Historic China by Bullet Train 2012 (HC12) - 10 Day
Day 1 - Depart SFO/JFK to Shanghai
Meals: In-Flight Meal
An exciting adventure awaits as you embark on a flight to Shanghai via Air China. You will have a brief stop-over in Beijing. En route, cross the International Dateline and lose one day.
Flight Detail: SFO to Shanghai with a connection in Beijing is 16 1/2 hours and JFK to Shanghai with a connection in Beijing is 18 hours. Cross the International Dateline. Air China's Flight Schedule
Day 2 - Arrive Shanghai
Meals: In-Flight Meal
Your connecting flight from Beijing will land in Shanghai (Pudong) International Airport Terminal 2 in the evening. You will be greeted by our experienced tour guide(s) outside the customs and they will transfer you to your hotel. On the way to the hotel, your guide(s) will briefly introduce themselves to you and provide you with some important information regarding your trip.
Flight Detail: Shanghai to Beijing is 2 1/2 hours.
Day 3 - Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You will first begin the day with a visit to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Municipal History Wax Museum. After lunch, you will take a walking tour along the world renowned Shanghai Bund. This landmark known for its district neo-classic architecture of 52 European style buildings not only lined the Huangpu River but once upon a time housed the most influential financial institutions including national banks that were considered part of the "Big Four." Your walking tour will then end in the old town of Shanghai, the most ancient area of the city, still maintaining it's circular shape as it did centuries ago. You will have some time to explore this area on your own. At the old town of Shanghai, you would find the City God Temple, and the famous Yu Garden (Yuyuan). After attending a mesmerizing Shanghai Acrobatic Show. You will visit a Silk Museum today.
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| The Bund | Oriental Pearl TV Tower | Acrobatic Show |
Day 4 - Shanghai to Suzhou to Tai'an
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, you will spend an exciting day in Suzhou. You will travel by motor coach to a city nicknamed the "Venice of the Orient." Indulge in the magnificent waterside architecture along with gorgeous gardens prevalent in Suzhou. Enjoy a canal ride on the Grand Canal. Notice the criss-cross with the canals and watch the daily traditional lifestyle of the locals that live in this graceful wonderland. Upon arrival, you will visit the Garden of the Master of the Nets, the smallest and most proportional of all the beautiful gardens in Suzhou. Shortly after, you will be taken to the original Silk Spinning Factory, where you will learn the true art form of silk production. After a boxed dinner, you will board a bullet train to Tai'an. You will enjoy a memorable experience of traveling 494 miles in just 3 hours train ride.
Day 5 - Tai'an
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, you will experience a joyful and scenic cable car ride to visit the summit of Mount Tai, one of the "Five Sacred Mountains of Taoism." Located in the northern part of Tai'an, Mount Tai's rock formation consists of a mixture of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Along the flight up the steep mountain lays a total of 22 sacred temples and roughly over 800 stone templates. For nearly 3,000 years, famous emperors would pay homage to heaven as each would climb to the highest peak also known as the Jade Emperor Peak. If you are up to the challenge, you do have the option of climbing up to the top of the monstrous mountain. The remainder of the afternoon is for you to explore Tai'an at your own leisure.
Disclosure: For those interested in climbing Mount Tai, we strongly suggest you to wear the most comfortable shoes that you can to withstand the journey up the mountain. It's also important to pack light and make sure to have water bottles accessible to stay hydrated during the climb. The weather at the very peak of the mountain is known to be extremely cold, so please prepare yourself to dress accordingly.
Day 6 - Qufu Day Excursion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will travel by motor coach to Qufu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site plus the birthplace of the legendary and great philosopher, Confucius. Here, you will tour the Kong Family Mansion and Forest which are both considered a major cultural attraction in all of Qufu. The mansion has been occupied by descendants of Confucius and its traditional layout is designed where the residential quarters are located in the back end of the mansion and the official rooms are situated in the front. After you have completed your tour of Confucius' Temple, Enjoy the delicious cuisine and prepare for tomorrow's great adventure.
Day 7 - Tai'an to Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to train station. An express train will take you to the country's capital city, Beijing. Enjoy a McDonald's Lunch (burger, fries, & drink), which you are longing for after so many days of Chinese food. Consider there next few days in Beijing as the climax of your trip. In the afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Heaven where the Chinese Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties would go to pray for bountiful harvests. It was a critical task for all emperors to preform rituals and tasks in order for his empire to reap successful harvests and good fortune. Capture the detailed essence of all the rich colors blended together on the hand painted tiles and roofing of the structures. This remarkable construction is pledged highest level of Chinese tradition architecture.
Day 10 - Beijing to SFO/JFK
Meals: Breakfast, In-Flight Meal
The journey finally comes to an end and now come for us to part ways. We hope you enjoyed your time in China and will be leaving this country with endless amounts of stories, memories and captivating pictures of the entire journey. You will be transferred to the airport. Air China will take you home on the same day.
Flight Detail: Beijing to SFO is 12 hours non-stop and Beijing to JFK is 13.5 hours non-stop. You will arrive USA on the same day.
