Adult Adoptee “Ladybug” Itinerary
This itinerary is designed for the adult adoptee who is embarking on a first-time return visit to China. While you are traveling with other adult adoptees (and possibly an adoptive parent or two), you will enjoy the cultural icons among the rich beauty of the destination cities of Beijing, Xian, and Chengdu. One can customize the latter segment of the journey to visit the orphanage city/ hometown area, or a desired additional excursion after the group travel portion.
This trip goes beyond visiting—it’s about personal growth, as the opportunity for shared experiences is rich and engaging. While this trip does not plan for any social worker “discussions,” the experience of travel and being with other adult adoptees, allows for an open conversation on the complexities of belonging to multiple cultures, loss, gain, and developing one’s identity challenges. It is a unique experience to be among others who may also be reflecting on the complex reality of being part of two worlds: the one they were born into and the one they were raised in. This itinerary provides fun, flexibility, and downtime to reflect and explore while providing ample experiences to strengthen one’s connection to China and one's identity. (Note: this trip is designed for adoptees ages 18 & older. While an adoptive parent may choose to accompany an adoptee, it is created for adult adoptees on a first return trip.
Visit the Summer Palace and the Tea House, enjoy the Chinese Tea Ceremony. After the included Chinese lunch, you will visit the JinShan Park in afternoon. After a day of exploration, unwind in the evening with a classic Peking Duck dinner, savoring the crispy, golden-brown duck paired with hoisin sauce, thin pancakes, and fresh scallions—a perfect end to a culturally rich day.
Start your day with a captivating visit to the Forbidden City, the world’s largest imperial palace complex and a symbol of China’s dynastic heritage. Wander through its vast courtyards, opulent halls, and intricate gardens, marveling at the architectural grandeur that once housed emperors and their courts. Take your time exploring iconic landmarks such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Imperial Garden while reflecting on the historical significance of this cultural treasure.
After exploring this ancient wonder, you will step into Beijing’s charming hutongs—narrow alleys lined with traditional courtyard homes. Beijing’s oldest Hutongs (alleys) were constructed during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. You will get to savor classic dishes like dumplings, noodle bowls, and seasonal vegetables during a special homemade lunch at a local family residence in the Hutong Lane area. The atmosphere of the hutong, with its rustic charm and vibrant energy, provides a perfect setting to connect with Beijing’s rich cultural tapestry and connect to this traditional way of living.
Next you get to visit the Temple of Heaven Temple of Heaven, one of Beijing's most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This sprawling complex of Taoist architecture, surrounded by lush gardens, served as a sacred space where emperors performed rituals to pray for good harvests. As you walk through the tranquil area, you’ll likely witness locals practicing Tai Chi, playing traditional instruments, or engaging in calligraphy—offering a glimpse into modern Beijing life intertwined with its history. A visit to the Temple of Heaven is not only a journey through imperial China but also a peaceful opportunity for personal reflection.
Kick off with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can stroll through Hogsmeade, sip on Butterbeer, and ride the thrilling "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey." Stop for lunch at themed restaurants, like the Three Broomsticks or Jurassic Café, to enjoy unique dishes. Spend your afternoon exploring areas like Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness and Hollywood Boulevard, where live performances and interactive experiences abound. Wrap up this excursion with a dazzling parade or show,
OR A visit to Beijing Solana Art offers a vibrant mix of creativity and leisure within the Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park. Explore contemporary art exhibitions featuring paintings, sculptures, and digital installations, or admire colorful murals and open-air street art. The district frequently hosts interactive workshops, live performances, and seasonal art fairs, immersing visitors in Beijing’s modern cultural scene. Situated by the tranquil Chaoyang Park Lake, Solana also provides scenic views, stylish cafés, and diverse dining options. Perfect for art enthusiasts and casual visitors, it’s a dynamic destination to relax, explore, and enjoy Beijing’s creative pulse.
OR – Enjoy practicing Mandarin among locals as you explore the city at your own pace.
OR – Enjoy practicing Mandarin among locals as you explore the city atbei Water your own pace.
Beijing/Xian Bullet Train G661(4:15P/9:57P) (Your tour guide has tickets)
Arrive at the Xian Bei (North) Train Station. Meet your local English-speaking tour guide and private van driver at the station exit for transfer to the hotel.
After the included Chinese lunch, you will visit the Xian Museum in afternoon.
Begin your day with a journey to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in Xi’an, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries. Marvel at the life-sized clay army, created over 2,000 years ago to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.
Explore the vast excavation pits, starting with Pit 1, the largest and most impressive, housing thousands of soldiers arranged in battle formation. Continue to Pit 2, showcasing cavalry and infantry units, and Pit 3, believed to be the command center. Take time to appreciate the intricate details of each warrior, from their unique facial expressions to the craftsmanship of their armor and weapons. Time and the elements have gradually worn away the vibrant painted details from the soldiers and horses to reveal their original earthy terracotta color.
Today take a trip to Hu County famous for its peasant farmer artists who create vibrantly colored peasant paintings and intricate paper cutouts. Tonight you will have the rare opportunity to stay at the Donghan Village and learn to make JiaoZi (traditional Chinese dumplings), enjoy a home-made JiaoZi dinner there. After dinner, tonight you will have a dancing party with local farmers at the village grain-sunning ground.
