Day 1	fri oct 5, 2012	USA to Beijing, China.
Day 2	sat oct 6	Arrive Beijing.
Day 3	sun oct 7	Beijing for Temple of Heaven & Forbidden City.
Day 4	mon oct 8	Beijing for Great Wall & Beijing Olympic Site.
Day 5	tue oct 9	Beijing for Summer Palace & Hutong.
Day 6	wed oct 10	Fly to Taiyuan. Drive to Pingyao. Chang Family Museum.
Day 7	thu oct 11	Tour Pingyao. Drive to Taiyuan & fly to Xian.
Day 8	fri oct 12	Xian for the Terra Cotta Warriors & Wild Goose Pagoda.
Day 9	sat oct 13	Xian for City Walls & Great Mosque. Fly to Shanghai.
Day 10	sun oct 14	Shanghai sightseeing.
Day 11	mon oct 15	Shanghai sightseeing.
Day 12	tue oct 16	Fly Shanghai to USA

WELCOME TO CHINA

Beijing, the capital of China, lies just south of the rim of the Central Asian Steppes and is separated from the Gobi Desert by a green chain of mountains, over which The Great Wall runs. Modern Beijing lies on the site of countless human settlements that date back half a million years. Homo erectus Pekinensis, better known as Peking man was discovered just outside the city in 1929. It is China's second largest city in terms of population and the largest in administrative territory.

The name Beijing - or Northern Capital - is a modern term by Chinese standards. It first became a capital in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), but it experienced its first phase of grandiose city planning in the Yuan Dynasty under the rule of the Mongol emperor, Kublai Khan, who made the city his winter capital in the late 13th century.  Little of it remains in today's Beijing. Most of what the visitor sees today dates from either the Ming or later Qing dynasties. Huge concrete tower blocks have mushroomed and construction sites are everywhere. Bicycles are still the main mode of transportation but taxis, cars, and buses jam the city streets

Day 1 - Depart the USA
Depart USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Beijing, China.

Day 2 - arrive in Beijing, china
Arrive in Beijing. After clearing customs, please proceed to the luggage area to claim
your checked baggage. You will be greeted by Coda’s representatives at Beijing International airport and transfer-red to the Regent Hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. For those interested, we will make an outing to Beijing's gay bars this evening for an introduction to China's gay scene.

The Opposite House, Beijing
Standard Room
Meals: None

Day 3 - beijinG: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN & FORBIDDEN CITY
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel.

Begin your exploration of China with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example of Chinese craftsmanship.
Walk through the park where local resident are exercising. Note the large number of people and the variety of exercises they do. Elderly people might be practicing slow-motion Tai Qi. Young ones might be practicing kung fu fighting or sword fighting. Ladies are often practicing traditional dances.

The Temple of Heaven is a sequence of temples and altars set in a park. Twice a year during imperial times, the emperor and a magnificent procession of some 1,000 eunuchs, courtiers, and ministers would leave the Forbidden City for the temple. At the winter solstice, he expressed thanks for the previous harvest, and on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar year, he begged the gods of sun and moon, clouds and rain, and thunder and lightening to bless the coming harvest. 

Special lunch restaurant
Bordering on Beijing’s ancient Imperial City, our restaurant gives new life to the spirit of Chinese aristocratic aesthetics.

Walk in the footsteps of emperors in the Forbidden City and wander through Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public plaza

Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world. It has long been a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. On the north side of the square is Tiananmen Gate (the Rostrum). It was from the balcony of the Rostrum on October 1, 1949 where Mao Zedong, chairman of the Communist Party, proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), directly behind the Rostrum, was home to 24 emperors beginning with its creation by Emperor Yongle in 1420 until the last Qing emperor, Puyi, left in 1924. The entire complex consists of 8,706 rooms in which an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people lived including 3,000 eunuchs, as well as maids and concubines, all within 170 acres.

This evening enjoy a welcome party at the Terrace of the Emperor Hotel where, weathr permitting, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the the Forbidden City

The Yin Bar at the Emperor’s Hotel might just be the best rooftop bar in the city of Beijing. The hotel itself is one of the Design Hotels of the World, a list we often respect when we are hotel hunting.

