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. QIANMEN JIANGUO HOTEL.

OPTIONAL: Beijing Opera show &/or Peking duck dinner

GREAT WALL MING TOMBS EXCURSION & MING TOMBS

Commence with a tour of 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. Evening free to explore Wangfujing shopping area of Beijing on own. QIANMEN JIANGUO HOTEL BL.

TIAN ANMEN SQUARE, FORBIDDEN CITY, TEMPLE OF HEAVEN & KUNG FU SHOW

Many buildings were demolished to create Tian'an men Square, since 1949 has been the venue of major rallies held during the Cultural Revolution. Visit 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. In the afternoon visit 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. Your last stop is the famous Hongqiao Pearl Market. Later this evening and after dinner, you will enjoy an exciting Chinese Kung Fu Show at Red Theater. QIANMEN JIANGUO HOTEL BLD.

HUTONG TOUR, SUMMER PALACE & XIAN

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. In the afternoon tour the 700-acre Summer Palace and view the scenery of its lake. Drop off at Beijing Olympic Green to visit stadiums of Bird’s Nest and Water Cube on own or return to Hotel. In the evening fly to Xi’an, called Chang'an in ancient times. It is one of the six ancient capital sites in China. GRAND NEW WORLD HOTEL. BL

TERRA COTTA WARRIORS & WILD GOOSE PAGODA

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. 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. GRAND NEW WORLD HOTEL. BL.

OPTIONAL: Tang Dynasty Music & Dance show

XI’AN /GUILIN - REED FLUTE CAVE & ELEPHANT TRUNK HILL

Fly to Guilin. Guilin means forest of Sweet Osmanthus, owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery. In 314 BC, a small settlement was established along the banks of the Li River. In 111 BC, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Shi An County was established, which could be regarded as the beginning of the city. Reed Flute Cave referred to as “the Palace of Natural Arts” is one of the most amazing scenic spots in Guilin. According to legend, the cave was so name as people believed the reed by the cave's mouth could be made into flutes. Elephant Trunk Hill, located at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River looks like a huge elephant stretching its trunk and drinking water, hence the name. Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of Guilin and its Karst landscape. Between the elephant’s trunk and its body is a round cave which resembles a full moon drifting on the water, which is called Water Moon Cave. On a moonlit night, the glittering lunar light on the river wavelets forms a fantastic scene, which has been highly honored by poets and painters over Guilin’s history. In and around the cave are many carvings and inscriptions, the most well known of which is a poem by Lu You, one of the four great poets of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). GUILIN PLAZA HOTEL BL.

LI RIVER CRUISE & YANGSHUO

A Cruise on the Li River is one of the highlights in China. From Guilin to Yang Shuo, the river meander its way through 52 miles of beautiful countryside with bamboo forests, dense reed-beds and incredibly bizarre rock formations. One might sight a fishing boat with two or more cormorants on board. Many fishermen use these birds to assist with catching fish. Indulge in a stroll at Yangshuo. Disembark and travel to Yangshuo in the northeast of Guangxi Province. Due to its special location, breath-taking beauty and over 1,400 years of history bless with a deep traditional culture makes it a unique place to visit. The diverse ethnic minority groups including Hui, Zhuang, Yao and others, enrich it with special folk cultures represented by their various festivals. Streets in Yangshuo are well kept in the original style, presenting the simple and primitive atmosphere of the ancient town. West Street is the most exciting one that locals call the 'Global Village'. This evening enjoy the stunning Impression Liusanjie show, the world largest natural theater which utilizes the waters of the Li River as its stage & twelve mist shrouded hills and the heavens as its backdrop. Mist, rain, moonlight, the hills and their inverted reflections in the river all become the ever-changing natural background. GUILIN PLAZA HOTEL BL .

GUILIN/ SHANGHAI

Transfer & board flight 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. Transfers to Hotel where rest of the day is at leisure. HJ BUSINESS CLUB HOTEL. BL .

OPTIONAL: HUANGPU RIVER CRUISE

CITY TOUR

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. Next visit 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 Bund & Nanjing road to see the modern Shanghai. HJ BUISINESS CLUB HOTEL. BL.

OPTIONAL: Attend a performance of the famous Chinese Acrobat troupes.

SHANGHAI/HOME

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