Book of China: Chapter Five - Oriental Express 16 Days – Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Yangtze River Cruise, Xi’an Booking Hotline 1-877-618-3886 www.rewardsholiday.com An Epic itinerary covers all you mast sees in mainland China. In Beijing, explore imperial treasures like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Explore cosmopolitan Shanghai and surrounding cities. Step on a 4 days 3 nights Yangtze River cruise to see China’s mother river. Finally visit the necropolis at Xian, where you encounter thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors.
Transcript
Book of China: Chapter Five - Oriental Express
16 Days – Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Yangtze River Cruise, Xi’an
Booking Hotline 1-877-618-3886
www.rewardsholiday.com
An Epic itinerary covers all you mast sees in mainland China. In Beijing, explore
imperial treasures like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Explore
cosmopolitan Shanghai and surrounding cities. Step on a 4 days 3 nights Yangtze
River cruise to see China’s mother river. Finally visit the necropolis at Xian, where
you encounter thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors.
Itinerary Day 1 Departure
To start off your amazing China Tour, you will leave your departure city
and fly to Beijing. Meals and snacks will be provided on the plane.
Day 2 Arriving Beijing
When you arrive in Beijing, a Rewards Holiday local representative will
meet and greet you at the airport. The local representative will then
transfer you to your hotel where you can enjoy the rest of the day for self-
exploring or relaxation.
Marco Polo Parkside Beijing or similar
Day 3 Beijing
Today, we will visit the world renown Tiananmen Square, the very centre
of the capital of China. After, venture into the Forbidden City, the former
palaces of many emperors throughout the Ming and Qing dynasty; a true
architectural masterpiece. The Forbidden City is also a home to the
National Palace Museum, which showcases many rotating exhibitions of
ancient Chinese arts and crafts. Get a great opportunity to learn about the
hierarchy and culture associated with it. After lunch, proceed to the
Summer Palace. The palace was once a royal retreat, after the fall of Qing
dynasty, it has since been under careful protection and is now renown for
being the best-preserved imperial garden in the world. Explore the
spectacular park and experience the imperialness associated with it. This
evening, delight in a famous Peking Duck dinner banquet.
Marco Polo Parkside Beijing or similar
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4 Beijing
Today's highlight is an excursion to the world renowned, majestic, The
Great Wall (JuYongGuan); Also known as one of the “Seven Wonders of
the World”. Get a chance to climb a section of this 3,700-mile marvel and
get a breathtaking experience to the beauty and magnificence of this
wonder. Afterwards, tour the iconic “2008 Beijing Olympic Center”;
including the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. The Olympic Centre now
hosts many spectacular opening ceremonies and events. Experience the
brilliant architectural structure design from the outside view, providing a
perfect photo opportunity to capture these gorgeous buildings. Then, visit
one of the largest Jade Exhibitions in Asia, made possible by the Dragon
Land Jade company. Observe the sophisticated craftsmanship of the many
jades on display and get a great opportunity to bring one home yourself.
Tonight, you will attend a large-scale musical drama show, The Golden
Mask Dynasty show. An original Chinese drama play, which incorporates
dancing, lighting and acoustics, acrobatics and some magnificent costumes
to recreate the wonderful legend. Produced by Chinese playwrights,
directors and designers, the play has eight chapters and includes more
than 200 actors from China and abroad in a single performance.
Marco Polo Parkside Beijing or similar
Breakfast / Lunch
Day 5 Beijing- Suzhou or
Today, we will take a tour to the Temple of Heaven, an imperial complex
of religious buildings, it is recognized by UNESCO as an architectural
masterpiece built between 1406-1460 A.D. Historically, it is an Imperial
Sacrificial Alter, and was used in the past by emperors from the Ming and
Qing dynasties for ceremonial honouring and praising to the gods of
harvest, atonement for the sins of their people and seek divine clearance
from the gods. Afterwards, take a famous rickshaw Hutong Tour and
experience the culture and dynamics of what it would have been like to
reside in ancient China. Then, received more insight on the diminishing of
Hutongs through a Local Family Visit, where, also, an included local family
meal will take place. Later, visit a famous Chinese Medical and
Pharmaceutical company, Tong Ren Tang. Officially founded in year 1669,
it has trained and provided many imperial doctors to former emperors of
Qing dynasty. Discover the rich history, theory and philosophy of
traditional Chinese medicine. Also, find out the health preservation
methods through the Chinese medical way. During the late evenings,
transportation to Suzhou via flight to Shanghai or high-speed train.
Titan Times Hotel or similar
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6 Suzhou- Wuxi
Suzhou, the city in which is also known as a paradise, the Oriental Venice,
for its exquisite water routes (canals), bridges, pagodas and gardens.
