17-Day Tour of Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing,
Kaifeng, Dengfeng, Luoyang, Xi'an and Beijing

Day 1 Welcome to Guangzhou, capitalof the Guangzhou Province and southern China's most dynamic and developed commercial center. A brief sightseeing tour will acquaint you with this famous "Five-Ram City".

Day 2 Guangzhou - Hangzhou by air
A nearly 2-hour flight takes you to the idyllic city of Hangzhou where sightseeing focuses on the lovely gardens, lakes and landscape islands.

Day 3 A full day sightseeing features a cruiese on the famous Wset Lake and a visit to the Pagoda of Six Harmonies. If time permits, visit a silk factory.


Day 4 Hangzhou - Shanghai by train
3-hour train ride takes you to Shanghai, the bustling commercial heart of China. City tour begins with a stroll along the lively waterfront "The Bund", then a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple where two rare jade statues of Sakyamuni Buddha are treatured.

Day 5 Shanghai - Nanjing by train
Morning tour of the 400-year old Yu Yuan Garden which is typical of the very distinctive style of Chinese landscape garden. Then take a 4-hour afternoon train to Nanjing, the ancient capital of China.

Day 6 A full day excursion today includes Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, Tomb of the Ming Emperor, Yangtze River Bridge and Xuanwu Lake. A cultural performance, if available, will be attended in the evening.

Day 7 Nanjing - Kaifeng by train
Train takes you to Kaifeng, one of the six ancient capitals of China.

Day 8 A whole day for you to visit the Dragon Pavilion and the 11th century Iron Pagoda which lend evidence to Kaifeng's claim to being one of the major centres of ancient Chinese civilization.

Day 9 Kaifeng - Dengfeng by coach
About a 6-hour car ride. From the town of Dengfeng we drive another 20 km to Shaolin Monastery (Small Forest Temple), famous for martial arts. The most impressive and photogenic is the "forest of stupas'" outside the temple walls, each was built in remembrance of a monk.

Day 10 Dengfeng - Luoyang by coach
Just a few hours drive from Dengfeng, Luoyang is one of the richest historical sites in China.

Day 11 Sightseeing today starts with Longmen Grottoes, surrounded by odd-shaped peaks stand facing each other across the Yihe River. The carving of the Longmen Grottoes in now one of the world-famous art treasure-houses in caves. This afternoon, onward to the first Buddhist Monastery in China built in 68 A.D., the White Horse Temple.
Cultural or acrobatic performance (if available) will be attended in the evening.

Day 12 Luoyang - Xian by train
A six-hour train ride takes you to Xian, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road, In the afternoon, a city tour with a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 A.D.

Day 13 Today program begins with the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin Emperor, housing a Qin army of over 6,000 superbly crafted, lifesized terra-cotta sculptures of warriors and horses.Proceed to Huaqing Hot Spring and on the site of the neolithic Village of Ban Po, dating back 6,000 years. Primitive tools and household utensils are displayed in the Banpo Museum.

Day 14 Xi'an - Beijing by air
Fly to Beijing, capital of China, in the afternoon to visit the Temple of Heaven. It is the largest temple complex remaining in China today.

Day 15 A full day excursion to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feasts of human labor - the only man-made construction on earth visible from outer space. Then we will proceed to the Ming Tombs along the Scared Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy a special Beijing roasted duck dinner in the evening.

Day 16 Morning tour to Tian An Men Square, and the Imperial Palace ( Forbidden City) - one of the greatest feats of ancient Chinese architecture.
Afternoon sightseeing includes Summer Palace - a former summer resort area of the royal family. It includes a mannificent classical Chinese garden and lake with a beautiful marble boat.

Day 17 Pack up and we wish you a pleasant homeward journey.