best of China 12D

Service Description

DAY 1 Hometown + Beijing Start your trip of a lifetime with the flight from North America to Beijing. DAY 2 Arrive Beijing Meet your guide on arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel for a refreshing good night's rest to prepare for the exciting trip ahead. DAY 3 Beijing Following breakfast, you will start your tour from the largest public square in the world-the Tiananmen Square, and then enter the Forbidden City, home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. In the after-noon, you will visit the harmonious Temple of Heaven, one of the best examples of Ming Dynasty architecture in China, also an ornate sanctuary where Chinese Emperors pray for good harvest. Welcome dinner, feast on the emperor's cuisine-The Beijing Roast Duck Banquet will be arranged at a leading city restaurant. After dinner, return to the hotel to rest or attend an optional show- "Legend of Kung-fu" at your own expenses. DAY 4 Beijing An unforgettable outing includes a walking to the wondrous Great Wall, at Juyong guan, where you will have the chance to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile vista and marvel. Zigzagging from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. Its dramatic descends steep ridges and narrow valleys will scatter a good landscape for your camera. Then you'll have an opportunity to shop at the largest Jade Center of Asia and Cloisonné Factory. In the afternoon, visit the Ming Tomb and walk through the Sacrificed Way features the giant animal sculptures group. Then return to the city to have an up close view of the beautiful Bird's Nest and Water Cube, built for the 2008 Olympics. After dinner, cap off the day by attending a superb Chinese Acrobatic Show. DAY 5 Beijing In the morning, tour the exquisite Summer Palace, the largest preserved ancient garden in China, and a former summer resort for Emperors and the chosen few. After lunch we will visit the China Medical Science Academy, for an in-depth experience of the ancientChinese medicinal practice. You'll have your afternoon free to explore the city on your own. You may choose to join our optional Experience the Hutong Life Tour: a special journey exploring the ancient Beijing Alley District by a rickshaw, plus a visit to a local family and a local market; or just stroll by yourself in the Wang-fu-jing Business Street. Today's dinner will be on your own. DAY 6 Beijing + Xian Arrive in Xian in the