BEIJING – XIAN – SHANGHAI – SUZHOU - HANGZHOU - MT. HUANGSHAN - SHANGHAI China Prime Tours CHINA SPLENDORS (14 Days) EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT Save $200 per person with reservation and deposit submitted 90 days or more prior to departure! Tour Information Dates & Fares Hotels Gallery Option Testimonial Featured Location   14 Days/12 Nights Tour All Inclusive Land  Tour Fares From $2695 P/P (after early bird discount with deposit 90 days or more prior to departure ) BEIJING – XIAN – SHANGHAI - SUZHOU - HANGZHOU  – MT. HUANGSHAN As one of our prime tours featuring five star deluxe hotels in all cities, China Splendor tour is a value added tour featuring the most popular cities in China except Hong Kong. Given the value included and the selection of cities and attractions covered, this tour has enjoyed a high popularity. In addition, a visit to the magnificent Mt. Huangshan is included in this trip.  Itinerary AB: American Breakfast • L: Lunch • D: Dinner • SD: Special Dinner Day 01 (Mon)  US/BEIJING Take an international flight from the US to Beijing, China. Meals and snacks will be served on the plane. Movies will also be available during the flight. Day 02 (Tues)  BEIJING Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our tour guide. For those arriving in Beijing earlier today, you may spend the rest of the day for leisure or join in the optional tours in Beijing. (For information about optional tours, please click on “Option” of the top menu bar on this page.) Day 03 (Wed)  BEIJING  (AB, L, SD) Today you will visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace. This was the palace for 24 Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors who ruled China for over 500 years. Take a photo stop at the National Center for the Performing Arts, also known as the National Grand Theatre, designed by the French architect Paul Andreu. You will also tour the Summer Palace, the famous resort of Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Feast your eyes on the Long Corridor, Longevity Hill, and Kunming Lake. If time permits, you may also have the opportunity to see pandas at Beijing Zoo located nearby the Summer Palace. Attend a welcome Peking Duck Dinner tonight. Day 04 (Thurs)  BEIJING  (AB, L) The highlight today is a trip to the astonishing Great Wall of China at Juyongguan Pass, one of the most remarkable feats of mankind. After lunch, you will stroll along the Sacred Way guarding the Ming Tombs, lined with different statutes of animals such as lions, elephants, camels and etc. Later in the day, you will make a photo stopover at the Olympic Park where you will view the exterior of the Bird Nest-China National Stadium and Water Cube-China National Aquatic Center. Upon return to the city proper of Beijing, enjoy the foot massage for your relaxation and spend the rest of the evening for leisure. Day 05 (Fri)  BEIJING  (AB, L) This morning you will visit the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site - the Temple of Heaven where emperors used to pray for good harvest. You will also attend a morning lesson of Taiji (also referred to as Taichi by the Westerners) exercise on the site of the Temple of Heaven given by a professional. Taichi is a type of internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. T’ai chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many Chinese philosophical principles, including those of Taoism and Confucianism. After lunch, you enjoy your free afternoon for leisure or shopping. You may also take an optional tour of Hutong (Chinese alleyways) by riding aboard a rickshaw pedicab through the narrow lanes of the old residential quarters in the afternoon. Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys in Beijing,  formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. Hutongs represent an important cultural element of the city of Beijing. Thanks to Beijing’s long history and status as capital for six dynasties, almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and some are even associated with historic events. In contrast to the court life and elite culture represented by the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, the hutongs reflect the culture of grassroots Beijingers. The hutongs are residential neighborhoods which still form the heart of Old Beijing. Taking a Hutong tour is a great way to enjoy the local cultures, giving you a unique opportunity to glimpse into the local resident's daily life. Day 06 (Sat)  BEIJING/XIAN (AB, SD) After breakfast, you will take a flight to Xian, the ancient capital city for 11 dynasties in Chinese history. Upon arrival at the airport in Xian, you will be met  and taken to tour  the well preserved Ancient City Wall of Xian. After hotel check-in, enjoy some free time for leisure, before attending a dumpling dinner banquet, followed by an on-stage show of Tang Dynasty dance and music. Day 07 (Sun)  XIAN (AB, L) The excursion today takes you to visit the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and see the awesome Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses, widely regarded as the eighth wonder of the world. After lunch, you may enjoy the rest of the day for leisure or join the optional night walking tour of Muslim Street, known for the local yummy snacks and a variety of local artifacts. Day 08 (Mon)  XIAN/SHANGHAI (AB) This morning you will take a departure transfer to the airport for flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival at the airport in Shanghai, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day for leisure, or join in some optional tours (Optional Shanghai acrobatic show and night cruise are also available.). Day 09 (Tues)  SHANGHAI/SUZHOU (AB, L) Shanghai, China’s largest city (home to 16 million people), is also China’s principal port on a deep estuary of the Yangtze River. Often regarded as “the Paris of the East,” Shanghai has retained the flavor of its past European influences. During the city tour of Shanghai today, you will wind through the largest commercial and financial centers, visiting the bustling Nanjing walking district, one of the busiest shopping strips in the world, and discovering the history and culture of Shanghai at the well known Shanghai Museum of Art and History. You will then continue to the Bund, a waterfront area by the beautiful Huangpu River that showcases many landmark buildings of western style built in the early 20th century. After lunch, you will be transferred to an ancient water town to explore the well preserved cultures and ancient architectural style buildings including the unique old stone bridges. You may choose to join in the optional cruise on the spectacular Grand Canal of more than 2000 years history and sightsee the old houses decorated with iconic red lanterns along the canal.   