SEP 09           ARRIVE BEIJING, CHINA                                                                                    

Welcome to China!  On arrival, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.  (Note: hotel rooms may not be ready for check in until after 2pm).   

Accommodation: 3 nights at the Novotel Beijing in a deluxe room including daily breakfast.

SEP 10           FULL DAY BEIJING CITY TOUR                                                              

Start the downtown tour of Beijing begins at the Tian’anmen Square, China’s historic heart of celebration and also turbulence for almost a century, the largest public plaza in the world. Onward to the resplendent Forbidden City/Palace Museum (closed on Monday), the best-known image of Imperial China built by more than 200,000 workers in the 5th century during the Ming Dynasty. Home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties with a total space of 9,999 rooms, the huge complex consists of the ceremonial spaces, working areas and private quarters once used by its privileged occupants.

Head to the prestigious Summer Palace, featuring the Long Corridor with painted gallery, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, Seventeen Arch Bridge and the Marble Boat.

Continue to explore the Temple of Heaven, one of the finest creations of the

Ming dynasty. This stunning architecture realizes the eternal Chinese desire to incarnate heaven in material form and represents the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry of the time.

Enjoy a famous Peking Duck Welcome Dinner Banquet. When we travel to a city, we often search for what is the best to eat in the city. This is no doubt that Beijing Roast Duck is the world-famous dish in Beijing. Therefore, an optional Beijing Roast Duck meal is recommended to you after a whole day sightseeing in Beijing. After that, transfer back to the hotel.

SEP 11           BEIJING – THE GREAT WALL                                                                      

This morning after breakfast, the group will be picked up for a tour to the Great Wall. Excursion to the magnificent Badaling Great Wall of China (incl. roundtrip cable cars), was built in 1505, along with a military outpost reflecting the location's strategic importance. This section is one of the best preserved, easiest to traverse and most visited areas of the Great Wall. Enjoy stunning views as you stroll along this seemingly endless piece of history, which winds its way far into the distance.

After lunch at local restaurant, transfer back to hotel and the rest of the day is free at leisure with dinner on own.

SEP 12           BEIJING TO XIAN BY HIGH-SPEED TRAIN                                                 

This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the train station for the train to Xian.

Suggested high-speed train schedule & subjected to change:

Beijing - Xian: G55 (09:55-14:05) 4hrs10mins riding

Departure transfer to railway station for high-speed train to Xian, once arrival, meet your local English-speaking guide at train station, outside of exit, and transfer to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free with dinner on own.

Accommodation: 2 nights at the Grand Noble Hotel Xian in a Superior Room including daily breakfast.

SEP 13           XIAN FULL DAY TOUR                                                                                   

Today after breakfast, the group will be picked up for a tour of Xian.

Marvel at the important Terracotta Warriors and Horses underground army pits of the 1st Qin Emperor (3rd century BCE, UNESCO site) with your own eyes and understand the magnitude of this portion of the entire mausoleum project. There are thousands of pottery soldiers and each one looks different. Their solemn assignment was to protect the Emperor Qin Shihuangdi in the afterlife. A circle-vision film reenacts the related events of 2300 years ago. Afternoon, explore the

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists and attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion and its simple but appealing style of construction.

Next goal is the Muslim Quarter. It's always looks crowded from every early morning to night---it's owns such a magic charm. Your eyes must be dazzled at the various stalls and ears surprised by their interesting hawking. After walking through the main street, explore the small lane in the Quarter until Sajinqiao area, where the real delicacy locate. Evening is free at leisure with dinner on own.

SEP 14           XIAN TO SHANGHAI                                                                                           

This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Shanghai.

Accommodation: 3 nights at the Crowne Plaza Shanghai in a Superior Room including daily breakfast.

SEP 15           SHANGHAI FULL DAY TOUR                                                                        

Start the day to stroll along the Bund, a waterfront area in central, there is dozens of historical buildings, lining the Huangpu River. Then visit the Nanjing Road, enjoy the reputation as China No. 1 commercial center. It was the earliest commercial street in Shanghai since the city opened to the outside world.

Continuing to the 400-year-old Yu Garden (closed on Monday), Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Outside of the garden is the famous Chen Huang Miao Bazaar– an area of shops, restaurants and recreation facilities.

After Chinese lunch at local restaurant, continue to the Jade Buddha Temple, it was built to keep two jade 3 Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. Transfer back to the hotel and evening is free at leisure with dinner on own.

SEP 16           SHANGHAI AT LEISURE                                                                                

                        Today is a full day at leisure on your own to explore Shanghai.

                        This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

SEP 17          DEPART SHANGHAI                                                                 

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.