Sept. 9 • Departure
Our tour departs San Francisco SFO for a non-stop flight to Beijing.
Sept. 10 • Beijing
We arrive in Beijing in the early evening. Our tour director will meet us at the airport and transfer to the Grand Hotel, located in the heart of Beijing next to the Forbidden City. (Meals aloft)
Sept. 11 • Beijing
After breakfast, we explore Beijing's picturesque Houhai district where many old courtyard homes are preserved amid narrow hutong alleys bordering tree-lined lakes. Tour the district by "pedicab" for a more lively experience of traditional Chinese life. Later, divide into smaller groups and enjoy lunch at a local family's private home.
Afterwards, visit the Summer Palace. Explore the beautiful grounds, cruise the lovely Kunming Lake, and stroll through the royal gardens. Also, walk the Painted Gallery, the longest covered walkway in China famous for its exquisite landscape paintings. This evening, enjoy a welcome Peking Duck banquet. Overnight at Grand Hotel. (B,L,D)
Sept. 12 • Beijing
After breakfast, enjoy an optional early morning walk to Changpuhe Park to observe local Chinese practicing traditional health forms including taiji and qigong. This morning, visit the Forbidden City, the abiding symbol of imperial China. Marvel at its expansive architecture, magnificent imperial gardens, and many museums of Chinese antiquities and treasures. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, one of the finest cultural expressions of the Ming Dynasty. The Temple of Heaven represents the most advanced principles architecture available at the time and serves as the ritual center of the imperial government. Tonight is free. Dinner is on own. Overnight at Grand Hotel. (B,L)
Sept. 13 • Beijing
In the morning, we visit Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Meet with the director and doctors to learn the ancient healing methods of acupuncture, tuina (massage) and herbal medicine. Then we drive to the famous Great Wall at Mutianyu, a rugged section of the Wall that is less crowded and with cable car available. Enjoy the astounding views of the Wall as it winds over the surrounding hills. The Great Wall of China presents a visual experience that consistently exceeds visitors' expectations. Scholars estimate that the Wall, averaging 25 feet in height and nearly as thick, once stretched for 3,700 miles, passing through sixteen provinces. Tonight, we enjoy a special banquet at Shanglinyuan Restaurant in Beihai Park. Overnight at Grand Hotel (B,L,D)
Sept. 14 • Beijing/Xian
After breakfast we fly to the ancient Tang Dynasty capital of Xian. Upon arrival, visit the extraordinary 2,300-year-old terracotta warriors, the tomb of China's first emperor, Qinshihuang. The warriors still stand on the original site of the emperor's burial complex, where they were discovered by peasants in 1974. Transfer to our hotel downtown. Walk the lively Muslim Street and the Grand Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in northern China. Our day concludes with a Dumpling Banquet, featuring 20 varieties of traditional Chinese dumplings. Overnight at the Sofitel Hotel in downtown. (B,L,D)
Sept. 15 • Xian - Luoyang
This morning we visit the Han Emperor's Tomb, Yangling Museum, to view recent archaeological finds on the excavation site. After lunch drive to Luoyang and check in at the hotel. Overnight at the 5 star Yaxiang Jinling Hotel in downtown. (B,L,D)
Sept. 16 • Luoyang/Zhengzhou
In the morning we tour the famous Longmen Caves, the most impressive Buddhist grottos in central China near the Yellow River. There are over 100,000 images and statues of Buddha carved into the cliff walls by the river. Some stand up to 80 ft. in height along the one-mile long hillside. For 2000 years Luoyang was an important imperial capital and cultural center. In the afternoon we drive to Shaolin Buddhist Temple and tour the temple ground. Shaoling Temple became famous for the impressive martial arts practice the monks have cultivated for centuries. Enjoy a martial art demonstration at the monastery. Overnight at the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown (B,L,D)
Sept. 17 • Zhengzhou/Chongqing
After breakfast, meet with a Taoist or Qigong practitioner and learn about the traditional healing and energy practice. Then we fly to Chongqing and visit General Stilwell's Museum which documents the allied effort in China during WWII. Following dinner we board the Yangzi cruise ship, Victoria Katarina (B,L,D)
Sept. 18-19 • Yangzi River Cruise
The main focus of the cruise is the extraordinary Three Gorges--the deep valleys and towering mountains carved by the Yangzi River. Each day join special side trips on shore, including a visit of the ancient village Shibaozhai and the breathtaking Lesser Gorge Daninghe. Tour the Three Gorges Dam construction site at Sandouping and sail through the new ship-locks. (B,L,D)
Sept. 20 • Yichang-Shanghai
Disembark the ship in Yichang after lunch. Fly to Shanghai in the late afternoon and transit to our hotel. Evening is free. Overnight at the Garden Hotel downtown (B,L)
Sept. 21 • Shanghai
We spend the whole morning visiting Shanghai Museum and viewing its wonderful collection of Chinese bronzes, jade, pottery and ceramics, paintings and calligraphy, old coins, and furniture. After lunch we visit Yuyuan Garden in old Shanghai and absorb the Chinese traditional garden ambience. This evening, enjoy a memorable farewell banquet at Dingxian Garden Restaurant. After dinner, we'll stroll along the Bund, viewing the beautifully decorated colonial buildings along the Huangpu River. Overnight at the Garden Hotel downtown (B,L,D)
Sept 22 • Shanghai - San
Francisco
After breakfast we depart for the airport. Our flight arrives in the San Francisco via Beijing the same day.
(B, meals aloft)
