Itinerary:
Day #1 Overnight Flight -
Day #2 Arrive Beijing, China - Tour Begins - Experience one of the most fascinating cities in the world, Beijing. Over the next several days, you will experience the beauty and intrigue of this ancient culture.
Day #3 Beijing - LANGUAGE DISCOVERY: Today, your Tour Manager will help you discover the origin and history of the language(s) you will experience on your tour along with key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. Start your journey in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, with a morning visit to the Summer Palace, which is ranked among the most noted classical gardens in the world. In 1998, it was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Your afternoon includes a visit to the Beijing Zoo, home of the famous pandas. See the new habitat that has been created for those pandas rescued from the earthquake region who are now happily residing in their new home! Tonight, a traditional dumpling dinner is included.
Day #4 Beijing - Begin your day with a visit to the famous site of Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Next, visit the Forbidden City, a vast network of palaces including five halls, seventeen palaces and numerous other rooms & buildings which have been home to 24 Chinese Emperors over 491 years. This evening you will be treated to a dinner featuring Peking Duck, followed by a colorful performance of the Peking Opera.
Day #5 The Great Wall - No visit to China would be complete without seeing The Great Wall, one of the new 7 Wonders of the World! Behold this awesome site and have the chance to walk along a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. Travel through the Valley of the Ming Tombs where you will walk along the Sacred Way, or Divine Road, which means “the road leading to heaven.” Feel the excitement of the 2008 Summer Olympics during a visit to the Olympic Green where you have the opportunity to take photos of two famous structures - the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube!
Day #6 Beijing - Today is at leisure to explore this fascinating, constantly changing city independently. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer suggestions on how best to spend your day!
Day #7 Beijing - Enjoy a full day of leisure to relax or independently explore this wonderful city. You may take an optional tour to Xian*, which includes a visit to the Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum.
Day #8 Beijing - This morning you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperor came twice each year to thank the gods for the good harvest and pray for the new harvest. You will also see the locals doing their morning Tai Chi exercises, playing cards or board games. Afterwards, experience ancient Beijing on a traditional rickshaw tour through its narrow streets and alleys. With help from an interpreter, you will learn about a local family’s history and way of life when you share lunch with them in their Hutong home. They will also teach you the art of traditional dumpling making! Next, visit with a kite master and learn the history of the favorite pastime of many locals. During your visit enjoy a traditional tea ceremony. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Day #9 Beijing - Tour Ends - Your tour ends in Beijing. On your return flight home you will cross the International Dateline.