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Best of China
Prices
from $1349 land only or $2209 including air
Save with
AARP
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From
the mystical landscapes of Guilin to the culture-filled
metropolis of Shanghai, our Best of China tour promises
to be an unforgettable adventure. In fabled Beijing,
home to such historic structures as the Forbidden City
and the Summer Palace, you will experience a
time-honored Chinese pastime, kite-flying in Tiananmen
Square! During your stay, you’ll walk a portion of the
3,700 mile Great Wall of China, enjoy a rickshaw tour
and experience a show at the world-famous Peking Opera.
In Xian, you’ll take in such legendary sights as the
Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most famous Buddhist
Temples in the world; and the wondrous excavation site
of the Terra-Cotta Warriors. In Guilin, experience
tranquility when you participate in a private Tai Chi
lesson before cruising the Li River, and shopping the
local markets for souvenirs. A three-night stay in
Shanghai includes a visit to the YuYuan Gardens; the
Temple of the Jade Buddha; and an amazing Acrobatics
Show. Enjoy a full day excursion to the water village of
Zhujiajiao, an ancient city located on the banks of
beautiful Dianshan Lake.
- Your three-night stay in
Beijing includes a special Peking duck dinner and an evening
at the Peking Opera.
- Witness the awesome Terra-Cotta
Warriors…eight thousand individually crafted figures, all with different
facial expressions.
- In Shanghai, your vacation includes an
amazing Acrobatics Show, and visits to both the Children's Palace and
Shanghai National History Museum.
- Stroll the grounds of the colorful Yu Yuan
Gardens, Shanghai.
- Enjoy an evening of music and dance at the
Tang Dynasty show in Xian.
- A visit to the Children's Palace
highlights your stay in Shanghai.
- Enjoy a full day excursion in the water
village of Zhujiajiao.
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Day 2: Arrive Beijing, China - Tour Begins
Your tour of China, one of the most fascinating
countries in the world, begins in Beijing, the capital
of the People's Republic of China.
Day 3: Beijing
Your sightseeing tour of Beijing begins with a visit to
Tiananmen Square. Continue to the Forbidden City and the
Summer Palace. Your evening features a special Peking
duck dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 4: The Great Wall
Travel through the valley of the Ming Tombs, where you
will visit the Chang Ling burial site. No visit to China
would be complete without seeing the Great Wall.H Today
you have the chance to walk along a portion of this
3,700 mile marvel! This evening, a special treat is in
store for you - a Peking opera show.H (B, L, D)
Day 5: Beijing - Xian
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime rickshaw tour through the
narrow streets of ancient Beijing before visiting the
Temple of Heaven, an ornate sanctuary where Chinese
Emperors worshiped their gods. While here, experience a
time-honored and favorite pastime of the Chinese when
you go kite-flying! Next, you fly to China's interior
and the city of Xian. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Xian
Begin the day with a visit to one of the most famous
Buddhist temples in the world, the classical Wild Goose
Pagoda. For lunch you will savor a local specialty, Xian
dumplings, before traveling to the excavation site of
the Terra-Cotta Warriors. This evening, dinner and
entertainment are included at the Tang Dynasty show. (B,
L, D)
Day 7: Xian - Guilin
A morning flight brings you to the beautiful city of
Guilin with its mystical landscape of limestone karst
pinnacles covered with lush vegetation. An introduction
to the city includes views of Elephant Trunk Hill and a
visit to the Reed Flute Caves featuring wonderful
underground scenery. Visit the fascinating Chinese Art
Institute in Guilin for an informative artisan
demonstration. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Guilin
This morning, participate in one of the oldest and most
revered Chinese traditions - Tai Chi. HExperience peace
and tranquility as you participate in a private Tai Chi
lesson.H Next, enjoy a cruise along the Li River and
behold the beauty of Guilin's unique scenery which has
been inspiring Chinese poets for centuries. Enjoy
leisure time in Guilin to visit the markets and bargain
with the locals for souvenirs. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Guilin - Shanghai
Depart Guilin for Shanghai, a bustling trade port and
the economic heart of China. After lunch you will make a
visit to the Bund. Along the waterfront you will see the
European-style architecture of the buildings that once
housed the institutions of the colonial powers in the
19th century. Tonight, you may want to purchase one of
the available optional tours. (B, L)
Day 10: Shanghai
Begin your day with a visit to the Children's Palace, an
ornate fortress where the local children come to learn
various arts including calligraphy, piano and dance.
