11-day
Golden Triangle China Tour (2012)
Beijing -
Xi'an -
Shanghai
Scroll down to bottom for
departure dates, prices and hotel list.
Day 1/Fri: Departing
Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of
your choice. You'll lose a day upon crossing the
International Date Line.
Day 2/Sat: Arrival in Beijing
Meet your guide on arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel.
The balance of the day is at leisure. If you feel hungry before going to
bed, you may order room service at your own expense or patronize one of
the nice restaurants around the hotel.
 Day
3/Sun: Beijing
Beijing had already been a strategically important city in northern China
for centuries when Kulai Khan decided to move his capital here from
Karakorum in Mongolia. With
the collapse of the vast Mongol empire in 1368 AD, Beijing lost its status
as the country's capital but soon regained it when the imperial court of
the successive Ming Dynasty moved here from Nanjing. Beijing continued to
serve as China's capital after Manchu tribes dethroned the last emperor of
the Ming Dynasty in 1644 and established the Great Qing Empire (Qing
Dynasty), which lasted till 1911. Today Beijing remains
China's capital. It is also a
world-class cultural and educational centre with a resident population of
22 million (2011), ranking Beijing China's second largest city after
Shanghai. Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge
stone walls and gates, treasures that make Beijing the most popular
destination city in China among both domestic and international visitors.
Following breakfast, the
tour leader will host a brief orientation when everyone will get
introduced. We leave the hotel around 10 AM and begin our sightseeing at
Tian'anmen Square, followed by the
Forbidden City,
Jingshan Park 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/Mon: Beijing
Morning visit to the
Temple of Heaven. Situated in
southeastern Beijing the Temple of Heaven is China's largest extant
sacrificial temple where, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the emperors
conducted the elaborate and most exalted sacrifices addressed to "the
Supreme Ruler of the Universe." Construction of the temple started in
1406, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle, and took 14 years to
complete. The temple was expanded under the Qing emperors Qianlong
(1736-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820). Occupying 2,668 hectares (6,670
acres), the area of the Temple of Heaven is more than twice that of the
Forbidden City.
Afternoon sightseeing at
the majestic
Summer Palace, a
royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. We wrap up the day with a tour of
Panjiayuan Flea Market or 798 Art District depending on traffic. The
evening Peking Opera show is optional if available. (B/L)
 Day
5/Tue: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary
Great Wall
at Mutianyu, 75km northeast 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. Construction of the earliest sections of the Wall started in the
7th century B.C. A major renovation started with the founding of the Ming
Dynasty in 1368 and took 200 years to complete. The wall we see today in
Beijing is almost exactly the result of this effort. (B/L)
Day 6/Wed: Beijing - Xi'an
Enjoy some free time before flying to 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. (B/L)
Day 7/Thu: Xi’an
Visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the
city. Afternoon sightseeing at
Shaanxi 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. 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/Fri: Xi'an -
Shanghai
Today's schedule takes in the Grand
Mosque and the adjacent Muslim Quarter Afternoon flight to Shanghai.
Before 1949, Shanghai
was widely known in the West as a city of quick riches and paradise of the
adventurers. After four decades of anemic growth in a state planned
economy, Shanghai is roaring back to recapture its position on the world
stage. With a population of 23 million and rapid economic expansion in the
last 20 years, Shanghai has again become a leading global city with
significant influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion,
technology and transport. (B/L)
 Day
9/Sat: Shanghai
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 in the old
town centre. If time permits, we may go to Jade Buddha Temple for a quick
visit. Enjoy a thrilling acrobatic show after dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 10/Sun: Shanghai
Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own has
never been easier. Our recommended list includes
Jinmao Tower, 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 11/Mon: Shanghai - Home
City
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to the airport to board
return flight departing in the afternoon. Cross the International Date
Line and arrive home the same day. (B)
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Dates & Prices
2012
The Land Packages shown below do
NOT include international airfare |
|
Depart (Fri) |
Return (Mon) |
Land Package |
Single Supplement |
|
Mar
23 |
Apr
02 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Mar 30 |
Apr 09 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Apr
06 |
Apr
16 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Apr 13 |
Apr 23 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Apr
20 |
Apr
30 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Apr 27 |
May 07 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
May
04 |
May
14 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
May 10* |
May 20* |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
May 11 |
May 21 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
May 18 |
May 28 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
May
23 |
Jun
01 |
click here
for |
itinerary and price |
|
May 25 |
Jun 04 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jun
04* |
Jun
14 |
click here for |
itinerary and price |
|
Jun
08 |
Jun
18 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jun
15 |
Jun
25 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jun
22 |
Jul
02 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jun
29 |
Jul
09 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jul
03* |
Jul
11 |
click here for |
itinerary and price |
|
Jul
06 |
Jul
16 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jul
13 |
Jul
23 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jul
20 |
Jul
30 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Jul
27 |
Aug
06 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Aug
03 |
Aug
13 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Aug
10 |
Aug
20 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Aug
17 |
Aug
27 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Aug
24 |
Sep
03 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Aug
31 |
Sep
10 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Sep
07 |
Sep
17 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Sep
14 |
Sep
24 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Sep
21 |
Oct
01 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Sep
28 |
Oct
08 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Oct
05 |
Oct
15 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Oct
12 |
Oct
22 |
$1995 |
$680 |
|
Oct
19 |
Oct
29 |
$1995 |
$680 |
* These newly added departures have
the three cities in reverse order. Please click on the link for full
details.
Strikethrough indicates sold-out.
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|
Costs Not Included in Tour
Prices |
|
International Airfare |
Local Air Taxes & Surcharges |
Travel Insurance |
Recommended Tipping |
China Visa Fee |
|
contact us for lowest quote |
$32 per flight
Exceptions may apply |
available on request |
$10/client/day |
Click
here for details |
|
