Our five nights at Guilin Ming Garden were great
as well! It is certainly our favorite place in China. The apartment is remodeled,
extremely clean and has a great view; having internet access is a nice touch
and there is plenty of room for our entire family. After a long day of fun,
it was relaxing to come home to delicious home cooked meals prepared by our
nanny Mrs Huang.She made us feel right at home with her traditional Cantonese
home cooked dinners: her normal dinner consist of soup, two meat dishes and
two vegetable dishes; very much like the meals our Cantonese parents made
for us when we were younger and the meals had brought back fond memories.
-Helen Lee
China's Cities & Waterways
If you love gardening, like outdoor activities and interested in lakes
and canals, do not miss out this amazing tour!
You will be thrilled after visiting China's classical gardens
in both Oriental Paris (Shanghai) and Venice of the East (Suzhou). The Yu
Yuan Garden is rated the most fabulous garden in Shanghai. Built during
the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan for his parents, the garden was solely for
private leisure use. However, interestingly enough, the garden became the
headquarters of a secret society called "Small Sword Society" that rioted
against the Qing Dynasty and the foreign powers in the mid 1800s.
Suzhou and Hangzhou both located along the banks of the Grand
Canal, the oldest and longest man-made waterway in the world. In Suzhou,
you will explore the smallest and the most reputable garden-the Master of
Nets Garden (Wangshi Yuan) and the spectacular Humble Administrator's Garden
(Zhuozheng Yuan). The sceneries at the West Lake in Hangzhou and the 1,200-year-old
canal town Wuzhen would become part of your unforgettable memories of your
lifetime!
Tour Overview
Tour Code: CCW-16
Trip Duration: 13 days/12 nights
Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai
Departure Dates: DailyDay 1 : USA/BEIJING
meals: n/a
Depart the United States today to begin your China's
Cities and Waterways Tour. Cross the International Dateline en route to
China.
Day 2 : BEIJING
meals: n/a
Arrive in Beijing this afternoon. Your English-speaking
tour guide and driver will meet you at the baggage claim area and provide
a private transfer to your hotel. Have a restful evening (possibly enjoy
some extra pampering at the hotel's spa or salon services!) and relax while
you adjust to the time zone change and new surroundings.
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 visit 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. This afternoon, stop by at the major 2008
Olympic Venues including the National Stadiums - "Bird's Nest", the National
Aquatics Center - "Watercube" on the way to the imperial gardens of the
Summer Palace. The palace was originally built in 1750 and was 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.
Day 4 : BEIJING
meals: B/L
Visit the UNESCO world heritage site today. Begin
your day with a tour at the MuTianYu section of the Great Wall. Constructed
more than 2,000 years ago by China's first emperor, the ancient wall is
the world's longest man-made structure at approximately 4,000 miles in
length.
Day 5 : BEIJING/HANGZHOU
meals: B/L/D
Explore the fascinating Hutong neighborhoods.
Beijing's oldest Hutongs were constructed during the Yuan, Ming and Qing
dynasties. Your tour will take you through some of the best-preserved Hutong
neighborhoods, which represented the history, culture and lifestyle of
old Beijing. After a special homemade lunch at a local family residence
in the Hutong Lane area, visit the Temple of Heaven which is China's largest
temple and altar. It is often regarded as the most recognizable symbol
of China. This evening, get onboard a luxury express train for your overnight
journey to Hangzhou.
Day 6 : HANGZHOU
meals: L
Arrive at Hangzhou in the early morning. Hangzhou
is one of the eight ancient capital cities in China. Your English-speaking
tour guide and driver will pick you up at the Hangzhou train station. After
breakfast, visit the Ling Yin (Soul's Retreat) Temple founded in 326 AD
by the Indian monk Hui Li. In the afternoon, get onboard a gorgeous scenic
cruise on the West Lake (Xihu).
Day 7 : HANGZHOU/WUZHEN/HANGZHOU
meals: B/L
After breakfast, travel to the 1,200-year-old
canal town of Wuzhen. Recently opened to visitors, the town retains its
charm and grace reminiscent of a traditional Chinese painting: quaint buildings,
traditional arched bridges and willow- lined canals. Local actors regularly
perform Shaoxing, Peking and Flower Drum Operas for free at the town square
adjacent to the Xiuzhen Temple. After lunch, visit traditional workshops
that carry local craft products, such as indigo painted fabric, Sanbai
wine, cloth shoes and bamboo handicrafts. Return to Hangzhou in the early
evening.
Day 8 : HANGZHOU/SUZHOU
meals: B/L
Visit Hua Gang Park located in the southwest end
of West Lake (Xihu) this morning. After lunch, get onboard an express train
to Suzhou. Your local English-speaking guide and driver will meet you at
the train station and transfer you to the hotel.