Visit the Old Town and walk down its narrow lanes past
traditional buildings to the once private Yu Yuan
Gardens. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind
as you wander through this island of tranquility. You
end your full-day sightseeing tour with a stop at the
Temple of the Jade Buddha. Tonight, you are sure to
enjoy the amazing performers at the Acrobatics Show. (B,
L, D)
Day 11: Shanghai - Zhujiajiao - Shanghai
Enjoy a full day excursion to the water village of
Zhujiajiao, an ancient city located on the banks of
Dianshan Lake, at the foot of Dianshan Hill. After more
than one thousand years, Ming & Qing dynasty buildings
still stand, and 36 ancient stone bridges cross the
canal that runs through the center of town. Places of
historical interest and scenic beauty surround you. You
will visit the museums, enjoy a boat ride on the canal
and have time to shop on BeiDa Street, which is famous
for its 1,000 shops! (B, L, D)
Day 12: Shanghai
This morning you visit the Shanghai National History
Museum. There you will find artifacts that span the
length of China's history and enliven its cultural
traditions. The remainder of your day is at leisure to
explore more of the city on your own or revisit some of
your favorite locales. Later this evening, bid farewell
to your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 13: Shanghai - Tour Ends
Your tour ends in Shanghai. (B)
Stay Another Night - Add a pre night stay in Los Angeles
or Beijing or a post night stay in Shanghai or Los Angeles. Prices start at
$50 per person, double.
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Extend Your
Vacation with... |
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An Optional
2-Night Stay in Hong Kong
3 Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner
$699-$899 USD per person, double, air included
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Day 13: Shanghai - Hong Kong
This afternoon you arrive in Hong Kong, one of Asia's most
cosmopolitan and dynamic cities. You will stay in Kowloon,
located in the heart of Hong Kong's bustling shopping district.
The remainder of your day is at leisure. Perhaps you will
purchase custom-made clothing sewn by some of the most talented
tailors in the world. Hong Kong is noted for fabulous savings on
jewelry, silk, and leather products. (B from base tour)
Day 14: Hong Kong - Aberdeen
Later today, enjoy a tour of Hong Kong's business district and
the fishing village of Aberdeen where you will enjoy a sampan
ride. Time is available for more bargain hunting at the Stanley
Market. Next, you are whisked by tram to Victoria Peak for a
spectacular view of Hong Kong and its harbor. Tonight's farewell
dinner is atop Victoria Peak with incredible views of the city
and harbor below. (B,D)
Day 15: Hong Kong - Extension Ends
You will board your flight home, crossing the International
Dateline. (B)
Day 15: Arrive USA |
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Uniquely For You
Exploring Beijing's Hutongs |
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A hutong is
an ancient city alley or lane typically
found in Beijing. Surrounding the Forbidden
City, many were built during the Yuan, Ming
and Qing dynasties. In the prime of these
dynasties the emperors, in order to
establish supreme power for themselves,
planned a city and arranged the residential
areas according to the etiquette systems of the Zhou Dynasty.
The main buildings in the hutong were all quadrangles - a
building complete with four housed around a quadrangle. The
quadrangle varies in size and according to the social status of
the family. You will
have the opportunity to roam though
Beijing's old, narrow streets, hutongs, in a
fashioned pedicab. You'll also enjoy a
simple lunch in the home of a local family,
and with the help of an interpreter, learn
about the family's history and way of life.
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Base Rates Per Person
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Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
| Mar 02 2006 |
$1299 |
$2089 from
LAX |
| Mar 09 2006 |
$1299 |
$2089 from
LAX |
| May 18 2006 |
$1499 |
$2429 from
SFO |
| Jun 08 2006 |
$1399 |
$2329 from
SFO |
| Sep 21 2006 |
$1499 |
$2429 from
SFO |
| Oct 05 2006 |
$1499 |
$2429 from
SFO |
| Oct 19 2006 |
$1499 |
$2429 from
SFO |
| Mar 01 2007 |
$1349 |
$2209 from
SFO |
| Mar 15 2007 |
$1349 |
$2209 from
SFO |
| Apr 19 2007 |
$1499 |
$2429 from
SFO |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a
specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not
include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates.
Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is
listed here. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For
tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above.
Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
13 days, 29 meals
11 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 9 Dinners
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Day 2 – 4 - Traders Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing
Day 5, 6 - ANA Grand Castle Hotel, Xian
Day 7, 8 - Guilin Bravo Hotel, Guilin
Day 9 - 12 - Renaissance Pudong Hotel or Radisson
SAS Lansheng Hotel, Shanghai
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
- The land price does not
include trans-Pacific flights or flights within China.
- Seven of the included dinners
are Western cuisine.
- This trip requires: passport,
visa.
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