Day 1: Sunday, September 2
Depart San Francisco
Depart Los Angeles International Airport for Beijing with a stop in San Francisco, an approximate flying time of 11 hours. (Meals Aloft)

Day 2: Monday, September 3
Beijing
Arrive in Beijing. Our tour director will meet us at the airport and transfer to the Grand Hotel in the heart of downtown Beijing. (Meals aloft)

Day 3: Tuesday, September 4
Beijing
Following an introduction to China by our Tour Director, explore Beijing’s picturesque Houhai district where many old courtyard homes are preserved amid narrow hutong alleys bordering tree-lined lakes north of the Forbidden City. Tour the district by “pedicab” for a more lively experience of traditional Chinese life. Later, divide into smaller groups and enjoy lunch at a local family’s private home. Afterwards, we will drive by the 2008 Beijing Olympic site to see the innovative stadium architecture. Then visit the Summer Palace, where we'll have sufficient leisure to explore the beautiful grounds, cruise the lovely Kunming Lake, and stroll through the royal gardens. The Palace was built in 1888 for the Empress Dowager Ci Xi, using funds originaly intended for the Qing Imperial navy. Also, walk the Painted Gallery, the longest covered walkway in China famous for its exquisite landscape paintings. This evening, enjoy a special Peking Duck banquet. Grand Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 4: Wednesday, September 5
Beijing
Enjoy an optional early morning walk to Changpu Park to observe local Chinese practicing traditional health forms including taiji and qigong. This morning, visit the Forbidden City, the abiding symbol of imperial China. Truly one of the great achievements of civilization, its construction employed hundreds of thousands of workers between 1406 and 1420. Marvel at its expansive architecture, magnificent imperial gardens, and many museums of Chinese antiquities and treasures. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, one of the finest cultural expressions of the Ming Dynasty. Built in the 15th century, the Temple of Heaven represents the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry available at the time. Tonight is free. Dinner is on your own. Grand Hotel (B,L)

Day 5: Thursday, September 6
Beijing
Today is devoted to the justly famous Great Wall at Mutianyu, a rugged section of the Wall that is less crowded and with cable car available. As is usually the case, the Great Wall of China presents a visual experience that consistently exceeds visitors' expectations. Scholars estimate the Wall once stretched for 3,700 miles, passing through sixteen provinces. Enjoy the astounding views of the Wall as it winds over the surrounding hills. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Tonight, we enjoy a special banquet at the elegant Shanglinyuan Restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Friday, September 7
Xian
This morning, fly to the ancient Tang Dynasty capital of Xian. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel downtown. Then, explore the History Museum and its artifacts spanning many dynasties. Dinner is on one's own this evening. Overnight at Hotel Sofitel. (B, L)

Day 7: Saturday, September 8
Xian
Our second day in Xian begins with a viewing of the extraordinary 2,300-year-old terracotta warriors, the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qinshihuang. The warriors still stand on the original site of the emperor’s burial complex, where they were discovered by farmers in 1974. Later, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and marvel at its intricate architecture. We’ll also have an opportunity to stroll Muslim Street and visit its Grand Mosque. Chinese Muslim culture traces its heritage the flourishing Silk Road culture of the Tang dynasty. Our day concludes with a Dumpling Banquet, featuring 20 varieties of traditional Chinese dumplings. Hotel Sofitel (B,L,D)
Day 8: Sunday September 9
Xian - Chongqing
This morning we visit the Han Emperor’s Tomb, Yangling Museum, to view recent archaeological finds on the excavation site. Then, fly to Chongqing and visit General Stilwell’s Museum which documents the allied effort in China during WWII. Evening is free and dinner is on one's own. Marriott Hotel (B, L)

Day 9: Monday, September 10
Dazu
After breakfast, we take the coach to Dazu, a religious and archaeological site important to Chinese history. Here we visit the Total Awakening Grotto, a spectacular Buddhist grotto with well-preserved sculpture that dates from the 9th to 13th centuries. View the huge Sleeping Buddha at Baodingshan and enjoy the 12th-century carvings of the large Buddha Crescent. Return to Chongqing in the late afternoon. Dinner is at Yangzi Island Restaurant. Following dinner we board the Yangzi cruise ship, Victoria. (B,L,D)

