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Day-By-Day Itinerary |
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This itinerary can be fully customized; to tailor this package to your specific requirements please call one of our travel specialists at 1-800-22-SWAIN. |
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Day 1 Fly USA to Beijing Day 2 Arrive Beijing For centuries, Beijing has played a major role in China's imperial rule. It was Kublai Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, who reunified the Chinese territories and transferred the capital to Beijing during the 13th century. Beijing was not only a lasting imperial city, but also a thriving trading city that served as the easternmost terminus of the caravan routes of the Silk Road. Today, Beijing remains as it was centuries ago-a great center of power and commerce. It is a bustling metropolis of soaring high-rises, gaudy billboards, teeming highways and a growing international stature. Although a number of Beijing's historical sites are slowly being preserved, many of the city's ancient neighborhoods have been razed in recent years to make way for glitzy commercial skyscrapers and apartment blocks. Nevertheless, Kublai Khan's imperial spirit remains in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Day 3 Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace Following a local Chinese lunch, continue to the masterpiece Temple of Heaven, an embodiment of grace and harmony. This is where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvest and it is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. The pomp and grandeur of imperial China lives on in this historic landmark so integral to the nation's soul. Conclude this afternoon at the Summer Palace, situated in the western outskirts of Haidian District. Containing examples of the ancient arts, it also has graceful landscapes and magnificent constructions. The Summer Palace is the archetypal Chinese garden, and is ranked amongst the most noted and classical gardens of the world. At the conclusion of today's tour you will be returned to your hotel. Day 4 Great Wall at Mutianyu with Ming Tombs Following a local Chinese lunch, drive to the Ming Tombs, which lie in a valley to the south of the Tianshou Mountains in Changping district, about 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Beijing. The tombs are set into the hillsides sheltering well-preserved artifacts of 13 emperors from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). The entire tomb site is surrounded by a four mile (seven km) road named the 'Spirit Way' that leads into the complex which is one of the finest preserved pieces of 15th century Chinese art and architecture. The main tomb of Emperor Wanli (1562-1620 AD) is open to the public for exploration; some sections have yet to be excavated. The Ming and Qing Tombs are dazzling illustrations of the beliefs, world view, and geomantic theories of Fengshui prevalent in feudal China. They have served as burial edifices for illustrious personages and as the theatre for major events that have marked the history of China. At the conclusion of today's tour you will be returned to your hotel. Day 5 Fly Beijing to Xian The flight duration between Beijing and Xian is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes and distance traveled is 585 miles. Transfer Xian Airport to City Except for its old city wall, some 8 mi/12 km around, Xian (pronounced she-on; pop. 2,911,000) looks like any other large industrial city. However, it holds several important treasures: Foremost is the Qin Army Vault Museum, home to the army of 2,200-year-old terra-cotta soldiers unearthed 25 mi/40 km east of town. In Xian itself, look for the Great Mosque (behind a long wall in a residential area). Used by Xian's large Islamic population, its buildings look mostly Asian, but with obvious Arabic influence. Also visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum (artifacts, relics and murals from the Tang and Qing Dynasties) and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. (Built in AD 625, it is one of China's most-famous pagodas-it has a great view from the top.) Finally, take some time to stroll around the night markets, where you can sample and take in the sights, sounds and tastes of the city's prevalent Muslim Hui minority. 550 mi/885 km southwest of Beijing. Day 6 Terracotta Warriors & Shannxi Provincial Museum The statues remain where they were uncovered, protected by a large (3.7-acre/1.5-hectare) hangar-like hall. Individual soldiers can be studied more closely in a museum exhibit in an adjacent building. Following a Chinese lunch onsite, continue with a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum for a cultural and historical overview of the province, beginning with the great Emperor Qing. You'll re-live the rise of the city's greatness as guardian of the wealth that came from the Silk Road. After a comprehensive historical overview at the museum, you will travel to the walled city itself and walk atop the 600-year-old fortification. At the conclusion of today's touring you will be transferred to your hotel. Day 7 Fly Xian to Guilin The flight duration between Xian and Guilin is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and distance traveled is 642 miles. Transfer Guilin Airport to City Guilin (pop. 700,000), the home base for cruises on the picturesque Li River, offers spectacular scenery and is just a short flight from Hong Kong. The river cruise, the main attraction, is a true pleasure. Moving among fishermen's bamboo rafts, the flat-bottomed boats ply a misty, shallow river, which is flanked on both shores by mountains and limestone outcroppings. (You'll be reminded of many Chinese paintings.) Most cruises last about four hours, with lunch included. The beautiful limestone crags seen along the river can also be found within Guilin, at Seven Star Park. At Fubo Hill you'll find the Thousand Buddha cliff (with only 400 statues), the Returned Pearl Cave and a 2.5-ton cast-iron bell. In the spring, there's a beautiful aroma in the parks from the red, white and yellow cassia blossoms. 