10-Day Grand China Tour: Beijing - Xi'an - Suzhou - Hangzhou - Shanghai

Upon your arrival, please arrange your own transportation to your hotel. If you selected the airport transfer service when booking, your guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to check into your luxury hotel. Please contact your guide for the meeting point information.

This morning, you will sight-see Tiananmen Square, which is noted as the largest public square in the world and then the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government. Later we'll stop at a Pearl Factory to gain a little knowledge of fresh pearls, and then visit Summer Palace declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

The Great Wall of China is one of the seven greatest man-made wonders of the world and is definitely the focal point of China. You will hike along the Great Wall (Juyongguan Pass). After that, you will stop at a Jade Museum to learn the history of Jade. In Chinese, jade is pronounced as 'Yu', and it has a history in China of at least four thousand years. Later we'll visit Traditional Chinese Medicine Center and enjoy a foot-massage.

Today we continue our journey by flying to Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province, one of the oldest cities in China. Xian is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China with more than 3100 years of history. The city was known as "Chang'an" before Ming Dynasty. Xian is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Upon arrival in Xian, your first stop will be at the Buddhist Jianfu Temple, where the towering Small Wild Goose Pagoda commands panoramic views of the city.

Spend the day freely exploring the city or take the optional tour (own expense) to witness the famous "Terracotta Warriors and Horses." The serendipitous discovery of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses in 1974 has drawn throngs of visitors to Xian each year and ranks as one of the world's most important recent archaeological finds. Three excavation pits have been opened to the public with a fourth underway. Spend some time admiring the fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation. Next you'll head to the Terracotta Replication Factory that actually re-made terracotta soldiers. After lunch, we'll visit the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a square built in Tang style as well as the largest fountain square in Asia.

In the morning we'll fly to Shanghai. Here you’ll visit Shanghai Old Street, which is a top tourist attraction in Shanghai. Next, we'll journey to Suzhou, which dates back to 514 BC and is sometimes called the "Venice of the East". And visit Shan Tang Street, which has always been regarded as the first name of Suzhou ancient streets. It has a long history of about 1,100 years, its layout and architecture are the best to represent the characteristics of Suzhou's old alleys, and it has connections to many ancient Chinese celebrities and anecdotes.

Today you will visit the Lingering Garden and Silk Spinning Factory. The Lingering Garden is a renowned classical Chinese garden and is recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. China is known for its silk, so for sure we will take you to the Silk Spinning Factory. Then, we'll drive you to Hangzhou, where we'll take a small boat ride on the West Lake which reveals the ethereal beauty of Hangzhou's willow draped islands. You will admire the Su Causeway. It was built in the fifth year of Yuanyou Period in the Northern Song Dynasty (1090) and has evolved since then. At that time, Su Shi (Dongpo), a poet known as the prefect in Hangzhou Prefecture, had the West Lake dredged, and built the Su Causeway by dredged silt.

After a stop at the Green Tea Village we will then drive you to Shanghai to visit the Bund. Shanghai is divided by the Huang Pu River into eastern and western sections. Modern mega high rises are seen on the eastern side while traditional European style architecture may be seen on the western side. The Bund is a five-block riverfront promenade with many of Shanghai's banks and trading houses.

Take this free day to explore Shanghai any way you wish - visit the staggeringly ancient displays at the Shanghai Museum, search for last-minute souvenirs in Yuyuan Market, or arrange to watch a gasp-inducing show of Chinese acrobatics.

Today you'll check out of the hotel and depart on your next adventure. Please arrange your own transportation to the airport, or you can select the airport drop off service when booking.