Dinner at a popular restaurant (food only)

Built to satiate Beijing's increasingly affluent diners, the cuisine at our selected restaurant is certainly above average, with a particularly good selection of fine Chinese cuisine and an extensive wine list to match.

The décor of this stunning restaurant attracts an affluent crowd and as it is located in the quiet workers stadium area, it is a haven from the busy Beijing just outside its doors.

Return to the hotel for overnight.

The Opposite House, Beijing
Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - beijing: the great wall
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

Morning, travel to the less-visited Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the great wonders of the world.(with cable car up and toboggan down)

The Chinese name for the Great Wall is Wan Li Chang Cheng, or "the Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li."  The first sections were built as early as the fifth century B.C. when a number of Chinese states in the north were fighting against each other and occasionally against the northern "barbarian".  It was not until the unification of the empire under Qin Shi Huang Di in B.C. 221 that the various sections of the Wall were linked up.  It is said that more than 300,000 men worked for ten years to complete it.  The wall has a pounded earth interior with stone facing walls and stone roadway along the top.

Lunch at the Schoolhouse, food only

The schoolhose at Mutianyu Great Wall has grown up around the site of an abandoned elementary school in Mutianyu Village. The schoolhouse offers guests and visitors a park like campus, with clean fresh air and wonderful views of the Great Wall from dining terrace. The Schoolhouse is a sustainable tourism project, incorporating the use of existing buildings, hiring and training local staff, sourcing food products locally and making handicrafts on site.

Visit Cloisonné factory en route back to the city

One of the traditional arts and crafts in Beijing of China, Cloisonné, whose history can be dated back to over 500 years ago, is well-known traditional enamelware. It is actually called the "Blue of Jingtai" as blue is the dominant color adopted for enamelling, and cloisonné became prevalent during the reign of Jingtai (1450--1456) in the Ming dynasty. Owing to the brilliant color and splendid designs, cloisonné has been highly appraised at home and abroad. Regarding the making of cloisonné, it involves quite elaborate and complicated processes: base-hammering, soldering, enamel-filling, enamel firing, polishing and gilding.

Take a view of Beijing 2008 Olympic Village (bird nest and Water Cube) from outside

Visit the National Stadium, which is nicknamed the Bird's Nest because of the unique design, is located at Olympic Green and covers an area of 258,000 square meters (about 63.8 acres). Designed by the famous Swiss architect Herzog & DeMeuron and China Architecture Design Institute, the construction started in December, 2003 and will have a capacity of 100,000 upon completion. Besides the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, this grand and modern stadium will host Athletics and Football during the Games. This Stadium will be the stage for both national and international sporting events, as well as cultural and entertainment activities after the Olympics. The glittering National Aquatics Center, namely 'H2O3', is another highlight of Olympic Green.

This evening you will have the opportunity to dine at a restaurant of your choice. Recommendations will be made by your Chinese tour manager who will also assist with reservations.

The Opposite House, Beijing
Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - Beijing: SUMMER PALACE, HUTONG, 798 ART DISTRICT
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

In the morning visit the elegant Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the largest imperial garden in the world

Drive to Northwest Beijing to visit The Summer Palace is one of the finest landmarks in Beijing. It has long been a royal garden and was considerably enlarged and embellished by Emperor Qianglong in the 18th century. It was later abandoned. Empress Dowager Cixi began rebuilding in 1888 using money that was supposedly reserved for the construction of a modern navy. Walk along the Long Corridor. This 728-metre long corridor is decorated with 8,000 paintings including many from the emperor-s travels around the country.

Lunch at a famous restaurant (food only)

Located in Beijing’s Shichahai area north of the Forbidden City, we will have lunch at a famed restaurant today. The stylish interior includes Chinese antiques and old Pedi cabs that were once the main form of transport in the Hutong area. The restaurant is made entirely of wood in the traditional Chinese style of ancient Hutongs.

Followed by visiting Beijing’s historic Hutong (“narrow lanes”) area by old-fashioned pedicab. Visit a local family living in a courtyard-style home known as a Siheyuan.

