Day 1/2

Day 1 • Depart USA/Canada for Beijing, China

Day 2 • Arrive in Beijing

Welcome to Beijing, China’s celebrated capital! Upon arriving at the airport, you will be escorted to your hotel by a Super Value representative. Unwind after your flight with a professional acupressure massage. Take a city bus tour to see Qianmen, Gulou (Drum Tower), Zhong Nan Hai, Beihai and Prospect Hill Parks, and Tiananmen Square. Covering an area of 99 acres (roughly 90 football fields!) in the center of Beijing, this famous square has been a venue for many historical events in modern China. Dine with your tour companions with our specially-arranged Peking Duck welcome banquet. (Dinner)

Tiananmen Square Tiananmen Square is the largest city plaza in the world, its sized 880 meters long and 500 meters wide; it can contain 100 million people at once. The name of Tiananmen Square literally means “Gate of Heavenly Peace.” As the site of several key events in China’s history, it has great cultural significance.

Day 3

Day 3 • Beijing

Experience imperial China with a visit to the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City. Built in 1420, the Temple of Heaven was the sanctuary for Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices and pray for harvests. Take a quick shopping break to try your hand at bargaining with locals in bustling Silk Street Market before visiting the magnificent Forbidden City, the world’s largest and best-preserved palace compound. (3 meals)

The National Palace Museum (aka Forbidden City) It was the Chinese Imperial palace from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty where the Emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. Temple of Heaven The temple correctly known as Tian Tan, is one of the largest temple complexes in China and a paradigm of Chinese architectural balance and symbolism. The complex was visited by the Emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. Today, the Temple of Heaven is situated in a large and pleasant park that now attracts early morning practitioners of Tai Chi and other bustling social activities. Silk Street Market Once a notorious marketplace for counterfeit goods, Silk Street market now features an eclectic collection of everything from shoes and socks to digital cameras. A visit to this local landmark provides travelers a chance to test their bargaining skills against locals. National Stadium (aka Bird’s Nest) The main stadium for 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics; the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, track field, soccer events, and etc… were held in this stadium. The building was designed by Swiss Architects Herzong & De Meuron and Beijing Institute of Architecture Design. Outer shape was built by metals in a abstract way and looking from far looks a like the nest of birds, that is why it is called Bird’s Nest. Aquatic Center (Water Cube) Home of the 2008 Summer Olympics water sports; inside not only contains swimming pools and diving boards, but it also included 6000 permanent seating and 1000 temporary seating. The outside building shape is made a material called ETFE, because of this material, the whole building looks a like a cube that filled with lots water and that is where the name of Water Cube.

Day 4

Day 4 • Beijing

Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, known as one of the best-preserved yet less commercialized sections. Despite superfluous stories surrounding the Wall, this engineering marvel truly deserves recognition as the most magnificent attraction in Beijing. Choose from 1 of 5 suggested routes to climb the Mutianyu section of the Wall, tailored for your personal preferences and pace. Return to Beijing and unwind with a stroll through the Imperial Summer Palace, a local favorite; largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. (3 meals)

Imperial Summer Palace This palace served the Qing Dynasty as an imperial retreat from the stifling summer confines of the Forbidden City. The complex suffered two major attacks, one during the Anglo-French invasion of 1860 and again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The surviving garden was rebuilt in 1886 and 1902. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 1998. Mutianyu (The Great Wall) A section of Great Wall of China, located in Huariou county, 45miles northeast of Beijing. The Mutianyu section of Great Wall is famous for the breathe-taking beautiful scenery. The walls presents different aspects of beauty in 4 seasons; Flowers bloom all over the mountain in spring, grasses dress on the hillside green in summer, leaves are turning red and yellow touching the mountain top with gold in autumn, in winter the wall is covered by snow, making it seem more magnificent.

Day 5

Day 5 • Beijing • Xi'an

See the 2008 Olympic venues including the National Stadium or “Bird’s Nest”, and the National Aquatics Center or “Water Cube.” In the afternoon, fly to Xi’an, base of Chinese civilization. To see why Xi’an has earned this title, travel to the hidden gem of the Han Yang Ling Museum. Opened in 2005, this tomb honors Emperor Jing and his consort (150BC; Han Dynasty). Unlike its well-travelled counterpart, the Terracotta Army, Han Yang Ling’s clay figures are a smaller scale and depict common life, a reflection of peaceful times. Thanks to modern excavation techniques, visitors can take a more intimate look at the exhibit’s figurines. (3 meals)

Shaanxi History Museum It covers 65,000 square meters, with a building area of 60,000 square meters. The newly built modern building recreates Tang-dynasty architecture and successfully symbolizes the great extent of Shaanxi history and its remarkable culture. Great Goose Pagoda The pagoda was built in the Tang-dynasty in memory of the Gaozong emperor’s mother, Empress Wende. Just as the Forbidden City symbolizes Beijing, the Great Goose Pagoda is a popular piece of ancient architecture in China, and symbolizes Xian.

