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China's Exquisite History Tour

Explore the rich history of China while exploring some ancient wonders and classical Chinese gardens! Start in Beijing with a visit to the Forbidden City and get a sense of the Royal family's living style. You will also visit the best-preserved classical garden and the infamous marble boat at the Summer Palace of Empress Dowager Cixi, which were built with the funding of the imperial Chinese navy. visit Tiananmen Square, which is the largest city square in the entire world and still used for political rallies and important gala events. Of course, take in the Great Wall, the most iconic symbol and relic of China. Leave Beijing and travel to Shaanxi province to explore the largest collection of underground relics. The first emperor's underground troops will certainly take your breath away as you explore the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum.

Next up is exploring world famous Guilin and the Li River landscape, rich with many karst mountain landscapes, which are known the world over. You can view this picturesque scene as you take a river cruise and explore the area, which is considered the most gorgeous in the country with its sparkling clear waters and magnificent green hills. Next, explore Suzhou and Shanghai with prestigious classical gardens. Enjoy the intricate designs of both the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Master of Net's Garden in Suzhou and the spectacular courtyards, pavilions and gardens in the classical Yu Yuan Garden (Shanghai).

Tour Overview
Tour Code: CHHT-CEHT
Trip Duration: 16 days/15 nights
Click below for: Tour Price / Accommodations
Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai
Departure Dates: Daily
Day 1 : Beijing
meals: N/A
Depart Canada to begin your explorations at China's most popular sites and cities. Cross the International Date Line enroute to China.
Day 2 : Beijing
meals: D
Arrive in Beijing and meet your English-speaking guide and driver after claiming your baggage. You will then travel to your hotel to settle down and adjust to the time difference. Attend a welcome dinner in the evening to get acquainted with the tour logistics.
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 tour to 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. Explore the fascinating Hutong neighborhoods. Beijing's oldest Hutongs were constructed during Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Your tour will take you through some of the best-preserved Hutong neighborhoods that represented the history, culture, and lifestyle of old Beijing.
Day 4 : Beijing
meals: B/L
Visit a UNESCO world heritage sites today. Begin your day with a tour at the Great Wall. Constructed more than 2,000 years ago by China's first emperor, the ancient wall is 6,350 km in length and the only visible man-made structure that could be seen from space. As an optional program at night, you can enjoy either a Kungfu or acrobatics show.
Day 5 : Beijing/Xian
meals: B/L/D
In the morning, explore the imperial gardens of the Summer Palace originally built in 1750 and later 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. In the afternoon, visit China's largest temple and altar-the Temple of Heaven, which is often depicted as the most recognizable symbol of China. You can fly kites there. 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), under the reign of 73 different emperors. Visit the Xi'an 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 to remain 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 (dumplings) in a local restaurant and have JiaoZi lunch there. Enjoy recording your experiences of the day in a journal or just lounging in your fine hotel room.
Day 8 : Xian/Guilin
meals: B/L/D
You will fly to Guilin from Xian today. After lunch, begin your tour with a visit to the Reed Flute Caves (Ludi Yan). Enjoy the spectacular 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).
Day 9 : Guilin/Yangshuo/Guilin
meals: B/L/D
After breakfast, embark on a Li River scenic cruise along the Li River 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 10 : Guilin/Hangzhou
meals: B/L
This morning you will visit the Guilin Children's Palace to learn basic techniques of Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting. After lunch, explore the Duxiu Peak and Elephant Trunk Hill before transferring to the airport for your flight to Hangzhou.
Day 11 : Hangzhou
meals: B/L
After breakfast, visit the Ling Yin (Soul's Retreat) Temple founded in 326 AD by the Indian monk Hui Li. In the afternoon, get onboard a gorgeous scenic cruise on West Lake (Xihu).
Day 12 : Hangzhou/Suzhou
meals: B/L
Visit Hua Gang Park located at the southwest end of West Lake (Xihu) this morning. After enjoying your included Chinese lunch, get onboard the train to Suzhou.
Day 13 : Suzhou
meals: B/L
Suzhou is known as the "Venice of the East". Today you will visit the Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan) located at the Loumen Gate of Suzhou, which is often regarded as one of the major gardens in China. Continue your tour at the Taoist Temple of Mystery (Xuan Miao Guan), founded during the third century. Move on to the Embroidery Research Institute this afternoon to observe and purchase the delicate works of the artists as they embroider on the silks with intricate patterns. Having a historical background of more than 2,000 years in embroidery, the research institute in Suzhou is rated one of the four major schools of Chinese embroidery.
Day 14 : Suzhou/Shanghai
meals: B/L
This morning, explore the finest garden in Suzhou-- Master of Nets Garden (Wangshi Yuan). After enjoying your included Chinese lunch, get onboard the train to Shanghai.
Day 15 : Shanghai/Zhu Jia Jiao/Shanghai
meals: B/L
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic one-hour drive to the ancient town of Zhu Jia Jiao. Opened recently to visitors, Zhu Jia Jiao retains its charm and grace reminiscent of traditional Chinese painting, along with its quaint buildings, traditional arched bridges, and willow lined canals. You will pass by traditional craft workshops, picturesque canals, and teashops during your tour. Return to Shanghai in the afternoon.
Day 16 : Shanghai
meals: B/L
Your first stop will be the Bund, located near the Huang Pu River. Then visit the Yu Yuan Garden nearby, where you can view intricately designed gardens, pavilions, koi stocked pools and courtyards. Transfer to Shanghai airport for flight back to Canada in the afternoon after the included Chinese lunch.

