Beijing: Today you will experience the Temple of Heaven, which is the site where the emperor would go to pray and commune with the gods. This is a magnificent temple that is surrounded by beautiful gardens. In the afternoon we will take you to the 2nd Hand Street Market. This market is where the Beijingers shop.You will find a wide array of items from Jade, jewelry, art, cloth, chopsticks, furniture, etc. etc. If you know how to bargain you can get deals that are dimes or even pennies on the dollar. B, L
Beijing: The day begins with a tour of a Chinese Hutong. This begins with a rickshaw ride through the old neighborhood, then a short walking tour into the narrow streets of the Hutong. You will be able to visit the home of a family who lives there; feel free to ask any questions. This is the traditional housing in old Beijing that was generally four small houses surrounding a court area. The Hutong has been home to both the poor and the rich. These quaint dwellings are disappearing in the continual modernization of China. (If you have a group of 10 or more we can arrange for you to have lunch prepared by a local family in the Hutong). After lunch you will go to TianAnmen Square and then to the Forbidden City. In addition to seeing the buildings and grounds of the Emperor's palace, you will also see the Emperor's clock collection and the Qing Dynasty Jewelry, Robes and Relics collection (which Westerners rarely see). B, L, D Dinner: Beijing Duck Evening Option: Beijing Opera.
Beijing: Today you will visit the Summer Palace which was built for the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The Emperors used to relax on the lake and escape from the summer heat in Beijing. This was built by the Dowager Empress, using funds which were supposed to be used to build a navy to defeat foreign invaders. As a mock tribute to this purpose, she had a concrete boat built on the side of the man-made lake.
Then after lunch we will take you to a special part of the Great Wall at Jinshanling, where you can stay overnight in a guard tower! This portion of the Wall is not offered to the tourist on most general tours, we are offering this site to those who want an adventurous Great Wall experience, which includes going to the site where you will see few or no other Westerners on the wall and you can enjoy a home-cooked dinner by your Chinese hosts! You drive three hours outside of Beijing, passing out of the metropolitan area, past smaller villages, interesting farmland and animals and then into the mountainous area. Then you come to the small set of buildings below the Great Wall at Jinshangling. There you will meet your hosts. They will take you to the Great Wall and show you the options of where you will sleep. You can then explore and walk along the wall. Some of our clients have experienced being the only ones on the wall for hours (or you will see very few others). You should be able to take some particularly striking photos of this intriguing portion of the wall without hundreds of people on it. Later you hosts will cook for you a home-cooked meals with you can eat either on the Great Wall or down below in their home. Your hosts will then set you up with sleeping bags and a small mat on the guard tower floor (or if you prefer, there is an enclosed room that you can sleep in. You will be able to enjoy sunset and sunrise on the Great Wall. This requires a little more effort then some portions but we believe you will find it very rewarding. This experience is a little more expensive, but is a unique experience that you remember for the rest of your life. B, L, D
Beijing-Xi'an: You will wake up on one of the Wonders of the World! It is certainly the longest of the Wonders. You can spend more time enjoying the wall. Then we will drive you back to Beijing. Then we will take you a grocery store where you buy some snacks, foods, favorite beverages for your train. Then we will take you to the train station for your 12-hour ride to Xi'an. Soft Sleeper Deluxe (4 beds to a room and bathrooms at the end of the hall).
Upgrade to Soft Sleeper Deluxe (2 beds to a room and a private bathroom) for $110/person
Xi'an: In the morning you will arrive in Xi'an. There your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After you have had a chance to refresh we will give you a tour of the city, including the old city wall (which 4 chariots could ride abreast) the drum tower and the bell tower. Afterlunchyou will go to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which has an extensive collection of artifacts from the various Chinese Dynasties in order, from the oldest to the most recent. B, L, D DeFangchang Dumplimg Dinner.
Xi'an: Today you will visit what has been called the 8th Wonder of the World the Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum. Oftentimes, one of the farmers who discovered the site is actually there. You will also visit the Terra Cotta Soldiers Replica Factory. You can actually purchase a genuine looking Terra Cotta Replica constructed at a variety of sizes including full size. This unique factory and store also offers many other quality products including silk rugs, jewelry, the famous Xi'zan 3-color pottery and some beautiful furniture with laminated jade artwork. The Terra Cotta Soldiers Museum itself, has 3 major pits where various types of figurines were uncovered. No two soldiers look exactly alike. The museum also has a 360-degree theatre. Then we will return you to your hotel. B, L Evening Option: Watch the Wild Goose Pagoda water show. This free show is the largest of its kind in China.