An essential highlight city tour to the Hutong area, this unique tour will be by pedicab (3-wheeled bicycle). The Hutong mostly built during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, are the narrow network of lanes created by closely built quadrangular homes. The houses and courtyards, hidden away and boxed in, are themselves closed off with wooden gates that often have carved characters intended to bring good fortune to the house owner and his trade. You will have a 20- minutes-ride through the narrow alleys to visit a home for tea and meet a typical family. The residents, who have lived through great changes, interesting and sometimes difficult times, are delighted in answering questions.

Afterwards visit the 798 Art Space in Dashanzi

The 798 Art Space is located in Dashanzi, an area to the northeast of central Beijing. It was formerly a large state-owned enterprise built by the Russians in early 1959 as part of a war-reparations deal with Germany. In 2002, artists and cultural organizations began using the space for design, photography, publishing, exhibitions, performance and art. They rented space in the factory and converted individual workshops into independent studios for art, architecture, music and fashion. The 798 art space and culture project has generated great interest and should not be left out of any Beijing art tour.

Dinner at a French restaurant

Tonight we dine at Beijing's only authentic French brasserie and winner of five consecutive years for “Best French Restaurant in Beijing from 2004-2008” by That's Beijing Magazine. The house specialty is still its sauerkraut and goose liver, which our French Chef contrives to infuse with the legendary lightness on which its reputation rests.

The Opposite House
Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 6 - Beijing/Taiyuan/Pingyao
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Taiyuan (flight No.TBA)

En route visit Jinci Temple.

 "Jinci", the ancient Buddhist temple, is located at the source of the Jin River by Xuanweng Mountain 25km southwest of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. The Jinci Temple was first built before the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) to memorize Shu Yu, the second son of King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty (11th century - 256 BC). After defeating the Shang Dynasty (17th century - 11th century BC), King Wu offered official posts to his followers and Shu Yu was assigned the post in Tang area, and he changed title of his fiefdom to Jin because of the Jinshui River.

Afterward visit Chang Family Mansion

Chang family has been dealing with the foreign trade of tea, especially for Russia. They opened a 10,000 meters long tea road from Fujian province to Moscow. After the great efforts of generations, the prosper of the household kept for over 150 years. Chang family pay more attention to the education of the children, so there is no lack of painters, calligraphers, or skilful writers. The art works such as tracery, colored drawing, stele, couplet, brick carving, the stone inscription are the pith of the business culture of Shanxi province.

Lunch at local restaurant

Arrival Pingyao and enjoy dinner in hotel, food only

Jing's Residence
Courtyard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Pingyao to Xian via Taiyuan
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

In the morning visit Pingyao Old Town

We walk on the ancient city wall, which is marked with a watchtower every 50 meters (164 ft) and visit several of the ancient courtyards and a complex of old private houses exhibiting their collections of art and furniture, all converted into museums. In addition to appreciating the ancient architecture, we learn about how banking started in China over a century ago here in Pingyao. Of particular interest is the Qing Dynasty yamen, or county magistrate's complex.

Taoist Temple and The Nation`s first bank

Qingxu Temple o­n the north side of Dong Da Jie is now the Pingyao Museum. This Taoist temple was a place where eminent people and scholars frequently visited to study and meditate o­n the Taoist teachings. Qingxu Temple was first built in Tang Dynasty and prospered in the Yuan Dynasty, occupying over 6,000 square meters. The o­nly Taoist Temple open in Pingyao, it‘s now also the o­nly cultural and historical museum. The museum has three parts: Taoist civilization, the history of Pingyao, and valuable cultural relics.

Lunch at local restaurant

Afterwards continue to visit Family Wang`s Compound

Wang's Compound is located in Jingsheng Town, Lingshi County, 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) from Pingyao Ancient City and 140 kilometers (about 87 miles) from Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. It is a luxurious residence built during 1762-1811 by the descendants of the Wang Family, one of the Four Families of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in Shanxi Province.
The compound occupies a total area of 150,000 square meters (about 179,399 square yards), of which 45,000 square meters (about 53,820 square yards) has been declares as a provincial protective cultural relic. Wang's Compound is not only an example of residential architecture, but also a museum of architectural art. Its sculptures of stone, wood and brick can be found everywhere in the courtyard. The crafts are refined and exquisite. Today, the architectural groups open for viewing are Gaojia Ya, Hongmen Bao, Chongning Bao, etc. Altogether there are 231 courtyards and 2,078 houses.