Suzhou is also an UNESCO designated “World Heritage Site”. After
breakfast, tour the Lingering Garden, a classic private garden housing
more than 500-years of history. Next, visit a renowned traditional Silk
Culture and Exhibition Centre, noted to be the largest silk producer in the
country, where you will discover the mysterious processing of silk. After
lunch, enjoy a relaxed and soothing canal ride inside the city, enjoy the
picturesque feeling the ancient city offers on the Grand Canal Cruise. Later
afternoon, continue onwards to Wuxi to visit the LingShan Grand Buddha.
Recognized as one of China's largest Buddha statues standing over at an
amazing 80m tall. Explore the whole LingShan area attraction with musical
fountains that play-out the story of the birth of Buddha. Also, visit the
spiritual Brahma palace (梵宫), a very grand palace with the pillars that
are entirely made of sandalwood; Known to host the 2009 Buddhist
conference.
Kingtown hotel or similar
Breakfast / Lunch
Day 7 Wuxi- Hangzhou
This morning, tour the brilliance of Lihu Park, located at the famous Lake
TaiHu. Followed by a visit to the fresh water pearl processing company,
the “Yuanrun Ju” jewel corporate. Since its establishment in 1984, it has
taken over, with high techniques, the farming, researching, processing and
gallering of fresh water pearls for the district. Continue onwards to
Hangzhou, the city described by Marco Polo as “City of Heaven” and “the
most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. This evening, enjoy a
symbolic performance of Hangzhou, “The Romantic Show of SongCheng”.
Performed over 2,000 times per year. Since its creation, the show has been
performed more than 20,000 times, and entertained over 60 million
audiences. It is one of the theatrical performances that had performed for
the most times and performed to largest recording audience number;
along with the O Show in Las Vegas, and the Moulin Rouge in Paris, the
three are regarded as the "Top 3 Famous Shows in the World".
Holiday Inn Hangzhou Gongshu Hotel or similar
Breakfast / Lunch
Day 8 Hangzhou- Shanghai
Hangzhou, also known as the “Paradise on Earth”, has been immortalized
and celebrated by countless poets and artists. The West Lake Cultural
Landscape has been recognized by UNESCO as a site of World Heritage.
After breakfast, visit The West Lake, the most sensational and beautiful
lake in the country. Then, take an amazing boat ride on the serene West
Lake, the most renowned feature of Hangzhou, noted for its scenic beauty
which blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites
throughout the path. Then, visit the No.1 tea plantation site and get a
chance to taste the well-known Dragon Well Tea. Many studies proofs that
green tea is excellent for your health, and Dragon Well Tea is the best
Green Tea in China offers. After lunch, transport to Shanghai. Upon arrival
in Shanghai, walk along the famous Bund, lined by the colonial architecture
of European designs, this area is the best place to capture China under the
Western influences of the old days. It now is known as the “Wall Street of
the East”. Later evening, participate on a western influenced Chinese
Acrobatic Show - ERA: The Intersection of Time.
Melia Shanghai Hongqiao or similar
Breakfast / Lunch
Day 9 Shanghai
After breakfast early morning, tour the famous Shanghai Museum. Where
you get to see ancient Chinese art, furniture and jade. Shortly followed by
a visit to an Emerald exhibition center. Then, visit the City God Temple
Bazaar. Which composes of specialty stores, selling traditional Chinese arts
and crafts, medicine and souvenirs. At night, enjoy a scenery ride on the
Huangpu River Night and get a breath-taking glimpse of the dazzling and
charming night view of Shanghai.
Melia Shanghai Hongqiao or similar
Breakfast / Lunch
Day 10 Shanghai- Yichang- Yangtze River Cruise
After breakfast, we will take, China’s best, high-speed train which travels
at an incredible 300km/hour speed, to the port city of Yichang to board
our cruise line. “Yangtze River”, also known as the mother river of China,
is the longest river in Asia, measured at a stunning 6,300 km. The river
originates from flows of melting glacial waters in Tibet, extending and
reaching as far to the “East China Sea” in Shanghai. After boarding, relax
and prepare for your 4 nights on cruise, experiencing the absolute
breathtaking sceneries of this 6,300 km magnificent natural wonder.
Yangtze River Curise
Breakfast
Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise
En-route, experience and capture the world’s largest hydroelectricity
project, the “Three Gorges Dam”. It is located across by the town of
Sandouping. The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest power station
in terms of installed capacity (22,500 MW). The annual electricity
generated by this marvel is of 20-times more than the famous Hoover
Dam in Nevada, United States. An optional tour provided by the Cruise
line can be purchased on route (available if river condition permits),
which includes a visit to the “Tribe of the Three Gorges” or “Hometown
of Qu Yuan”; offering interesting glimpses into the culture and history of
the Xiling Gorge region.
