“Best of China” Tour

March 31 – April 20, 2012

View Larger Map		Beijing
		A: Beijing   C: Hangzhou E: Shanghai G: Chongqing I: Hong Kong	B: Xi'an    D: Suzhou F: Yichang H: Guilin

ITINERARY:

*ABF - American Buffet Breakfast; B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D –Dinner; SD –Banquet;
** Time – All times listed in the itinerary are LOCAL TIME;

March 31, 2012 [Sat] Toronto (or Vancouver) / North Pole
You will depart Toronto or other cities in Canada by Air Canada today and fly above the North Pole and across the international dateline.

April 1, 2012 [Sun] Beijing (D)
You will arrive in Beijing today. Beijing is a world-class capital with an incredible mix of historic and modern landmarks. Upon arrival you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the centre located hotel. You will be on at leisure for rest of the day to make necessary adjustment for the jet-lag.

• Legendale Hotel (6 star)
90-92 Jinbao Street Beijing 10005; T: (86 10) 8511-3388; F: (86 10) 8511-5566;
www.legendalehotel.com.cn;

April 2, 2012 [Mon] Beijing (ABF, L, SD)
After having the breakfast, you will start the tour from the largest public square in the world - the Tiananmen Square and then enter the intriguing Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City - home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, taking a leisure stroll while admiring the thousands of ancient murals along the Long Corridor and a boat ride on Kunming Lake (weather permitting). In the evening，enjoy a fabulous welcome banquet featuring the famous Beijing Duck in the “Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant”.

April 3, 2012 [Tue] Beijing (ABF, L, D)
An unforgettable outing includes a walking to the wondrous Great Wall, where you will have the chance to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile vista and marvel. Its dramatic descends steep ridges and narrow valleys will scatter a good landscape for your camera. In the afternoon, visit the Ming Tomb and walk through the Sacrificed Way features the giant animal sculptures group. En route back, you will drive around the intriguing architecture of the 2008 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremony venues: the National Stadium which is nicknamed the "Bird's Nest" because of the unique design and the National Aquatics with the nickname of "the Water Cube”.

April 4, 2012 [Wed] Beijing (ABF, L, D)
After having the breakfast, enjoy a Pedi-cab Ride in the Hutongs, the "old city" neighborhood of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens hidden behind Beijing's modern facade. Visit Prince Gong's Palace, the Drum Tower, and old-style courtyard houses still inhabited by Beijing residents. In the afternoon, you will visit the harmonious Temple of Heaven, one of the best examples of Ming Dynasty architecture in China, also an ornate sanctuary where Chinese Emperors worshiped the Gods.

April 5, 2012 [Thu] Beijing / Xi’an (ABF, L, D)
An late evening flight will bring your to Xi’an – the Ancient Chinese Capital thousands years ago. You will be greeted by local tour guide & transferred to hotel. Thereafter, tour the Ancient City Wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower.

• Sheraton Xi’an North City Hotel (5 star)
32 Wei Yang Road, Xian Shaanxi 710004; T: (86 29) 8886-6888; F: (86 29) 8629-2775
www.starwoodhotels.com;

April 6, 2012 [Fri] Xi'an (ABF, L, SD)
Today's highlight is a visit to the Archaeological Museum, home to more than 6,000 life-size Terra-Cotta Warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. After lunch, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum which contains relics from the earliest known inhabitants of China. In the evening, attend a Tang Dynasty (AD 600 – 780) Dinner Show, a true duplicate of royal entertainment 1200 years ago.

April 7, 2012 [Sat] Xi’an / Hangzhou (ABF, L, D)
Xi’an is a city of unsurpassed importance in China’s history; it is filled with archeological wonders and served as the capital for eleven dynasties. You will tour the Great Mosque, a haven of tranquility tucked into the bustling market areas of Xi’an.

At noon time, you will be transferred all the way to the airport for your flight to Hangzhou on the east coast of China. Hangzhou, one of the seven ancient capitals in China, was called “the Paradise on Earth” 1300 years ago. The Venetian traveler Marco Polo, after his visiting Hangzhou, called it “the most beautiful and splendid city in the world”. You will visit the nation’s famous West Lake Garden, lingering along the zigzag path; you may find the same sceneries that can be found in traditional Chinese painting.