Transfer to Taiyuan and enjoy a Chinese dinner in the local restaurant

Transfer to airport for the late flight to Xian

Welcome to Xian

Xian, the eternal city, records the great changes of the Chinese nation just like a living history book. Called Chang'an in ancient times, Xian is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of the country. During Xian's 3,100 year development, 13 dynasties such as Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang placed their capitals here. So far, Xian enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals.

Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province, located in the southern part of the GuanZhong Plain. With the Qinling Mountains to the north and the Weihe River to the south, it is in a favourable geographical location surrounded by water and hills. It has a semi-moist monsoon climate and there is a clear distinction between the four seasons. Except the colder winter, any season is relatively suitable for travelling.

Upon arrival at Xian Xianyang International Airport, our local representative will assist the you to board deluxe air-conditioned coach waiting outside the terminal building. Transfer from airport to Sofitel Xian 5*.

5* Sofitel Xian on Renmim Square
Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Xian: OLD CITY WALL & TERRA COTTA WARRIORS
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel.

In the morning, visit the Old City Wall

City Wall, when Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), captured Huizhou, a hermit named Zhu Sheng admonished him that he should 'built high walls, store abundant food supplies and take time to be an Emperor,' so that he could fortify the city and unify the other states. After the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang followed his advice and began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618 -907), creating the modern Xian City Wall. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Cycling on the Xi'an City Wall

The ancient city wall in Xi'an is the best preserved one in China. It goes around the old capital city, Xi’an, where bicycle is convenient to ride for the flat landform. Tourists can ride bicycles on the wall to appreciate the beautiful scenery passing by. You will explore with more independence.

Learn about the art of Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting.

Chinese calligraphy is very much like painting. It uses Chinese characters to communicate the spiritual world of the artist. Just as one thousand persons will have as many faces, one thousand persons will have as many differences in handwriting. Through the medium of form, way of handling the brush, presentation, and style, calligraphy as a work of art conveys the moral integrity, character, emotions, aesthetic feelings and culture of the artist to readers affecting them by the power of appeal and the joy of beauty.

Lunch at local restaurant

Transfer to visit the extraordinary life-sized terra-cotta legion of warriors

The magnificent and grandiose Xian city Wall was constructed in the early Ming Dynasty on the basis of the Imperial City of Chang An (Everlasting Peace) of the Tang Dynasty.  It is also a symbol of treat significance of the famous historic cultural city of Xian.  One of the features of the Xian Wall lies in the fact that it has been preserved intact, which is rarely seen in the world. 
Uncovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well, the terra cotta warriors and Xian’s greatest and most important attraction.  The first emperor of the Qin Dynast, Qin Shi Huangdi, ordered the making of the warriors.  During his reign, he undertook military programs to the far corners of the known world.  The estimated 8,000 terra cotta soldiers are a testament to his power and megalomania. In the main and most impressive vault, the figures are arranged in typical battle formation in 11 columns comprised of officers, soldiers holding spears and swords and others steering horse-drawn chariots.   Each figure is 5’10” tall and each head has been individually modelled with unique facial expressions.

Buffet dinner in the hotel (food only).

5* Sofitel Xian on Renmim Square
Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - Xian: SHAANXI MUSEUM & BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA / Shanghai
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

In the morning stop at the Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum, the Shaanxi History Museum is situated on Yan Ta Road in Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. It covers 65,000 square meters, with a building area of 60,000 square meters. The newly built modern building recreates Tang-dynasty architecture and successfully symbolizes the great extent of Shaanxi history and its remarkable culture.

And have another historical explore on Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.

Xuanzang started off from Chang'an (the ancient Xian), along the Silk Road and through deserts, finally arriving in India, the cradle of Buddhism. Enduring 17 years and traversing 100 countries, he obtained Buddha figures, 657 kinds of sutras, and several Buddha relics. Having gotten the permission of Emperor Gaozong (628-683), Xuanzang, as the first abbot of Da Ci'en Temple, supervised the building of a pagoda inside it. With the support of royalty, he asked 50 hierarchs into the temple to translate Sanskrit in sutras into Chinese, totaling 1,335 volumes, which heralded a new era in the history of translation. Based on the journey to India, he also wrote a book entitled "Pilgrimage to the West" in the Tang Dynasty, to which scholars attached great importance.

