China Trip of a Lifetime – Deluxe Tour ( 17 Days Tour)

Fly to China! The adventure begins!

Today you will board your plane for your flight to China! This exciting adventure begins!

Shanghai – Yu Yuan Gardens & Museums (B, L)

Today your guide will meet you and you will be taken on a walking tour of the historic Jewish area of Shanghai. You will visit the synagogue, the old Jewish neighborhood and the small memorial which testifies of this time in history.

Then we will get on the bus and go to the classic Yu Yuan Gardens, which is a gorgeous example of a classic Chinese Garden. This area exits into the main shopping center of Shanghai. Shanghai is such a West influenced city that they call this area "China Town." After lunch, you will be taken to the world-class Shanghai Art Museum. This fantastic museum has a number of quality exhibits including an ancient coin collection and on the fourth floor an ethnic minority exhibit which features costumes, masks, and various implements and tools. Then we will take you to a Private Lotus Shoe Museum, which features tiny lotus shoes, as well as ancient worker boots, Qing Dynasty costumes and various ceramic curios. The Lotus shoe was a horrific practice as women bound their feet when they were children to keep them very small (which was considered a beautiful feature). However, the lotus shoes themselves are exquisitely beautiful, with elaborate embroidery on all sides, even often the bottom of the shoe. There is one set of shoes (pictured here) which actually had a small drawer to hold powder in the heel, a scrim on the bottom with stencil-like holes in the shape of a Lotus flower.

Evening Option: An evening exploring the Bund (no additional charge, you just pay for your own drinks, food, etc)

Evening Option: Shanghai Acrobats (tickets $25-35/person) includes transportation to and from the theatre

Shanghai – Day Trip to Zhouzhang – Flight to Zhangjiajie (B, L)

Today your guide will meet you and you be taken to the water town of Zhouzhang. You will see some beautiful canals, classic small bridges and a glimpse into what life was like in older China. Then we will go to the airport for our evening flight to Zhangjiajie. Upon arrival we will be met by our guide and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy the hotel and the city area.

Zhangjiajie – Tour Yuanjiajie and surrounds (B, L, D)

Today we will see some of the most amazingly beautiful sites that you will ever see in your life! After breakfast we will go up to Yuanjiajie by Bailong Elevator, to tour the back garden, Mihun Stage and Helong Park. We will walk along the trail where you can see this amazing area from the many vista points. The last and most amazing vista point is called the Emperor Mountain scenic area. We will then descend this “fairy land” by cable car. Then we will see the Ten-miles-Gallery of sights by a cable train. There are many highlights including Herb Picking Old Man, Three Sisters peaks, etc.

Xi’an – Shaanxi Provincial Museum & Muslim Quarter (B, L, D)

Today you will be taken on a tour of the Old City Wall and we will provide a nice lunch. Then you will go to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which is like walking through Chinese history as the rooms are arranged in chronological order, from the oldest dynasty to the most recent ones, as seen in the brass works, ceramics and various relics. You will also see the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. Then we will take you the Muslim Quarter. If you want, you can visit an authentic historic scholar’s home and garden.

Dinner: At the famous De Fang Chang Restaurant (which serves delicious Dumplings with the special feature that the dumplings are shaped to represent the main ingredient inside the dumpling)

Xi’an – Flight to Taiyuan – Drive to Pingyao – Evening Village Tour (B, D)

Today we will go to the airport to fly to Taiyuan. This is a small rural area, with some ancient villages and intriguing Chinese countryside. Upon arriving, we will be picked up and driven to Pingyao. Once there, we will transfer to our boutique hotel.

This evening we will go out together as a group for dinner and an evening tour of this quaint and fascinating village that dates back to ancient China.

Pingyao – Tour of the Countryside – Flight to Beijing (B, L)

Today we will make our way to Taiyuan driving through the countryside and enjoy the sites all along the way. When we arrive in Taiyuan we will take a flight to Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing, we will be transferred to our 5-star boutique hotel.

Evening: After dinner social time complete with wines and snacks.

Beijing – Visit Olympic Statdium, Artist’s Colony & “District 798” – Drive to Mutianyu (B, L, D)

Today we will start the day take you for a brief view of the two main Olympic Stadiums, the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest. On the way out of Beijing we can stop at the 798 Artist’s District. This is a community of modern artists, with homes, art studios and display halls.

Afterwards, we will take you to the amazing Great Wall of China in Mutianyu. This area has far fewer tourists than the traditional site at Badaling. It is an amazing thing to be walking on the Great Wall of China. This delightful area to explore the Great Wall has two ways to ascend the wall, by foot or riding on the gondolas up to the Wall. This way, if you want, you can conserve your energy for running around on the Wall, if you want. You can descend the wall one of three ways, by foot, on the gondolas or on one-man toboggans. Then we will return to Beijing for a very special Dinner.

Evening Dinner: Special Sichuan Dinner with Face Changing (most dishes are spicy, but there will be some non-spicy dishes).

Beijing – Transfer to Airport – Flight back to USA

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home with many wonderful memories!