• Landison Plaza Hotel (5 star)
333 Ti Yu Chang Road, Hangzhou Zhejiang, 310006; T: (86 571) 8515-8888; F: (86 571) 8510-9589;
www.landisonplazahotel.com.cn;

April 8, 2012 [Sun] Hangzhou (ABF, L, SD)
You will start today’s tour with a short boat tour on the West Lake, you will also climb the Flying Peak, a typical Chinese pagoda on top of the hill where enable you to have a magnificent bird view of the city. Your last stop in the Dragon Well Tea Plantation will let the farmers demonstrate you how they prepare the world- famous “Dragon Well Tea”. A special local flavor dinner will be arranged for you the 1000 years old “Lou Wai Lou” Restaurant. After sunset, you may dwell along the lakeshore where you will behold the spectacular night view of the West Lake.

April 9, 2012 [Mon] Hangzhou / Suzhou (ABF, L, D)
A short ride (about 1.5 hour) by train will provide you a good opportunity to view the Yangtze River Delta area. The city of Suzhou is referred to as the “Venice of the East”. Take a relaxing stroll through one of Suzhou beautiful gardens, like the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the largest classical gardens in Suzhou as well as one the four best gardens in China. Enjoy a boat cruise along the Grand Canal, which is over 1,500 years old and connects Beijing to the rich coastal areas around Shanghai. Your tour programs will also include the Garden of Master Fishing Net.

• Suzhou Marriott Hotel (5 star)
1296 Ganjiang Road West, Suzhou China 215004; T: (86 512) 8225-8888; F: (86 512) 8225-8899;
www.marriott.com;

April 10, 2012 [Tue] Suzhou / Shanghai (ABF, L)
Continue your tour in the Garden City – Suzhou in the morning. After noon time, a short ride (about 1 hour) by private vehicle will bring you to Shanghai, the economic heart of China. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and due to the best centre location of the hotel, you enjoy a leisure time in the afternoon.

• Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai (5 star);
58 Mao Ming Road South, Shanghai 200020 China; T: (86 21) 6415-1111; F: (86 21) 6415-8866;
www.gardenhotelshanghai.com;

April 11, 2012 [Wed] Shanghai (ABF, L, D)
Your first day of sightseeing in Shanghai will start from the Bund. Along the waterfront you will see the European-Style architecture of the buildings that once housed the institutions of the colonial powers in the 19th century. Followed program will be a visit to the Old Town and walk down its narrow lanes past traditional buildings to the once private Yu Yuan Gardens. A lunch features local flavor will be booked for you in The Green Wave Pavilion Restaurant – right inside the Yu Garden. You end your full-day sightseeing tour with a stop at the Jade Buddha Temple. Tonight, you are sure to enjoy the amazing contortion and acrobatic show in Ritz Carlton Hotel.

April 12, 2012 [Thu] Shanghai / Yichang (ABF, L, D)
In the morning, you will make a visit the Shanghai National Museum. There you will find artifacts that span the length of China’s history, and enliven its cultural traditions.

Century Sky Cruise Ship (5 star) is a 306-passenger vessel targeted to the Western market. For the design, Century Sky Cruises called on Oslo-based architects Yran & Storbraaten of Seabourn and Silversea fame. The contemporary Scandinavian and Asian-inspired Century Sky offers the intimacy of a river boat with amenities of a cruise ship (including western galley, elevators, spa, and fitness room).

April 13, 2012 [Fri] Yangtze River Cruise (ABF, L, D)
You will start your spectacular cruise up the mighty Yangtze River and relax on the deck or in the lounge to enjoy the spectacular view of Yangtze River. This morning enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam site, where you'll have a birds-eye view of this awe-inspiring engineering feat. Continue sailing upstream through the Three Gorges Dam and the XILING Gorge today.

April 14, 2012 [Sat] Yangtze River Cruise (ABF, L, D)
Enjoy a mid-day excursion to either Shennong Stream or the Danning River of Lesser Three Gorges, depending on river conditions. This afternoon you'll pass the WU Gorge and QUTANG Gorge. Optional excursion is to the White Emperor City (river condition permitting).