Dim sum Lunch at De Fa Chang ~ the best-known dumpling restaurant in North China

Next to Tong Sheng Xiang is a great restaurant, De Fa Chang Dumpling Restaurant, with its own version of the Dumpling Banquet. Ingredients for the dumpling fillings include various meats, vegetables, and seasonings. Cooking methods include steaming, boiling, pan-frying, deep frying, and roasting. Many flavors, including salty, sweet, hot, and sour are offered.

The Great Mosque is the best-known Islamic Mosque in Xian City. It was built in 742 A.D. (first year of Tian Bao of the Tang Emperor Xuanzong), restored in each of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. The distribution of pavilions, halls, towers and platforms in the mosque is compact and exquisite, blending the traditional architectural styles of Islam and Han.

Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.

Welcome to Shanghai

 

 

 

 

 

Shanghai, Hu for short, is situated on the estuary of Yangtze River of China. It is the largest industrial city in China. Covering an area of 5,800 square kilometers (2,239 square miles), Shanghai has a population of 18.7 million, including 2 million floating population.

Originally, Shanghai was a seaside fishing village and in time its gradual development led to it being granted County status on August 19th, 1291 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Hence this day became the anniversary of the founding of Shanghai. Today's Shanghai is a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Bubbling Shanghai shows off every aspect of her unique glamour.

Upon arrival at Shanghai Airport, our local DA representative will assist the guests to board deluxe air-conditioned car waiting outside the terminal building. Transfer from airport toyour hotel

Dinner is at leisure.

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai
Deluxe Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 - ShanghaI: bund & yu yuan gardens
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

In the morning take the first step to walk along the famous Bund with its colonial architecture.

The city tour to the bund The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. It starts from the Baidu Bridge, which is at the connecting point of the Huangpu River and the Suzhou Creek, to the East Jinling Road and winds a 1500 meters (less than one mile) length. Walking along the Bund, which is at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen on the opposite side and also the Jin Mao Tower. Being one of the Top Ten Shanghai Attractions, the Bund is a really beautiful and special place which is worth visiting.

Climb the World Financial Center, the tallest building in Shanghai, to get a bird view of the city

Currently the tallest building in Shanghai, the Shanghai World Financial Center or SWFC, is the one that looks like a huge bottle opener. Standing in Lujiazui, Shanghai’s financial center in Pudong (that’s the east side of the Huang Pu River), the SWFC towers above other Shanghai skyline icons, the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Jin Mao Tower. On a clear day, you can see the building from downtown Puxi (that’s the west side of the river) but is best viewed with a sundowner in hand somewhere on the Bund.

 

 

 

 

Lunch at Green Ripple Restaurant

Afterwards visit the Yu Garden, one of the best examples of traditional Chinese garden design in the country. Afterwards, you will have some time to stroll through Shanghai's Old Quarter.

Yuyuan Garden, a place of peace and comfort in the heart of bustling Shanghai, dates back to the fabled Ming Dynasty. Now a popular tourist destination, Yuyuan began as a private garden created by Pan Yunduan, who spent almost 20 years - and all of his savings - to build a garden in order to please his parents in their old age. That is why he called this garden "Yuyuan" - because "yu" in Chinese means "peace and health".

Then tour to Xintiandi area

Located in the center of Shanghai City south of Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai Xin Tian Di has become an urban tourist attraction that holds the historical and cultural legacies of the city. Shanghai Xin Tian Di is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style.
Shanghai Xin Tian Di is unique because of its concept of construction. It retains the antique walls, tiles and exterior of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery, bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into Xin Tian Di, you will get the taste both of Shanghai in the 1920's and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century.

Dinner at a special restaurant (food only)

Since the opening of Xin Tian Di, gentrification has taken off in Shanghai. Our restaurant this evening is one of these new restaurants in a beautifully restored house. This is an upscale Chinese restaurant in a beautifully restored house that is full of local antiques.

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai
Deluxe Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - ShanghaI: side-car tour & shanghai museum
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

In the morning, have 1.5-2 hours city tour by “sidecar” (2 persons in one sidecar)

Visitors to Shanghai can now see the city from a completely different perspective. A group of long-term residents of the Chinese city are offering sightseeing trips from a seat in a motorcycle sidecar.
The motorcycles used for the tours are 1930’s-style Chinese ChangJiang 750cc, which are based on the 1956 Soviet IMZ (rbitski Mototsiklentniy Zavod) M-72, which in turn, is a replica of a 1938 BMW R71.

