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  Day 1   SF -- Beijing

  Take an international flight to Beijing, the Capital of China. Meals provided on board.

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  Day 2   Beijing (B.L.D)

  Arrive Beijing and be greeted by our warm and professional tour guide at the Beijing Capital Airport, and then transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day will be free for your own leisure.
  Hotel: Jade Palace Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 3   Beijing (B.L.D)

  On our first day in China, we have designed a light itinerary so we can get used to the new time zone and not rush into visiting the major sightseeing spots. Photo opportunities of the exterior of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadiums “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube” will be provided. Visit the adorable Pandas of Beijing Zoo (In Depth Program TM-Cultural). Travel back in time in a rickshaw, ride through the narrow maze of the ancient Hu Tong alleys. Re-live history as we are hosted by a local Hu Tong courtyard family. The rest of the day will be free for your leisure.
  Hotel: Jade Palace Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 4   Beijing (B.L.D)

  Now that we are ready, let’s start by take a morning stroll on the historical Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. While walking through the Gate of Heavenly Peace, experience the grandeur of the most powerful political center in ancient China where generations of Emperors ruled and lived, within the confines of the red walls, known to the peasants as “Forbidden City”. Next stop is the Summer Palace, a most elaborate royal garden resort for the most powerful female ruler in the last Dynasty of China, Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Enjoy an incredible Kung Fu Show in the evening.
  Hotel: Jade palace Hotel 5*****or similar

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  Day 5   Beijing (B.L.D)

  Revere the spiritual Temple of Heaven, regarded as the focal point where heaven meets earth, the place where Ming and Qing Dynasty Emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune. Experience the Echo Wall and Worship Hall, a beautiful wooden structure built without a single nail! Today’s highlight is the majestic views of the Great Wall of China at Bada Pass, the man made structure on earth that can be observed with the naked eyes from the moon. After the walking the Great Wall, we recommend an optional therapeutic foot and leg massage, at bargain prices. Savor the Peking duck dinner in the evening. Enjoy an acrobatic show after dinner.
  Hotel: Jade palace Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 6   Beijing -- Xian (B.L.D)

  Fly to Xian, a capital of China during the golden age of China, known as the Tang Dynasty. By retracing our steps along the ancient walls, we are embarking on the first steps of the legendary Silk Road, where many artifacts reach as far as Ancient Rome. Be welcomed by an exclusive private ceremony (In Depth Program TM-Cultural) called “Enter the Ancient City Gate”, where performers dress up and recreate the traditional reception for foreign dignitaries. Visit Wild Goose Pagoda, a landmark of Tang Dynasty where the Buddhist sutras brought back from India was stored and translated. This event inspired the famous Chinese ancient literature: Journey to the West.
  Hotel: Holiday Inn Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 7   Xian (B.L.D)

  Meet the most powerful ancient elite warriors face to face! Over 8000 life sized replicas of the actual army, hidden underground for over 2000 years, meant to guard the first Emperor Qin for all eternity. (A proof to the statement: “You CAN take them with you.”) Indulge ourselves in a recreation of the Tang Dynasty music and dance performance for the Emperors. Enjoy a local specialty the dumpling feast for dinner.
  Hotel: Holiday Inn Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 8   Xian -- Guilin (B.L.D)

  Fly to Guilin in the afternoon, tour the Reed Flute Cave, Nature’s subterranean wonder filled with amazing rock formations highlighted by colorful spectrums. Marvel at the grand chamber Crystal Palace, a must see awesome spectacle. Relax in the hotel surrounded by beautiful countryside scenery, a nice break from a week of touring the cities. We rest for the next day in this mystical oasis of rural China.
  Hotel: Guilin Park Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 9   Guilin -- Yangshuo (B.L.D)

  Embark on the Li River Cruise, and enter the surreal living paintings known as “Gui Lin”, named after the aroma of the Osmanthus trees. The beautiful mystic green limestone pinnacles rise from the water, like mountains floating on an imaginary sea. Be immersed in this picturesque landscape surrounded by unique rock formations, sprinkled with quaint villages, rice paddies and bamboo groves untouched by time. Spend the evening in Yangshuo. Optional singing & lighting evening show "Liu Sanjie" may be attended if weather permits. (Directed by Zhang Yimou who also choreographed the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympics.)
  Hotel: Guilin Park Hotel 5***** or similar

  "I have visited more than 80 countries and over 100 cities. I have found that no city can surpass the beauty of Guilin. Guilin is really a bright pearl in China." by former U.S. President Richard Nixon.
  "No place in China is more evocative of the beauty of your country than Guilin." - by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

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  Day 10   Yangshuo -- Chongching -- Yangtze Cruise (B.L.D)

  Fly to Chongching, formerly called Chungking, once a capital for the Nationalists before moving into Taiwan. Try the local spicy hot pot delicacy. Board the cruise ship in the evening and spend the night on board.
  Hotel: Victoria 5***** or similar

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  Day 11   Yangtze River Cruise (B.L.D)

  For the next 150 miles, the Yangtze forces its way through a spectacular barrier of solid limestone ridges known as the Three Gorges. Our first excursion includes Fengdu Ghost City, which contains numerous statues of devils and ghosts. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet in the evening.