Day 10 & 11; Tuesday and Wednesday, September 11-12
Yangzi River Cruise
Travel downstream through the spectacular Three Gorges (Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges)--the deep valleys and towering mountains carved by the Yangzi River. Each day join special side trips on shore, including a visit of the ancient village Shibaozhai and the breathtaking Lesser Gorge Daninghe. Tour the Three Gorges Dam construction site at Sandouping and sail through the new ship-locks. In addition, enjoy numerous cultural presentations and entertainment activities on board the ship throughout the voyage. Victoria (B, L, D-Daily)

Day 12: Thursday, September 13
Yichang-Shanghai
Disembark the ship in Yichang after lunch. Fly to Shanghai in the late afternoon and transit to Salvo Hotel. Evening is free. Dinner is on one’s own. (B,L)

Day 13: Friday, September 14
Shanghai
We will spend the whole morning visiting Shanghai Museum and viewing its wonderful collection of Chinese bronzes, jade, pottery and ceramics, paintings and calligraphy, old coins, and furniture. After lunch, visit Yuyuan Garden in old Shanghai and absorb the Chinese traditional garden ambience. Evening dinner is at Family Xi’s Garden Restaurant. Salvo Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 14: Saturday, September 15
Zhujiajiao/Shanghai
Today, take an excursion to the ancient river town of Zhujiajiao, forty minutes outside Shanghai. Also known as the "Venice of Shanghai," Zhujiajiao features thirty-six ancient Ming and Qing Dynasty bridges that crisscross the town. Local farmers and residents still use the canals as their primary mode of transportation. Then, return to Shanghai to explore Xintiandi – a stylish restaurant and shopping district, in the old French Concession area. Lunch is on your own and afternoon is free for shopping and museum visits. This evening, enjoy a memorable farewell banquet at the Dingxiang Garden Restaurant, famous for Shanghai cuisine. After dinner, we’ll stroll along the Bund, viewing the beautifully decorated colonial buildings along the Huangpu River. Salvo Hotel (B,D)

Day 15: Sunday, September 16
Shanghai-San Francisco
After breakfast we depart for the airport for the return flights to Los Angeles, arriving on the same day. (B, meals aloft)

The Huang Mountains Extension Tour
September 16-20, 2007

This five-day extension focusees on Anhui Province and its idyllic landscape of rice paddies, Ming and Qing dynasty villages, and old town centers. Discover traditional Anhui life, her regional architecture museums, and the crown jewels of the regioun, the Huang Mountains. The beauty of granite precipieces towering above the morning valley fog have been the subject of Chinese artists for centuries. On foot and by cable car, explore the mountains' gorgeous views. Our extension ends with one night in Shanghai.

$1,790 per person for double occupancy; $690 single supplement.

Guilin Extension
September 16-20, 2007

Enjoy a five-day extension exploring the sublime scenery of Guilin. We fly from Shanghai to Guilin and transit to Longsheng, known for rice terraces cut into precipitous hills since the Yuan dynasty. Longsheng is the home of Yao and Zhuang minorities who both continue to don colorful dress and carry on their traditions. Then, motorcoach to Guilin. Guilin is famous for its spectacular karst limestone formations, vertical mountains thurst up from the seabed some 300 million years ago. Cruise down the Li River, winding past Mural Hill, Folded Brocade Hill, Crescent Moon Hill, and many more. Disembark in Yangshuo and travel immediately to Yongcun Village and Lexiang Village, a gorgeous agricultural valley surrounded by distant karst scenery. Walk into the fields to enjoy another experience of rural China, this time in the middle of a visual paradise. Explore Yangshuo's lively Xijie (West Street) filled with restaurants, shops, and local inns. Return by air to Shanghai for the international flight the next day.

$1,990 per person for double occupancy; $890 single supplement.

Day 6: Friday, September 7 Xian This morning, fly to the ancient Tang Dynasty capital of Xian. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel downtown. Then, explore the History Museum and its artifacts spanning many dynasties. Dinner is on one's own this evening. Overnight at Hotel Sofitel. (B, L)

Day 6: Friday, September 7
Xian
This morning, fly to the ancient Tang Dynasty capital of Xian. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel downtown. Then, explore the History Museum and its artifacts spanning many dynasties. Dinner is on one's own this evening. Overnight at Hotel Sofitel. (B, L)