12 Day Shanghai Dragon Tour

all the highlights for the first time China visitor

SHANGHAI, is the most European city in China and with over 13 million people worth seeing to give perspective to the concept of teeming masses! The Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden (with its Dragon Wall), Jade Buddha Temple and craft factories are among the tour inclusions

HANGZHOU and SUZHOU, are unique cities often referred to in a Chinese proverb that translates as: "In the sky there is heaven, on earth we have Suzhou and Hangzhou ." Both those East China cities are centers of silk production. Hangzhou is renown for scenic West Lake and Suzhou 's rock gardens are copied as landscape from throughout the world. .

GUILIN, The most photographed of all the cities in China is a natural wonder of scenery. Remarkable karst mountains seen on a 4 hour cruise on the Li River and limestone caves with an array of natural sculpture make this a memorable and relaxing destination.

 

Scheduled Group Departures - March to October

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

DAY 2 Friday arrive SHANGHAI
Arrive in Shanghai late afternoon. Clear customs and immigration. Transfers to the Central Hotel. On your own this evening you might chose to visit the Peace Hotel and see Shanghai ’s oldest jazz ensemble.

DAY 3 Saturday SHANGHAI (B, L)
This morning sightseeing includes visits to the Bund, a tour of the new area of Pudong including the Pearl TV Tower, the Jade Buddha Temple and the Shanghai Museum .

DAY 4 Sunday SUZHOU (B, L, D)
Day tour to Suzhou , famous for traditional Chinese gardens and homes, includes the Garden of Fisherman ’s Nets, Humble Administrator’s Garden, and the Silk Embroidery Research Institute. Return for dinner and a Shanghai Acrobats performance.

DAY 5 Monday SHANGHAI/HANGZHOU (B, L)
Drive to Hangzhou , a honeymoon city located on scenic West Lake . On arrival transfer to the Sofitel West Lake Hotel.

DAY 6 Tuesday HANGZHOU/GUILIN (B, L)
Cruise on West Lake , tour Lingyin Temple with its extensive Buddhist rock carvings and climb the Pagoda of Six Harmonies for a Qiantang River view. Take the late flight to Guilin , one of China 's most scenic cities. Overnight at the Guilin Sheraton .

DAY 7 Wednesday GUILIN/XI’AN (B, L)
Spend most of the day on a cruise along the Li River and experience the beauty of the karst rock formations. Shop in the village of Yangshuo before returning to Guilin to for the late 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 8 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 9 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 10 Saturday BEIJING (B, L)
Sightseeing today features an excursion outside the city to the Great Wall at Badaling and the 13 Tombs of the Ming Emperors. On return to the city, stop at the Olympic Park to see the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube. This evening experience a performance of Beijing Opera highlights.

DAY 11 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 . Tonight’s dinner features Peking Duck.

DAY 12 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 for a flight back across the Pacific connecting to your originating city on the same day you depart.

2009 Schedule

 

Code Depart/Return

SDT-1 • March 26-April 6
SDT-2 • April 23-May 4
SDT-3 • May 21-June 1
SDT-4 • June 18-29
SDT-5 • July 16-27
SDT-6 • August 13-24
SDT-7 • September 17-28
SDT-8 • October 15-26