Tuesday - Chicago:
Depart Chicago and cross the International Date Line en route to Shanghai.
Wednesday
- Shanghai: Arrive in cosmopolitan Shanghai where we will be escorted
to our hotel for check-in - remainder of afternoon at leisure. Overnight
Huating Hotel* in Shanghai.
Thursday
- Shanghai: Shanghai is China's most vibrant and westernized city.
We will visit the Children's Palace, the idyllic Yu Yuan Gardens,
the Jade Buddha's Temple, the Bund and Shanghai's Arts and Crafts
Exhibition Center, with its display of fine embroidery, woodcarvings
and jewelry. If time permits, we'll also be able to visit an agricultural
commune and a rug factory. This evening, following our dinner we'll
enjoy an acrobatic show, if available. Overnight Shanghai. (AB, L,
D)
Friday
- Suzhou: Marco Polo described Suzhou as the "gardens of delights
with six thousand bridges of stone." This afternoon, we will
enjoy our tour and cruise on the 1400 year old Grand Canal. Overnight
Suzhou at the Bamboo Grove Hotel*. (AB, L, D)
Saturday
- Beijing: Our sightseeing includes visits to one of Suzhou's renowned
gardens and the National Embroidery Institute. This afternoon, we
fly to Beijing, the modern capital of China, as well as capital to
the Mongols, the Ming and the Manchu dynasties. Here we'll discover
the blend of traditional and contemporary architecture. Overnight
Beijing at the New Otani Hotel*. (AB, L, D)
Sunday
- Beijing: Our city tour will include the Imperial Palace, the imposing
Tian An Men Square, and the Summer Palace. This evening we'll enjoy
our special Beijing Duck Banquet.
(AB, L, DP)
Monday
- Great Wall: A day of touring brings a thrilling moment when you
tread the ramparts of the Great Wall. We return to Beijing for free
time. (AB, L, WD)
Tuesday
- Beijing: Morning is free to pursue your own interests ... shopping
for bargains in the Silk Street and people watching in Tian An Men
Square. Afternoon tour will include the Lufthansa Center and the Temple
of Heaven. (AB, D)
Wednesday
- Xi'an: Today, we fly from Beijing to Xi'an, capital during the glory
days of the Tang Dynasty. Following our dinner this evening there
will be time for shopping. Overnight Xi'an at the Xi'an Garden Hotel*.
(AB, L, WD)
Thursday
- Xi'an: Another exciting day in China as we explore the most famous
archeological site, including the 6,000 life sized terra cotta warriors
and horses who have been guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi
for 2,000 years. Then on to the Bampo Village, dating to the Neolithic
Age, to the Dayan Pagoda and to the famous Wild Goose Pagoda. Afternoon
tour will also include a visit to one of the many cloisonne factories.
Dinner show this evening at our hotel. (AB, L, DH)
Friday
- Xi'an/Guilin: Nature's splendors await at the end of today's flight
to Guilin, set in an incomparable karst landscape. Guilin's landscape
of jutting, mist-caressed peaks marching in ghostly procession beside
the lazy Li River has been celebrated with brush and pen through the
ages. Overnight Guilin at the Guisha New World Hotel*. (AB, L, DH)
Saturday
- Guilin: Enduring memories are created on our day-long cruise on
the meandering river, where vignettes of old villages and pastoral
life are glimpsed through stands of feathery bamboo against the backdrop
of the preposterous pinnacles. Secluded valleys caught between the
peaks can be viewed from atop Piled Silk Hill; in subterranean chambers,
the lacework pattern of stalactites and stalagmites illuminated by
colored lights is an iridescent fairyland. (AB, L, D)
Sunday
- Guangzhou: Following our short flight, we'll arrive in Guangzhou
(formerly Canton), dating from before the 9th century B.C. Following
our city tour, we'll check into the beautiful White Swan Hotel*. (AB,
L, D)
Monday
- Hong Kong: Depart Guangzhou by boat (catamaran) to Hong Kong. Following
check-in at our Hong Kong hotel in the early afternoon, the remainder
of the day is free to enjoy this international city. Overnight Hong
Kong at the Harbour Plaza Hotel*. (AB)
Tuesday
- Hong Kong: We'll visit the most interesting sights of this fascinating
and cosmopolitan island including Victoria Peak for a panoramic view
of the city and outlying islands; the splendid beaches of Repulse
Bay and Deep Water Bay; and the district of Aberdeen, famous for its
floating restaurants and fishing village, where thousands of people
live aboard junks and sampans. Afternoon at leisure. (AB)
Wednesday
- Chicago: After breakfast, bid a reluctant farewell as we board our
homeward bound Northwest Airlines' jetliner. (AB)
CB
- Continental Breakfast
B - Breakfast
L - Lunch
D - Dinner
SD - Special Dinner
