13 Days / 12 Nights - $4,350
This odyssey tour introduces you to all of China’s must-see wonders – Beijing, Shanghai, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, the Forbidden City and the Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian before heading on to vibrant Hong Kong
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Day 1
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Arrive Beijing
After a warm welcome at the airport, take a private airport transfer to your hotel for assistance with check-in. The remainder of your day is at your leisure to rest up for the following days activities.
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Day 2
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Beijing (B/L/D)
Your first full day in China’s capital introduces you to the world’s largest city square, Tian’anmen Square, to the north of the Forbidden City before wandering this large Imperial Palace, once the seat of power for nearly 500 years during the Ming & Qing dynasties. The landscaped gardens, historic artifacts, and nearly 10,000 rooms captivate you in what is now called the Palace Museum. Beijing’s hutong neighbourhoods lined by traditional courtyard homes will be explored by pedicab before a visit to the Imperial Bei Hai Park. End the day at the local ‘Red Theatre’ watching the Legend of Kung Fu production; the story of a young boy on the road to enlightenment as a Kung Fu master.
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Day 3
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Beijing (B/L/D)
A visit to the tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors and a walk along the ‘Spirit Way’ begin your day en route to the Great Wall of China. Gain insight into the Wall’s historic story & construction before a leisurely walk and climb up the wall where you can award yourself with views of the surrounding mountains and the snaking wall making its way into the distance. As you return to the city, stop by the 2008 Olympic site to see the famed Water Cube & Bird’s Nest stadiums.
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Day 4
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Beijing (B/L/D)
See the playful pandas at the Beijing Zoo before a visit to the intriguing Summer Palace. The Summer Palace, another of China’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites was once the summer retreat for the Empress Dowager Cixi. Surrounded by man-made Kunming Lake, the palace is home to various buildings, an ornate corridor and a fascinating history. Later, tour the only Tibetan temple in Beijing, the Lama Temple, before your delectable Peking duck dinner.
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Day 5
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Beijing – Xian (B/L/D)
Enjoy a morning tour of the Temple of Heaven, the location where Ming & Qing Emperors went to pray annually for good harvest. The Temple was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty and is famous for its elegance and symmetry. Later, take a short flight onward to Xian where you will be met on arrival and then transferred by private vehicle to the hotel for check-in. Visit the Tang Paradise Cultural park, a modern park featuring traditional Chinese architecture highlighted later by a marvelous water show. A landmark of Xian is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda where you will drive-by and if desired take a walk in the large square nearby.
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Day 6
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Xian (B/L/D)
The highlight of any visit to Xian is the extraordinary site of the Terra Cotta Warriors. Not discovered until 1974 by local farmers, the Warriors are amongst the most fascinating discoveries of modern day. Tour the site with insightful commentary before enjoying a dumpling banquet lunch featuring dumplings of all shapes & sizes. Nearby Xian’s Drum Tower, take a walk through the Muslim quarter and visit the Great Mosque. Today’s tour concludes as you step back in time for a Tang Dynasty dinner & show before seeing the historic City Wall lit up at night.
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Day 7
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Xian – Shanghai (B/L)
Before flying onward to Shanghai, tour the underground Hanyangling Museum. The Tomb of Emperor Jingdi & his empress Wang of the Western Han Dynasty. Exhibits include pottery wares, terra cotta sculptures, and jewelry. Yangling Museum is the country's first and only underground museum. After lunch, fly to Shanghai where you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in where you can enjoy the remainder of your day exploring at your leisure.
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Day 8
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Shanghai (B/L/D)
In the morning, start your tour of Shanghai, a great contrast to the ancient capital of Xian. Visit the Shanghai Museum, a large museum containing ancient Chinese art, and then the Garden & Bazaar of Mandarin Yu Yuan. Explore the colonial Bund waterfront lining the Huangpu River with unimpeded views of the modern Pudong Skyline. Once home to trading houses & financial institutions, the buildings along the Bund are of European style. This evening, enjoy a jaw-dropping Acrobatic show at a local theatre.
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Day 9
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Shanghai - Guilin (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, fly to Guilin, in Guangxi Province. Guilin is a land of beautiful karst formations located on the banks of the meandering Li River. On your arrival, meet at the airport for your transportation to the hotel for check-in. Explore Guilin in the afternoon at your leisure and this evening enjoy a Folk Dance performance of the various ethnic groups in Southern China at the Li Jiang Opera House.
