Highlights |
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Guided Package Includes
- Flights NYC-Beijing, Shanghai-NYC
- Airline fuel surcharges
- Intra-flights
- 8 nights First Class accommodations
- All transfers
- 10 meals: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking local guides
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features
- Great Wall of China
- Terracotta Army
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Itinerary |
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DAY 1, Monday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA to China. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey
DAY 2, Tuesday - Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Beijing
DAY 3, Wednesday - Great Wall of China
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Great Wall of China, the longest man-made structure on Earth, spanning nearly 4,000 miles of China's northern frontier. Walk along the promenades and enjoy the unrivaled scenic views of beautiful mountain passes, plateaus and grasslands from this 7th-century defensive fortification. Afterward, depart for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Following lunch, continue for a tour of the Ming Tombs before returning to Beijing
Optional: Peking Duck Dinner
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4, Thursday - Full Day in Beijing
Enjoy the day at leisure to explore the capital of China independently. Perhaps visit Beihai Park to see its gorgeous 17th-century pagoda or discover the Beijing Botanical Gardens and Prince Gong's Mansion. History buffs might enjoy a trip to the Military Museum and Museum of History, while those interested in the arts might want to check out the chic 798 Art District for a chance to visit galleries showcasing the work of contemporary Chinese artists
Optional: Full Day Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven with Lunch
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Friday - Flight to Xian
Today, enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Beijing on your own. In the evening, fly to Xian. Arrive and transfer to your hotel
Optional: Full Day Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Zoo with Lunch
Overnight: Xian
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Saturday - Xian Antiquities Tour with Terracotta Army
This morning, enjoy a tour of Xian's antiquities. Your tour includes the archaeological site at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 B.C.), where more than 8,000 finely sculpted, life-size terracotta soldiers and horses were discovered by local farmers in 1974. The archaeological excavation of the three pits where the Terracotta Army was found continues today, more than thirty years since the time of its unearthing. Then visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was originally constructed in 652 A.D. at the height of Emperor Gaozong's reign. Its primary purpose was to house the Buddhist materials taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang, including relics and figures of the Buddha, as well as 657 types of sutras. Built of brick, the Pagoda is a towering 211 feet high, with a twisting interior stairwell and walls adorned with intricate engravings of the Buddha
Optional: Tang Dynasty Dinner with Entertainment in Xian
Overnight: Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7, Sunday - Flight to Shanghai
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Transfer to the hotel, and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Optional: Acrobatic Show with Dinner
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Monday - Shanghai City Tour
Enjoy a half day tour to the classical Yuyuan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple. Built during the Ming Dynasty by the high-ranking government official, Pan Yunduan. The Gardens' total area occupies approximately five acres, and features pavilions, ponds, rockeries, cloisters, and six scenic zones including the Sansui Hall and Wanhua Chamber. In existence for 400 years, the Gardens were specifically constructed for Pan's aging parents as a sanctuary in which to live-out their lives. Depart the Gardens for a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. The Temple's name derives from its two white-jade Buddhas, one recumbent on a redwood bed, the other seated on a lotus flower. In 1882, the two Buddha statues were brought to China from Burma. Afterward, transfer to the hotel
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Tuesday - Full Day Shanghai
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Shanghai independently
Optional: Full Day Suzhou
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10 , Wednesday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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Optionals |
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
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Peking Duck Dinner with R/T Transfers
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Day #3 |
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $32
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $40
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The Peking Duck Dinner has the reputation of being the most culturally famous meal in China. It is a must to experience during your visit to the country. Enjoy the culinary presentation as the chef roasts the duck directly over the fire and than slices the meat tableside. The duck is served with very thin pancakes, Chinese onions and special sauce. Transfers to and from your hotel included.
