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"We are especially thankful to Lotus"
We were in a group of 24 people (8 families, each with a Chinese child adopted from Kunming). We visited Beijing, Xian, Kunming, Lijiang and Shanghai. The highlight of the trip was the visit to Kunming, which included the orphanage. We had adopted our daughter in 1994 when she was four months old. We were amazed how much the city has changed and grown in 12 years and were fortunate to have Lotus travel pave the way for our orphanage visit since visitations are no longer common practices and contain many barriers.
The orphanage director and two of her staffs greeted us at the door. Once we were all inside, the director led us on an extensive tour of the building and the grounds. We were eventually taken through the room where our daughter once lived in!
At the end of the tour, we watched a video about the foster care program and had some snacks and tea at the conference room. The deputy director from the BOL/CCAA and a few other adoption officials also joined us at the time. We commended on the beautiful and well-maintained orphanage and we also thanked them for the good caring they have provided. We also met a doctor and some of the nannies who worked at the orphanage when our kids were there. In each case, two or three of them recognized the child and seemed genuinely happy to be reunited with them again; at the same time, the kids felt great to be remembered by the nannies. We stayed at the orphanage for about three hours and really felt that it was an honor and privilege to be so warmly welcomed.
Lotus Travel organized a banquet dinner and we invited about 12 orphanage staff included the director, the nannies and the officials from Beijing to join us at the Green Lake Hotel. The banquet was held in a private room and the food was delicious. The orphanage director, nannies and officials each went from table to table to make short speeches. The orphanage director even brought little gifts for each child. I really felt as though we were not only ambassadors representing adoptive families, but also the representatives of the United States. I hoped we've met and exceeded any expectations they might have had. The entire day was perfect and couldn't have gone better! We are especially thankful to Lotus for this special day because I knew it would not have taken place without their hard work!
We were in a group of 24 people (8 families, each with a Chinese child adopted from Kunming). We visited Beijing, Xian, Kunming, Lijiang and Shanghai. The highlight of the trip was the visit to Kunming, which included the orphanage. We had adopted our daughter in 1994 when she was four months old. We were amazed how much the city has changed and grown in 12 years and were fortunate to have Lotus travel pave the way for our orphanage visit since visitations are no longer common practices and contain many barriers.
The orphanage director and two of her staffs greeted us at the door. Once we were all inside, the director led us on an extensive tour of the building and the grounds. We were eventually taken through the room where our daughter once lived in!
At the end of the tour, we watched a video about the foster care program and had some snacks and tea at the conference room. The deputy director from the BOL/CCAA and a few other adoption officials also joined us at the time. We commended on the beautiful and well-maintained orphanage and we also thanked them for the good caring they have provided. We also met a doctor and some of the nannies who worked at the orphanage when our kids were there. In each case, two or three of them recognized the child and seemed genuinely happy to be reunited with them again; at the same time, the kids felt great to be remembered by the nannies. We stayed at the orphanage for about three hours and really felt that it was an honor and privilege to be so warmly welcomed.
Lotus Travel organized a banquet dinner and we invited about 12 orphanage staff included the director, the nannies and the officials from Beijing to join us at the Green Lake Hotel. The banquet was held in a private room and the food was delicious. The orphanage director, nannies and officials each went from table to table to make short speeches. The orphanage director even brought little gifts for each child. I really felt as though we were not only ambassadors representing adoptive families, but also the representatives of the United States. I hoped we've met and exceeded any expectations they might have had. The entire day was perfect and couldn't have gone better! We are especially thankful to Lotus for this special day because I knew it would not have taken place without their hard work!
- Patricia Lyman, Westminster, CO
YunNan Children Reunion Heritage Tour
Yunnan province has the highest number of minority nationalities in China, with 25 ethnic groups, making for a culturally diverse population. Yunnan also has a diverse topography with mountains, snow capped glaciers, valleys, and beautiful farmland. Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan, is known as the Spring City for its spring-like climate all year round with its constantly blooming gardens. In the Stone Forest, you will see stones formed by millions of years of weathering and will definitely be amazed by the spectacular views. Lijiang is a UNESCO world heritage site and center of the Naxi minority culture. Its ancient city-Dayanzhen is a town carefully laid out around a central square with small cobblestone streets and lanes radiating out in all directions. It's a perfect place to stay away from the bustling activities at metropolitan cities. Come to Yunnan with its thousands of years old cultures living side by side together.
Tour Overview
Tour Code: PCRT-YNCRHT
Trip Duration:16 days/15 nights
Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guilin, KunMing, Guangzhou
Departure Dates:Every ThursdayItinerary
Day 1: US/Beijing
meals: n/a
Begin your YunNan Children Reunion Heritage Tour today when you depart from the US gateway city for Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing
meals: n/a
Arrive at the Beijing International Airport. Your private English-speaking guide and driver will bring you to the hotel upon your arrival. Have a good rest tonight and soak in the arrival to your child's birth country while you adjust to your new time zone and surroundings.
