Home » BACKUP » X-files 2009

19-day Southwest China Odyssey

City: Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu-Lijiang-Jianchuan-Dali-Kunming-Shanghai

Day 1: Depart Canada
Start your tour by boarding an overnight flight to Beijing. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 2: Arrival Beijing (D)
Upon arrival in late afternoon, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore this city once known as Peking to Westerns.
Accommodation: Qianmen Jianguo Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Beijing * * * * * (or similar)

Day 3: Beijing (BLD)
Beijing, the capital of China, is the second largest city in terms of population and recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China and once served as the capital for 5 dynasties over 800 years in ancient China. 
Today we first visit the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. From there you enter The Forbidden City to see the 250-acre complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens. You are specially arranged with a visit to the Treasure House where stores rare and valuable collection of ancient art works inside the Forbidden City. Afternoon we visit to the Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. A delicious Peking Duck dinner is arranged to round off a memorable start to your tour.

Day 4: Beijing (BLD)
We drive 70km northwest of the city for a full-day excursion to the Great Wall, the world's longest man-made structure, stretching over 6,352 km (3,948 miles) from Shanhai Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built between 5th century BC and the 17th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties. After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Path - 13 of the 16 Ming emperors have their lavish tombs here. On the way back we tour the "Bird’s Nest" (Beijing National Stadium) and “Water Cube” (Beijing National Aquatics Center) where hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Kung Fu Show in the evening.

Day 5: Beijing-Xian (BLD)
Morning sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. After lunch we tour Beijing Hutong by rickshaw to see traditional residential courtyards and visit Gongwang Fu (the Gongwang Mansion), one of the largest quadrangles in the world, and one of the best preserved royal palaces which have existed from Qing Dynasty so far. Late afternoon fly to Xi'an.
Night program includes Big Wild-goose Pagoda Square where locates the biggest music fountain in Asia.
Accommodation: Xi'an Empress Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Sheraton Xi'an * * * * * (or similar)

Day 6: Xi'an (BLD)
Known as one of the most important cities in Chinese history, Xi'an is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China because it has been the capital of 13 dynasties. Xi'an is also the eastern end of the Silk Road. Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity.
Today we visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city, followed by the Shaanxi History Museum. Tonight you are entertained with the splendid Tang Dynasty Style Music and Dance Show and enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner.

Day 7: Xi'an-Chengdu (BLD
Morning city tour includes Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Ancient City Wall and an Old Street of Xi'an. Take afternoon flight to Chengdu.
Accommodation: Sichuan Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Sheraton Chengdu * * * * * (or similar)

Day 8: Chengdu
Morning we visit the Sanxingdui (Three star mounds) Culture Museum built on the archaeological site of the discovery of Bronze Age, located about 40km west of Chengdu. The Sanxingdui site, first chanced upon by a farmer in 1929, continues to surprise the archaeological community in the decades to come. In 1986, two major sacrificial pits were discovered and the breakthrough aroused widespread academic attention from around the world. The Sanxingdui finds are exciting, but they remain enigmatic as so far no written records of this 5,000-year-old civilization have been found. Afternoon, we tour Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base where the Giant Panda Museum graphically details the panda reproductive problems, and there is also a large breeding ground at the site.

Day 9: Chengdu-Lijiang
Morning fly to Lijiang City - home to the ethnic Nakhi people whose intriguing Dongba religion and unique customs coupled with the region's enchanting scenery combine to make Lijiang and its vicinity a fascinating place to explore.
Today we tour the old town Dayan, a UNESCO-designated World Cultural Heritage Site,
Accommodation: Golden Spring Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Lijiang International Hotel * * * * * (or similar)

Day 10: Lijiang (BL)
One day excursion to Yunshanping (Spruce Meadow), an alpine pasture surrounded by virgin forests at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The evening concert of classical Naxi music is optional if available.