Xian/Chengdu Bullet Train D1937(2:00P/5:43P) (Your local guide has tickets)
Arrive at the Chengdu Dong (East) Train Station. Please meet your local guide and driver at the station exit for transfer to the hotel.
Spend a delightful day at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a world-renowned conservation facility dedicated to the preservation and research of the iconic giant panda. Located just outside Chengdu, this sprawling, lush park offers visitors the chance to see pandas in their naturalistic habitats while learning about their behavior and conservation efforts.
Begin your visit early in the morning when the pandas are most active. Watch as these gentle giants feed on bamboo, play with each other, and nap in their enclosures. Don’t miss the nursery area, where you can observe adorable panda cubs under the care of dedicated researchers.Take a stroll through the beautifully landscaped grounds, which also house red pandas, swans, and a variety of native plants. Stop by the Panda Museum to explore exhibits on panda biology, reproduction, and conservation challenges.
After the included Chinese lunch, you will head to the Bamboo village in Chongzhou, where you will enjoy the arts of Bamboo crafts and learn how to make the bamboo crafts yourself. Travel back to Chengdu in the late afternoon to relax and rest
Please give us your traveling information, including your orphanage city and your preferred international gateway city (Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, etc.). We will create the remainder of the trip as customized travel. You may choose timing for your visit to the orphanage, born hometown city visit, looking for birth family and more. This customized portion of the trip is determined according to your specifications and is not included in the base tour cost.
REMARKS:
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B = Breakfast L = Chinese Lunch D = Chinese Dinner
CA= Air China CZ=China Southern Airline MU=China Eastern Airlines
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Xian Grand Noble Hotel |
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Donghan Village, Xian |
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Tibet Hotel, Chengdu |
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Heritage Tour Land Cost Including Following:
- Airport/hotel/airport (or train station) transfer as listed in itinerary;
- Bullet train fare of Beijing/Xian/Chengdu;
- All listed sightseeing and tour programs with private English-speaking tour guide and private van or bus with driver.
- Hotels and meals as stipulated in itinerary.
Price Quotes Exclude the Following:
- International airfare of US/China/US;
- Universal Studios admission tickets; or optional choice events
- Some meals.
- Tipping to tour guide and driver.
- Chinese visa.
- Expenses of a personal nature.
Notes:
- a.Twin beds in China hotels, about 50 inches wide, are closer in width to the 54” double size beds in the U.S., and much wider than the 39 inches wide twin beds found in U.S. homes.
- b.A soft sleeper train compartment is equipped with two bunk beds and sleeps four. If there are less than four people in your party, Lotus Travel highly recommends purchasing the extra seats in the compartment to ensure privacy.
- c.If your itinerary state “free time” or “free day”, no activities will be planned for you, neither will you have a tour guide or driver.
- d.It is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance.
- e.You need to apply for your Chinese visa 3 months before the trip. Please visit our website at http://www.lotustours.net/visas/china.shtml for detailed visa information and contact our visa agent – Vicky at vickyzwjin@aliyun.com for any visa questions.
- f.Tipping is a matter of personal preference and should be given as a reward for good service. Lotus Travel recommends $6USD per person per day to local tour guide, $4 USD per person per day to driver, and $2 USD for hotel bellboy per piece of luggage while traveling with a group of over 10 people. If you travel with a small size group like less than 10 people, please double the tipping amount to both driver and tour guide.
- g.We arrange periodic stops at government certified souvenir shops. You can use credit card, cash or traveler's check at these stores. The advantages of government certified shops include a guarantee of quality, receipts are provided, and one is allowed to make exchanges. There are also periodic opportunities for open market bargaining in various spots or on your own. These markets do not offer any guarantee or exchange choices.
- h.We make arrangements for children’s activities at various shops. Some samples of this include making a free pearl bracelet for your friend, your parents, or yourself in the pearl shop in Beijing; paper cutting art and craft at the local farmer artist’s studio; and learning to make terra-cotta warrior soldiers at the factory in Xian.
- i.At the Art Museum of Xian, Tea Farm of Guilin, and Shu Brocade Handicraft Museum in Chengdu, there are some shopping options arranged near the exit area of these sites.
- j.In order to keep tour expenses competitive and reasonable, we arrange shopping stops such as Jade Shop in Beijing, and Silk Shop in Guilin, which is the universal way. You won’t be forced to spend money in any of the shops if you prefer not to purchase anything.
- k.This itinerary that has been produced is the sole property of Lotus Travel and has been created specifically and especially for the above referenced family. The contents of the itinerary are proprietary and as such is protected and privileged and may not be shared with another travel provider.
Terms & Conditions:
- Deposit
A $500 per person non-refundable deposit needs to be sent to us within one week in order to guarantee the above quotes.
- Balance
Balance is due 60 days before departure.
- Airfare
Airfare is due at the time of ticket issuance.
- Terms & Conditions
Our terms are listed on our homepage www.lotustours.net, located on the bottom of the page, right above “Resources”.