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Day 10
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Guilin – Yangshuo (B/L)
Start the day with a scenic boat trip down the Li River offering 30 miles of mist shrouded mountains rising from the riverbanks. Guilin’s landscape has been recognized in countless poems and paintings in ancient Chinese history. Enjoy lunch on board before your cruise ends at the colorful market town of Yangshuo, where you have an opportunity to shop for delightful souvenirs and gifts before returning to your hotel in Guilin by road.
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Day 11
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Yangshuo – Guilin - Hong Kong (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, complete your stay in Guilin with a visit to the stunning Reed Flute Cave, a water-eroded cave of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations, and then the Fubo Hill and Elephant Trunk Hill before getting to the airport for your onward flight to Hong Kong. On your arrival, you will be warmly greeted and driven to your hotel for check-in.
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Day 12
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Hong Kong (B)
Enjoy a morning tour of Hong Kong Island with visits to Victoria Peak by tram where you can have impressive views of Kowloon & the surrounding Islands. See Repulse Bay and stop at Stanley Market, and then visit the floating community at Aberdeen fishing village. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure or to catch up on some last minute shopping!
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Day 13
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Hong Kong – Departure (B)
After breakfast at the hotel and at the appropriate time you will be met in the lobby and then transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
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| Dragon Odyssey |
| Land Only* 2012 |
April - October |
| Twin Occupancy |
4,350 |
| Single Occupancy |
6,400 |
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*Price includes taxes, internal China flights except Guilin to Hong Kong, hotel with daily breakfast, private car transportation, comprehensive sightseeing and admissions with English-speaking guide.
Price per person, minimum 2 persons traveling together. Departs daily.
Entry Regulations:
Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into China. A visa is necessary to enter China. You will need to fill out an application form, 1 passport size photo and your passport to obtain an entry visa.
Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.
Climate:
The size of China ensures that its climate is extremely diverse, ranging from tropical in the south to sub arctic in its northern latitudes. Winter in the north, between December and March, is bitterly cold and very dry, with temperatures in Beijing dropping as low as -4ºF (-20ºC). During summer, May to August, rain falls and temperatures soar. In central China the Yangtze River valley experiences long, humid and hot summers between April and October, while in winter temperatures drop below freezing. In south China, around Guangzhou, summer brings typhoons and high temperatures between July and September. Winters are short and chilly.
Currency:
The Yuan Renminbi is the basic unit of currency in mainland China, the Hong Kong Dollar in Hong Kong and Macau Pataca in Macau. At present, the exchange rate is CNY6.77 to CAD$1 and CNY6.53 to USD$1; As exchange rates fluctuate each day, please check the current exchange rate near your date of travel.
Electricity:
The current used in China is 220AC 50Hz.
Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.
Language:
The official language in China is Mandarin along with hundreds of local dialects.
Health Requirement:
Normally, vaccinations are not longer required unless one travels from or via an infected area. Check with your local health authority for further requirements.
Airport Facilities and Tax:
China has various ports of entry. The international airport in the capital city is the Beijing Capital International Airport. Departure taxes are formulated into the price of the airline ticket.
Shopping:
Bargaining is common in China. Other than Friendship stores where prices are fixed, shoppers should bargain anywhere they shop. Friendship stores are popular with most foreign visitors as they are well stocked and can arrange shipping.
Cuisine:
Chinese cuisine has a long history and is one of China’s cultural treasures. Local flavors and snacks and special dishes have formed according to regions, local products, climate, historical factors and eating habits.
For more information please visit:
www.cnto.org
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- Tour East offices in Beijing and Shanghai provide 24 hour support
- Explore the Great Wall of China
- Private Hutong tour in Beijing with a visit to a local home
- Visit the Forbidden City and see the "Legend of Kung Fu Show" in Beijing
- Private tour of the Beijing Zoo to see pandas
- Marvel at the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum in Xian
- Li River Cruise and a visit to the market town of Yangshuo
- See the skyline of Shanghai, and explore the Shanghai Museum
- Tour bustling Hong Kong
- Beijing: Hilton Beijing Wanfujing *****
- Xian: Sheraton Xian North City *****
- Shanghai: Four Seasons Hotel *****
- Guilin: Sheraton Hotel *****
- Hong Kong: The Langham *****
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