The journey takes in back streets not on usual tours and includes visits to see old frescoes from the Cultural Revolution; Asia’s biggest slaughterhouse built in 1933; a unique wedding market; and a trip on a river ferry across the Huangpu River, without getting off the bike.

Half day excursion to  the beautiful water town - Zhujiajiao

The ancient town of Zhujiajiao is built on top of the crisscrossing waterways that run from Dianshan Lake. The town is filled with every type of bridge imaginable, from wood to stone to marble, in differing sizes and unique styles. The town still has simple and elegant Ming and Qing dynasty (1368-1911) architecture that is quintessentially southern Chinese. Periodically, small wooden boats sail down the waterway, passing right under the eaves of the houses on its banks. 

Lunch at local restaurant

Enjoy a western dinner this evening (food only)

Funky modernism, classic nostalgia and absolutely delicious contemporary cuisine merge in a new restaurant that defines modern Shanghai. Set on the roof of the 1934 British Racing Club building, under the famous clock tower, our restaurant features a modern chic interior that manages to blend seamlessly with the old. All of downtown Shanghai surrounds you here, from the spectacular Grand Theater and Shanghai Museum to the Art Deco Park Hotel and the greenery of People’s Park, just below.

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai
Deluxe Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - Shanghaito USA
Breakfast at leisure in the hotel

Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport for the homebound flight. Or if you are taking the extension to Tibet, you will fly to Lhasa today.

Meals: Breakfast

	the opposite house The Opposite House is a 99-room intriguing urban hotel designed by eminent Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma. The name is taken from the guest house which sits on the opposite side of a traditional courtyard-style home. It’s also a named that suggests a place of contrast. So at The Opposite House, you’ll find an extraordinary mix of old and new. The design and styling is unlike anything you will have seen.
	JING’S RESIDENCE – a Relais & Chateaux member Located in the former courtyard mansion of a silk merchant from the Qing dynasty- Jing s Residence consists of a series of pavilions in the authentic architectural style of northern China. Its unique setting in the heart of the fortified town of Ping Yao- a UNESCO World Heritage Site- makes it the ideal place to explore the culture and traditions of Shanxi province.
	SOFITEL XIAN Sofitel on Senmin Square has 414 luxurious rooms and suites with elegant furniture and chic decor. Unique rain forest shower, Sofitel MyBed and broadband WiFi Internet and 3G tech, bring you the top hotel brand - "French art de vivre" of Sofitel.
	LE MERIDIEN SHANGHAI Rising 66 stories majestically above Shanghai’s central business district, Le Royal Meridien Shanghai is one of the city’s most impressive contemporary landmarks. Featuring a striking modern design with panoramic views, the hotel is conveniently located at the heart of Shanghai along the famous Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, adjacent to the People’s Square Metro interchange and just 10 minutes walk from the Bund.

Rates

 

 What Sets Us Apart

• Specially selected hotels. The hotels we choose are all of the a very high standard and are chosen to meet the demanding standards of our clients. Our hotels are modern and trendy with amenities that are sought after by the sophisticated traveler.
• Superb restaurants. We feel a large part of the enjoyment of a trip abroad comes from the time spent dining and discovering the cuisine of the land you are visiting. We select fashionable restaurants where you would gladly dine if they were in your own home city, rather than tourist oriented restaurants where you are more likely to see tour groups than local residents.
• Sightseeing tours with a twist: We know that our clients are interested in cutting-edge trends, art and having fun. Our sightseeing covers the traditional sights everyone wants to see, but it is often done is a different way – such as via side-car in Shanghai or visiting the Art District Beijing or taking a taboggan down from the Great Wall.

