Saturday, April 14, 2012 – Arrive Beijing China, City Tour (D)
Arrive no later than 4:30PM. After clearing customs you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in small groups based upon arrival times. The remainder of the day is free. Tonight’s welcome dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight New Otani Hotel, Beijing.
 
Sunday, April 15, 2012 – Beijing, Tian’Square, Forbidden City  (B,D)
Your full day of touring begins at the Tian’anmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Visit the Forbidden City, built in the 15th century during the Ming dynasty and home to the 24 Emperors of the Ming and Ch’ing dynasties. Proceed to the centuries-old hutongs, the ancient quarters of Beijing and enjoy the unique local snacks (on your own). Visit Shichahai Sports School and see how they train the future Olympic champions for China.  Visit a local family for a  cooking lesson on making dumplings followed by a dinner with the family.  Overnight New Otani Hotel, Beijing.
 
Monday, April 16, 2012 – Beijing & the Great Wall (B,L,D)
This morning we depart for the Mutianyu Great Wall, the only man-made object visible to the naked eye from space. The Wall was built in the fifth century BC. We will have lunch at a local restaurant. We will stop at the sacred Path of the Ming Tombs for a view of beautifully carved statues. Travel back to Beijing and visit the underground air raid shelter. Built in 1969 by more than 300,000 Beijing citizens in preparation for a possible nuclear attack. Tonight, we enjoy a special noodle dinner followed by a martial arts performance. Overnight New Otani Hotel, Beijing.
 
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 – Beijing, Temple of Heaven & Summer Palace (B,L,D)
Found in the mid 1600’s, Tai Chi, is designed partly to provide relaxation and body-conditioning.  This morning, join a Taichi master and practice this ancient Chinese exercise at a local park followed by a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture built for important rituals for the emperors. We will visit the Summer Palace, a royal garden and summer retreat of Empress Dowager Cixi. It is a Beijing duck banquet for dinner. Overnight New Otani Hotel, Beijing.
 
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 – Fly to Xian, Farmer’s Village & Painting  Lesson (B,L,D)
Today we fly Xian, one of the ancient capitals of China. We visit the Huxian Farmer’s Village, where we will have lunch at a local farmer’s house followed by a Chinese painting lesson. Huxian Village is famous for its style of Chinese painting. It is instantly recognizable, mainly for the bold, exaggerated forms and excessive use of color. Every inch of the canvas is filled with scenes from daily rural life.  Overnight Titan Times Hotel, Xian.
 
Thursday, April 19, 2012 – Xian & Terra Cotta Warriors (B,L,D)
Today is another major highlight of your China tour – a full day excursion to the Terra Cotta Warrior and Horse Museum (the Eighth Wonder of the World).  Visit over 6000 life-size warriors and horses guarding the tomb of the first emperor of China. We visit Shangxi Provincial Museum, which displays more than 2,000 artifacts starting with the Shang Dynasty.

This afternoon we visit the Beilin Museum, the Forest of Steles, built to preserve the Thirteen Classics of Filial Piety which were engraved during the Tang Dynasty. Tonight we tour the Muslim Night Market. With Arab merchants travelling on the Silk Road from Persia and Afghanistan, the Muslim neighborhood still retains the atmosphere of those trading days with bustling markets. The cobbled backstreets are stocked with teashops and eateries. Overnight Titan Times Hotel, Xian.
 
Friday, April 20, 2012 – Fly to Chengdu, Local Tea House  (B,L)
Today we fly south to Chengdu. On arrival we will enjoy a unique experience of local tea culture.
With hundred of teahouses scattered throughout the city, drinking tea is part of the locals’ daily life. Enjoy your tea which will be shot from across the room into your small teacup without spilling a drop. After lunch at a local snack house, the rest of the day will be at leisure to enjoy Chengdu.  Overnight Tibet Hotel
 
Saturday, April 21, 2012 – Panda Breeding Center – Fly to Guilin (B, L, D)
This morning we travel through the scenic countryside before arriving at the Panda Breeding Research Center. The Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre imitates the Pandas' natural habitat. Giant Pandas,  black-necked cranes, white storks as well as over 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred here throughout the year. After lunch, we visit a local flower market and nursery. Dinner tonight is the spicy hot pot at a local restaurant. This evening, we fly to Guilin.
 
Guilin world famous for its serene landscapes, mysterious limestone formations, mist covered hills and bamboo groves. The region boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The city of Guilin is located on the Li River, surrounded by the exotic geographic formations that seem to evoke a mystical feeling in all who travel here. It is the breathtaking beauty, peacefulness, and tranquility in such a magical setting that rewards those who visit Guilin. Overnight Bravo Hotel.
 
