China's Vast Discovery Tour

This amazing tour is perfect for all first time birth country travelers. Beijing's deep-rooted culture, Xian's rich historical relics, Guilin's fabulous sceneries and Hong Kong's modernity would thrill the adoptees and build up their appreciations toward their heritages.

Explore Beijing's Hutong neighborhoods-the best- preserved areas that represented the history, culture and lifestyles of old Beijing on a rickshaw; then visit the breathtaking Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in Xian. Enjoy the spectacular views of the beautiful backdrops and colorful lighting displays in the Reed Flute Caves and a sweet home stay in Guilin; be prepared to sample delicious authentic cuisines around the world and shop for great souvenirs in the Eaters' and Shoppers' Paradise-Hong Kong. Hands on cultural activities and exciting sightseeing programs are incorporated on your daily itinerary as well.

Itinerary

Day 1: Canada/Beijing

meals: n/a

Depart Canada to begin your explorations at China's most popular sites and cities. Cross the International Date Line enroute to China.

Day 2: Beijing

meals: D

Arrive in Beijing and meet your English-speaking guide and driver after claiming your baggage. You will then travel to your hotel to settle down and adjust to the time difference. Attend a welcome dinner in the evening to get acquainted with the tour logistics.

Day 3: Beijing

meals: B/L

Begin your day with a tour at the Forbidden City. Listed as a world heritage site in 1987, the Forbidden City contains the largest group of intact palace structures in the world. The palace is 720,000 square meters in size and contains 9,999 rooms, numerous pavilions, gardens and courtyards. Then tour to the Tiananmen Square. Noted as the largest city square in the world, the square was initially designed for political rallies and important gala events. Today the square is flanked by the Forbidden City in the north, the Great Hall of the People in the west, Mao TseTung's Mausoleum in the south and the Museum of Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History in the east. Explore the fascinating Hutong neighborhoods. Beijing's oldest Hutongs were constructed during Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Your tour will take you through some of the best-preserved Hutong neighborhoods that represented the history, culture, and lifestyle of old Beijing.

Day 4: Beijing

meals: B/L

Visit a UNESCO world heritage sites today. Begin your day with a tour at the Great Wall. Constructed more than 2,000 years ago by China's first emperor, the ancient wall is 6,350 km in length and the only visible man-made structure that could be seen from space. As an optional program at night, you can enjoy either a Kungfu or acrobatics show.

Day 5: Beijing/Xian

meals: B/L/D

In the morning, explore the imperial gardens of the Summer Palace originally built in 1750 and later rebuilt in 1886. Located in the western outskirts of the city, the Summer Palace is the leading classical garden in China and a UNESCO world heritage site. In the afternoon, visit China's largest temple and altar-the Temple of Heaven, which is often depicted as the most recognizable symbol of China. You can fly kites there. Early this evening, get onboard a luxury express train for your overnight journey to Xian.

Day 6: Xian

meals: L

Arrive early this morning in China's ancient capital city of Xian. Known as ChangAn in ancient times, Xian was the capital city of China for 1,062 years (13 dynasties), under the reign of 73 different emperors. Visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum for an in-depth look at China's extensive history with more than 2,000 items on exhibit. In the afternoon, get on top the 950-year-old city wall and ride a bike; be sure to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. Built during the early Ming Dynasty with a core of mud covered by three layers of bricks, it is the only city wall to remain intact in China today.

Day 7: Xian

meals: B/L

Embark on an amazing historical and cultural adventure today and begin with an exploration at the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, where you will find lifelike terracotta soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons created more than 2,000 years ago to guard the first emperor's tomb. Their vibrant painted details worn away during weathering, thus revealing their original earthy color. Learn to make JiaoZi (dumplings) in a local restaurant and have JiaoZi lunch there. Enjoy recording your experiences of the day in a journal or just lounging in your fine hotel room.

