12-day China Delight (2012)

Shanghai - Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Suzhou - Beijing

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Day 1/Thu: Departing Home City
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Shanghai
Meet your guide upon arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 3/Sat: Shanghai
Before 1949, Shanghai was widely known in the West as a city of quick riches and paradise of the adventurers. After four decades of anemic growth in a state planned economy, Shanghai is roaring back to recapture its position on the world stage. With a population of 23 million and rapid economic expansion in the last 20 years, Shanghai has again become a leading global city with significant influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology and transport.

Our sightseeing today begins with a walk on the Bund, a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style. We then visit Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden and Jade Buddha Temple. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Sun: Shanghai
Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own has never been easier. Our recommended list includes Jinmao Tower, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline. (B)

Day 5/Mon: Shanghai - Hangzhou
We travel to Hangzhou by deluxe motor coach this morning. With a history of 2200 years, scenic Hangzhou has often been referred to as "Paradise on Earth" by Chinese poets and writers. A refreshing cruise on serene West Lake is followed by a visit to the Silk Museum. (B/L)

Day 6/Tue: Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Suzhou
Morning sightseeing includes Six Harmony Pagoda and Longjing Tea Plantation where the much treasured Chinese green tea is made. We drive to Wuzhen (1 hour) after lunch. The 12-century-old water town boasts many well-preserved ancient residential and commercial buildings. Tour the major sites before continuing on to Suzhou (2 hours). (B/L)

Day 7/Wed: Suzhou
The ancient city is best known for its traditional Chinese gardens, silk production and well-preserved canals. Our schedule today takes Master-of-Nets Garden, a short cruise on the Grand Canal, the Silk Embroidery Research Institute and a silk spinning mill. (B/L)

Day 8/Thu: Suzhou - Beijing
Free morning. After lunch we transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (80km) to fly to Beijing. Afternoon sightseeing takes in the Temple of Heaven. (B/L)

Day 9/Fri: Beijing
Morning visit to Tian'anmen Square and adjacent Forbidden City. Also known as Palace Museum or Gu Gong in Chinese, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties lived and carried out their administration. Following lunch we tour the Summer Palace and a hutong - traditional alleyway flanked with courtyard residences. We then wrap up the day with a sumptuous Peking Roast Duck dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 10/Sat: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall at Mutianyu, 75km northeast of the city. Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. Construction of the earliest sections of the Wall started in the 7th century B.C. A major renovation started with the founding of the Ming Dynasty in 1368 and took 200 years to complete. The wall we see today in Beijing is almost exactly the result of this effort. (B/L)

Day 11/Sun: Beijing
Today is a free day to explore China's ancient capital on your own. Please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations. (B)

Day 12/Mon: Returning Home
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to the airport to board return flight departing in the afternoon. Cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day. (B)

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Hotel LIST
City	Nights	Hotel/Ship	Star Rating
Shanghai	3	Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou
Hangzhou	1	Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel
Suzhou	2	Pan Pacific Suzhou
Beijing	4	Crowne Plaza U-Town or Sheraton Dongcheng

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