Window to China

Day 1 – USA-Hong Kong

Depart on your flights to Hong Kong, China.

Day 2 – Hong Kong

Land in Hong Kong. Your local guide will meet and assist you in your transfer to your hotel.

Day 3 – Hong Kong

Let China introduce itself on a Hong Kong guided city tour. Take in a spectacular view of the city from Victoria Peak, which also offers excellent shopping. Visit Stanley Market. As well as being jam-packed with restaurants, it’s a pleasant place to see temples and a small beach among the highlights. This afternoon, take a ferry to Kowloon to see the famous Taoist shrine, Wong Tai Sein Temple.

Day 4 – Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Guilin

Travel by ferry to Shenzhen. Shenzhen is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Proceed to the airport and board your flight to Guilin, a naturally scenic city on the bank of the Li River.

Day 5 – Guilin

Float down the mystical Li River today on a cruise that will take you to Yangshuo. Wind past 100 km of limestone cliffs rising up from shrouds of mist before arriving at your destination. Disembark and explore the area with your guide. Wander through lively Yangshuo Bazaar to get a taste of local culture. Return to Guilin for the night.

Day 6 – Guilin-Xi’a

Explore more of Guilin’s natural wonders today, beginning with Reed Flute Cave. The cave displays numerous stalactites, pillars and other formations caused by carbonate deposits, all lit colorfully along its 240 meters. Continue on to see the natural bridge formation on Li River, descriptively named Elephant Trunk Hill. Finally, depart for your flight to Xi’an.

Day 7 – Xi’an

Today’s activities include a visit to one of China’s most famous cultural treasures, the Terra Cotta Warriors. This literal army of life size, uniquely-sculpted warriors and horses was discovered in 1974. It has been attributed to the Qin Dynasty. Visit Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist temple built in 652 AD. Continue on to visit Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Its 70,000 square meters house over 37,000 artifacts.

Day 8 – Xi’an-Beijing

Take a guided city tour of Xi’an, including an up close view of the ancient City Wall. This afternoon, visit a local school in Xi’an. Exchange and understand each other’s culture and make new friends! This evening, depart on your flight to Beijing.

Day 9 – Beijing

Begin your stay in Beijing with a tour of the Forbidden City, the complex of imperial palaces which were home to the Ming and Qing emperors for over 500 years. Some of the grand halls have been transformed into museums for fine collections of Chinese paintings, calligraphy and other priceless artifacts. Later, visit the Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example of Ming architecture, where emperors performed the annual rites believed to be crucial to the well-being of the nation.

Day 10 – Beijing

Close your tour in China with a visit to one of the greatest man-made structures in the world, the 6,000 km long Great Wall of China. On to the Ming Tombs, which contain the mausoleums of 13 Ming emperors. Savor a special farewell dinner on your final night in China.

Day 11 – Depart

Board your return flight home to the USA.