Historic China by Bullet Train (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. 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 world renowned Shanghai Bund. Take a glimpse into Shanghai's architecture and see how it looked centuries ago. This landmark known for its district neo-classic architecture of 52 European style buildings not only lined the Huangpu River but at one time in the past housed most financial institutions including national banks that were considered part of the "Big Four." After lunch, you will then tour the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Municipal History Wax Museum and visit the emporium-lined Nanjing Road. After attending a mesmerizing Shanghai Acrobatic Show, you will conclude the night with a visit to Xin Tian Di, which is one of the hottest new entertainment districts in Shanghai. You will have a unique opportunity to experience both Chinese and Western culture all in one place. The locals say the best time to visit Xin Tian Di is in the evening, whether you want to dance, eat, shop or simply relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. What a better way to top off the night.
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, you will travel by motor coach to "The City of Springs" known as Ji'nan. This provincial capital is famous for its natural springs and lakes and at one time was the historical epicenter of Buddhist culture for the entire Shandong province. Travel back to Tai'an. 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 8 - Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy an American breakfast before starting your day. A deluxe motor coach and your devoted tour guide(s) are ready for your memorable trip. Your first peek into the capital city of Beijing begins with a tour to the world's largest and renowned public square where many historical events once took place - Tiananmen Square. Around the vast square, you can see The Great Hall of People, holding the congress of the Communist Party and National People's Congress, History Museum, Military Museum and Monuments to the People's heroes. When available, you can visit Mao's Mausoleum, where his body is in a crystal coffin. Under the famous Mao's portrait, which is positioned at the center of "The Gate of Heavenly Peace" entrance, you will walk into the Forbidden City (also known as Imperial Palace), which holds 9,999 rooms. Experience the intricate architecture and exquisitely designed layout of these grand buildings once housed by Chinese Emperors who ruled during the period of the Qing and Ming Dynasties for almost 500 years (1420-1911). Thereafter, you will partake in a tranquil visit to the picturesque landscape of the Summer Palace with historic temples, numerous pavilions, marble boat and famous 728-yard Long Corridor, situated on the man-made Kunming Lake.
Day 9 - Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner
Today you will begin the morning by setting out to the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall of China, also considered as one of the greatest wonders of the world. This massive wall stretches well over 4,000 miles and once was used as the soldiers' safeguard to protect the Chinese empire's northern boarders against invaders. You then have the opportunity to climb up the mammoth sized wall at your own pace. Be sure to take in the experience and enjoy the breath-taking view from the top of one of the greatest achievements of civilization. After lunch, you will tour the exterior portion of the Beijing National Stadium, also familiar to the world as the Bird's Nest and the home to the 2008 Summer Olympics. The stadium designed by an architecture firm in Switzerland implemented the world's largest structure built of steel. Later, you will capture the lifestyles of families residing within the Historic Hutong by rickshaw. The amazing gray brick courtyard residence is Beijing's oldest and remains infused with timeless culture and history. In the mid-1990's, most of the original Hutongs vanished rapidly and was substituted by high-rise buildings and commercial offices. You will then wrap up the evening with a delicious Peking Duck dinner at one of the most prestigious restaurants in Beijing recognized for its specialty.
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 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 the same day.