April 15, 2012 [Sun] Yangtze River Cruise (ABF, L, D)
You will have two shore excursions to Fengdu Ghost Town, Shibaozhai Village or Wanzhou.

April 16, 2012 [Mon] Chongqing / Guilin (ABF, L, SD)
You will disembark from the cruise ship at 9:00AM; followed will be a brief tour in Chongqing will include the People’s Square, and the World War II Museum. Enjoy an Sichan Hot Pot dinner. In the evening, you will fly to China’s most scenic city – Guilin.

• Sheraton Hotel (5 star)
15 Bin Jiang Road Guilin, Guangxi 541001; T: (86 773) 282-5588; F: (86 773) 282-5598;
www.sheraton.com/guilin;

April 17, 2012 [Tue] Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin (ABF, L, D)
After breakfast, cruise in air-conditioned comfort on the Li River, where every turn offers breathtaking new views of vertical peaks, weathered stone pinnacles, caverns, soft bamboo groves, and other pastoral landscapes that have inspired so much Chinese art and poetry. You spend the entire afternoon in Yangshuo, a small town 100 km away from Guilin, to have a better study of Chinese farmers’ real daily life.

April 18, 2012 [Wed] Guilin / Hong Kong (ABF, L)
Best known for its immortal stone mountains, Guilin also is noted for fantastic caves, and this afternoon you’ll explore the finest Reed Flute Cave, full of oddities and historic treasures. Also you will visit the Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park & farmer’s free market. At the evening, you will be escorted back to Guilin Airport for your flight to Hong Kong. Upon your arrival at Hong Kong airport, our CTS H.K. representative will meet you at the airport for your transfer to hotel.

• Marco Polo Prince Hotel (4 star)
Harbour City, Kowloon, Hong Kong; T: (852) 2113-1888; F: (852) 2113-0066;
www.marcopolohotels.com;

April 19, 2012 [Thu] Hong Kong (ABF)
Enjoy the free at leisure for self-exploration of this metropolitan city. In the afternoon, your tour guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for half day tour in Hong Kong Island. The tour will start from Victoria Peak’s classic tram and glittering new Tower Complex, to quaint Aberdeen, Repulse Bay and the teeming markets of Stanley.

April 20, 2012 [Fri] Hong Kong* / Canada (ABF)
Be free in the morning. At around noon time, your tour guide will meet you at the hotel lobby for the transfer to the airport for your back home flight. * Extension in hotel Hong Kong is available upon requests.

The whole trip is finished!

PRICES – “International Transpacific Airfare is quoted separately” [Single Supplement - $1,650.00]

CAD$4,350 / per person - land portion only, double occupancy

The above tour arrangement is INCLUSIVE of:

• All transportation in China (Beijing–Xi’an–Hangzhou–Suzhou-Shanghai–Yichang–Chongqing-Guilin–Hong Kong);
• Hotel accommodations throughout (based on double occupancy);
• 5 star Yangtze River Cruise ship (based on double occupancy cabin);
• All on-shore excursions along the Yangtze River;
• All related taxes, hotel 12.5% service charge and airport security fees within China;
• Daily American Buffet Breakfast throughout and lunch & dinner as indicated in the itinerary;
• All airport / hotel / airport transfers;
• Private comprehensive sightseeing with all transfers in each city in a private vehicle;
• All admission fees for the programs listed in the itinerary;
• English speaking guide;

The above tour arrangement is EXCLUSIVE of:

• Travel Insurance – we may arrange this for you with RBC Insurance;
• International round-trip transpacific air ticket (Canada / Beijing / tour / Hong Kong/ Canada)*;
• China visa * visa application is available upon requests;
• Gratuities to tour guides, private tour car drivers (suggest CND$10 / per tourist, per day);
• Any personal expenses like laundry, long distance phone call, hotel mini-bar beverage and postages.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

Terms & Conditions prepared by China Travel Service (Canada) Inc. is attached and it will apply for the whole trip to China.