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
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Kung Fu & Mandarin Camp

Kung Fu & Mandarin Camp

Enjoy a family "home-stay", language lessons, and learn traditional Kung Fu as you get off the "beaten path" for a while. This "camp" style tour offers it all!! In a few weeks, you can visit major sites of China, do some "summer camp" activities and spend time living with a middle class Chinese family. On this important return trip you may also choose to visit your child's orphanage or foster family and then end the trip with some relaxation time in luxury while going down memory lane at the White Swan. If you are looking for a lot of value in one trip, this "camp" tour offers it all. Join it today!

Tour Overview
Tour Code: CHHT-KFAMC-OTP
Trip Duration: 18 days/17 nights
Tour Price/Accommodations
Beijing, Xian, Wuhan, Guangzhou
Departure Dates: Every Tuesday
Day 1 : Tuesday Depart for Beijing
meals: N/A
Depart for Beijing today.
Day 2 : Wednesday Beijing
meals: N/A
Arrive at the Beijing International Airport. Your private English-speaking guide and driver will take you to your hotel. Soak in your child's birth country while you adjust to your new time zone and surroundings.
Day 3 : Thursday 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 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. After a bowl of fresh hot noodles for lunch, visit the Stadiums - "Bird's Nest" and the National Aquatics Center - "Watercube" and retrace some moments of present day Olympic history.
Day 4 : Friday Beijing
meals: B/L
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 roughly 4,000 miles in length and was originally built to protect China, and eventually helped to unite the country. Create some meaningful family memories with a climb or a stroll on this great cultural and national treasure; and of course, snap some pictures as well! This evening, your family may choose to relax around the hotel pool, or choose an optional Kung Fu or Beijing acrobatic performance.
Day 5 : Saturday Beijing/Xian
meals: B/L/D
This morning explore the fascinating Hutong neighborhoods. Beijing's oldest Hutongs (alleys) were constructed during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Your tour will take you through some of the best-preserved Hutong neighborhoods that represent the history, culture and lifestyle of old Beijing. After a special homemade lunch at a local family residence in the Hutong Lane area, your family can learn to construct your own kites under professional instructions. 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. Then relax and fly your handmade kites with the others at the Temple of Heaven.Early this evening, get onboard a luxury express train for your overnight journey to Xian.
Beijing/Xian Soft Sleeper Train T43 (9:36P/8:42A + 1 day)(Your tour guide has tickets)
Day 6 : Sunday 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 and 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 Xian city wall and ride a bike; be sure to enjoy the panoramic view. Built during the early Ming Dynasty with a core of mud and covered by three layers of bricks, Xian's city wall is the only city wall that remains intact in China today. Enjoy the traditional puppet show in the GaoJia Courtyard and your children can practice with puppets after the show.
Day 7 : Monday Xian
meals: B/L
Embark on an amazing historical and cultural adventure today, beginning with an exploration at the Terracotta Warriors and HorsesMuseum, where you will find lifelike terracotta soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons created more than 2,000 years ago to guard thefirst emperor's tomb. Their vibrant painted details have worn away and revealed their original earthy color. Learn to make JiaoZi(traditional Chinese dumplings) in a local restaurant and have a JiaoZi lunch there. Visit a local craft manufacturing facility and see how terracotta warriors are produced with the special earthen clay unique to this region.
Day 8 : Tuesday Xian/XiangFan
meals: B
Your tour guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby and transfer you to the Xian train station for the trip to Hubei province.
Xian/Xiangfan Soft Sleeper Train K626(8:50A/8:36P)(your local guide has tickets)
Enjoy the countryside view punctuated by farmer's homes, fields and traditional life on the passageway way to Xiangfan. When you explore beyond the comfort of your private train compartment, you have a great opportunity to practice your Mandarin skills and mix with Chinese national travelers. In the evening, meet your local English-speaking tour guide and driver at the XiangFan Train Station for transfer to the hotel.
Day 9 : Wednesday XiangFan/Mt. WuDang
meals: B/L/D
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Mt. WuDang (1.5 hours drive) which has a long history associated with Taoism. Mt. Wudang is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and holds a large number of palaces and temples which exemplify the architectural and artistic achievements of China's Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It represents the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years. Wudang Kung Fu is a specialized internal martial arts form in China and enjoys a position parallel to Shaolin Kung Fu in the Chinese Kung Fu field. As a result, there is a popular saying "In the North respects are paid to Shaoling Kung Fu; in the South honor should be given to Wudang Kung Fu." Take cable car up to the top of the Mountain - Golden Hall and visit the Taihe Palace. Enjoy the view from a unique vantage point tonight when you stay in the hotel on Mt. WuDang.
Day 10 : Thursday ShiYan/Wuhan
meals: B/L
This morning, visit the ZiXiao Temple where you can learn Taichi shadow boxing or WuDang Kung Fu. After lunch visit the TaiZiPo Temple and Nanyan Palace, both places of traditional Taoism influence and learn more about these influences in shaping Chinese culture and thought. Following this, we will arrange your transport to the ShiYan train station for the trip to Wuhan.
Shiyan/Wuchang Soft Sleeper Train T6774(3:58p/10:01p)(Your local guide has tickets)
Meet your local English-speaking tour guide and driver at the Wuchang Train Station. Participate in an orientation regarding the homestay process and meet your Chinese host family. Get settled into your private room and enjoy your first evening visiting with your local Chinese host family.
Day 11 : Friday Wuhan
meals: B/L/D
Enjoy Chinese language learning and paint brush calligraphy classes this morning. After lunch, visit the highly regarded Wuhan University and the Yellow Crane Tower, which is a place of living history and has a most excellent view of the Yangtze River. This evening, stay in the local family's house after an evening cruise on the Yangtze River with buffet dinner included.
Day 12 : Saturday Wuhan
meals: B/L/D
Practice your language learning and the traditional Chinese painting classes this morning again as you develop your skills. In the afternoon, visit the Wuhan Orphanage and do volunteer work there. Volunteer work available will be based on the needs of the orphanage at the time of visit, and may be limited to working with special needs children's areas or other designated and needed areas. This evening, rest and relax from your work when you stay in the local family's house after a wonderful home cooked meal.
Day 13 : Sunday Wuhan
meals: B/L/D
Visit the local Children's Palace this morning and peek into how typical middle class Chinese youngsters spend time in gymnastics, art or music endeavors during the weekend. This afternoon your host family's parents will take you to the local super market for helping to select and purchase food for night's dinner. Observe and learn some traditional Chinese cooking with your host family and enjoy your own home cooked dinner tonight.
Day 14 : Monday Wuhan/Province
meals: B
Depart Wuhan and travel to the capital city of your designated province for an orphanage visit. A Lotus guide will sensitively and carefully assist your family as you embark on this most meaningful portion of your return trip. On this initial day of the city visit, stroll around the area and absorb the city and locale.
Day 15 : Tuesday Province
meals: N/A
Your orphanage visitation typically includes a lunch meeting with the orphanage director and staff. If your family wishes to be in touch with the foster family, Lotus can also arrange a time for you to reunite if contact information is available. After lunch, you may explore your child's finding site. Record the day's events in your journal or just relax with your family this evening.
Day 16 : Wednesday Province/Guangzhou
meals: N/A
This morning, take some final glimpses around your child's province to capture your special memories. After breakfast, depart your province and travel to Guangzhou.
Day 17 : Thursday Guangzhou
meals: B/L
Today you will tour around Shamian Island: stopping at the medical clinic where adoption medical exams are conducted and visiting the photo shop where your child's visa photo was taken. In the afternoon, take another trip down memory lane when you visit the American Consulate. Your guide will then escort you to a local park where you can linger and relax while enjoying a story-time of traditional Chinese folktales to deepen your understanding of the rich cultural heritage of your child. Bring closure to the lifelong memories from the past two weeks and record some memories in your journal or just relax with your family.
Day 18 : Friday Leave Guangzhou
meals: B
Please meet your private English-speaking tour guide and driver at the hotel lobby and travel to the Guangzhou New Bai Yun Airport for your international flight back home. Cross the International Dateline and arrive home on the same day.


