NORTH AMERICA/CHINA

Board your 747 jetliner this morning and begin your journey to the ancient wonders of intriguing China.

ARRIVE BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing, the ancient capital city of People's Republic of China. Beijing has been a capital city for over 3,000 years. The remainder of the day is free to relax and adjust to time difference. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR.

TIAN ANMEN SQUARE, FORBIDDEN CITY, SUMMER PALACE & PANDAS GARDEN

Many buildings were demolished to create Tian Anmen Square, since 1949 has been the venue of major rallies held during the Cultural Revolution. Forbidden City, A Tang Dynasty poet wrote "Without seeing the magnificence of the royal palace, one can never sense the dignity of the emperor. Completed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it was the home of 24 emperors and scene of many important events affecting the course of Chinese history. The Summer Palace is the second largest imperial garden in China and is as famous as the Forbidden City; Summer Palace or Yiheyuan (Garden of Nurtured Harmony). Continue to the Pandas Garden at the Beijing Zoo, originally named Ten Thousand Animal Garden, was built in 1908, with a history of more than 90 years. The Zoo was once the imperial manor during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Plants were cultivated and animals were raised during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). After liberation, it was reconstructed and referred to as the West Suburb Park. In 1955, it was renamed Beijing Zoo. The institution breeds the largest number of pandas away from their original habitat. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR BLD.

OLYMPIC CENTER, GREAT WALL MING TOMBS EXCURSION & SACRED WAY

Commence with a tour of the the iconic “Beijing 2008 Olympic Center” - the Bird’s Nest & Water Cube, host to many spectacular events. Continue to the Badaling Great Wall. Construction began more than 2,000 years ago that meanders more than 6,000 kilometers across the country. The Ming Tombs represents the addition of three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning to the Ming tombs inscribed in 2000 and 2003. They were built for the founding emperors of the Qing Dynasty and their ancestors, constructed on the principles of traditional Chinese geometry and fengshui. The Tombs are masterpieces of human artistic brilliance. The Sacred Way is part of the Ming Tombs complex, Located in the front part of the royal cemetery, which means the path leading to heaven. This archway is the earliest and largest in China, constructed in 1540. En route visit a jade factory. This evening attend a cultural show. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR BLD.

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, BEIJING CITY PLANNING MUSEUM & HUTONG TOUR

The Temple of Heaven or Altar of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings. It was visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It is regarded as a Taoist temple although Chinese Heaven worship, especially by the reigning monarch, pre-dates Taoism. The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during Emperor Yongle’s reign. Watch local people practicing Taiji and exercising. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of Emperor Jiajing in the 16th century. Proceed to Beijing City Planning Museum to see a 3D moving narrating the history and changes of Beijing. Enjoy a pedi cab ride to the Hutongs, developed around the Forbidden City as early as the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). To strengthen their authority, emperors planned city housing according to an etiquette system. Hutongs follow a strict quadrangular layout with four buildings arranged around an open inner courtyard. There were 3,600 hutongs at the beginning of this century and today only 2,000 exist. Time permitting you will visit a pearl workshop. Evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR BLD.

BEIJING/XI’AN – WILD GOOSE PAGODA & PROVINCIAL HISTORY MUSUEM

Fly to Xi’an, called Chang'an in ancient times. It is one of the six ancient capital sites in China. Tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the famous Buddhist pagodas. When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Ming dynasty emperor (1368-1644) captured Huizhou, a hermit, Zhu Sheng, advised him to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618-907), creating modern Xi'An city wall. Visit the Provincial History Museum where a Confucian Temple stood. On display are mostly historical remnants of previous dynasties such as the Han and Tang. AURUM INTERNATIONAL HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD.

TERRACOTTA MUSEUM, CERAMICS & POTTERY CENTER

Spring of 1974 peasant workers unearthed an archeological find hidden for 2,200 years. Semi buried in the soil were hundreds of battered but beautiful terra-cotta statues of armed warriors, servants and horses pulling manned war chariots, retinue of unified first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Ti. See the excavated exhibition 1, 2, 3 and 4. You will see archeologists at work at the actual sites. Watch the Circle of Vision movie. Proceed to a pottery and ceramic worskshop. Evening attend a Tang Dynasty show followed by Dumpling dinner. AURUM INTERNATIONAL HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD.

