Tour AC07 - Classic China

Day 1: Canada - Beijing
We start our journey to the Middle Kingdom with a transpacific flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing We arrive in Beijing, the political and cultural capital of China. We are greeted at the airport by our local tour guide and make our way to the hotel. We get a good night’s sleep and prepare for our first day of touring in this land of wonder and mystery.

Day 3: Beijing
Today, we tour Beijing, the capital of China for five dynasties and over 800 years. We start our day with a visit to the Forbidden City, the Imperial palace from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. This beautiful complex is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, featuring more than 800 buildings, 720,000 square metres of building space, 9,999 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars, vermilion walls, and mind-boggling opulence. We then tour the Summer Palace, a dominion of palace temples, gardens, pavilions, and lakes that was once a playground for the imperial court. It is said that Empress Dowager Cixi diverted 30 million taels of silver originally designated for the Chinese navy to the reconstruction of the Summer Palace when the original site was destroyed by two major wars during the nineteenth century. Today, Summer Palace is viewed as a symbol of Chinese landscape garden design, for its creative incorporation of the works of mankind and nature in a harmonious whole. In the evening, we are entertained by an amazing acrobatic show before retiring to our hotel.

Day 4: Beijing
No visit to China is complete without a walk on the remarkable Great Wall at Juyongguan. The Great Wall is the first image that comes to mind when most people think of China, and seeing it in person is truly something else. It is one of the non-classical Wonders of the World, a symbol of China's rich and storied past, and the pride of the Chinese nation. The Juyongguan Pass, with its northern Badaling portion, is the most well-known and visited section of the Great Wall. Later, we visit the Sacred Road and the Ming Dynasty Tombs, the site of the tombs of 13 Ming Emperors. This scenic area blends natural beauty and masterful architecture in a tranquil serenity. In the evening, we visit a traditional cloisonné factory before enjoying a traditional Peking Duck banquet.

Day 5: Beijing
Today, we have free time in Beijing. Take this time to spoil yourself in our luxurious hotel, visit the Drum Tower and the Lama Temple, hunt for great souvenirs at Panjiayuan Market and Curio City, or shop your heart out at the pedestrian Wangfujing Boulevard.

Day 6: Beijing - Jinan
After breakfast, we visit the famous Temple of Heaven. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the beautiful temple was used to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests. It has since become a must-see attraction in Beijing. Afterwards, we travel to Jinan by train.

Day 7: Jinan
Jinan is the capital of the province of Shandong and boasts close to 3,000 years of historical significance. Known for its natural beauty and dubbed the "City of Springs" for its abundance of natural springs. Our sightseeing takes us to Daming Lake and Baotu Spring, two of the most scenic areas in the region. For dinner, we enjoy a dumpling banquet featuring local specialties.

Day 8: Jinan - Mount Tai - Qufu
Today, we travel by coach to Mount Tai, one of the "Five Sacred Mountains of Taoism." Strongly associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, the mountain is full of historical, religious, and cultural significance. The numerous temples on the slopes of Mount Tai have been important pilgrimage sites for over 3,000 years. We take a cable car to the summit of Jade Emperor Peak. Towering 5,000 feet above sea level, this breathtaking vantage point gives us some unforgettable views of the mountain. In the afternoon, we make our way to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius and the “Sacred City of the East.”

Day 9: Qufu - Jinan - Nanjing
We spend today learning about the life of Confucius by visiting the Residence of Confucius, the Confucian Temple, and the Confucian Stele Forest. In the afternoon, we return to Jinan by coach, from which point we take an overnight train to Nanjing.

Day 10: Nanjing - Wuxi
Nanjing is the capital city of the province of Jiangsu. It served as the capital of China through six dynasties and is littered with cultural relics, fascinating museums, and breathtaking scenery. Highlights on our tour include the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the Confucian Temple, the Qinhuai River, and Nanjing Museum. After enjoying the local Qinhuai flavour for lunch, we continue our journey to Wuxi.

Day 11: Wuxi - Suzhou
Today, we tour Wuxi, a city that has been dubbed “Little Shanghai” for its recent economic development. With over 3,000 years of history, Wuxi is also one of the oldest cities in China. We visit the acclaimed Turtle Head Park, where we take in the beauty of Lake Tai, the third-largest lake in China. For lunch, we’re served the specialty of the local cuisine: Wuxi Spare Ribs. In the afternoon, we visit Three Kingdoms City, a 35-hectare movie set used to shoot the Han Dynasty epic "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and a freshwater pearls farm. In the evening, we make our way to Suzhou.

Day 12: Suzhou - Shanghai
On the twelfth day of our tour, we enjoy the splendor of Suzhou, known in China as “Paradise on Earth” since ancient times for its extraordinary beauty and delicate elegance. The city is referred to by many as the “Venice of the East” because it is built around the Grand Canal, while others call it “Garden City” for its abundance of classical Chinese gardens. Two highlights on our tour are Tiger Hill and the Master of the Nets Garden. After enjoying a dinner featuring local specialties and a silk fashion show in the evening, we make our way to Shanghai.

Day 13: Shanghai
As a definite highlight of our tour, we visit Shanghai, the undisputed commercial and financial heart of the country. Situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta, this modern metropolis is widely regarded as the citadel of China's economic development. Originally a sleepy fishing town, Shanghai became China's most important city by the twentieth century and is now a centre of popular culture, intellectual discourse, and political intrigue. While here, we visit the Bund and its architecture reminiscent of early twentieth century Europe, the skyscraper-lined banks of the Huangpu River, the shopping heaven that is Nanjing Road, and the refreshing oasis in the heart of the city - the Yuyuan Gardens. After a delicious dinner, take advantage of Shanghai's vibrant nightlife because this city never sleeps.

Day 14: Shanghai
Today, we have free time in Shanghai. Take this time to tour Shanghai's bustling riverfront with a Huangpu River Cruise, drench yourself in Chinese culture at the Shanghai Museum, visit the Jade Buddha Temple for a little sacred tranquility, or get a different view of the city from the 88th floor observation deck of the Jin Mao Tower.

Day 15: Shanghai - Canada
Today, our local tour guide sees us off at the airport, and we fly home to Canada. Have a wonderful trip!