Fall Heritage Tour 2
Take in all the beautiful and wondrous sights of your child's birth country during the most pleasant of all times of the year. You will know why Chinese travelers prefer to travel during the cool and beautiful Fall season. You can enjoy the cultural highlights of Beijing such as the Great Wall; thrill to the adventures of riding a bike on Xian's city wall and take a memorable trip to the Chengdu Panda Reserve all in one trip. Of course, we also include the memory making cities of your child's hometown or orphanage city visit as well as stroll down memory lane in Guangzhou. Yes, you CAN do it all in one trip during the most wonderful time of the year in China. Plan your family get away this Fall in beautiful and China. Call Louie at 1-888-956-8873 or email him at louie@lotustours.net to get your trip in place!
Tour Overview
Tour Code: LY-HA12-1013
Trip Duration: October 13th
Click below for: Tour Price / Accommodations
US Beijing Xian Chengdu Guangzhou
Departure Dates: October 13th Day 1 : Oct-13-12 Saturday US/Beijing
meals: N/A
Leave your home city for Beijing today.
Day 2 : Oct-14-12 Sunday 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 : Oct-15-12 Monday Beijing
meals: B/L
Day 4 : Oct-16-12 Tuesday Beijing
meals: B/L/D
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 approximately 4,000 miles in length. Visit the Peking Duck Restaurant and see how the professional chef roasts Peking duck - Beijing's most famous dish, is traditionally served with Mandarin pancakes, and green onions for brushing on the hoisin sauce. Enjoy your Peking Duck dinner there.
Day 5 : Oct-17-12 Wednesday 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 residence in the Hutong Lane area, your family can learn to construct your own kites with professional instruction. 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 Z19(9:24P/8:25A + 1 day)(Your tour guide has tickets)
Day 6 : Oct-18-12 Thursday 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). Meet your local English-speaking tour guide and driver at the Xian Train Station Exit for transfer to the hotel. When you travel on top of the 950-year-old city wall on a bike you will 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. Today you will try Chinese hot pot for your lunch, which is a fun way to eat as well as a wonderful treat. Visit the Tangbo Art Museum where you and your children will learn Chinese calligraphy and enjoy the opportunity to get some hands-on experience.
Day 7 : Oct-19-12 Friday Xian/Hu County
meals: B/L/D
Embark on an amazing historical and cultural adventure today beginning with the exploration of the Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1987. Created 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China's first emperor QinShiHuang, time and the elements have gradually worn away the vibrant painted details from the soldiers and horses to reveal their original earthy terracotta color. Learn how to make terracotta warriors in one local craft factory. Continue your trip to Hu County, which is famous for its peasant farmer artists who create vibrantly colored peasant paintings and intricate paper cutouts. Visit the local elementary school and have a 45-minutes class with the local children (Please remember to bring some gifts to the children for the school visit). Tonight you will have the rare opportunity to stay at a typical farmer's home to learn to make JiaoZi (traditional Chinese dumplings) and enjoy a home-made JiaoZi dinner there. After dinner, tonight you will have a dancing party with local farmers at the village grain-sunning ground.
Day 8 : Oct-20-12 Saturday Hu County/Xian/Chengdu
meals: B/D
Enjoy a rare glimpse into China's countryside living through a visit to the workshops and galleries where you can learn about the artist's special techniques, purchase artwork or paper cutouts and even try your hand at creating your own magnificent work of art. Visit the farmer's old village and you will be surprised by the huge difference between the old village and new village where you are staying.You will be transferred to the Xian Airport for your flight to Chengdu at noon.Xian/Chengdu HU7855 (2:15P/3:35P) (Your local guide has tickets)Please meet your local guide and driver at the Chengdu airport exit for transfer to the hotel.
Day 9 : Oct-21-12 Sunday Chengdu
meals: B/L/D
Go on an extraordinary journey to the Panda Breeding Research Base this morning. A professional panda caregiver will give a brief insight into panda research findings and everyone will have the rare opportunity to hold and hug a baby panda ??? something everyone in the family is sure to enjoy. After lunch, visit the Chengdu old town - JingLi Street, which combines the culture of the Three Kingdoms Period with the folk customs of Sichuan. The tea-houses, stores and hotels are modeled on the architectural style of a traditional old town in western Sichuan Province from the Qing (1644-1911) Dynasty. As you stroll down the narrow streets, you will find local artisan Shu Embroidery, lacquer products, calligraphy work and other local handicrafts. Visiting stores on this street, one feels like you have catapulted back in time and you will appreciate the relaxing and local unique flavor of this ancient street. Notes: When you tour the Panda Reserve Center, you will receive an introduction to panda research at the reserve followed by the opportunity to meet and hold a baby panda. Please note that the cost of holding the panda and taking a picture with one is an additional fee to the entry fee which is USD208.00/per person for holding a baby panda. Although the Pandas are cute and adorable, they may inflict accidental injuries in their playful nature.
Day 10 : Oct-22-12 Monday Chengdu/Province
meals: B
Depart Chengdu and travel to the capital city of the designated province for an orphanage visit. Lotus guides 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, one can spend time strolling the area and absorbing a sense of the city and locale.
Day 11 : Oct-23-12 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 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 12 : Oct-24-12 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 for Guangzhou. Meet your local English-speaking tour guide and driver at the Guangzhou New BaiYun International Airport for transfer to the hotel.
Day 13 : Oct-25-12 Thursday Guangzhou
meals: B/L
Tour around Shamian Island, stop at the medical clinic where adoption medical exams are conducted and visit the photo shop where your child's visa photo was taken. In the afternoon, spend some time strolling around the YueXiu Park to relax as you recall your family adoption trip. Have a leisurely lunch while you reminisce at key sports in the area. This evening, capture a few last glimpses around Guangzhou and spend some time writing in your journal.
Day 14 : Oct-26-12 Friday Guangzhou/U.S.
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 to the United States. Cross the International Dateline and arrive home on the same day.
REMARKS:
- B = Breakfast L = Chinese Lunch D = Chinese Dinner
CA= Air China CZ=China Southern Airline MU=China Eastern Airlines
| City | Hotel |
| Beijing . | Novotel Peace Hotel |
| Chengdu . | Tianfu Sunshine Hotel |
| Guangzhou . | Guangzhou China Hotel |
| Hotel | Indoor Pool | Outdoor Pool | Gym | Safe Box | Refrigerator | Hair Dryer | Kitchen |
| Novotel Peace Hotel | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||
| Tianfu Sunshine Hotel | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||
| Guangzhou China Hotel | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
Inclusions
- Soft sleeper train ticket of Beijing/Xian;
- Airfare of Xian/Chengdu;
- 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;
- 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
- US/China/US 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;
- Extending trip to orphanage city on days of October 22 - 24 which can be arranged with extra cost by us.
Notes:
- For different scheduled tour, please contact us for a price quote
- A child has to be less than 12 years old 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.
- 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 Plus Plan offered by the Travelex Insurance Company has excellent travel benefits and children 15 and under are free of charge when traveling with an adult.
- We recommend applying for travel visas 2-3 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 info@lotustours.net or your agent 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.
Note: Customer Commitment - Each Lotus agent is committed to respond to each email with an acknowledgement of receipt within 24 hours. If you do not receive email acknowledgement within 1 business day, please check your spam box for our agents'response e-mail or send your notice to iris@lotustours.net or call 1-800-956-8873.