INCLUSIONS:

• 10 nights accommodations in hotels as listed in the itinerary in room categories listed. Breakfast daily in the hotel.
• All transfer and sightseeing as listed above with private coach/driver and English-speaking guide
• Meals as listed in the itinerary: 10 breakfasts; 9 lunches; 7 dinners
• Entry fee National guide service
• Pre-departure information and assistance

EXCLUSIONS:

• International & domestic airfares: economy class Beijing/Taiyuan/Xian…Xian/Shanghai with airport tax and fuel surcharge
• Meals that are not indicated in the itinerary. Drinks with meals.
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance
• Tipping to drivers & guides and tour manager

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
A visa is required for entry into China for American and Canadian passport holders. For current costs and to download forms, we recommend using Zierer Visa Service. To Speak directly to ZVS Customer Service, call 866-788-1100 (toll-free in the U.S.). Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and processing may take several weeks to complete. You may also apply directly with an Chinese Consulate in your area. For information, google the Chinese Consulate nearest you (e.g. Chinese Consulate New York). You must have a valid passport that remains valid six months past your return to the U.S. You should also have a minimum of two empty passport pages.

SHOTS
None required or recommended. It is recommended you have your regular vaccinations up-to-date before traveling. For further information, visit the Center For Disease Control website.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE
United Airlines, Korean Airlines, Japan Airlines, China Airlines are among airlines that can be used for this trip. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to try to use Frequent Flyer Miles for free tickets or upgrades or the American Express Platinum card 2-4-1 program.

MINIMUMS
All departures are guaranteed on a minimum of 2 participants. A small group charge may be assessed for fewer than 10  travelers. On fewere than 4 travelers, local guides only will be provided. This tour can be operated as a Private Tour on any dates that suit your schedule.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES / AVERAGE RAINFALL
The best time to visit China is generally either spring (March to May) or autumn (September to early November). Winters in China’s north and northeast fall between November/December and March/April, and are very cold. Summer is hot and dry, and falls roughly between May and August. In the southern part of China (around the Yangtze River and below), heavy rains and floods are common in June and July.

EXTENSION: TIBET, ROOFTOP OF THE WORLD

Lhasa is rightly one of the most featured and dreamt-about cities in the world. This is not only because of its remoteness, its high altitude at 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) means limited accessibility, but also because of its impressive heritage of over a thousand years of cultural and spiritual history that has helped to create the romantic and mysterious Tibetan religion. Differing from the inland cities and other places in Tibet, Lhasa is unique with an allure all of its own. In the Tibetan language, Lhasa means the Holy Land or the Buddha Land. It is the center of Tibet's politics, economy and culture. The city has also been appointed as one of the 24 historical and cultural cities of China. The splendor and grandeur of the Potala Palace in Lhasa remains a world-famous symbol of the enigmatic power of politics and religion in this region. Differing from the inland cities and other places in Tibet, Lhasa is unique with an allure all of its own. In the Tibetan language, Lhasa means the Holy Land or the Buddha Land. It is the center of Tibet's politics, economy and culture. The city has also been appointed as one of the 24 historical and cultural cities of China. The splendor and grandeur of the Potala Palace in Lhasa remains a world-famous symbol of the enigmatic power of politics and religion in this region. As the beautiful capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Lhasa is situated in the South Central part of the region, on the North bank of the Kyichu River (Lhasa River) in a mountain-fringed valley. This ancient sprawling city, settled 1,300 years ago, covers 30,000 square kilometers (11,583 square miles), with a population of 400,000, of which 87 percent are Tibetans. The urban population is 180,000.

Day 12 Tue, Oct. 16 - Arrive in Lhasa

Arrival in Lhasa airport (Flight No. to be advice) after clearing the customs, please proceed to the luggage area to claim your check-in bags. You will be greeted by Destination Asia representative with specially designed welcome signage at Lhasa Gongga airport and transferred to the city, on the way to Lhasa; you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and the typical Tibetan villages. Stay at the hotel after arrival for adapting to the high attitude. Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa Hotel~5*

Lunch and dinner on your own account

Hotel:  Sheraton Lhasa Hotel
Room: Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 Wed, Oct. 17 — Lhasa

Breakfast at leisure in hotel

This morning, your day begins with the Splendid Potala Palace 

The Potala Palace is the religious center of Tibetan Buddhism and the former residence of the Dalai Lama. The giant structure looks like an ancient fortress. It was originally built in 637AD by Emperor Songtsen Gampo to greet his new bride that was coming from China. Construction of the current structure began during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama. In 1645 the White Palace, the bottom section, was completed and the Red Palace, the red section, was completed in 1694. The palace remains virtually unchanged until 1922 when the 13th Dalai Lama renovated many chapels and assembly halls and added two stories to the Red Palace. 
The building not only resembles a fortress, it was built like one as well. The main structure measure 400 meters by 350 meters. Its sloping stone walls covered in clay aver 3 to 5 meters thick. Molten copper was poured into the foundations to defend the building against earthquakes. The entire structure has thirteen stories and contains over 1,000 rooms and 10,000 shrines. The roof of the Potala Palace rise more than 300 meters above the valley floor.

