Ancient China Tour

（ Beijing, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Suzhou & Shanghai ）

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing. You will be met at Beijing airport and transferred to 4 star Holiday Inn or similar class hotel;

Day 2: Beijing (B.L.D) The day begins at Tiananmen Square, the largest City Square in the world. From Tiananmen Square, visitors enter the gates of the Forbidden City. This massive complex was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With almost 10,000 rooms, this remarkable, well-preserved imperial palace is the largest palace in the world. After lunch, you will visit a Hutong, which is an ancient city alley, to experience the life of the local people. After dinner, we will take you to the theatre to see an amazing display of Beijing acrobatics.

Day 3: Beijing (B.L.D) Today you will visit the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall is the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is a most amazing man-made structure. After climbing the Great Wall, you will visit the Summer Palace, which is the largest and best preserved of all the imperial palace gardens, and boasts such delights as the "Marble Boat" and the ornately painted "Long Corridor". For dinner, we will have a famous Beijing Duck Banquet. In the evening we will take you for a traditional Chinese sculled cruise on Houhai Lake. You will enjoy the beautiful scenery while listening to Chinese music played by a local girl on board.

Day 4: Beijing/Xi'an (B.L.D) The morning is free for you to explore more of Beijing. In the afternoon we will take you on a tour to the Temple of Heaven, a Ming Temple where the Emperors performed annual rites essential for the well being of their land. In the late afternoon you will fly to Xian, the most historic city in China, it used to be the capital of ancient China for 11 dynasties. You will spend two nights in Xian at 4 star hotel or similar class.

Day 5: Xi'an (B.L.D) Today you will see the "Terracotta Warriors". They are found at an archaeological site which so far has yielded some 8000 ancient terra cotta soldiers and horses, each a unique, finely detailed sculpture. You will also visit the Provincial Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and a City Gate, followed by a delicious dumpling banquet and stage show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre.

Day 6: Xi'an/Hangzhou (B.L.D) In the morning you will fly to Hangzhou. First you will visit the Lingyin Temple, after lunch, take a cruise on the beautiful West Lake before going to Huagang Park to see the Red Carp. The afternoon will be completed with a visit to a tea plantation where you can taste the tea as well as acquaint yourself with the ancient refining process of tea. You will spend one night in Hangzhou at 4 star or similar class

Day 7: Hangzhou/Suzhou (B.L.D) In the morning we will take you to the small historical town of Xitang. Xitang is an example of a water-town, typical of this part of China. After lunch, you will take a coach to Suzhou which is often referred to as the "Venice of the East". Suzhou is so named because it is built around a network of canals and bridges that fan out from the Grand Canal. Suzhou is also famous for its gardens. You will spend one night in Suzhou.

Day 8: Suzhou/Shanghai (B.L.D) The morning will begin with a visit to Tiger Hill with its Cloud Rock Pagoda. The pagoda is the symbol of Suzhou, it leans a bit to one side like the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" in Italy. You will then visit the picturesque "Humble Administrator's Garden". This is Suzhou's best known garden. After lunch, we will make our way to the Panman ancient water gate, built 2,500 years ago. The next stop will be Suzhou number one silk factory where you will witness, step by step, the production of the finest silk in China. In the afternoon you will board the coach to travel to China's largest city, Shanghai. You will spend two nights in Shanghai at 4 star hotel or similar class.

Day 9: Shanghai (B.L) Today you will take a city tour around Shanghai. The city tour takes us to the Yu Yuan Garden, a classical Ming Dynasty garden with pavilions, towers, and terraces. Then to the new district across from the Bund called Pudong to experience the economy booming in China. After a wonderful Mongolian meal, you will visit the famous Bund, Nanjing Road, and Shanghai Museum

Day10: Shanghai (B.) Today you will be free to go shopping and explore more of Shanghai until it is time for your transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Day11: Shanghai/Home You will arrive back home in the morning.