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16-day China Golden Route (2009)

Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Shanghai - Hong Kong

Scroll down to bottom for departure dates, prices and hotel list.

Day 1/Thu: Departing Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. We lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Beijing
Meet our guide on arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 3/Sat: Beijing
Beijing, capital of China, is the country's second largest city in terms of population. Following a brief orientation we visit Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and an old hutong - alleyway flanked with traditional residential courtyards. Welcome dinner features delicious Beijing roast duck, a local delicacy. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Sun: Beijing
Morning visit to the majestic Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. After lunch we tour the National Stadium, nicknamed the "Bird nest", where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held. Those who have no interest in the Olympic venue may want to spend the afternoon exploring Panjiayuan flea market on their own. The evening Peking Opera show is optional if available. (B/L)

Day 5/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 6/Tue: Beijing - Xi'an
Morning sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. Built for emperors to worship Heaven, the Temple of Heaven is China's largest existing complex of ancient sacrificial buildings occupying an area of 273 hectares and three times the area of the Forbidden City. We fly to Xi'an in late afternoon. (B/L)

Day 7/Wed: 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 8/Thu: Xi'an
Today's schedule takes in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an ancient structure on the grounds of a Buddhist monastery. We spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring on our own after a tour of the provincial History 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. (B/L)

Day 9/Fri: Xi'an - Guilin
Morning flight to Guilin. A medium-sized city by Chinese standard, the city has long been renowned for its unique scenery. The name Guilin literally means "forest of sweet osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees in the city. Upon arrival we visit the scenic Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave. (B/L)

Day 10/Sat: Guilin
Day cruise on Li River. The 83km stretch of the river between Guilin and Yangshuo affords breathtaking scenery as the river snakes through tall karst mountains, gigantic bamboo sprays, and picturesque villages -- sights that have inspired countless poets and painters for generations. Disembark in Yangshuo and drive back to Guilin. (B/L)

Day 11/Sun: Guilin - Shanghai
Enjoy an optional excursion (cost depending on number of participants) to the amazing terraced fields at Mount Longji (Back of Dragon). Located about 80 km (2 hours drive) from Guilin, the spectacular landscape has made Longji a popular tourist attraction. Built by the local farmers of different ethnic groups from Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the fields spread 500 meters from the foot of Mount Longji to the mountaintop covering an area of 66 square kilometres. Evening flight to Shanghai. (B/L/D)

Day 12/Mon: 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 in Shanghai begins with a stroll on the Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, followed by Shanghai Museum and Yu Garden. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 13/Tue: Shanghai
Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own has never been easier. Our recommended list includes a visit to glitzy Pudong New District, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline. (B)

Day 14/Wed: Shanghai - Hong Kong
Morning flight to Hong Kong. The half-day afternoon tour of Hong Kong Island includes Aberdeen Village, Repulse Bay and Victoria Peak.

Hong Kong is one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China, along with Macau. Comprising more than 260 islands, the territory is located on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong province in the north and facing the South China Sea in the east, west and south. Hong Kong was a dependent territory of the United Kingdom from 1842 until the transfer of sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997. The Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Hong Kong stipulate that Hong Kong operate with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2047, fifty years after the transfer. Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the Central People's Government is responsible for the territory's defence and foreign affairs, while Hong Kong maintains its own legal system based on English common law, police force, monetary system, customs policy, immigration policy, and delegates to international organisations and events. (B)

Day 15/Thu: Hong Kong
Free day to explore the former British colony on your own. Please feel free to ask your guide the day before for a list of recommended things to do. (B)

Day 16/Fri: Hong Kong - Home City
Transfer to the airport on your own to board return flight and arrive home the same day. You may want to take advantage of the free airport express shuttle bus service that has a stop at Harbour Plaza Hotel. (B)

Hotel list
City	Nights	Hotel	Star Rating
Beijing	4	Sheraton Beijing
Xi'an	3	Sheraton Xi'an
Guilin	2	Sheraton Guilin
Shanghai	3	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong
Hong Kong	2	Harbour Plaza Hong Kong

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