Day 3: Beijing
meals: B/L
Begin your day with a tour at the Forbidden City. Listed as a world heritage site in 1987, the Forbidden City contains the largest group of intact palace structures in the world. The palace is 720,000 square meters in size and contains 9,999 rooms, numerous pavilions, gardens and courtyards. Then visit the Tiananmen Square. Noted as the largest city square in the world, the square was initially designed for political rallies and important gala events. Today the square is flanked by the Forbidden City in the north, the Great Hall of the People in the west, Mao TseTung's Mausoleum in the south and the Museum of Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History in the east. This afternoon, stop by at the major 2008 Olympic Venues including the National Stadiums - "Bird's Nest", the National Aquatics Center - "Watercube" on the way to the imperial gardens of the Summer Palace. The palace was originally built in 1750 and was rebuilt in 1886. Located in the western outskirts of the city, the Summer Palace is the leading classical garden in China and a UNESCO world heritage site.
Day 4: Beijing
meals: B/L
Visit the UNESCO world heritage site today. Begin your day with a tour at the MuTianYu section of the Great Wall. Constructed more than 2,000 years ago by China's first emperor, the ancient wall is the world's longest man-made structure at approximately 4,000 miles in length.
Day 5: Beijing/Xian
meals: B/L/D
Explore the fascinating Hutong neighborhoods. Beijing's oldest Hutongs were constructed during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Your tour will take you through some of the best-preserved Hutong neighborhoods, which represented the history, culture and lifestyle of old Beijing. After a special homemade lunch at a local family residence in the Hutong Lane area, your family can learn how to make your own kites under professional instructions, and then fly your handmade kites with others at the Temple of Hea ven which is China's largest temple and altar. It is often regarded as the most recognizable symbol of China.
Early this evening, get onboard a luxury express train for your overnight journey to Xian.
Day 6: Xian
meals: L
Arrive early this morning in China's ancient capital city of Xian. Known as ChangAn in ancient times, Xian was the capital city of
China for 1,062 years (13 dynasties and under the reign of 73 different emperors); visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum for an in-depth look at China's extensive history with more than 2,000 items on exhibit. In the afternoon, get on top the 950-year-old city wall and ride a bike; be sure to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. Built during the early Ming Dynasty with a core of mud covered by three layers of bricks, it is the only city wall that remained intact in China today.
Day 7: Xian
meals: B/L
Embark on an amazing historical and cultural adventure today and begin with an exploration at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses
Museum, where you will find lifelike terracotta soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons created more than 2,000 years ago to guard the
first emperor's tomb. Their vibrant painted details worn away during weathering, thus revealing their original earthy color.
Learn to make JiaoZi (traditional Chinese dumplings) in a local restaurant and have JiaoZi lunch there. This evening, relax and unwind. Enjoy recording your experiences of the day in a journal or just lounging in your fine hotel room.
Day 8: Xian/Chengdu
meals: B/L
You will fly to Chengdu from Xian today. Visit the SiChuan Embroidery Research Institute in afternoon.
Day 9: Chengdu
meals: B/L
Embark on an extraordinary journey to the Panda Breeding Research Base this morning. A professional panda caregiver will give you a brief insight of the panda research findings and everyone will have the rare opportunity to hold and hug a baby panda; something everyone in the family is sure to enjoy. After lunch, visit the fascinating SanXingDui Museum. Little is known about the mysterious beliefs of the SanSingDui, yet visitors can gain a sense of the culture through intriguing displays of ancient and rare artifacts used in daily life and religious ceremonies.
Day 10: Chengdu/Guilin
meals: B/L/D
Your local English-speaking tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and bring you to the airport for your flight to Guilin. After lunch, explore the Reed Flute Caves. Enjoy the gorgeous views of beautiful backdrops created by the cool atmosphere and colorful lighting displays inside the caves as you pass by many fanciful shapes (don't forget to look for the Monkey King). Visit the Art Gallery in NanXiShan Park where your family can learn the basic techniques of Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting; certainly a fun activity for both adults and children.
Tonight you will stay at the Ming Garden Apartment Suites, which is located within the local Chinese residents' apartment complexes. Each unit is decorated in the Ming Dynasty Style with beautiful Ming furniture, an air-conditioning/heating unit, a private western-style bath, a kitchen equipped with microwave, refrigerator and cooking utensils; free Internet access, television and telephone. The apartment units are rated above five-stars standard and guests can also enjoy free late checkouts until 6:00 p.m. (all hotels request checkouts before 12:00 noon). All guests will have the rare chance to live among local residents within the same apartment complex. We can even arrange an assistant to make traditional Chinese meals for your family.