Day 6

Day 6 • Xi'an

Continue down the historical path to the Shaanxi Historical Museum, regarded as the best in the country and the best reference for understanding China’s rich history. Our next attraction is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the southern suburbs. Standing for over 1300 years, this piece of classic architecture is now a symbol of the ancient capital of Xi'an.  After lunch, arrive at the Terracotta Army, a tribute to Emperor Qin Shi Huang – unified China’s first ruler (221BC ~ 210 BC; Qin Dynasty). With weapons in hand, clay warriors line up in a phalanx, solemn and awe-inspiring. Often cited as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World,' the Terracotta Warriors leave an amazing impression. (3 meals)

Terracotta Army Museum Terracotta warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China. The figures dating back 210 B.C., were discovered in 1974 by several local farmers. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongman, and musicians . Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Xi'an (Ancient) City Wall The Xi'an City Walls were constructed in the early Ming Dynasty on the basis of the Imperial City of Chang An (Everlasting Peace) of the Tang Dynasty. It is also a symbol of great significance of the famous historic cultural city of Xi'an. One of the features of the Xi'an Wall lies in the fact that it has been preserved intact, which is rarely seen in the world. The City Wall has corner towers, ramparts, sentry towers, gate towers, battlements and a a number of city defensive fortifications with very strong defense capability. Beilin Museum (Forest of Stelae Musrum) A former Confucian temple now a museum with largest collection of steles in China from mostly Han and Qing Dynasties.

Day 7

Day 7 • Xi'an • Guilin

Before departing Xi’an, walk on the ancient Xi’an city walls, one of the oldest and best-preserved fortifications in the world and an excellent place to gain an overview of the city. Afterwards, visit the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum. Built over 900 years ago, the collection now houses 1087 stone tablets including the Forest of Steles, the heaviest collection of books in the world.  Afterwards, enjoy time to roam the downtown thoroughfare of the Mingqing Street, sampling local food or browsing the colorful shops.  After lunch, fly to relaxing Guilin, famous throughout China for its beautiful mountain and river landscapes. Upon arrival, enjoy free time in the evening.  Try nearby sightseeing in Reed Flute Cave, shopping local craft stores, or simply enjoying a local massage. (3 meals)

Han Yang Ling The combined mausoleum of Emperor Jingdi, the fourth Emperor of Western Han Dynasty, and his empress dated back to 150 B.C. The figures are stylistically different – while the terra cotta warriors are life-size and have their costumes incorporated into the carved figures, the ones at Han Yang Ling are only three feet tall and were once dressed in garments (which have since deteriorated). Elephant Trunk Hill (Xianbi Shan) An endearing symbol of the Guilin city. It resembles an elephant has placed its trunk in the Li River waters for a drink.

Day 8

Day 8 • Guilin • Yangshuo

Take a city tour of Guilin in the morning with a stop to observe “Solitary Beauty Peak” on the grounds of Guangxi University. Transfer to Yangshuo by bus and sense the mellow atmosphere as soon as you arrive. Described by locals as a “two-horse town hidden within the mountains,” every corner reveals magnificent natural backdrops, as if the town itself were a real-life canvas. After lunch, enjoy famous local landscape up close by gliding down the Yulong River in bamboo rafts. A tributary of the Li River, the beauty of this area is its lack of new architecture, artificial polish, and urban bustle; everything is primitive, natural, simple and pure. After dinner, see an optional show entitled “Impression: Liu San Jie (Story of Sister Liu).” Directed by Zhang Yimou, acclaimed filmmaker and director of the 2008 Olympics ceremonies, this open-air performance showcases the beauty of Yangshuo by using nature as a stage. (3 meals)

Li Jiang Yang Di (Li River) The 84-kilometer-long segment from Guilin City to Yangshuo City resembles a green silk belt, winding among the peaks and the chains of mountains. The miraculous peaks, green mountains and blue waters mutually embellish, just as a 100-kilometer-long scroll. Bamboo Rafting at Yulong River Drifting down the Yulong River on a bamboo raft gives you an up close chance to enjoy the natural “miles of art galleries” on both sides of the river. This experience is pleasing to both the eye and the mind as you enter a poetic world of harmonious freedom, with nature and man blended in one.

Day 9

Day 9 • Yangshuo • Guilin

Before returning to Guilin for our evening’s flight, relax in Yangshuo with a rural bicycle or electric cart tour exploring the local pastoral scenery and tiny villages. In the afternoon, depart the “city hidden within the mountains” and fly on to Shanghai. (3 meals)

Ludi Yan The cave is located northwest of Guilin city and situated on the southern shoulder of Guangming Hill. The cave got its name from a kind of flutes growing outside which can be made into melodious flutes. The cave is filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites, rocks in all strange shapes. The cave sized around 240 m long, 95 m wide and inside temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. Guangxi University A University located in Guilin, Guangxi. It was established in 1932, the school has changed its name six times, moved address 8 times, reorganize 4 times. With the long history of school establishment, the school still keeps its motto “Respect and Work together”. Yao Shan Hill Park At 902 meters, Yao Shan is the highest hill in Guilin. It received the name from the Yao Emperor temple, built on top of the mountain in Tang Dynasty. Each season offers a different view. In spring azalea flowers are everywhere, in summer the bamboo compete with each other for greenness, in autumn the falling red leaves light the hill ablaze, and the winter snow is as transparent as pure crystal. Fubo Shan Located western bank of Li River in the northern part of city. Its name is variously described as being derived from the fact that the peak descends into the river, blocking the waves, and from a historical hero called General Fubo in Han Dynasty. Even though Fubo Shan is small, inside there are many caves, the most well-known one called the Pearl-Returning Cave, which is composed of many side-caves, linked like a labyrinth.

Day 10

Day 10 • Shanghai

Transportation and passes are included for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Enjoy the day at your leisure! (Breakfast)

Shanghai World Expo Join the festivities of the 2010 World Expo! This once in a lifetime event is being held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai from May 1 to October 31, 2010. Celebrate the Expo theme of "Better City – Better Life."

Day 11

Day 11 • Shanghai

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport by a Super Value Tours representative. Zai jian (See you again)! (Breakfast)