240 mi/385 km northwest of Guangzhou. Day 8 Longsheng Terrace Fields (Full Day) Passing through quaint Ya and Zhuang villages, the highpoint of today is seeing Longji Titian (Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces), a beautiful fully sculpted landscape of terraces rice fields 17 miles (or 40 minutes) outside of Longsheng. May and August through to October are the best times to visit. May is planting season which offers the most spectacular vistas when the rice fields are submerged in water following the completion of the rainy season. September and October is just before the fall harvest when they fields are covered in waves of golden yellow. A local Chinese lunch will be included today and you will return to your Guilin hotel late this afternoon. Day 9 Li River Cruise (to Yangshuo Hotel) You'll be cruising upriver for the next four hours, sitting in cushioned comfort in the main cabin or enjoying the open-air viewing platform. Bring lots of film because this is a photographer's dream, and you'll want to capture the dramatic landscapes that Chinese artists have been painting for centuries. Lunch will be served onboard, with local favorites and fresh catches from the Li River. Your destination is the village of Yangshuo, where you'll disembark and stroll amid the colorful, bustling marketplace of local street vendors. After you stretch your legs and see the sights, your guide will check you into a local hotel while your luggage is transferred from Guilin. Day 10 Yangshuo Bicycle tour to Moon Hill (Half Day) Today take a guided bicycle tour of Yangshuo's Moon Hill area. One of Yangshuo's most visited sight, this karst peak obtains its name from a large round hole in the middle of the mountain. Moon hill may be climbed to the top for views of the surrounding area. You can walk up to the hole section or you can continue right to the top for great views of the local area. Transfer Yangshuo City to Guilin Airport Fly Guilin to Hong Kong All flight tickets to and from Hong Kong are booked and issued by Swain Tours and tickets and flight information will be in your travel documents. The flight duration between Guilin and Hong Kong is approximately 1 hour 5 minutes and distance traveled is 300 miles. Baggage Allowance: As per China Civil Aviation regulations, Economy Class passengers you are permitted one check-in item per person weighing no more than 44 lb. (20 kg.). One carry-on baggage item is allowed per person, not to exceed the dimensions 7.8 x 15.7 x 21.6 inches (20 x 40 x 55 cm.) and total weight not exceeding 11 lb. (5 kg.). Transfer Airport to Kowloon City Hong Kong is a place of contrasts: geographically, socially and economically. Although many Asian cities claim to be where East meets West, the former British Crown Colony-whose largely Chinese population was ruled by Europeans for 156 years-is probably the closest the world comes to the genuine article. Perched precariously on the edge of mainland China, Hong Kong has been battered by geopolitical forces for centuries. Thanks to its strategic deepwater harbor and proximity to Asia's most populous nation, the city profited as the capitalist gateway for the communist giant to the north. What was once a fishing village became one of the world's busiest international ports and business centers. Scratch the cosmopolitan, high-tech surface, however, and you'll discover vestiges of ancient China lying just below the city's modern urban facade and, in some cases, right alongside it. Residents invariably live in two worlds: Skyscrapers and enormous shopping malls sit next to narrow alleys crowded with traditional vendors' stalls. Businesspeople use cell phones to consult fortune-tellers before making important decisions. Taoist priests exorcise evil spirits from buildings, even from the city's racecourses. In sleepy walled villages, farmers tend their crops in the same way they have for generations. Day 11 Old and New Hong Kong (Full Day) At Central, commence a two-hour guided walk that takes you to the heart of Central business district where historic buildings stand amidst ultra modern office buildings, through and into the back streets of the old city of what was known as Victoria where modern Hong Kong began in 1841. Highlights include the Legislative Council Building, Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Building, the old Bank of China Building, the Court of Final Appeal, Central Government Offices and St John's Cathedral. Ride the Central - Mid-Levels Escalator and explore places like SoHo, antiques shops along Hollywood Road and market stalls on Graham Street. One hour of free time to explore Hollywood Road. From Wanchai take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for the breath-taking 360-degree view of the bustling harbour, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon as far as the eye can see. Break for lunch at the stylish contemporary Tien Yi Chinese Restaurant at the Peak. Following lunch continue by vehicle to Aberdeen village via the scenic resort areas of Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay. At Aberdeen board a sampan to see the fishing junks and the Jumbo floating restaurant moored there. The tour will continue to Stanley Markets where you will have free time to stroll around historic fishing lanes jam-packed with vendors selling Chinese artwork, silk collectibles and curios. Return to your Hong Kong or Kowloon hotel. Day 12 Day at Leisure Day 13 Fly Hong Kong to USA |