Day 1 - WEST COAST
Depart on our Transpacific flight for the exotic Orient. Lunches and dinners served in flight.

Day 2 - IN FLIGHT
Relax and enjoy the many services offered such as delicious Oriental or Western cuisine. Also, you might enjoy watching a full length film or perhaps simply rest as you cross the International Date Line.

Day 3 - HONG KONG
Late morning arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, where we will be met by a WWCT representative and escorted to our hotel for check-in. Then Hong Kong becomes a living Kaleidoscope as we begin a 4-hr. Island Tour. The thrilling and dynamic British Crown Colony, Hong Kong (the pearl of the Orient), is only 11 miles long with a total area of some 29 square mile and supports a population in excess of four million people. Sightseeing highlights include Victoria Peak, Tiger Balm Garden, Ocean Park, Jade Market, Temple Street, the Space Museum, and the Middle Kingdom. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (breakfast, dinner)

Day 4 - HONG KONG/XIAN
After breakfast, transfer to Hong Kong airport for our departure flight to the ancient city of Xian, once the world's largest city. Our sightseeing here begins with the Big Wild Goose (Dayan) Pagoda, the Ming Dynasty Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, as well as the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang with over 6000 life-size terracotta warriors (in perfect battle array), the Neolithic Banpo Village, and the Hauqing Hot Spring. Return to hotel for overnight. (all meals)

Day 5 - XIAN/BEIJING (PEKING)
This morning a flight to Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China. Transferred to hotel for overnight with balance of day at leisure. (all meals, some in flight)

Day 6 - BEIJING
A full day touring in the heart of the city, visiting the world famous 100-acre Tienanmen Square (where Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China), the Imperial Palace (over 9000-room complex also called the Forbidden City where emperors of the Ming and Ching Dynasties resided, the magnificent Summer Palace with its beautiful garden, and the Temple of Heaven (where emperors prayed for good harvests). This evening, we enjoy an authentic Beijing Duck banquet at restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight. (all meals)

Day 7 - BEIJING
Today's touring includes the heart-stirring 2484-mile Great Wall (completed in 221 BC), pass through the "Avenue of the Animals" where you can see a number of gigantic stones and statues, the 13 Ming Tombs where only two have been excavated, and the Underground Palace where a collection of cultural relics are kept. Return to hotel for overnight. (all meals)

Day 8 - BEIJING/HANGZHOU
This morning we depart on flight to enjoy the heavenly beauty of Hangzhou, China's most popular resort. Sightseeing includes visit to the Tu Chin Sheng Silk Brocade Factory (well-known for its intricate brocade portraits of Chinese scenery and heroic scenes from the revolution) and the Pagoda of Six Harmonies (built in 970 AD). Return to hotel for overnight in Hangzhou. (all meals, some in flight)

Day 9 - HANGZHOU
Our touring today begins with a visit to the exquisite West Lake vicinity with its placid lake, beautiful gardens, reflecting pools, lavish temples, and friendly lakeside tea-houses. You can see a harmonic combination of causeways, bridges, and pavilions to form the most scenic attractions in the world. After lunch, visit Purple Cloud Cave and the Ling Yin Monastery (well-known Buddhist Temple built in 970 AD). Return to hotel for overnight. (all meals)

Day 10 - HANGZHOU/WUXI
After breakfast, we travel by train to Wuxi, once the capital of a feudal state in that region. Upon arrival, see the "Garden for Ease of Mind", which brings us back to the Ming Dynasty era. It's a lovely garden with temple pavilions, little ponds, and terraces. This afternoon wander along the natural tranquility of the scenery of Turtle Head Island (Yucantou Tse). On the way back to the famous LiGarden, view the Grand Canal, an image of "old" China. Dinner at a famous Wuxi restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight. (all meals, some on train)

Day 11 - WUXI/SHANGHAI
Today we leave Wuxi on a train bound for Shanghai, the biggest commercial city and the most important comprehensive industrial center in China. After transfer to hotel this evening, dinner, then night entertainment or other cultural performances arranged. Return to hotel for overnight. (all meals, some on train)

Day 12 - SHANGHAI
After breakfast, time for shopping as we browse through the Number One Department Store, largest one in China. This afternoon we enjoy a tea briefing together with intensive touring at the Shanghai Industrial Exhibition, where over 25,000 Chinese industrial and consumer products are displayed. Others famous sites in Shanghai are the 400-year-old Yu Yuan Garden decorated with master piece architecture, the Jade Buddha Temple, the Bund, and Children's Palace, an institute outside normal school hours where special talented youngsters can obtain extra-curricular training in music, dance, art, gymnastics, etc. under the guidance of highly trained tutors. Return to hotel for overnight. (all meals)

Day 13 - SHANGHAI/HONG KONG
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Hong Kong. Then transfer to hotel for overnight. Balance of day at leisure. (all meals, some in flight)

Day 14 - HONG KONG/WEST COAST
Transferred to the airport today to board our flight back to the USA--ending 14 days filled with long-lasting memories of our wonderful excursion in the Orient together.

TOUR COST & DEPARTURE DATES:

$4199.00
Sep 5, '05
(Per person based on 20 passengers, dbl. occ.; sgl. supp.--add $750.00)

Escorted Tours