Vacation Overview
Delve into the unique world of China during this magnificent vacation and visit Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. As you’d expect from a trip to China, a tour highlight is your visit to the Great Wall of China. Known as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is the only man-made object that can be seen from space by the naked eye. As you walk along the wall, see how expansive it is and imagine what it was like to construct the wall—at a time without modern machinery to help! As if the Great Wall of China is not enough to astonish you, wait until you see the Terracotta Warriors. Discovered accidentally in 1974, construction on the roughly 8,000 soldiers, chariots, and horses started in 210 BC—all to help China’s first emperor in the afterlife. On this tour, you’ll get the opportunity to see these amazing soldiers, which range in height from 6 ft. to 6 ft. 5 inches.
These are just a couple of the many highlights you’ll see on this tour. You’ll also be entertained in a noodle-making demonstration, a Peking Opera performance, and a show of the music and dance from the Tang Dynasty, which reined over 1,000 years ago. Also on this tour, be sure to taste some authentic Chinese cuisine and shop for local souvenirs.
History, amazing sights, and loads of fun await you on this grand tour though China. It’s a vacation of a lifetime!
INCLUDED FEATURES
Beijing
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, cloisonné workshop, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, and Peking Opera; Hutong tour by rickshaw; enjoy a Peking Duck welcome dinner
Xi’an
Enjoy the “Tang Dynasty” dinner show; sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Dayan Pagoda and Terracotta Warriors; noodle-making demonstration
Shanghai
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Bund, Shanghai Museum, and Yu Yuan Gardens; farewell dinner
Itinerary Essence of China - 9 Days
DAY 1 Arrive in Beijing, China
Welcome to China's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
DAY 2 Beijing
Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China's great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening, savor a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 3 Beijing. Great Wall Excursion
The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China's barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch at a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers. (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 4 Beijing–Xi'an
This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing's HUTONGS, the city's ancient alleys. During this visit you're welcomed into a daycare center and into the courtyard of a family's home for tea. A short flight brings you to the city of Xi'an in central China. Look forward to this evening's highlight, the "Tang Dynasty" DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5 Xi'an
One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure trove. Sightseeing begins with a visit to the DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974, the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 6 Xi'an–Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai, China's most populous city and center of trade and industry. This afternoon, stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard that is lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. This evening, consider joining an optional tour to see a spectacular acrobatic show. (Breakfast, Lunch)
DAY 7 Shanghai
This morning, visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS before lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Perhaps join an optional tour to a nearby ancient water town or shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 8 Shanghai
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (F) First-Class
BEIJING: Traders Hotel (F)
XI’AN: Grand Mercure on Renmin Square (F)
SHANGHAI: Sofitel Hyland Shanghai (F)
ESSENCE OF CHINA – 9 DAYS (Globus)
Dates and Prices - LAND ONLY
Prices are per person and do not include airfare. We will be glad to help you find the least
expensive airfare,
or you can use mileage if desired. When you Book Online, please
enter your departure city
on the "SPECIAL REQUESTS" field and we will get back to you
immediately with an air quote.
If you book your air with us, airport transfers at destination will be included.
Otherwise we can provide them for you at a fee of $50 per person roundtrip,
as long as you let us know your flights in advance.
| Departure Date |
Vacation Start Date |
Return Date |
Price Without Air |
|
| 4/19/12 |
4/20/12 |
4/27/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
| 5/3/12 |
5/4/12 |
5/11/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
| 5/17/12 |
5/18/12 |
5/25/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
| 7/12/12 |
7/13/12 |
7/20/12 |
$1,479.00 |
|
|
| 8/16/12 |
8/17/12 |
8/24/12 |
$1,479.00 |
|
|
| 9/6/12 |
9/7/12 |
9/14/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
| 9/13/12 |
9/14/12 |
9/21/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
| 9/20/12 |
9/21/12 |
9/28/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
| 10/4/12 |
10/5/12 |
10/12/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
| 10/11/12 |
10/12/12 |
10/19/12 |
$1,539.00 |
|
|
Dates and Prices above do not include air travel. |
| Participation in this tour requires purchase of the following flights: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-tour air segments, starting at $2054 (based on San Francisco, departure in April, 2012); or (2) intra-tour air segments only. Required intra-tour air segments are: Beijing/Xi’an; Xi’an/Shanghai. |
| Air prices were effective on August 10, 2011 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher. |
| When planning your trip, please allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Asia. |
| Prices based on double room occupancy. |
| Single Room Supplement: $463 |
| Extra Nights per person in Beijing: |
| in single room $218; in twin room $133; in triple room $123. |
| Extra Nights per person in Shanghai: |
| April-May & September-October: in single room $187; in twin room $99; in triple room $89. |
| June-August: in single room $157; in twin room $84; in triple room $80. |
