Day 1: USA
Depart the USA via the Pacific coast
Day 2: Beijing
You will be greeted by your guide upon arrival at Beijing airport & transferred to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 3: Beijing
Enjoy breakfast prior to a tour of Beijing. Our first stop is the impressive Tian'anmen Square. From there, you will enter the Imperial Palace, known as the Forbidden City, to explore its many fascinating halls and pavilions. Next, visit the Temple of Heaven, the place where the emperors prayed to Heaven for good harvests. This evening, enjoy a traditional Beijing Duck Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Beijing
After breakfast, take a day trip to Badaling where you will visit the only man-made structure visible from outer space, the Great Wall. After lunch, enjoy a stop at the Ming Tomb in the peaceful shadow of Longevity Mountain. Tonight, enjoy a special cultural event.
Day 5: Beijing & Xian
This morning, visit the Summer Palace & the Panda House at the Beijing Zoo. Take an afternoon flight to Xian. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for dinner & overnight.
Day 6: Xian
Today includes a visit to the majestic Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening you will be entertained at the Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show while enjoying the famous Dumpling Banquet Dinner.
Day 7: Xian & Shanghai
Take a morning flight to Shanghai. After lunch, you will visit an old town nearby, Qibao. The Ming - Qing style architecture, traditional snacks, small bridges, rivers & teahouses might make you forget you are in Shanghai in modern times! After lunch, you will be free to shop at the abundance of local stores along the Shanghai riverfront area known as the Bund.
Day 8: Shanghai
Today, you will see the Shanghai Museum, the beautiful Yuyuan Garden, the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, & the Xin Tian Di (a newly developed recreation area in Shanghai with old-style buildings). Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner followed by a fascinating Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Center Theatre.
Day 9: Shanghai
After breakfast, we transfer to Shanghai airport for our return flights to the USA or continue our adventure with many optional extensions.