15-day China Vacation
Package for Families (2010)
Beijing - Jinan - Qufu - Tai'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 - Jinan
 
Transfer to the train station and depart for Jinan at 8:20 AM. The
rail journey covering 500 kilometres takes 3 1/2 hours to complete. The
guide will wait for you by the door of you rail car when you arrive in
Jinan. Afternoon sighting takes in Baotu Springs Park and the Provincial
Museum. (B/L)
Day 8: Jinan - Qufu
We travel to Qufu (160 km) by private sedan 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. (B/L)
 Day
9: Qufu - Tai'an
Free morning to explore on your own. The small town of Qufu is
ideal for visitors who prefer to move around on foot. Since life here is
very laid back compared with the big cities, you will find it easy to
strike up a conversation with the locals if you can find a way to
communicate with them! Browsing the tourist souvenir market gives you a
hint of what the area is famous for. Transfer to Tai'an (100 km) in early
afternoon and visit Dai Temple on arrival. The temple was the place of
worship for kings and emperors of various dynasties when they came to pay
homage to the holy Mt. Tai. (B/D)
Day 10: 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 11: Tai’an - Jinan - Shanghai
Free morning to relax or explore on your own. Return to Jinan (85
km) in the afternoon and tour the historic Daming Lake on arrival. Board
the
overnight train after dinner and depart Jinan at 9:10 PM. The
air-conditioned sleeper train is very comfortable and accommodates 4
passengers in each private compartment. The journey covering 968
kilometres takes 9 hours to complete. (B/D)
Day 12: Shanghai
The train pulls into Shanghai station at 6:13 AM. Meet your guide and
transfer to the hotel for breakfast. Early check-in may not be possible
but the concierge will be happy to take care of your luggage. 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 a Children's Palace. (B/L)
 Day
13: 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 14: 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 15: 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)
|
Hotel Night |
| Beijing |
Jinan |
Qufu |
Tai'an |
Overnight
Train |
Shanghai |
| 5 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
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 |
|
|
Back to top |
