* Land prices are per person, double occupancy in luxury hotels. Prices include coach class China domestic airfare, most meals, all transfers, and Chinese visa processing. As of Jan 21, 2008, the Chinese authority has increased visa processing  fees for all US citizens by $80 US dollars, this fee will be added as extra  to your total land price.

* This tour is fully escorted* within mainland China by an English-speaking professional tour manager and is guided by an English-speaking local tour guide in each city.

* For international airfare, please contact your own travel agent or Access China Tours.

Day 1   Beijing

Arrive at Beijing airport, where you are met and transferred to your luxury hotel in downtown. Meet your fellow travelers at the Evening Reception and learn more about the upcoming tour activities.
The Peninsula Beijing

Day 2   Beijing

Starts your day with a stroll on Tiananmen Square and a visit to the Forbidden City, magnificent imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Explore some of Beijing's old 'Hutongs' and traditional courtyard residences in the afternoon. Then tour the small but elegant Ancient Observatory.

Enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner tonight.
The Peninsula Beijing   <B-L-D>

Day 3   Beijing

Morning visit to the Temple of Heaven, which houses the beautiful Hall of Prayer and Sheji Altar.

Visit the enchanting Summer Palace, the renowned imperial park in the Qing dynasty with a boat ride on the Kunming Lake.

This evening, enjoy an Imperial Cuisine Dinner.
The Peninsula Beijing   <B-L-D>

Day 5   Beijing g Xi'an

Fly to Xi'an, an ancient capital of China. Climb up the massive City Wall that still surrounds Xi'an since Ming Dynasty. See the marvelous items of historic importance in Shaanxi History Museum, one of the best in China.

Enjoy a characteristic Dumpling Dinner in a local restaurant.
Sofitel on Renmin Square   <B-D>

Day 6   Xi'an

Visit the Terracotta Warriors of Qin Shihuang - China's first emperor. They had been buried underground for 2,200 years before local peasants discovered them in 1974. Spend half day viewing this wonderful exhibition. Then tour the Big Goose Pagoda and a market in the Muslim quarters.

Enjoy a local cuisine dinner followed by the splendid Tang Style Stage Show.
Sofitel on Renmin Square   <B-L-D>

Day 7   Xi'an g Chengdu This morning pay a visit to the digging site and museum of Yangling, tomb of Emperor Jingdi of the Han Dynasty. Then fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Your sightseeing in Chengdu begins with a visit to Qingyanggong, a charming Daoist Monastery. Then go to a local teahouse to mingle with the friendly Sichuan locals. Tonight you will enjoy a genuine and delicious Sichuan Cuisine Dinner. Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel   <B-D> Day 8   Chengdu Get up early today for a special visit to Chengdu Panda Breeding & Research Center. Here we will be able to get a closer look at the current work underway to preserve giant pandas. Travel out of Chengdu to visit the magnificent Sanxingdui Archaeological Museum, where astonishing artifacts of a mysterious 3000-year-old Shu Culture are on display. Stop by a village market to experience the bustling local life on your way back to Chengdu. Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel   <B-L>

Day 9   Chengdu g Lijiang

Check out of hotel this morning and travel by vehicle for an excursion to Leshan to see the world's largest sitting Buddha, carved out of a sheer cliff.  In the afternoon, visit Huanglongxi, an atmospheric old town full of Qing houses, slab stone narrow streets, active markets and temples, and friendly locals.

Travel to Lijiang by air in the evening.
Banyan Tree Lijiang   <B-L-D>

Day 10   Lijiang

Lijiang has been the center of Naxi people's homeland.  You will first visit the Shuhe Village on the outskirt of the city to meet locals in their traditional homes. Later go on an excursion to the Yulong Snow Mountain with a cable car ride up to Yak Meadow.

Back to town and explore Old Town, Black Dragon Pool Park, and attend a Naxi Music demonstration. 
Banyan Tree Lijiang   <B-L-D>

Day 11   Lijiang g Kunming

Morning excursion to the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge of the Yangzi River.  Transfer to airport and fly to Kunming in late afternoon.   As the capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming has a distinctive character of its own due to the many ethnic groups living in the province.
Green Lake Hotel Kunming   <B-L>

Day 12   Kunming

Today's excursion takes you to the Stone Forest and Dadieshui Waterfall, about 100 kilometers east of Kunming.

The area offers a unique landscape of stark limestone pillars sculpted by the elements. From a distance, these stone pillars indeed look like a dense forest. Paths and stairs wind along corridors, past rock pools to cliff balconies, for intriguing vistas. Also explore the villages of the ethnic Sani people. Return to Kunming and enjoy a Yunnan Local Cuisine Dinner followed by a colorful Song & Dance Show tonight. Green Lake Hotel Kunming    <B-L-D> Day 13   Kunming g Guilin Visit Old Town area and Yuantong Temple, northern Yunnan's major Buddhist site and an active place of pilgrimage. Later, go to the Western Hills to get a bird's-eye view of the Dianchi Lake and the city. Transfer to airport and fly to Guilin, one of China's most beautiful cities. Check in at the hotel upon arrival and evening is free. Sheraton Guilin Hotel   <B-L>

Day 14   Guilin n Yangshuo

Today, you get on a motorboat for a 4-hour Li River Cruise. The cruise will give you a chance to savor the lovely views of the area's extraordinary limestone peaks.

Get off the boat in Yangshuo, a charming small town with its main street lined with small hotels, countless souvenir shops selling traditional ornaments, jewelry and paintings of peaks, and restaurants serving international foods.

Return to Guilin and enjoy a Sichuan Cuisine Dinner in a local restaurant.
Sheraton Guilin Hotel   <B-L-D>

Day 16   Shanghai n Suzhou

Take a full-day excursion to Suzhou. Visit Grand Canal, Liuyuan Garden, and Suzhou Museum, a newly opened art museum designed by the world famous architect Dr. I. M. Pei.  Also tour the Silk Embroidery Institute.

Return to Shanghai and enjoy an Acrobatic Show in the evening.
Four Seasons Shanghai   <B-L>

Hong Kong Extension: add a two-night extension to Hong Kong and explore the wonders of this former British colony and financial center of Asia. Price includes air from Shanghai to Hong Kong and a private half-day guided Hong Kong island tour. Call 1-800-788-1399 for your extension rate.