Itinerary

Day 1:  Depart USA
Set out on your thrilling adventure into South China.

Day 2: Arrive Shanghai, China 
On arrival, you are greeted and escorted to your hotel. The balance of the evening is at leisure.
Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel 

Day 3: Shanghai    
Begin your China experience in this vibrant, trend-setting metropolis. Stroll the Bund waterfront lined with Art Deco buildings from the colonial era and sleek new skyscrapers of the futuristic Pudong District.  Step into the past as you cross the crowded zigzag bridge into the magical Yu Yuan Gardens. Admire the mystical Jade Buddha Temple and teeming lanes of Old Quarter.  Enjoy a charming display of cultural skills mastered by youngsters at the Children’s Palace. Tonight you are entertained by the daring performances of Shanghai’s famous acrobats. Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel (B,L)

Day 4: Shanghai / Zhujiajiao / Shanghai
A morning excursion takes you to Zhujiajiao west of Shanghai.  This well-preserved ancient town sits on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.  Little stone bridges reach across small rivers that have willow trees planted along the banks. Explore an ancient street with Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings and teahouses where you can savor local "grandma tea."  On the exquisitely shaped Setting-fish-free Bridge, a stone tablet is carved with eight coiling dragons encircling a shining pearl.  In Shanghai, enjoy lunch at one of Shanghai’s older, established restaurants, which specializes in “Huai Hai” cuisine.  Huai Hai refers to the east coast around Shanghai, noted for sweet sauces, delicate savories and some infusion of foreign influences.  Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of the most important centers for Buddhist worship in China.  First constructed in the late 19th century, the temple houses two exquisite Buddha images carved of milky Burmese jade.  These statues were brought to the temple from Burma in the first decades of the 20th century, but their exact age remains unknown.  End your day with a delightful visit to the Children’s Palace, housed in the former residence of one of the original great foreign families of Shanghai.  Today, it serves as a center for children with exceptional abilities, and has a variety of classes including music, art, dance and computer science.  Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel (B,L)

Day 5: Shanghai / Lijiang
This morning, you fly to the famous small town of Lijiang. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your deluxe five-star resort.  This afternoon you explore the well-preserved old city known for the fascinating culture of its ethnic minorities, especially the Naxi. In 1997, UNESCO. declared the 800-year-old town a World Relic. Banyan Tree Lijiang (L,D)

Day 6: Lijiang 
This morning, you can climb the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is holy to the Naxi people. Its landscape includes one of the southernmost glaciers in the modern world. Shanzidou, the main peak at 18,000 feet, looks like a gigantic dragon clad in white snow. Access to the mountain is provided by a cable lift to Dragon Spruce Meadow, halfway to the Glacier Peak. In the evening, enjoy a cultural performance of Naxi music. Banyan Tree Lijiang (B,L,D)

Day 7: Lijiang / Kunming 
Board your flight to Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan Province in southeast China. On arrival, you are met and escorted to your hotel. Later this afternoon, tour the Bamboo temple. This evening, discover more about local culture through an ethnic dance show followed by dinner. Harbour Plaza Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 8: Kunming  
On tap today is a drive to the Stone Forrest, which is known for its stunning, quintessential Karsts landscapes. Visit botanical gardens before returning to your hotel in Kunming. Harbour Plaza Hotel (B,L)

Day 9: Kunming / Guilin 
Today you are transferred to the Kunming airport for your flight to the green hills of Guilin, China’s great scenic city on the poetic Li River. Meeting on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Later this afternoon you are taken on a tour of the Reed Flute caves. Sheraton Daewoo Hotel (B,L)

Day 10:  Guilin / Li River / Yangshuo 
Cruise on pleasant Li River through unique scenery, source of many folk tales and legends. Glide  past valleys, bamboo groves, misty limestone pinnacles and ancient rock formations.  Disembark in Yangshuo, and set out on a bicycle tour of this charming town. Pedal leisurely to Moon Hill where you have the chance to pause at a local farm for tea and a chat with the farmer. Yangshuo Paradise Hotel (B,L)

Day 11:  Yangshuo / Longsheng / Guilin 
Depart this morning for Longsheng and some of the most breathtaking landscapes, including the immense ‘Dragon's Backbone’ rice terraces, where, local communities have grown rice for centuries. They developed a simple yet very efficient terracing and watering system.  Of particular interest are the people themselves. This region has a large number of Chinese ethnic minorities such as Miao, Zhuang, Yao and Dong.  They retain many traditional ways of life.  End the visit with an unusual hair show by local minority women along the riverbank.  Their village is famed for its residents’ longevity as well as the women’s extraordinarily beautiful long hair.  Following your tour, you travel to Guilin and check into your hotel.  Sheraton Daewoo Hotel (B,L)

Day 12:  Guilin / Hong Kong
Today, you fly to Hong Kong. After check in at hour hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to rest or explore your own interests.  Hong Kong is also a rewarding destination with its blend of Chinese heritage with British colonial nuances.  The island city has dynamic modern commercial areas as well as traditional tiny lanes teeming with shops and cafes. Peninsula Hotel – Deluxe Room – Main Building (B)

Day 13:  Hong Kong
Today’s focus is exploring old and new sights of Hong Kong Island.  Ride the antique tram to the top of Victoria Peak for fabulous 360-degree views from its new Tower Complex. You can even see famed Aberdeen Harbor and its floating fishing village.  This afternoon, discover the Kowloon side of Hong Kong, from the Tsim Sha Tsui district with its cultural buildings and elegant waterfront, to the market districts with their dazzling range of shops.  You have the remainder of the day and evening to experience the distinctive blend of East and West. Peninsula Hotel – Deluxe Room – Main Building (B)

Day 14:  Departure Hong Kong / Depart
Today, you are transferred to the Hong Kong airport for your onward flight home. (B)

12/08