9 Days Essence Of China Tour Package

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: $1,599 pp dbl. occ
Dates: Apr - Nov

Delve into the unique world of ancient China during this fabulous vacation. Your trip begins in China’s capital city, Beijing. Here, enjoy a sightseeing tour that includes the Forbidden City’s Imperial Palace, once the sacred home of China’s great emperors, and Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world and where the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949. See the former Imperial Summer Palace, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries situated on Kunming Lake.

No vacation to China is complete without seeing the Great Wall of China, and on this tour, you get a chance to walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. Experience life in a historic neighborhood while enjoying a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s hutongs, the city’s ancient alleys, and enjoy a night at the Peking Opera.

Day 2 Arrive in Beijing

The Forbidden City, located in Beijing, houses the Palace Museum, China
Welcome to China’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3 Beijing

Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY  Story aboutThe Forbidden City in Beijing and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE

The Tian'anmen Gate welcomes you to the Imperial Palace, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening, savor a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Beijing

The GREAT WALL OF CHINA  Story aboutGreat Wall of China once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall

Walk along the Great Wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress

is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers. (B,L)

Day 5 Beijing–Xi’an

This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s HUTONGS, the city’s ancient alleys. During this visit you’re welcomed into a daycare center and into the courtyard of a family’s home for tea. A short flight brings you to the city of Xi’an in central China. Look forward to this evening’s highlight, the “Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D)

Day 6 Xi’an

One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure trove. Sightseeing begins with a visit to the DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING

Noodle-Making in Xi'an

DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974, the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS  Story aboutTerra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (B,L)

Day 7 Xi’an–Shanghai

The fabulous cosmopolitan city of Shanghai

 Fly to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. This afternoon, visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens, then stroll along the Bund

The Bund, a famous waterfront area in Shanghai, China, the city’s riverfront boulevard that is lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. This evening, consider joining an optional tour to see a spectacular acrobatic show. (B,L)

Day 8 Shanghai

This morning, visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS before lunch in a local restaurant. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure. Perhaps join an optional tour to a nearby ancient water town or shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Shanghai

(Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) 

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