Day 9 : SUZHOU
meals: B/L
Day 10 : SUZHOU
meals: B/L
Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng
Yuan) located at the Loumen Gate of Suzhou, which is often regarded as
one of the major gardens in China. Continue your tour at the Taoist Temple
of Mystery (Xuan Miao Guan), founded during the third century. Move on
to the Embroidery Research Institute this afternoon to observe and purchase
the works of the artists as they embroider on the silks with intricate
patterns. Having a historical background of more than 2,000 years in embroidery,
the research institute in Suzhou is rated one of the four major schools
of Chinese embroidery.
Day 11 : SUZHOU/SHANGHAI
meals: B/L
After breakfast, take a short train trip to Shanghai.
Your local English-speaking guide and driver will show you around the "Paris
of the East"-Shanghai upon your arrival. Your first stop will be the Bund,
located near the Huang Pu River. Then visit the Yu Yuan Garden nearby,
where you can view intricately designed gardens, pavilions, koi stocked
pools and courtyards. This afternoon, just relax on your own or take in
some world famous shopping at one of the markets suggested by our knowledgeable
local guide.
Day 12 : SHANGHAI
meals: B/L
In the morning, visit the Jade Buddha (Yufo) Temple
built in 1882. After lunch, visit the Shanghai Museum, your last attraction
in Shanghai. Famous for its world-class architecture, the museum also has
123,000 cultural artifacts, which specialized in bronze ware, ceramics,
calligraphy and painting.
Day 13 : SHANGHAI/USA
meals: B
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide and
driver will bring you to the airport for your International flight back
to the United States.
Valid: Jan 01, 2010- March 31, 2010
 |
1 Person | 2-5 Persons | 6-9 Persons | Hotel Single Supplement |
| Standard Class | $2299.00  |
$1450.00 |
$1199.00 |
$284.00 |
| Deluxe Class | $2999.00 |
$1799.00 |
$1550.00 |
$610.00 |
| Superior Class | $3499.00 |
$2050.00 |
$1799.00 |
$840.00 |
Valid: Apr 01, 2010- March 31, 2011
|
1 Person | 2-5 Persons | 6-9 Persons | Hotel Single Supplement |
| Standard Class | $2399.00 |
$1559.00 |
$1299.00 |
$284.00 |
| Deluxe Class | $3099.00 |
$1899.00 |
$1659.00 |
$610.00 |
| Superior Class | $3599.00 |
$2159.00 |
$1899.00 |
$840.00 |
| City | Standard Class | Deluxe Class | Superior Class |
| Beijing . | Home Inn Beijing Tiantan | Gloria Plaza Hotel | Nikko New Century hotel Beijing |
| Hangzhou . | Rujia Hotel | Hangzhou Sunny Hotel | Grand Metropark Hotel Hangzhou |
| Suzhou . | Home Inn Suzhou Guanqianer | Suzhou Bamboo Grove Hotel | Suzhou Sheraton Hotel |
| Shanghai . | Home Inn Shanghai Ouyang Road | Holiday Inn Vista Shanghai | Huating Hotel & Towers Shanghai |
| Hotel | Indoor Pool | Outdoor Pool | Gym | Safe Box | Refrigerator | Hair Dryer | Kitchen |
| Home Inn Beijing Tiantan | |||||||
| Gloria Plaza Hotel | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||
| Nikko New Century hotel Beijing | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||
| Rujia Hotel | |||||||
| Hangzhou Sunny Hotel | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
| Grand Metropark Hotel Hangzhou | |||||||
| Home Inn Suzhou Guanqianer | |||||||
| Suzhou Bamboo Grove Hotel | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
| Suzhou Sheraton Hotel | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
| Home Inn Shanghai Ouyang Road | |||||||
| Holiday Inn Vista Shanghai | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||
| Huating Hotel & Towers Shanghai | √ |
Inclusions
- 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.
- All prices are quoted in US Dollars, and are subjected to change without notice. Please check at the time of reservation.
- All prices are quoted per person, based on two travelers sharing a room (double occupancy). Single supplement applies for single travelers.
Exclusions
- Passport or Chinese visa application fees.
- Tips to guides and drivers.
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- International Airfare (Please contact our travel advisors for the consolidator rate of international air ticket).
Important Remarks
- Prices are valid Jan 01, 2010 -- March 31, 2011. All prices are subject to change without notice.
- For different scheduled tour, please contact us for a price quote.
- All prices are quoted in US dollars, per person based on two people sharing a room (double occupancy).
- All prices exclude International airfare, visa, tipping, and personal expenses.
- For international flight departing from your city, please contact our agents for special discount airfare.
- Lotus Travel highly recommends clients to purchase travel insurance. The Travel Select Plan offered by the Travelex Insurance Company has excellent travel benefits and children 18 and under are free of charge when traveling with an adult.
- A Chinese visa issued at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles is good for 6 months. We recommend applying for travel visas at least two months before your departure. For detailed information, please visit the Web page at http://www.lotustours.net/visas/china.shtml
- Lotus Travel offers a very affordable cell phone rental package to help you stay in touch with families while in China. Please contact us at 1-800-956-8873 or email us at info@lotustours.net for more details.