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3. Guangzhou - Guilin (B,L,D)
Take the morning flight to Guilin. Check into your
river-facing hotel before setting out on a memorable
tour of the city and Reed Flute Cave. The cave's unusual
lantern-lit formations will, with prompting from your
guide, conjure up images of the old trees, beasts,
and human forms.
4. Guilin (B,L,D)
For the whole morning we will have a pleasure cruise
on the Li River, passing through the unique scenery
around which many folktales and legends have been
woven. Floating past cormorant fishermen, valleys
and bamboo groves, misty limestone pinnacles, and
rock formations resembling horses and elephants, one
has the sensation of being carried back in time through
a traditional Chinese scroll painting. We will stop
at the small city of Yangshuo and begin another wonderful
city tour there. Drive back to Guilin by night.
5. Guilin - Xian (B,L,D)
Fly today from Guilin's lush hills to the arid plains
of Xian, gateway to the ancient Silk Road that once
linked China with travelers from as far away as Rome
and Istanbul. The capital of eleven dynasties, Xian
vividly exemplifies the extraordinary continuity of
Chinese civilization. Spend the afternoon exploring
Xian's astonishing past in such scenic antiquities
as the Ming Gate and Belltower, and the Tang Dynasty-era
Big Goose Pagoda towering over the city.
6. Xian(B,L,D)
Xian's most spectacular archaeological site – the
arm of life like terra cotta soldiers and horses –
is your focus today. The discovery of the army of
lifelike terra cotta soldiers and horses astounded
the world in 1974. Now enclosed beneath a protective
hangar, the site contains some 8000 individually sculpted
warriors clad in armor. Step into the adjoining museum
to see the fantastic bronze chariot and figures that
still have some of their original bright paint. Cap
the day with a Chinese banquet and stage show at Tang
Dynasty Theater.
7 Xian - Luoyang (B,L,D)
Another ancient tour in this ancient city, the Great
Mosque, a scared place to the Muslims. Then enjoy
your free time in the traditional streets of Xian.
Later we will take our flight to Luoyang.
8. Luoyang (B,L,D)
Luoyang is one of the well-known ancient cities of
China. The long history it has as well as its beautiful
scene has made Luoyang a pearl inlaid in Henan province.
Our highlight here is the world famous Longmen Caves.
Enjoy the astonishing arts and crafts made by those
ancient people some thousands years ago. We will also
visit the White Horse Pagoda and the Zhongyue Temple.
9. Luoyang - Beijing (B,L,D)
Today we take train to China's capital, Beijing, where
you are transferred to your plush hotel offering every
amenity. No visit would be complete without a walk
through Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, truly
one of the great architectural feats of human history,
where emperors held court for 500 years.
10. Beijing (B,L,D)
A highlight of your Beijing stay will be today's walk
along the Great Wall of China. Stroll the ancient
promenades, step into the watchtowers, and photograph
the wall rising and falling over impossibly steep
mountain ridges far off in the distance. Visit the
Ming Tombs and grotesque Spirit Way on your return
to town.
11. Beijing(B,L,D)
Spend an unhurried day sightseeing at the sublime
Temple of Heaven, a 15th century Ming architectural
masterpiece rising above a charming park. Continue
to the Empress Dowager's extravagant Summer Palace
on Kunming Lake, now a favorite recreational spot
for locals. We will enjoy the famous Beijing Duck
banquet for dinner, with Chinese traditional folk
dancing entertainment.
12. Beijing - USA (B)
With indelible impressions of a timeless land leaping
toward modernization, you depart on your homebound
flight.
Land Only Cost: $985
Single Room Supplement:
$320
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