XI’AN/SHANGHAI - Bund & Xintiandi

Fly to Shanghai, the largest and most populated city in China. It is also China's main center for industry, commerce, foreign trade, science and technology located at the spot where the mighty Yangtze meets the East China Sea. Afternoon visit the Bund and stroll along the world famous waterfront, one of the world's highest buildings in the newly developed land across the bustling Huangpu River. Yuyuan Garden is one of the most lavish and finest Chinese gardens in the region. It was built in 1559 as a private garden by Pan Yunduan, who spent almost 20 years building it to please his father Pan En, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. Over the years, the gardens fell into disrepair until about 1760 when bought by merchants and again suffered extensive damage in the 19th century. In 1842, during the Opium Wars, the British army occupied the Town God Temple for five days. During the Taiping Rebellion the gardens were occupied by imperial troops, and destroyed by the Japanese in 1942. It was repaired by the Shanghai government from 1956-1961, opened to the public in 1961 and declared a national monument in 1982. Xintiandi was developed by Shui On Land during the re-development of the surrounding area, when similar shikumen houses were demolished wholesale. The houses in Xintiandi were restored, now housing an art gallery, cafes and restaurants. Eating or shopping in this area is seen as a status symbol by affluent local residents.   GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BL.

YUYUAN GARDEN, SHANGHAI MUSEUM & PEOPLE SQUARE

Yuyuan Garden is one of the most finest and lavish gardens in China. It was first established in 1559 as a private garden developed by Pan Yunduan, spending almost 20 years to please his father Pan En, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty, during his father's old age. Over the years, the gardens fell into disrepair till about 1760 when bought by merchants, then suffered extensive damage in the 19th century. In 1842, during the Opium Wars, the British army occupied the Town God Temple for five days. During the Taiping Rebellion the gardens were occupied by imperial troops and damaged again by the Japanese in 1942. They were repaired by the Shanghai government from 1956-1961, opened to the public in 1961 and declared a national monument in 1982. Afternoon tour the famous Shanghai Museum, constructed in 1952, one of the larges and comprehensive art museum of China and renowned for its collection of Chinese art. Take a stroll through the People Square. Prior to 1949 and the establishment of the People's Republic of China, now People's Square, was a once a horse racing course. After gambling and horse racing were banned by the new Communist government, a part of the race course became the People's Square, which included a large avenue and spectators’ stands used during parades. In the 1990s, major changes were made to the square. The Shanghai Municipal Government building was relocated from the former HSBC Building and so was the Shanghai Museum from once located in a former office building. More recent additions include the Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Urban Planning exhibition Hall. Other parts of the race course still remain. Time permitting you will visit a carpet Factory. Evening, attend a performance of the famous Chinese Acrobat troupes. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BL.

ZHUJIAJIAO EXCURSION & SHANGHAI MUSEUM SHANGHAI WORLD EXHIBITION OR ZHUJIAJIAO EXCURSION & JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE

The Shanghai World Exhibition (Shanghai EXPO) covers a large area of voer 5.6 kilometers with 27 halls. The theme of the exhibits depicts new creations, concepts, technologies, presenting the world urban life in the 21st century with a New Approaches of Human Habitats and Beautiful Lifestyle. If the Shanghai Exhibit is not possible then visit Zhujiajiao, which means Zhu Family Settlement, is an ancient town, a water village on the outskirts of Shanghai, formed about 1,700 years ago. Archaeological findings have been discovered that date back 5,000. 36 stone bridges and numerous rivers line Zhujiajiao along thousands of ancient buildings. Many centuries old stone buildings are home to residents as they were for many dynasties. The village prospered through clothing and rice businesses. Even today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and a Qing dynasty post office can be seen. The famous Jade Buddha Temple was built in 1882, an old temple where two jade Buddha statues were brought from Burma by a monk, Huigen. The temple was destroyed during the revolution overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately, the Jade Buddha statues were saved and a new temple was re-constructed in 1928. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BL.

SHANGHAI/HOME

Leave Shanghai and board your homeward flight filled with memories of your exciting journey through ancient China. B.