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  Day 12   Yangtze River Cruise(B.L D)

  Our ship passes through Qutang, Wu, Shennong Stream and Xiling Gorges. Gaze upon the contrasting heights of these gorges as the ship cruises down the narrow river. Thread through the rugged peaks of the awe inspiring canyons, forming a surreal backdrop, making this area one of the most dramatic scenes in the world. Wu Gorge has been luring painters and poets for ages, revered for all its mistic and majestic peaks soaring above. Take the "Peapod" boat for joy ride to the fabled Shennong Stream, if the water level permits. Observe the mysterious ruins left by the Ba people as they leave behind plank roads as well as the coffins suspended from the cliffs above. Before entering the spectacular Xiling Gorge, pick your favorite vantage point as the ship transits the five-stage shiplock. Tonight enjoy a dinner featuring local cuisine and onboard entertainment.

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  Day 13   Yangtze River Cruise -- Three Gorges Dam -- Yichun -- Suzhou (B.L.D)

  Sail to Sandouping, the site of China’s most ambitious engineering project to date. View the current phase of this 17-year project. When completed in 2009, the Three Gorges Dam will be 610 feet high and over a mile wide. The monstrous hydroelectrical power plant will be driven by the world’s largest turbines and have the generating capacity equivalent to 18 nuclear power plants. A reservoir 372-mile long will be created, with the end result of displacing 1.5 million people, submerging thousands of villages and archaeological sites. Disembark the cruise ship at Yichun and fly to Shanghai for Suzhou, the water village known to the Chinese as “Venice of the East”. In this city of ancient water ways, we can see the Grand Canal, which forms the vital links of silk production center with the rest of China. Suzhou turned into a boom town which inspired wealthy merchants to build classic water gardens, now made available for public enjoyment. An inspirational hub for many poets and artists alike, the old sections of Suzhou was made the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, a priceless piece of history frozen in time for all to enjoy. Rest after a full day of travel.

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  Day 14   Suzhou -- Shanghai (B.L.D)

  We start the day with a cruise on the Grand Canal. Then we get to see how silk was made in the silk factory of Suzhou, a favorite for silk lovers. Enjoy a silk fashion show before lunch. Head to Shanghai and visit the Yu Garden, and the Old Bazaar shopping district of Shanghai. You may also take a walk in the bustling shopping district of Nanjing Road. Relive the height of Western influence of old Shanghai where architectural styles from all over the world left their marks and forever changed Shanghai Skylines. Take a romantic evening stroll on “The Bund” by the Huangpu River with the city lights and skyscrapers as the back drop.
  Hotel: Baolong Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 15   Shanghai (B.L.D)

  You may have the option of having a free day to spend and explore on your own, or continue with our group activity. (From 5/1/10-10/31/10, we’ll incorporate a day visiting the Shanghai Expo, you may extend your stay and see more if you’d prefer, extra charges for tickets and/or hotel/transportation arrangements may apply.)
  Hotel: Baolong Hotel 5***** or similar

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  Day 16   Shanghai -- USA (B) or Other Add -- On Destinations

  Return home with everlasting memories of a lifetime, or continue on with our other add-on trip options.

All Inclusive Price Includes:

Tour leader from USA , Group co-leader .
International and China domestic airfare.
Deluxe 5 star hotel accommodations as indicated.
All meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner as indicated (B, L, D).
Air-conditioned tour bus, state qualified professional local tour guides, as well as USA national tour escort.
Travel Accidental Insurance in China is provided.

Price NOT Including:

Visa application fees
Taxes and airline fuel surcharge.
Any optional activities as indicated in itinerary.
Hotel incidentals (drinks, long distance telephone usage, movies etc.).
Additional travel insurance from USA (Medical and trip cancellation/interruption).
Gratuity for tour guide and driver (suggest $10.00 per day).
Shopping, any spending during free time (bars, night clubs, taxi service etc) are not included.
Optional add on US domestic airfare: Joy Holiday may help book add on fare to and from San Francisco International airport. Contact Joy Holiday for details.
Joy Holiday reserves the right to change the tour fare, itinerary, hotels, fuel surcharges, and taxes at any time. For reservations / General conditions / responsibility, Please refer to Joy Holiday's Rules and Regulations section on our website.