommended things to do if you need one. (B)

Day 14/Thu: Beijing - North America
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to the airport by taxi (cab fare approx. $15) to board return flight in the afternoon. Cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day. (B)

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Hotel list
City	Nights	Hotel	Star Rating
Shanghai	2	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong
Xi'an	2	Sheraton Xi'an
Tai'an	2	Ramada Plaza Taian
Jinan	2	Sofitel Silver Plaza Jinan
Beijing	4	Sheraton Beijing

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