Lunch at local restaurant

Followed by, visit Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Steet

Lhasa's Jokhang Temple is the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple in the world. Occupying an area of over 25,000 square meters, the temple is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists. Originally built in 647 AD, the temple originally had eight shrines, but after over a thousand years of renovations and reconstructions, the temple grew into the giant complex that visitors can see today.

Lhasa's Barkhor Street is located in the center of Lhasa. The street circles the Jokhang Temple, and has been an essential pilgrim route since the foundation of the temple. Buddhist pilgrims can be seen throughout the day and night walking, or prostrating themselves clockwise along Barkhor Street spinning their prayer wheels and chanting sutras. There is more to Barkhor Street than just a place for pilgrims to walk. Barkhor Street, often called the "Window of Tibet" is famous for its shopping.

Dinner at leisure on your own

Hotel:  Sheraton Lhasa Hotel
Room: Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14 Thu, Oct. 18 — Lhasa -Yamdrok-Lhasa

Breakfast at leisure in hotel

Today, journey to Yamdrok Yumtso – one of the three most scared lakes Tibet

Yamdrok Yumtso is an outflowing lake which is connected with the Yarlung Tsangpo River. About 1 million years ago, huge mud-rock flow blocked the river valley in the upper reaches of the Moqu River nearYangse which is about 20 kilometers west from Baidi and the lake became a continental lake.
Yamdrok Yumtso takes a shape of paper fan and stretches roughly from northwest to southeast, while the south is wide and the north is narrow. Along the lake, there are many branches of the lake winding their way into the mountains. There is lush pasture around the lake with an area of 10 million square hectares and is one of the most famous pasturelands in Tibet.

Picnic lunch en route (lunch box)

Then transfer back to Lhasa

Dinner on your own account

Hotel:  Sheraton Lhasa Hotel
Room: Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15 Oct. 19 Lhasa

Breakfast at leisure in hotel

In the morning visit Norbulingka (Summer Palace) and Drepung Monastery

Norbulingka Norbulingka means "Jeweled Garden," a fitting title for this 250-year-old park built near a medicinal spring in the western suburbs of Lhasa. It began as a summer palace for the Dalai Lama, but was soon expanded to include space for the whole governmental administration. The entire park has more than 370 rooms of different sizes. Lawns are shaded by green trees and embroidered with various flowers. Given the landscaping of flowers and trees around the medicinal spring, Norbulingka is also known as "the park within the park."

Drepung Monastery(Drepung Monastery, the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa under the patronage of a noble family and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Drepung, which means rice heap in Tibetan, lies 8 kilometers west of Mt. Gambo Utse. The monastery covers a floor space of more than 200 thousand square meters. At its peak, it had a registration of more than 10,000 thousand monks. Many high and learned lamas had studied here.)

In the afternoon visit the the Sera Monastery and watch the famous Debating on Buddhist doctrines

The Sera Monastery at the foot of Tatipu Hill is located in the northern suburb of Lhasa City. It is one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. The Sera Monastery is dedicated to the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built the monastery in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The monastery was named Sera which means wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built.

Dinner on your own arrangement 

Hotel:  Sheraton Lhasa Hotel
Room: Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 Oct. 20 Lhasa-Shanghai

Breakfast at leisure in hotel, then transfer to airport for your departure flight to Shanghai.

Upon arrival in Shanghai, transfer to Le Meridien Hotel for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 Oct. 21 Lhasa-Departure

Breakfast at leisure in hotel, then transfer to airport for your departure flight to back the USA.

Meals: Breakfast

• Meals that are not indicated
• Tips to drivers & tour guides
• Early check in and early Check out