An exciting adventure awaits as you embark on a flight to Shanghai via Air China.
Flight detail: 16½ hour flight from SFO to Shanghai with a connection in Beijing. 18-hour flight from JFK to Shanghai with a connection in Beijing. Cross International Dateline
Day 2 - Arrive in Shanghai (IM)
Day 2 - Arrive in Shanghai
Meals: In-Flight(IM)
Upon arrival at Shanghai International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel by your tour guide(s). Explore the amazing city lights and walk the busy streets of Shanghai at your own leisure.Central View Suites Hotel(4 stars)
Day 3 - Shanghai (B)
Day 3 - Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast(B)
Welcome to Shanghai! One of the most populated cities in China favored by tourists worldwide and commonly known for its richest collections of Art Deco architecture ever built. Shanghai’s architecture is a cultivation of traditional Chinese homes with a splash of European flare. Enjoy a free day to explore! You may recuperate from your long flight by relaxing in the hotel or perhaps head out on the town and begin your shopping.
Day 4 - Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Dinner(D)
Today you will spend an exciting day in Suzhou. You will travel by deluxe motor coach (1 ½ hours) to a city nicknamed the “Venice of the Orient.” Indulge in the magnificent waterside architecture along with gorgeous gardens prevalent in Suzhou. Notice the criss-cross with 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 Fishing Net Water, 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. You will then take the motor coach back to Shanghai where you will attend a breath-taking Shanghai Acrobatic Show. The performance will literally amaze you from beginning to end. Sit back and enjoy the spectacle!
Day 5 - Shanghai to Tai'an (B, SL, D)
Day 5 - Shanghai to Tai'an
Meals: Breakfast(B), Special Lunch(SL), Dinner(D)
This morning you will tour the famous historical waterfront promenade in all of Shanghai, the Bund. This landmark known for its distinct 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 a special Mongolian BBQ Lunch, tour the Shanghai Museum and emporium-lined Nanjing Road. After dinner, you will bid a farewell to Shanghai and travel by train overnight to a small city located in the western part of Shandong province known as Tai’an, a city centered around Mount Tai, also marked as a World Heritage Site according to UNESCO* since 1987.
*UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Transportation: Overnight train ride, estimated time is 9 hours
Day 6 - Tai'an (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Tai'an
Meals: Breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Dinner(D)
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 lies a total of 22 sacred temples and roughly over 800 stone templates. For nearly over 3000 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 for 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. Taishan International Hotel(4 stars)
**Disclosure:** For those interested in climbing Mount Tai we strongly suggest you to wear the most comfortable shoes that can 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.
Remember to stretch, keep hydrated, and take breaks when necessary. Website for Mt. Tai: www.mount-tai.com.cn/english/
Day 7 - Tai'an-Qufu-Ji'nan (B, L, SD)
Day 7 - Tai'an-Qufu-Ji'nan
Meals: Breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Special Dinner(SD)
In the morning after breakfast you will travel by motor coach to Qufu, the birthplace of the legendary and great philosopher, Confucius. Here you will tour the Kong Family Mansion and the 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 “The Springs City” 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. In the evening you will attend a special dinner banquet. Enjoy the delicious cuisine and prepare for tomorrow’s great adventure! Litian Hotel(4 stars)
Day 8 - Ji'nan to Beijing (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Ji'nan to Beijing
Meals: Breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Dinner(D)
You will bid a goodbye to Jinan for now. An express train will take you to your next destination. Last but certainly not least, consider these 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 perform 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.Joy City Hotel(5 stars)
Transportation Detail: Express train from Jinan to Beijing is approximately 4 ½ hours.
Day 9 - Beijing (B, L, D)
Day 9 - Beijing
Meals: Breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Dinner(D)
Your peek into the capital city of Beijing begins with a tranquil visit to the picturesque landscape of Summer Palace on the man-made Kunming Lake. You will then view the world’s largest and renowned public square where historical events took place-Tian’anmen Square. Built in the early 1400s, you will enter “The Gate of Heavenly Peace” positioned at the front entrance leading into the Forbidden City. Experience the intricate architecture and exquisitely designed layout of The Forbidden City which was once housed by Chinese Emperors who ruled during the period of the Qing and Ming Dynasties.
Day 10 - Beijing (B, L, SD)
Day 10 - Beijing
Meals: Breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Special Dinner(SD)
Today you will begin the morning by setting out to 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 soldier’s safeguard to protect the Chinese empire’s northern borders 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/ Water Cube and the home to the 2008 Olympics. The stadium designed by an architecture firm in Switzerland implemented the world’s largest structure built out of steel. Later you will capture the lifestyles of families residing within the Historic Hutongs by rickshaw. The amazing gray brick courtyard residence is Beijing’s oldest and remains infused with timeless culture and history. In the mid 1900’s, during the declaration of the People’s Republic of China, 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 11 - Farewell to China- Beijing to SFO/JFK (B IM)
Day 11 - Farewell to China- Beijing to SFO/JFK
Meals:
The journey finally comes to an end as the 11th day has now come for us to part ways with China. We hope that this journey has left a lasting memory with you and has inspired your heart and soul.
Flight detail: 12-hour nonstop flight from Beijing to SFO or 13 ½ hour nonstop flight to JFK. You will arrive SFO or JFK the same day.
Spaces are limited so book now! You're welcome to compare this with any other tour packages. Get ready to put on some warm clothes and with tthe great care taken by your superb English speaking guides you will be fine and worry free. Bring your entire family for the memorable trip and enjoy this all time lowest price ever! This tour is our signature tour, which is superb for first time visitors of China. The itinerary includes Suzhou, known as the "Venice of the Orient" for its crisscrossing network of canals, as well as Qufu, the hometown of Confucius. Also included is a stay in Tai'an, at the foot of sacred Mt. Tai, and a visit to Ji'nan, the "City of Springs." In these cities, the vast history of China and Chinese culture will be apparent all around you. Contrast these experiences with adventures in the cosmopolitan cities of Beijing and Shanghai, where ancient and modern both integral aspects of each city's identity.