Day 8: Xian/Guilin

meals: B/L/D

You will fly to Guilin from Xian today. After lunch, begin your tour with a visit to the Reed Flute Caves (Ludi Yan). Enjoy the spectacular views of beautiful backdrops created by the cool atmosphere and colorful lighting displays inside the caves as you pass by many fanciful shapes (don't forget to look for the Monkey King). Tonight you will stay at the Ming Garden Apartment Suites, which is located within the local Chinese residents' apartment complexes. Each unit is decorated in the Ming Dynasty Style with beautiful Ming furniture, an air-conditioning/heating unit, a private western-style bath, a kitchen equipped with microwave, refrigerator and cooking utensils; free Internet access, television set and telephone. The apartment units are rated above five-star standard and guests can also enjoy free late checkouts until 6:00 p.m. (all hotels request checkouts before 12:00 noon). Although the Guilin Ming Garden Apartment Suites has no fancy lobby and swimming pool, all guests will have the rare chance to live among local residents within the same apartment complex. We can even arrange a nanny to take care of your children and make traditional Chinese meals for your whole family. What a great opportunity to experience the authentic lives of local Chinese people!

Day 9: Guilin

meals: B/L/D

After breakfast, embark on a Li River scenic cruise along the Li River and enjoy a delicious lunch onboard. The landscape of Guilin is noted as the most gorgeous in China, with sparkling clear waters and magnificent green hills; you will see fishermen fishing with their trained cormorant birds occasionally as well. Your children will be excited to watch water buffalos either grazing along the riverbanks or taking lazy afternoon swims. Visit the ShiWaiTaoYuan water garden on the way back to Guilin from Yangshuo.

Day 10: Guilin/Hong Kong

meals: B/L

This morning you will visit the Guilin Children's Palace to learn basic techniques of Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting. After lunch, you will visit the Duxiu Peak and Elephant Trunk Hill before transferring to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong.

Day 11: Hong Kong

meals: D

Take a half-day city motor coach tour on Hong Kong Island and visit attractions, including the Victoria Peak to see its stunning panoramic views, the bustling Stanley Market, Repulse Bay and the floating village of Aberdeen after breakfast. Your afternoon is free for shopping and independent explorations. Enjoy a fabulous buffet dinner cruise around Hong Kong Harbor before returning to your hotel to prepare for your journey back home.

Day 12: Hong Kong/Canada

meals: n/a

Transfer to Hong Kong airport for flight back to Canada.

You may extend your tour to visit other cities in China, such as your child’s birthplace and finding site.

Tour Price: per adult
Valid: Apr 01, 2009- March 31, 2010

Group Size→ Tour Type..↓	1 Person	2-5 Persons	6-9 Persons	Hotel Single Supplement
Standard Class	$1,850	$1,399	$1,199	$180
Deluxe Class	$2,350	$1,599	$1,450	$405
Superior Class	$2,799	$1,850	$1,650	$605

Note: child price is 80% of adult price.

Tour Price: per adult
Valid: Apr 01, 2010- March 31, 2011

Group Size→ Tour Type..↓	1 Person	2-5 Persons	6-9 Persons	Hotel Single Supplement
Standard Class	$1,959	$1,499	$1,299	$180
Deluxe Class	$2,459	$1,699	$1,559	$405
Superior Class	$2,899	$1,959	$1,759	$605

Note: child price is 80% of adult price.

Accommodations:

City	Standard Class	Deluxe Class	Superior Class
Beijing	Beijing Home Inn Rujia Tian	Beijing Gloria Plaza Hotel	Beijing Nikko New Century Hotel
Xianan	Xianan Home Inn Rujia Tumen	Aurum International Hotel	Xian Sheraton Hotel
Guilin	Guilin Home Inn Rujia Railway	Guilin Ming Garden Apartment Suite	Guilin Ming Garden Apartment Suite

Inclusions

Three different styles of hotels listed as above.
Tour price includes hotel accommodations, sightseeing and meals as noted in the itinerary, intra-China airfare, private transfers and ground transportation, and the services of an English- speaking guide and driver.
Tour price includes sightseeing and meals as noted in the itinerary, intra-China airfare, private transfers and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and the services of an English- speaking guide and driver.
All prices are quoted in US Dollars and are subject to change without notice. Please check at time of booking.
All prices are quoted per person based on two people sharing a room (double occupancy). Single supplement applies for single travelers.

Exclusions

Passport or China Visa Fees.
Tips to guides and driver.
Expenses of a personal nature.
Costs associated with side-trip to orphanage.
Trip to Hong Kong on Day 10-12, which can be arranged by Lotus. Please feel free to contact us for price quote and suggestions.
International Airfare (Please contact our travel advisors for the consolidator rate of international air ticket).

Lotus Travel Terms and Conditions