Tour Prices:
Valid: Apr 01, 2010- March 31, 2011
1 Person 2-5 Persons 6-9 Persons 10 Persons Hotel Single Supplement
Standard Class / $2499.00 Booking Tour $2149.00 Booking Tour / $650.00
Note: child price is 80% of adult price.

Accommodations:
City Standard Class Deluxe Class Superior Class
Beijing　. Gloria Plaza Hotel N/A N/A
Xian　. Grand New World Hotel Xi'an N/A N/A
Xiangfan　. RongHua International Hotel N/A N/A
Wuhan　. Tianlu Hotel N/A N/A
Wuhan　. Home Stay N/A N/A
Guangzhou　. White Swan Hotel N/A N/A

Hotel Information:
Hotel Indoor Pool Outdoor Pool Gym Safe Box Refrigerator Hair Dryer Kitchen
Gloria Plaza Hotel   √     √   √   √   √
N/A            
N/A            
Grand New World Hotel Xi'an   √     √   √   √   √
N/A            
N/A            
RongHua International Hotel       √   √   √   √
N/A            
N/A            
Tianlu Hotel   √     √   √   √   √
N/A            
N/A            
Home Stay           √   √ √
N/A            
N/A            
White Swan Hotel     √   √   √   √   √
N/A            
N/A            

Inclusions

  • Soft sleeper train tickets of Beijing/Xian/XiangFan, and ShiYan/WuChang
  • Airport/hotel/airport (or train station) transfer as listed on itinerary.
  • All listed sightseeing and tour programs with private English-speaking tour guide and private van or bus with driver.
  • Hotels and meals as stipulated on itinerary.

Exclusions

  • International airfare. Please contact us for discount international airfare starting from your city.
  • Passport and/or China Visa Fees
  • Some meals
  • Tips to guides and drivers
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Orphanage visit filing fee
  • Side trips to the designated provinces on Day 14-16 and the airfare of Wuhan - province city - Guangzhou which can be arranged with extra cost by us.

Important Remarks

  • 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)
  • A child has to be 11 years old or under on the last day of the tour to receive a discount.
  • Twin beds in China hotels, about 50 inches wide, are closer in width to the 54" double size beds in the U.S., and much wider than the 39 inches wide twin beds found in U.S. homes.
  • A soft sleeper train compartment is equipped with two bunk beds and sleeps four. If there are less than four people in your party, Lotus Travel highly recommends purchasing the extra seats in the compartment to ensure privacy.
  • If your itinerary states "free time" or "free day", no activities would be planned for you and your English-speaking tour guide and driver would not be present.
  • 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 your travel advisor at info@lotustours.net for more details.
  • A $500.00 per person non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration.
  • Balance is due 60 days before departure.
To review full listing of terms and conditions, refer to: http://www.lotustours.net/info/terms.shtml
Lotus Travel, Inc. 5990 158th Ave., SE, Bellevue, WA 98006 1-800-956-8873

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