REMARKS:

    B = Breakfast      L = Chinese Lunch                D = Chinese Dinner
    CA= Air China     CZ=China Southern Airline     MU=China Eastern Airlines
Tour Prices:
Valid: Apr 01, 2024- Mar 31, 2025
1 Person 2-5 Persons 6-9 Persons 10 Persons Hotel Single Supplement
Standard Class $6310.00 $3820.00 $2750.00 / $565.00
Deluxe Class $6550.00 $3940.00 $2870.00 / $660.00
Superior Class $7080.00 $4205.00 $3140.00 / $840.00
Note: child price is 80% of adult price.


Accommodations:
City Standard Class Deluxe Class Superior Class
Beijing . Phoenix Palace Hotel Novotel Peace Hotel Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong
Xian . Tang City Hotel Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an DaJing Castle Hotel
Guilin . Guilin Days Hotel Guilin Exhibition International Hotel Guilin Exhibition International Hotel
Hangzhou . Hangzhou C.Straits International Hotel Hangzhou Culture Plaza Hotel Plaza International Hotel. Zhejiang
Suzhou . Suzhou Holiday Inn Express Suyuan Hotel Suzhou Pan Pacific Hotel
Shanghai . Holiday Inn Express Shanghai BaoLong Hotel Northern Hotel Shanghai

Hotel Information:
Hotel Indoor Pool Outdoor Pool Gym Safe Box Refrigerator Hair Dryer Kitchen
Phoenix Palace Hotel           √   √
Novotel Peace Hotel   √     √   √   √   √
Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong   √       √   √   √
Tang City Hotel             √
Grand Noble Hotel       √     √   √
Xi'an DaJing Castle Hotel       √   √   √   √
Guilin Days Hotel         √   √   √
Guilin Exhibition International Hotel   √     √   √   √   √
Guilin Exhibition International Hotel   √     √   √   √   √
Hangzhou C.Straits International Hotel             √
Hangzhou Culture Plaza Hotel       √   √   √   √
Plaza International Hotel. Zhejiang         √   √   √
Suzhou Holiday Inn Express             √
Suyuan Hotel       √   √   √   √
Suzhou Pan Pacific Hotel   √   √   √   √     √
Holiday Inn Express         √   √   √
Shanghai BaoLong Hotel   √     √   √   √   √
Northern Hotel Shanghai   √     √   √   √   √

Inclusions

  • Three different styles of hotels listed as above.
  • Tour price includes hotel accommodations, sightseeing and meals as noted in the itinerary, intra-China airfare, private transfers and ground transportation, and the services of an English- speaking guide and driver.
  • Beijing/Xian, Hangzhou/Suzhou/Shanghai train tickets.
  • 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

  • Passport or China Visa Fees.
  • Tips to guides and driver.
  • Optional Program.
  • Expenses of a personal nature.
  • Costs associated with side-trip to orphanage
  • International Airfare (Please contact our travel advisors for the consolidator rate of international air ticket).
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