Day 11: Lijiang-Jianchuan (BL)
Morning we drive about 40km north of Lijiiang to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area (also known as the First Bend of the Yangtze). Afternoon we drive about 80km to Jianchuan County to visit the Shibaoshan ((Stone Treasure Mountain) Scenic Area that consists of Shizhong Temple, Baoxiang Temple and Haiyunju Temple, among which the Baoxiang Temples are reputed as the ‘Hanging Temple’ in Ynnan, which were built on the cliff of the mountain. There are 139 statues of Buddha in 16 grottoes scattered throughout the area.
Accommodation: Jiali Hotel * * * * at foot of Scenic Jinhua Mountain (best available, or similar)

Day 12: Jianchuan-Dali (BL) 
Morning sightseeing is the Sideng Street - the only preserved marketplace from the Tea-Horse Road, an ancient road treaded by human feet and horse hoofs for thousands of years in the mountains of Southwest China, bridging the Chinese hinterland and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Along the unpaved and often rugged road, tea, salt and sugar flowed into Tibet, while horses, cows, furs, musk and other local products came out. The ancient commercial passage, dubbed the "Ancient Tea-Horse Road", first appeared during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and lasted until the 1960s when Tibetan highways were constructed.
Then, we tour the Thousand Lion Mountain Scenic Area where accommodates thousands of stone lions of various gesture and size.
Afternoon we drive about 125km to Dali -once as the capital of Nanzhao Kingdom, Dali is a charming town built on the shores of Erhai Lake, with a large population of the ethnic Bai nationality.
Accommodation: Landscape Hotel * * * * inside the old town (or similar)
Accommodation: Regent Hotel * * * * * (or similar)

Day 13: Dali (BL)
Today’s schedule futures the Foreigner Street in Old Town of Dali, and Three Pagodas. Then we tour the Erhai and have a cruise on the lake.

Day 14: Dali-Kunming (BL)
Morning free. Afternoon fly to Kunming - widely known as the "city of eternal spring" due to its temperate climate year-round. City tour upon arrival.
Accommodation: Sakura Hotel Kunming * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Grand Park Hotel Kunming * * * * * (or similar)

Day 15: Kunming (BL)
Morning excursion to the Stone Forest, a massive collection of gray limestone pillars created by water erosion, which is located 126km southeast of Kunming.

Day 16: Kunming-Shanghai (BLD)
Morning fly to Shanghai - the largest city of China, is widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy and serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China.
Today we visit The Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, Yuyuan Garden, Town-God Temple bazaar and Shanghai Museum.
Evening entertainment is the dazzling acrobatic show.
Accommodation: Best Western New Century Hotel Shanghai * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Salvo Hotel Shanghai * * * * * deluxe room (or similar)

Day 17: Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai (BLD)
One-day excursion to Suzhou - the 25-century-old city best known for its traditional Chinese gardens, silk industry and well-preserved Grand Canal. Our schedule today includes the Master of the Nets Garden, a short cruise on the Grand Canal, Tiger Hill and a silk spinning mill. Drive back to Shanghai in the evening.

Day 18: Shanghai (B)
A free day today. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own is easy and fun. Our recommended to-do list includes a visit to glitzy Pudong New District, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline.

 Day 19: Shanghai-Home
Board return flight arriving home the same day.

Tour price (in CAD, on basis of double occupancy):
* Departures are guaranteed.
* Full Package includes International Airfare, tax & fuel surcharge, subject to change.
* Land Cost includes China internal tax and fuel surcharge.

The price includes

The price excludes

• International round-trip airfare, airport taxes and fuel surcharge (apply to Land Cost Package);
• Travel insurance;
• Tips for tour guides, drivers, porters, staff on cruise and tour leader;
• China Visa fee;
• Personal natures such as laundry, alcoholic beverages and telephone call;
• Excess baggage.

Remarks:

• Full package may change along with the adjustment of international airfare, airport tax and fuel surcharge;
• For traveling with Air Canada, once seat availability is confirmed, clients must have their tickets issued before the deadline set by the airline;
• Child Rate (2-11 yrs): 80% of the adult fare sharing room with 2 adults, no extra bed.