Day
1
| USA-Beijing
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We start our vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Beijing, the bustling capital of modern day China. Spend the night onboard the wide body jetliner as the it traverses the international date line.
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Day
2
| Arrive-Beijing
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Upon landing at Beijing Airport, we first clear customs then are met by the Ritz Tours guide and are transferred to our luxury accommodations in town. With no sightseeing planned, the remainder of the day is spent free at leisure. With all the coverage Beijing received in the 2008 Olympics, we are anxious to get started with our sightseeing!
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Day
3
| Beijing
(AB,L,DP)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Ming dynasty emperor Yongle moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421 AD. Meaning "Northern Capital," Beijing is home to over 13 million people and has a history spanning over 3000 years. After breakfast, embark on today s tour around this wondrously historic city. Start off with the Forbidden city, which during China s Imperial era was the official home of the emperor and his royal court; commoners were not allowed inside. Some time will be provided to walk around sprawling Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. After lunch, continue to the emperor s other home in Beijing, the Summer Palace. In the evening, we attend a sumptuous Peking Duck Banquet.
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Day
4
| Beijing
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Surely the highlight of any tour to China must be the glorious Great Wall. Meandering its way thousands of miles across Northern China, the Great Wall is rumored to be visible from the Moon. Construction of the Great Wall was begun by emperor Qin Shi Huang in 221BC as a military defense structure and took centuries to complete. It stands today as an UNESCO world heritage site. After lunch, we pay a visit to 2008 Summer Olympic venue "Bird Nest" - China s National Stadium. Dinner is served at local restaurant.
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Day
5
| Beijing
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Two full days of sightseeing has earned us a day free at leisure. Finally time to do some shopping and exploring on our own. Spend the day discovering the wonders of Beijing, do some bargain hunting, catch up on some rest, or perhaps step off the beaten path for an optional tour to the ancient Hutongs of Old Town Beijing by rikshaw. Representing both historical and cultural elements of Beijing city life, Hutongs are the traditional small and narrow alleyways lined by traditional homes (siheyuan).
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Day
6
| Beijing
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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The entire day is free as no activities have been planned. During the day, an optional day-trip is available to the Ming Tombs, where 13 Ming Dynasty emperors were buried. Lunch is included in this tour as well as a visit to the Sacred Way. In the evening, we have the opportunity to attend an optional Shaolin Kung Fu Show. Developed over the centuries by the Chinese, Kung Fu is a series of fighting styles classified by the different schools of martial arts. During the 16th century, Shaolin monks adopted the practice of Kung Fu as it became an integral part of their monastic life. The Shaolin warrior monk s trademark was the use of his staff in combat.
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Day
7
| Beijing-Xian
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We finish up our Beijing tour by visiting the Temple of Heaven. Widely regarded as the noblest example of religious architecture in all of China, this temple was the site where emperors came to pray to the heavens for a bountiful harvest. Later in the day, board a flight to Xian, capital of the Shaanxi Province. Xian s residents have good reason to be proud of their city; it enjoys a history as long as that of China s. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
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Day
8
| Xian
(AB,L,DP)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Xian is home to the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors of Qin Shi Huang. Created to protect China s first emperor even in death, the Terra Cotta Army was discovered by farmers in 1974 and attracts multitudes of visitors each year. The warriors have been declared a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO. During our lunch break, don t miss the noodle making making performance at the restaurant. Return back to city limits to take a stroll atop the City Wall and enjoy a tour of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. We are in for a treat this evening - an Imperial Dumpling Banquet.
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Day
9
| Xian-Shanghai
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Board a short flight to Shanghai, China s largest metropolis with a population of over 16 million and its most important center of international commerce. Originally a sleepy fishing town, Shanghai s modern history dates back to the early 1900 s and is a perfect mix of East and West. Time permitting, upon arrival we embark on a city tour which takes us to Yu Garden, driving by bustling local shopping district Nanjing Road and the famous waterfront Bund. Dinner is served at local restaurant.
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Day
10
| Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Board a motor coach this morning that will take us to Suzhou. Suzhou has been conferred the nicknames "Venice of the East" and the "Garden City". It is an ancient town interlaced by canals and resplendent with numerous beautiful gardens. Your city tour includes visits to the Master of Fishing Nets Garden, Grand Canal and a silk factory where some of China s finest silk products are made. Head back to Shanghai in the afternoon.
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Day
11
| Shanghai
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Free at leisure for the whole day. Enjoy the day off lounging in our luxury hotel or exploring the city at our own pace. If we desire, an optional day-excursion (including lunch) to the ancient water town of Zhouzhuang is available. Surrounded by lakes and divided by rivers Zhouzhuang is one of China s most famous and popular water villages. Its 14 stone bridges cross the rivers and imbue the town of 22,000 people with its trademark charm. As part of our tour, a canal ride will be provided. Later in the day, return back to Shanghai by motorcoach.
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Day
12
| Shanghai-USA
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Bid a fond farewell to China as we board our homebound international flight.
*** Home Sweet Home ***
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