14-day China Vacation
Package for Families (2010)
Beijing - Xi'an - Suzhou - Shanghai
Day 1: 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: 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: 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. (B/L)
 Day
4: 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 5 - Day 6: Beijing
Free days to explore on your own.
We recommend the Temple
of Heaven, the Summer Palace,
Beijing Zoo,
Hongqiao Pearl Market,
Xiushui Street Silk Market, Peking Opera show, and dinner at one
of the top
Peking roast duck restaurants. The guide will be happy to assist you.
(B)
Day 7: Beijing - Xi'an
Free morning to explore on your own. Why not go to Tian'anmen
Square to fly a kite as many locals do? Meet your guide in hotel lobby at
2:00 PM. Afternoon sightseeing at
Beijing Ancient Observatory and
Lama
Temple. Board the
overnight train after dinner and depart Beijing around 9:30 PM. The
air-conditioned sleeper train is very comfortable and accommodates 4
passengers in each private compartment. The journey covering 1,200
kilometres takes 11 hours to complete. (B/D)
Day 8: Xi’an
Meet your guide on arrival at 8:30 AM and transfer to the hotel. Check-in
may not be possible till 2:00 PM but you are allowed to leave the luggage
with the concierge. Morning schedule takes in the City Wall and the
Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an ancient structure on the grounds of a
Buddhist monastery. We spend the rest of the day exploring 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: 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 10: Xi'an
Free day to explore on your own.
We recommend the Bell and Drum Towers, the vibrant Muslim Quarter and the
Stele
Forest Museum. Please feel free to ask your guide for advice and
assistance. (B)
Day 11: Xi'an - Shanghai
 
Morning flight to 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. (B/L)
 Day
12: Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai
We drive to Suzhou (85 km) after breakfast. The 25-century-old city is
best known for its traditional Chinese gardens, silk industry and
well-preserved Grand Canal. Our schedule today includes
Master-of-Nets Garden, a short cruise on the
Grand Canal, the Silk Embroidery Research Institute and a silk
spinning mill. Return to Shanghai in late afternoon. Evening entertainment
is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)
Day 13: Shanghai
Free day to explore on your own. Our recommended to-do list
includes Shanghai Urban
Planning Exhibition Centre, shopping at the old town centre, a ride
aboard the world's only commercially run
Maglev train,
Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu
River. (B)
Day 14: Shanghai - Home City
Free morning to pack and relax. Transfer to airport by taxi (cab fare
approx. $18) to board return flight. Arrive home the same day. (B)
|
Night |
| Beijing |
Train |
Xi'an |
Shanghai |
| 5 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
|
land Tour price |
|
with 3-star hotels |
with 4-star hotels |
with 5-star hotel |
|
USD1340/CAD1475 |
USD1650/CAD1815 |
USD1985/CAD2185 |
|
Single Room Surcharge |
Single Room Surcharge |
Single Room Surcharge |
|
USD320/CAD350 |
USD400/CAD440 |
$900/CAD990 |
|
|
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