China Experience Beijing, Xi an, and Shanghai

China Experience Beijing, Xi an, and Shanghai

China s profound history combined with its economic and technological present day significance makes it one of the most influential countries in the world. Its sheer size and population contributes to China s fast paced and energetic society. Home to globally renowned historical sites like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, China is known for its unique traditions and cultural Importance. Package Includes All Accommodations All Transportation Select Meals All Activities Bilingual Guides Medical and Evacuation Insurance Step into a new world with the Cambridge Network as you experience an ever changing adventure in the vast, dynamic country of China

Monday, June 26 Tuesday, June 27 Wednesday, June 28 Home / Beijing, China Board your overnight flight to Beijing, arriving in the afternoon where you are met by your Tour Guide and escorted to your hotel for dinner. Overnight in Beijing Beijing We begin our discovery of this 2,000-year-old city with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, built in the Ming Dynasty by the emperor Zhu Di, where emperors came to worship Heaven and pray for a good harvest. Head to a nearby restaurant for a noodle lunch. Our afternoon will consist of a visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. As the largest city square in the world, Tiananmen Square holds great cultural significance due to the various important imperial celebrations and events that took place here. Enter the magnificent gates and find the Forbidden City. Explore the beautiful imperial palace and its traditional Chinese architecture which was home to twenty emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Our day will conclude with a traditional Peking Duck Dinner where we sit down for the famous duck dish that has been prepared since the imperial era as one of the main dishes for its courts. Overnight in Beijing (B, L, D) Thursday, June 29 Beijing After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a whole day tour of the Great Wall (Mutianyu section with cable cars), the network of ancient defense installations that stretches almost 4,000 miles from the East China Sea to Central Asia. We will learn about the construction of this remarkable Chinese landmark. Stop for lunch at the foot of the Wall and then continue along the wall admiring its incredible architecture and historic significance. Our travel back to Beijing will consist of a visit to the beautiful grounds of the Summer Palace, a former royal retreat that is now a lovely park. Explore the exquisite royal gardens and lovely Kunming Lake. After dinner, enjoy an evening Kung Fu show. Overnight in Beijing (B, L, D) Friday, June 30 Beijing / Xi an This morning, visit a local Lama Temple. Next, explore Beijing s picturesque old courtyard homes and the narrow hutong alleys. We tour the district by pedicab for a closer and more engaging perspective on traditional Chinese life and enjoy lunch at a local family s home. Transfer to the transfer to the airport for our flight to Xi an. Upon arrival, take an hour ride to the city of

Xi an. We are in for a treat tonight, as we will be having a dumpling dinner with a show of Tang Dynasty dances and music. After dinner and the show, we head to our hotel for check in and to get some rest. Overnight in Xi an (B, L, D) Saturday, July 1 Xi an Enjoy a full day visiting some of the most historical and cultural sights in the city of Xi an. Our first stop of the day will be to a pottery workshop on our way to the Terra Cotta Army Exhibition and Museums. Standing as one of the most significant archeological excavations in the world, the Terra Cotta Warriors showcases hundreds of detailed life-size warrior models built to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. Of the thousands of models, no two are alike. Lunch will be held at a restaurant close to the museum and exhibits. This afternoon we bike the old city wall, a traditional way to view the historic city and its surroundings. As we approach the evening, we head back to the city to visit the Grand Mosque, the oldest in China and in Chinese style. We dive into the Muslim cultural atmosphere as we walk through the Muslim Quarters and explore a number of ancient architectural buildings and local vendors. The night will finish with a traditional Islamic meal. Overnight in Xi an (B, L, D) Sunday, July 2 Xi an / Shanghai Today, check out of our hotel and for our last activity in Xi an, we will pay a visit to the Shaanxi History Museum, with an acclaimed collection of historic and cultural artifacts from the Tang dynasty. Also, see the Big Goose Pagoda from the outside. Built in 652, Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a remarkable ancient building and holy place for Buddhists. As we bid farewell to Xi an, we head to the Xi an airport for our flight to Shanghai. Once in Shanghai, we will transfer to our Hotel. We will have dinner either on the plane or once we arrive in Shanghai. Overnight in Shanghai (B, L, D) Monday, July 3 Shanghai After breakfast, we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, originally built in 1882, the present building was built in 1928 in a unique classical architectural style. The temple is the home of several large carved jade buddhas which survived the destruction. Enjoy learning about the craft and creation of Silk with a late morning Silk Workshop. Visit the Bund, the mile-long riverside embankment and commercial center where foreign investors once held sway, which has been one of the most recognizable architectural symbols and pride of Shanghai. Every morning people come here to do exercises and

every evening they come to appreciate the view with their loved ones. The word bund derives from an Anglo-Indian word for an embankment along a muddy waterfront and that is what the Bund was originally. Continue to the Yu Garden, a classical garden in downtown Shanghai, boasting a history over 400 years. Each pavilion, hall, stone and stream in the garden is expressing the quintessence of South China landscape design from Ming and Qing Dynasty. Over forty spots, divided by dragon walls, wound corridors and beautiful flowers, form a unique picture featuring one step, one beauty; every step, every beauty. It s reputed to be the most beautiful. Enjoy dinner this evening we attend a lively acrobatic show. Overnight in Shanghai (B, L, D) Tuesday, July 4 Shanghai Spend the first part of the day exploring the Shanghai Museum, a museum of ancient Chinese art, situated on the People's Square in the Huangpu District of Shanghai, China. Rebuilt at its current location in 1996, it is considered one of China's first world-class modern museums. Visit the Shanghai City Planning Exhibition Center, which displays the large 1/500 scale model of the city and its exhibit showcases the development and rise of Shanghai from the past to future. Enjoy time to explore the streets of Xintiandi and Nanjing Road, major pedestrian shopping streets. Gather this evening for a Farewell hot-pot dinner. Overnight in Shanghai (B, L, D) Wednesday, July 5 Shanghai / Home Transfer to the airport for your return flights home (B)

Inclusions: International and Domestic Airfare from Los Angeles 2 Chaperones Land and Air Costs in Double Accommodations Tips and gratuities for drivers, and guides Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance Meals as included per the itinerary Activities as included per the itinerary Transportation per itinerary Daily accommodation per the itinerary in doubles All park and attraction entry fees per itinerary Exclusions: Optional tours Visa Processing and Passport Fees Departure Fees and Taxes (If applicable) Excess baggage charges levied by airlines Daily meals not listed Beverages other than water with meals Cancellation and Interruption Insurance Personal expenses Price: 15 Paying Participants - $3,650 per person 20 Paying Participants - $3,450 per person For More Information: Fred Barney, fbarney@thecambridgeinstitute.org, 781-996-0805