A DRAGON TOUR FOR THE FIRST TIME CHINA VISITOR!

Begin this first time China experience in the dynamic 'city of life', Hong Kong! gateway to China for overseas visitors since the 19th Century, the Festival culture of Hong Kong is an exciting way to start a China tour

 

 

Scheduled Group Departures - March to October

DAY 1 Tuesday depart USA
Connect on a flight across the Pacific and the International Dateline to Asia .

DAY 2 Wednesday arrive HONG KONG
Arrive in dynamic Hong Kong and transfer to the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel.

DAY 3 Thursday HONG KONG
The day is open for shopping or optional tours. Local staff are on call to assist you with plans.

DAY 4 Friday HONG KONG/GUILIN
Most of the day is open for more city tours or shopping on your own. Transfer late in the afternoon for a flight to Guilin , one of China 's most scenic cities. Stay at the Guilin Sheraton .

DAY 5 Saturday GUILIN/SHANGHAI (B, L)
Take a cruise on the Li River to experience the beauty of the karst rock formations. Shop in the village of Yangshuo and visit Reed Flute Cave before the late flight to Shanghai . Transfer to the The Bund Hotel.

DAY 6 Sunday SHANGHAI (B, L, D)
Shanghai sightseeing includes visits to the Bund, Jade Buddha Temple , Yu Garden, and the Shanghai Museum. Enjoy an early dinner tonight before a performance of the Shanghai Acrobats.

DAY 7 Monday SHANGHAI/SUZHOU (B, L, D)
Drive to Suzhou , called “the Venice of the East” for its many canals. Famous for traditional Chinese garden homes as described in the novel, “Spring Moon”, the tour includes Tiger Hill Pagoda, West Garden Temple, Garden of Fisherman ’s Nets, Humble Administrator’s Garden, and the Silk Embroidery Research Institute. Stay at the Suzhou Sheraton Hotel.

DAY 8 Tuesday SUZHOU/HANGZHOU (B, L)
Take the train to Hangzhou , a honeymoon city located on scenic West Lake . On arrival transfer to the Sofitel West Lake Hotel. Cruise on West Lake and visit a tea plantation to see production of famous Longjing Tea.

DAY 9 Wednesday HANGZHOU/XI’AN (B, L, D)
This morning go to Lingyin Temple with its extensive Buddhist rock carvings and then climb the Pagoda of Six Harmonies for a view of the Qiantang River . Also see a silk factory prior to a flight to one of the ancient capitals of China . Xi’an is famous for its archeological discoveries. Transfer to the Grand New World Hotel.

DAY 10 Thursday XI’AN (B, L, D)
The highlight of a tour to Xi’an is the on-site excavation Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors. Also visit Ban Po Museum, remains of a neolithic village and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening attend a dinner theatre performance of Tang Dynasty Song & Dance.

DAY 11 Friday XI’AN/BEIJING (B, L)
This morning fly to Beijing , China ’s cultural and political center. Transfer to the Jianguo Gardens Hotel. This afternoon tour to The Temple of Heaven and explore the open market area of ‘silk alley’.

DAY 12 Saturday BEIJING (B, L)
Tour today to the Great Wall at Badaling and the Ming Dynasty Tombs. On return to the city, stop at the Olympic Park to see the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube. This evening see a performance of Beijing Opera highlights.

DAY 13 Sunday BEIJING (B, L, D)
Visit Tiananmen Square , the Forbidden City ’s Palace Museum , stop at the Beijing zoo to see Pandas and tour the Summer Palace . Dinner tonight features a Peking Duck.

DAY 14 Monday BEIJING/USA (B, L)
Tour to a ‘hutong’ area of traditional North China courtyard style homes. Ride in a rickshaw among the lanes in this scenic area known as the back of the lake. After lunch transfer to the airport and fly back across the Pacific connecting back to your originating city on the same day you depart.

 

2009 Schedule

 

Code Depart/Return

DT-1 • March 24-April 6
DT-2 • April 21-May 4
DT-3 • May 19-June 1
DT-4 • June 16-29
DT-5 • July 14-27
DT-6 • August 11-24
DT-7 • September 15-28
DT-8 • October 13-26