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Full Day Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven with lunch
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Day #4 |
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $48
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $56
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Enjoy a full day excursion to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Begin at Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Erected in 1417 at the height of the Ming Dynasty, the square was renovated and renamed two centuries later at the onset of the Great Qing Dynasty. View several impressive monuments outlining the Square's perimeter, including the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and the Square's famed ceremonial gateway. From here, venture north for a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), a construction comparable to the Pyramids in Egypt and the flowing Great Wall of China. Known today as the Palace Museum, the entire site is comprised of 800 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms. Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant close to the Forbidden City before visiting the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperor (considered the "Son of Heaven") displayed his respect to the heavens through ceremonial prayer. The temple is the grandest of the four great temples located in Beijing and is famous for its white-marbled, circular altar.
Departs at 9:30 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
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Full Day Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Zoo with lunch
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Day #5 |
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $46
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $54
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Today's full day excursion begins at Lama Temple, also known as Yong He Palace. Admire the inverted eaves, archways and Tibetan-style murals adorning the palace built for royal family members in 1694. Interestingly, the palace was rededicated a Buddhist Temple in 1723. Continue for a visit to the Beijing Zoo, situated in the Xicheng District, en route to the Summer Palace. The Zoo, which houses over 600 animal species within its 30 giant halls, was built on the site of a former imperial park. See exotic species like the Polar Bear, Kangaroo and African Zebra, along with China's most celebrated native animals--the Giant Panda and the Golden Monkey. Enjoy lunch at a local Chinese restaurant nearby before an afternoon visit to the Summer Palace. Known for its architecture and exquisite scenery, the Palace once served as the summer residence for the imperial households of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Return to Beijing in the early evening.
Departs at 9:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
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Tang Dynasty Dinner with Entertainment in Xian
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Day #6 |
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $67
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $72
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Dine on traditional Chinese dumplings to the beat of Chang' an music. After dinner, enjoy the celebrated Tang Dynasty show, a one-thousand-year-old dance performed by the passionate Tang Dynasty Troupe. This historical performance is a national art, reflective of the glory and richness of China's Tang Dynasty.
Tour details and departure times to be advised locally.
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Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
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Day #7 |
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $31
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $39
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Having undergone thousands of years of evolution, the Shanghai acrobatic arts has now blossomed into a unique style. The Shanghai Circus death-defiers will amaze and astound you with their high-flying versatility, fearlessness, and flexibility. This evening, enjoy a world-class performance that includes dance, magic, acrobatics and beautiful music.
Departs at 6:45 p.m. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel
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Full Day Suzhou
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Day #9 |
01 Sep 2008 - 31 Mar 2009 $125
01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 $105
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Enjoy a full day Suzhou Tour. Located in the northeastern part of Suzhou city, the Humble Administrator's Gardens is one of the four classical gardens in China. It is a fine example of a classical Chinese garden from the Ming era and typical of the horticultural arts south of the Yangtze River. Its westerly garden is home to a large bonsai garden, where more than 700 bonsai are displayed. Lunch included.
Departs at 9:00 a.m. from hotel lobby. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
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Rates & Hotels |
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What is Airfare Type?
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- Gate 1 Travel Airfare - These are Gate 1 Travel fares which allow you to book your trip while paying a minimal deposit at time of booking.
- Instant Purchase/Published Airfare - These are fares that airlines have published which require payment in full at time of purchase. In some cases, these fares may be displayed as Gate 1 Airfare with Instant Purchase Requirement.
To find the lowest available airfare, select [ANY] and you will get results for both kinds of airfare.
Each of these fare types has its own set of restrictions which cover changes, cancellations, fuel surcharges, etc.
Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details.
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Airfare Type

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We are unable to reserve airline seats for you until 11 months prior to your date of travel. Until then, we offer a choice of airfares from major US cities which you may select for your reservation. Your final flight details, airfare, airport taxes and fees will be advised 11 months prior to travel. Airfares are subject to change.
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Air reservations may be completed no more than 11 months prior to the date of travel. For travel more than 11 months prior, please call Gate 1 at (800) 682-3333.
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