Sunday, April 22, 2012 – Excursion to Daxu – Afternoon at leisure in Guilin (B)
This morning we depart for Daxu, an ancient town which still retains in its antique style from the Ming Dynasty. A flagstone street, lined with old residences, shops and stalls, runs along the river bank through the town. Some well-preserved residences hidden behind the street door will surprise you as you explore further into the backstreets. Time to sample (on own account) snacks from the dumpling stalls or peddle cars along the street. Travel back to Guilin and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.  Overnight Bravo Hotel.
 
Monday, April 23, 2012 – Li River Tour & Chinese Cooking Lesson (B,L,D)
This morning, wt take a boat cruise along the Li River. The river is 50 miles long with opportunities to see the breathtaking panorama of the misty “karst” scenery (limestone formations along the river banks). You will observe feathery bamboo plants, cormorant fishermen in small boats, and picturesque villages as you sail along this calm, serene river. A light lunch will be provided. This afternoon, join a local chef to buy groceries in the market prior to starting your cooking lesson to learn how to cook some of China’s unique dishes. Enjoy dinner with the chef. Overnight Green Lotus Hotel .
 
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – Fly to Shanghai (B)
Enjoy this morning at your at leisure. This afternoon, we fly to Shanghai with a informative city tour enroute to our hotel.  Spend the remainder of the day exploring Shanghai or relaxing. With a population of more than 12 million, Shanghai is China’s largest urban centre. In the 19th century, Shanghai was jolted from being a quiet commercial backwater to a thriving financial metropolis. The Treaty of Nanking opened Shanghai as a free port to western trade and influence. Even today, we can still see the foreign (mainly European) concession areas distinctly visible to this day. Overnight Ramada Plaza Gateway.
 
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 – Shanghai – The Bund, Shanghai Museum, Yu Gardens (B,L,D)
We spend today touring Shanghai beginning at the French concession area. In the early 20th century, Europeans immigrated to Shanghai for business and trade, and settled in specific areas, set aside for their homes and businesses. The ambience of these concession areas still remains. We will visit the Bund, a collection of numerous buildings, built in different styles. After viewing the famous harbor of Shanghai, we proceed to the Shanghai Museum. The exhibits in ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, jade, Ming and Ch’ing (Qing) dynasty furniture, coins and ethnic art are fantastic.This afternoon, we continue on to the Yu Gardens. Situated in the old Chinese quarter of the city, this marvelous garden was built in 1577 and hidden behind carved brick walls decorated with undulating dragon walls and lovely lotus pools. Tonight we enjoy a special snack dinner including steamed meat buns at a local restaurant. Overnight Ramada Plaza Gateway.
 
Thursday, April 26, 2012 – Travel by road to Suzhou (B,L)
Today, we travel by coach to Suzhou. We visit a kindergarten and participate in a culture exchange by visiting a local family. Enjoy the conversation with the family and have a first hand experience of what life is like in the 21st century China. Later this morning, visit a local food and snack market and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, proceed to the Suzhou Sandalwood fan factory, which is famous for making all different sorts of fans, including perfumed wood fan, silk tissue fans. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

With over 100 gardens of various sizes, Suzhou is one of China’s most beautiful cities. We visit two of Suzhou’s gardens: the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Ornamental Garden. Unlike Western gardens, these are not places of lawns and flowers but of rock conglomerations, water reflecting intricate pavilions and architectural tricks. Overnight Bamboo Grove Hotel.
 
Friday, April 27, 2012 – Suzhou (B,L,D)
Blended with the movements of Taiji and other martial arts and dances, Taiji Fan is an exercise or dance practiced by many people in the early morning at local parks. Join a group of Taichi Fan dancers to learn and participate in this ornamental and artistic dance. Next, we are off for the Great Canal Gondola Ride and Walking Tour of Mountain Pool Street to experience first-hand local street life. Our walking tour will end at Guanji Bride where you will proceed to Yu Pu Garden, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sights for a Chinese calligraphy lesson followed by a lunch and  a local folk singing performance. Later we visit a silk embroidery research institute and get the inside story of Suzhou’s amazing silk embroidery industry.   Overnight Bamboo Grove Hotel.
 
Saturday, April 28, 2012 – Return Home from Shanghai, China (B)
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, we depart for the final leg of our journey as we travel to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The will only be one group transfer. Make your return flight from Shanghai no earlier than 12:00 noon. Most flights depart late afternoon or evening.