This 13-day, 12-night escorted tour will show you the highlights from
thousands of years of Chinese history - from the era of its powerful dynasties
to its prosperous present. While in China you will experience the vibrance of
its largest cities - whose lively, outdoor food markets, beautiful pavilions
and bicycle-loving locals will delight you - as well as experience the
timeless, natural beauty of the Yangtze River.
Two once-in-a-lifetime
inclusions on this itinerary (which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) are a
visit to the Great Wall of China, a magnificent - truly beautiful -
fortification whose construction began in the 7th century BC, and a visit to
Xi'an to the 2222-year-old Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, which
is guarded by thousands of life-size terracotta soldiers. As part of the
program you will also visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Ming
Dynasty Tombs - as well as tour the former imperial family's Summer Palace, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site located on beautiful Kunming Lake.
This
escorted tour includes delicious, local meals, excellent guiding and utmost
comfort - meaning that your flights, hotels and transportation are all taken
care of (please see specific inclusions list). Concerning your logistics, this
itinerary features a combination of planes, trains, boats and private coaching,
which is the most comfortable way of traveling through this vast, fascinating
country. Aside from the 3-night Yangtze River cruise, the program's overnight
cities are Beijing, Xi'an, Wuhan and Shanghai, where you will stay in 4-star
hotel accommodations.
While in Beijing you will see its immensely rich
cultural heritage. Enjoy an evening at the world-renown Peking Opera House.
Visit a hutong to see how traditional Chinese neighborhoods were once designed.
Experience one of the symbols of the People's Republic of China: Tiananmen
Square. You will also go inside the Forbidden City; this UNESCO World Heritage
Site was home to emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties for half a
millennium. Though set right in the heart of Beijing - it was off limits to
normal Chinese citizens until the 20th century. Its inner complex of colorful
alleys, gardens and pavilions will astonish you.
The tour will finish
in Shanghai where you will have exciting sightseeing tours as well as free time
to explore. Explore Shanghai's iconic waterfront district known as The Bund.
Visit the French Concession for a look into Shanghai's colonial past. Visit
the historic Jade Buddha Temple. Enjoy the view from the colossal Jinmao
Tower, and attend one of Shanghai's famous acrobatic shows.
This escorted
tour will give you a glimpse into the China's imperial past and show you the
very best of contemporary China's invigorating cities and spectacular
landscapes.