18-Oct
Lhasa
Xi'an-Lhasa: Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. There your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to allow you to adjust to the altitude. B
19-Oct
Lhasa
Lhasa: Today we will take you to the Jokhang Temple, Bharkhuo Street and the Tibetan Quarter of the town. Dinner will be at the Crazy Yak Restaurant. B, L, D
20-Oct
Lhasa
Lhasa: You will visit the incredible Potala Palace in the morning. (It was the government headquarters, the center of the religion and the residence of the Dali Lamas all in one. This is one of the most impressive structures ever built. It is literally a city set on a hill.) After lunch we will take you to the Sera Monastery, and if we are fortunate we can see the Monks debate. B, L, D
21-Oct
Chengdu
Lhasa-Chengdu: This morning we will take you to Norblinka (the Dali Lama Summer Palaces). We will also take you to some interesting shops where you can see the local crafts of the Tibetan people. Afterwards we will take you to the airport for your flight to Chengdu; where you will be met by you guide and transferred to your hotel. B, L Evening Option: Chinese Teahouse and entertainments
22-Oct
Guilin
Chengdu-Guilin: This morning we take you to the Panda Station, where you can experience the Pandas. Afterwards we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Guilin; where you will be met by you guide and transferred to your hotel. B
23-Oct
Guilin
Guilin: Today you will have a general city tour including Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill. Then you will enjoy the natural beauty of the Reed Flute Caves. B, L, D Afternoon Option: The world famous Guilin Foot-Massage
24-Oct
Yangshuo
Guilin-Yangshuo: We will take you on the 3-4 hour Li Jiang River Cruise. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the whole world, showing the magnificent limestone mountains rising along the river banks, usually shrouded in clouds and catching a glimpse of the people who live along the riverbanks. Cormorant fishermen still use these unusual birds to catch their daily fish. As the cruise ends, you will disembark in Yangshuo, a quaint village with a very nice street market. You are very close to the beautiful mountains and you can go into the countryside to see the beautiful vistas. Youcan take a bicycle ride or a drive through these fantasy-shaped mountains.We will check you into your hotel in Yangshuo. B, L Evening Option: Enjoy the spectacular show Impressions with over 600 performers, live animals, and spectacular lighting effects all performed on the Li River with the majestic limestone mountains as the back drop.
Yangshou-Shanghai: The morning is free to enjoy the scenery in Yangshuo. Then you will be driven through the beautiful countryside to the Guilin airport for your flight to Shanghai; where you will be met by you guide and transferred to your hotel. Once settled we will take you tothe world-class Shanghai Art Museum. This fantastic museum has a number of quality exhibits including an ancient coin collection and on the fourth floor an ethnic minority exhibitwhich features their costumes, masks, and various implements and tools. We will take you to dinner and then you can enjoy the Bund, which is magically transformed by the evening lights. B, L, D Evening Option: Enjoy the Historic Peace Hotel Jazz Band in the Bund Area
Shanghai-Chongqing: The day begins with a tour of the classic Yu Yuan Gardens, which is a gorgeous example of a classic Chinese Garden. This area exits into the main shopping center of Shanghai. Shanghai is such an East-Meets-West city that they call this area "China Town." Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival your guide will meet you and take you to the Three Gorges Museum, which will give you an interesting overview of the cruise you will be taking. Then after a delicious Sichuan Dinner you will be transferred to the East King Cruise Ship, with Orient Cruise Line. The ship leaves the harbor in the evening. (as we will be on the move during lunchtime, we suggest that lunch can be individually obtained in the airport or by snacking) B, L, D
27-Oct
Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River Cruise: The Yangtze River Cruise continues (The Ghost Temple, Shendong stream and beautiful scenery.) B, L, D
28-Oct
Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River Cruise: The Yangtze River Cruise continues (The Ghost Temple, Shendong stream and beautiful scenery.) B, L, D
Yichang-Shanghai: You will visit the Three Gorges Dam project and then reboard the ship for the remainder of the cruise. The cruise ship arrives at Yichang where your guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. You will arrive in the early evening where you will be met by you guide and transferred to your hotel. B, L
30-Oct
Return USA
Shanghai-USA: The morning is free. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the USA with many wonderful memories. B
Dates/Pricing
Lodging Type
Hotels
Cultural/Educational
Architecture
Dance
History
Music
Shopping
Disclaimer
Tour price includes: all Domestic Chinese flights, transfers, buses,jeeps, private transportation, all tours, entrance fees, a national guide, guides, drivers,hotels (double occupancy) as listed, meals as listed
Not included: International air flights, items listed as optional Airport tax, Chinese visa, tips
Contact Empress Travel and Cruises for information on All Inclusive Caribbean Resorts, All Inclusive Cancun Resorts, Luxury All Inclusive Caribbean Resorts, Luxury All Inclusive Cancun Resorts, Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Luxury Caribbean Resorts, Luxury Cancun Resorts, Caribbean Beach Resorts, Cancun Beach Resorts and more.
