Here are photos from the Distinctive Destinations’s March 2009 trip to China. The itinerary for 2010 will be the same. (Note one: don’t get confused by the dates. The listed itinerary and photos here are using the 2009 itinerary dates—not the 2010 itinerary dates!)
Day 1: Thursday 3/5SFO /BEIJING
Arrive San Francisco for check in and seat assignments. Board Air China 986 at 1:50 pm for Beijing. Cross the International Date Line and lose a day.
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Day 2: Friday3/6ARRIVE BEIJING
Upon your arrival at 5:55 pm, meet our national guide and transfer to the 5* Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian .
After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (the residence of emperors for more than 500 years) and The Summer Palace (a summer resort for Empress Dowager Ci Xi). A visit to a pearl factory rounds out the day.
Full day excursion to the spectacular Great Wall & famous Ming Tombs. We hope to visit the Olympic National Stadium “Birds Nest” if it’s open to the public. We’ll also visit a jade factory. Return to the city for the Beijing Duck Banquet.
Take very early morning flight to Xi’an. Depart Beijing on CA 1203 at 7:10 am; arrive Xi’an 9:10 am. Visit the burial site of an incredible army of 8,000 lifelike terra-cotta warriors. Top off the day with a Dumpling Dinner followed by the Tang Dynasty Culture Show! Check into the 5* Grand New World Hotel.
Visit the ancient City Wall and the majestic Wild Goose Pagoda, along with a handicraft factory. Depart Xi’an on CA 1225 at 6:25 pm; arrive Guilin 8:10 pm. Check into the 5* Lijiang Waterfall Hotel and have a late dinner.
Spend the day aboard a scenic Li River cruise, passing through picturesque farms and fishing villages. With its thousands of limestone outcroppings, Guilin has been an inspiration for generations of silk scroll painters.
City tour features the Reed Flute Caves and Elephant Trunk Hill. We’ll hope to visit a tea factory and get a foot massage. Take evening flight to Chongqing (China Southern CZ 8126: 9:05pm-10:05 pm) and board the five-star Yangtze No. 1.
Cruise down the river. Today is a shore excursion to either the ancient city ofFengduor to Wanxian, which contains a residential area for immigrants, a local market and kindergarten. Group meeting after lunch. Enjoy a welcome cocktail party hosted by the captain.
Day 10:Saturday3/14 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)
Today you pass through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge (two of the Three Gorges). You will enjoy a shore excursion to Shennong Stream or Three Lesser Gorges.In the afternoon, pass through the new Three Gorges ship-locks.
Today you have a shore excursion to the famous new five-stage Three Gorges Dam Site.Then, the boat passes through Xiling Gorge (the last one of the Three Gorges) and Gezhouba Dam. Enjoy a farewell banquet in the evening.
Your cruise concludes as you arrive at Jingzhou in the morning. After breakfast disembark the ship and enjoy a 2-hour drive through the countryside to Wuhan. Visit the historical Museum and Yellow Crane Pavilion in the afternoon. Check into 4* Riverside Holiday Inn Hotel.
After breakfast, fly from Wuhan to Shanghai (China Eastern MU 2501:8:30 am-9:30 am). Upon arrival visit the famous Bund and Panda Zoo. Check into 5* Four Points Sheraton, Daning location. Enjoy Acrobatic Show at night.
After breakfast, take morning coach to Suzhou. Tour includes: Master of the Nets Garden, Silk Factory or Embroidery Institute and cruise on the Grand Canal. Afternon or evening coach back to Shanghai. Group meeting after dinner.
Today's sightseeing introduces the major attractions of the city, including YuyuanGarden and the carpet factory. After lunch you’ll be dropped off at the famous Nanjing Road to enjoy your free half-day activities. Instead you may choose to visit the NationalMuseum or other sites, or return back to the hotel.
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Day 16: Friday3/20 SHANGHAI/SFO (AB)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take Air China 985 back home (Note: check baggage to San Francisco). Depart 11:25 am and arrive Beijing 2 pm. Change aircraft and depart Beijing at 4 pm; arrive San Francisco at 12:20 pm (same day).