Yangtze River Curise
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 12 Yangtze River Cruise
After Breakfast, enjoy the “Three Little Gorges” zigzags, occupying about
50 km starting from Wushan County located south, to the Dachang Hui,
an ancient town located to the north. It, in reference, is at the lower
reaches of the three gorges at “Daning River” (66th branch of Yangtze
River) in Wushan County; The three little gorges are individually named,
“Dragon Gate Gorge Longmen Xia”, “Misty Gorge Bawu Xia” and the
“Emerald Gorge Dicui Xia”. Afterwards, enter the Wu Gorge, known for
its quiet beauty, forest covered mountains and cliffs so sheer that the
sun barely penetrates the precipices. Then, sail through the Qutang
Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic gorge of the Cruise.
After the astonishing sails, an optional tour provided by the Cruise line
can be purchased on route; A visit to the glorious White Emperor City,
which houses well-known stories of Liu Bei (warlord of Han dynasty
during the famous “Three Kingdoms” period).
Yangtze River Curise
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 13 Yangtze River Cruise
After breakfast, visit the “Jade Emperor Scenic Area”, a shoreside
excursion area near the city of Fengdu. It is the largest man-made jade
image of an emperor in the world. The sacred site features a 100-foot-tall
statue depicting the Jade Emperor, an important deity in Chinese Taoism,
as well as more than 200 additional Taoist and Buddhist sculptures (an
alternate excursion to “Shibaozhai” may be substituted depending on the
river conditions. “Shibaozhai”, literal translation the “Precious Stone
Fortress”, is a 12-floor wonder that leans against hills along the banks of
the Yangtze River). After the marvelous visit, an optional tour provided
by the Cruise line can be purchased on route, which visit the “Ghost City”
of Fengdu. The city, known complex shrines, temples and monasteries
dedicated to the believe of afterlife, has more than 2000-years of history
associated with it; It features statues of ghosts and demons and
showcases famous stories and legends correlated to them.
Yangtze River Curise
Breakfast
Day 14 Yangtze River Cruise- Chongqing- Xi’an
To end the phenomenal Cruise, you will disembark at Chongqing after
breakfast. Then, there will be a tour guide picking you up at the port, and
will transfer you to the airport where you will depart to Xi’an. Xi’an is one
of the founding birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization. Throughout
the 3100-years of Xi’an development, 13 dynasties have placed their
capitals here. The city is truly filled with history, some might even describe
the city to be a living history book. Xi’an, on international scale, shares
equal fame along with Athens, Cairo, and Rome, known as one of the four
major ancient civilization capitals. Upon arrival, we will visit Qin Emperor’s
Mausoleum, showcasing the world-renowned “Terracotta Warriors” and
“Horses Museum”. It is the most significant archeological discovery and
excavation site for China that took place in year 1974. Qin ShiHuang (d.
210 B.C.) is the first unifier and emperor of ancient Chinese civilization
during the Qin dynasty. The emperor was buried surrounded by life-sized
terracotta warrior sculptures, a funerary art with the purpose of
protecting the emperor in his afterlife. The emperor’s tomb is located at
the centre of a complex, designed to mirror the urban plan of a capital.
The “Terracotta Army” is rated one of the top attractions in China after its
enlistment by UNESCO in 1987. After visiting the museum, we will
continue to the Artistic Ceramics Factory, to learn the techniques about
the makings of the Terracotta Warriors.
Titan Times Hotel or similar
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 15 Xi’an
After breakfast, visit the “Small Wild Goose Pagoda” (XiaoYan Ta),
located on the highest mountain in the city. It is a, well-preserved,
symbolic, tower built in the ancient times. Dating of this tower goes as
far as 707 A.D. The tower is now functioned to collect Buddhists
materials that were previously taken by Indian pilgrims. Here we will
participate in a special class to learn about brush paintings, traditional
Chinese culture and Chinese Calligraphy. Next, tour Xi’an Museum, a
Tang Dynasty-style structure under national heritage protection. The
museum has a massive collection and houses over around 14,000 pieces
of items ranging from coins, clothing, potteries, weapons and many
more. All of which are rated as China's highest level of protection due to
its cultural importance. Later evening, a dumpling banquet will be held
along with a spectacular show featuring Tang Dynasty Dance and Music.
Titan Times Hotel or similar
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 16 Xi'an- Home
After breakfast, your local tour guide will transfer you to the airport.
Depart home (via Beijing or Shanghai) or extend your journey to other