Day 11: Guilin/Yangshuo/Guilin
meals: B/L/D
After breakfast, embark on a Li River scenic cruise and enjoy a delicious lunch onboard. The landscape of Guilin is noted as the most gorgeous in China, with sparkling clear waters and magnificent green hills; you will see fishermen fishing with their trained cormorant birds occasionally as well. Your children will be excited to watch water buffalos either grazing along the riverbanks or taking lazy afternoon swims.
Day 12: Guilin/KunMing
meals: B
Depart Guilin and travel to KunMing for an orphanage visit. Lotus guides will sensitively and carefully assist your family as you embark on this most meaningful portion of your return trip. On this initial day of the city visit, one can spend time strolling the area and absorbing a sense of the city and locale.
Day 13: YunNan Province
meals: n/a
Your orphanage visitation typically includes a lunch meeting with the orphanage director and staff. If your family wishes to be in touch with the foster family, Lotus can also arrange a time for you to reunite if contact information is available. After lunch, you may explore your child's finding site. Record the day's events in your journal or just relax with your family this evening.
Day 14: KunMing/Guangzhou
meals: n/a
Take some final glimpses around your child's province to capture your special memories. At late afternoon, depart for Guangzhou by air.
Day 15: Guangzhou
meals: B/L
After breakfast, tour around Shamian Island: stop at the medical clinic where adoption medical exams are conducted and visit the photo shop where your child's visa photo was taken. In the afternoon, take another trip down memory lane when you visit the American Consulate. Your guide will then escort you to a local park where you can linger and relax while enjoying a story-time of traditional Chinese folktales to deepen your understanding of the rich cultural heritage of your child.
Day 16: Guangzhou/US
meals: B
Please meet your private English-speaking tour guide and driver at the hotel lobby and travel to the Guangzhou New Bai Yun Airport for your international flight back to the United States. Cross the International Dateline and arrive home on the same day.
 |
2-5 Persons | 6-9 Persons | Hotel Single Supplement |
Standard Class |
$2259 |
$1999 |
$440 |
Deluxe Class |
$2550 |
$2299 |
$780 |
| City | Standard Class | Deluxe Class |
Beijing |
Wangfujing Dawan Hotel |
|
Xian |
Days Inn City Centre Xi’an |
Days Hotel & Suites Xinxing, Xi'an |
Chengdu |
Civil Aviation Hotel |
|
Guilin |
Home Inn Rujia Qichezhan |
Ming Garden Apartment Suites |
Guangzhou |
Euro Asia Hotel |
Inclusions
- Beijing/Xian soft sleeper train tickets.
- Airfare between Xian/Chengdu/Guilin.
- Airport/hotel/airport (or train station) transfer as listed on itinerary.
- All listed sightseeing and tour programs with private English-speaking tour guide and private van or bus with driver.
- Hotels and meals as stipulated on itinerary.
- All prices are quoted in US Dollars and are subject to change without notice. Please check at time of booking.
- All prices are quoted per person based on two people sharing a room (double occupancy). Single supplement applies for single travelers.
Exclusions
- US/Beijing, Guangzhou/US international airfare. Please contact us for discount international airfare starting from your hometown.
- Passport and/or China Visa Fees
- Some meals
- Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Provincial Civil Affair Bureau orphanage visit filing fee
- Side trips to the designated provinces on Day 12-14 and the airfare between Guilin - KunMing – Guangzhou which can be arranged by us for an additional cost.
- The cost of holding the panda and taking a picture is additional to the entry fee. The costs are USD213.00/per person for holding a baby panda. Although the Pandas are cute and adorable, they may inflict accidental injuries in their playful nature.
Important Remarks
- For changes to the scheduled tour, please contact us for a price quote.
- All prices are quoted in US dollars, per person, based on two people sharing a room (double occupancy)
- A child has to be 11 years old or under on the last day of the tour to receive a discount.
- 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.
- 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.
- If your itinerary states "free time" or "free day", no activities would be planned for you and your English-speaking tour guide and driver would not be present.
- Lotus Travel highly recommends clients to purchase travel insurance. The Travel Plus Plan, offered by the Travelex Insurance Company, has excellent travel benefits and children 15 and under are free of charge when traveling with an adult.
- A Chinese visa issued at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles is good for 6 months. We recommend applying for travel visas at least two months before your departure. For detailed information, please visit the Web page at http://www.lotustours.net/promo/visas/index.shtml
- Lotus Travel offers a very affordable cell phone rental package to help you stay in touch with families while in China. Please contact our cell phone rental specialist Theresa for more details.
- A $500.00 per person non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration.
- Balance is due 60 days before departure.
Lotus Travel Terms and Conditions
Note: Customer Commitment - Each Lotus agent is committed to respond to each email with an acknowledgement of receipt within 24 hours. If you do not receive email acknowledgement within 1 business day, please check your spam box for our agents'response e-mail or send your notice to iris@lotustours.net or call 1-800-956-8873.