Day 1: Monday, May 18 - USA/BEIJING
Meet your tour manager and depart from a major US gateway for your included flight to Beijing. You’ll board a Boeing 747 for your international flight to the capital city of Beijing. Meals and complimentary wine or beer are included. In-flight meal service

Day 2: Tuesday, May 19 - ARRIVE BEIJING
All tour participants will arrive into Beijing’s new International Airport in the morning where you are introduced to your Chinese National and local Beijing guide. Transfer to your nice hotel where you will check in and enjoy the amenities while preparing for the afternoon tour program. After lunch the tour will begin with a visit to famous China landmark -- Tiananmen Square. The square’s dimensions are almost 110 acres and its name, Tiananmen, literally translates to “Gate of Heavenly Peace.” Next you’ll visit the adjacent Forbidden City, located at the center of ancient Beijing, which once was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The palace complex, with its many exceptionally well preserved wooden buildings, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. At the close of the day, you visit the Summer Palace with its exquisitely designed gardens, and perhaps a pearl factory if time permits. Tonight, enjoy a good night’s sleep, feel refreshed in the morning and be ready to begin touring this land rich in culture, history and much more. A currency exchange counter is conveniently located in the hotel lobby. L, D

Day 3: Wedsday, May 20 - BEIJING
Today our tour will begin with a short visit to the Temple of Heaven. You’ve seen this landmark sanctuary dozens of times in pictures of China’s landscape. Then you have a full day excursion to the Great Wall and the famous Ming Dynasty Tombs. The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, is a 4,000 mile long rampart built over several centuries to keep out the invading Mongols. No matter which direction you walk on the wall, you will just stop and gaze at this awesome landmark – one of the few sites on earth that the astronauts are able to see from outer space! Later you travel to a secluded valley which houses the thirteen Imperial burial mounds of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Tomb Area spreads out over 15 square miles. Here, two of the elaborate burial mounds have been fully excavated and are open to the public. Time permitting, you will visit a jade factory before enjoying a culinary delight, a Peking Duck Banquet. This is not like the duck your buddy, the duck hunter fixes – this one is absolutely scrumptious! AB, L, D

Day 4: Thursday, May 21 - BEIJING /XI’AN
This morning you will go to the Summer Palace to visit the beautiful Kunming Lake, walk along the long corridor and enjoy the natural scenery there. After lunch, you transfer to the Beijing airport for your flight to the city of Xi’an. This ancient city, known as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, is the largest and best developed city in northwestern central China. You will tour the ancient city Wall of Xi’an which once completely surrounded the city as a military defense system. The balance of the afternoon is yours to explore Xi’an. Tonight, enjoy western food. AB, L, D

Day 5: Friday, March 22 - BEIJING / XI’AN
Today’s tour recalls the glories of ancient Xi’an as you visit the burial site of Emperor Qun Shi Huang, with his incredible army of 8,000 Terra Cotta Soldiers, positioned in military formation, to protect him in his afterlife. These life-like figures are more than 2,000 years old and will give you a whole new perspective on how people really looked and dressed in years gone by. The next visit will be to the majestic Wild Goose Pagoda, one of China’s major icons. Built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty, this temple was a guiding force in the spread of Buddhism. The highlight this evening is a 20-course Chinese Dumpling Dinner followed by the beautiful and colorful Tang Dynasty Culture Show. This show always receives great reviews. AB, L, D

Day 6: Saturday, May 23 - XI’AN/GUILIN
Your journey today will take you into China’s countryside stopping in a village for a visit to a farmer’s newly constructed home. Meet the family and enjoy a tour of the home for a better understanding of the Chinese culture. You will also visit a nearby school and church. Students are so very excited to meet Americans and the feeling is always mutual. This afternoon we will take a flight to Guilin, a well-known city with its natural beautiful scenery. AB, L,D
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Day 7: Sunday, May 24 - GUILIN
Today you will have a full day tour from Guilin to Yangshuo. The scenic highlight of any journey to China is a cruise through the astonishing peaked scenery of Guilin, past bamboo groves, boat villages and solitary cormorant fishermen. AB, L, D

Day 8: Monday, March 25 - GUILIN/SHANGHAI
This morning, Visit the beautiful, haunting landscapes of Guilin at Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Hill and Fubo Hill. After lunch our group will fly to Shanghai, a city of 16 million inhabitants and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll be amazed by this city, with its rich historical architecture, combined with the most modern architectural creations. On this evening’s tour you’ll be even more amazed by the incredible lighting…It’s like a trip through Magic Kingdom in Disneyland. Each building is shadowed with a soft colored hue cast by the artificial lighting. No other city compares to Shanghai at night! Tonight includes a spectacular Acrobatic Show – no one does this as well as the Chinese! AB, L, D

Day 9: Tuesday, March 26 - SHANGHAI
Today’s sightseeing tour introduces you to the major attractions of the city, including Nanjing Road, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the famous Bund, situated on the city's waterfront. Divided by the river, you’ll see an international architectural display on one side, and the city's newest skyline on the other. Walk the Bund to get the feel of the new and the old. Later you will tour Shanghai’s newest development area, Pudong, with its exquisite cosmopolitan architecture. China will soon have the tallest skyscraper in the world. AB, L, D

Day 10: Wedsday, March 27 - SHANGHAI
Today is yours to enjoy any way you please - perhaps shopping for those special gifts or just spending the day exploring more of this beautiful city. Our experienced local Chinese guide, can give you expert tips on how to have a wonderful day. AB

Day 11: Thursday, March 28 - SHANGHAI/USA
Following breakfast, transfer to the train station where you’ll board the fastest train in the world. Travel to the airport 267 miles per hour, arriving in time for check-in and our flight back to the USA. AB, In-flight meal service.