Day 10 (Wed)  SUZHOU/HANGZHOU (AB) Suzhou is known as the "Venice of the East" for its many beautiful waterways and classic landscaped gardens. After a visit to the Master of the Fishing Nets Garden, you will be amzaed by its unique architecture and elaborate designs. The most striking feature of this garden is the use of space: the labyrinth of courtyards, with windows framing other parts of the garden, is ingeniously designed to give the illusion of a much larger area. Afterwards, you will continue on to the famous silk factory to learn about the manufacturing processes of silk products and its significantce in Chinese hisotry. Later in the afternoon, you will drive to Hangzhou- the "most beautiful and magificent city in the world" as proclaimed by Marco Polo.  Day 11 (Thurs)  HANGZHOU/HUANGSHAN (AB, L) Today you will enjoy a visit to a tea orchard, where you will learn about tea picking and processing as well as a little tea culture. Situated among lush green hills, the Tea Village is part of the West Lake scenic area and has a history of over 600 years.  With its superior quality, the Dragon Well (or "Longjing" as pronounced in Chinese) Tea produced hear earned its status as imperial tea for the royal family during Qing Dynasty.  Later in the afternoon, you will depart for Huangshan City (known for Mt. Huangshan), where you will stay overnight at the foot of Mt. Huangshan. Day 12 (Fri)  HUANGSHAN (HONGCUN VILLAGE, MT. HUANGSHAN) (AB) Today you will visit Hongun village, a typical countryside village by the water with a unique compact layout. In the afternoon, you will have the option to take a cable car tour up to the mountain, enjoying the magnificent sceneries of the surrounding areas. Once you arrive, you will have the opportunity to walk up to the very top of the mountain to appreciate the stunning view and the beautiful sunset. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon for leisure.    Day 13 (Sat)  HUANGSHAN/SHANGHAI (AB, L, D) Enjoy the free morning exploring the many delights Huangshan has to offer. After lunch, you will drive back (or take high speed train) to Shanghai. Shanghai, China’s largest city (home to 16 million people), is also China’s principal port on a deep estuary of the Yangtze River. Often regarded as “the Paris of the East,” Shanghai has retained the flavor of its past European influences. Day 14 (Sun)  SHANGHAI/US (AB) After breakfast you will take a departure transfer to the airport for the flight back home. Tour Features All domestic air and ground transportation. 12 nights hotel accommodations at five-star deluxe hotels. Escorted tours and sightseeing with admission and English speaking tour guides in each city. 27 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 6 dinners including Peking duck dinner, dumpling dinner banquet in Xian, and Shanghai cuisine farewell dinner party. Cultural entertainments: Tang Dynasty dance and music show with dinner in Xian. To reserve this tour, simply fill out our online reservation form and our representatives will contact you 2024 Departures Land Tour Fares Single Supplement                   8/31-9/13  9/07-9/20  10/05-10/18 10/12-10/25  10/19-11/01 $3095 $1200 11/02-11/15  11/09-11/22 $2895 $1100   The above land only prices are inclusive of the domestic air fares in China along with Chinese taxes and air fuel surcharges. The initial airport arrival transfer in Beijing and final airport departure transfer in Shanghai are not included if your transpacific flight is booked on your own. Transpacific Air Fares Booked Through Champion Holidays in Conjunction with the Above Itinerary Complementary initial airport arrival transfer in Beijing and final airport departure transfer in Shanghai are provided if your transpacific flight is booked with Air China through Champion Holidays in conjunction with the above tour schedule Gateway Mar. - April May 1-19 May 19 - Aug. 31 Sept. 1 - Oct. 31 Nov. 1 - Dec. 9 Dec. 10-23 Dec. 24-31 LAX $1000 $1200 $1650 $1200 $1000 $1650 $1200 JFK $1100 $1300 $1750 $1300 $1100 $1750 $1300 The above preferred air fares are available based on limited spaces, and could be secured when reservation with full payment for international air fare is received more than 90 days prior to departure. The above air fares are subject to confirmation by Air China, the featured airlines; The above international air fares are inclusive of airlines fuel surcharges, and the government imposed taxes and fees including the September 11 security fee. Additional baggage charges may apply. For details about baggage allowance information, please check www.airchina.us. For group reservation of 10 passengers or more taking the same tour, please contact us for group incentives. To reserve this tour, simply fill out our online reservation form and our representatives will contact you Beijing Pullman Beijing South Hotel ***** or Grand Mercure Beijing Dongcheng Hotel ***** Xian Grand Noble Hotel ***** Suzhou Grand MetroPark Hotel *****  or similar Hangzhou Crown Plaza HGotel & Resorts ***** or similar Huangshan Crown Plaza Hotel ***** or similar Shanghai Wyndham Bund East Shanghai Hotel ***** or similar hotels All the optional tours are English guided tours with round trip transfers and applicable admissions included. Tips and gratuities are extra at customers’ discretion. BEIJING: Tour of Mutianyu Great Wall of China with one way cable car fare and lunch ( available on the arrival day in Beijing (Day 2 in the itinerary) for those from LAX) (about 6-7 hours including time for transfers and lunch)- Code: BJMTYGW      $89 P/P The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu section is located farther away from the city proper of Beijing, and is a lot less crowded in comparison with other sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall stretches about 2 miles with 22 watchtowers for you to explore. Surrounded by woodland and streams, Mutianyu Great Wall possesses unique characteristics in its construction and gives you a breathtaking view. Tour of Yonghe Lamasery (available on the arrival day afternoon in Beijing (Day 2 in the itinerary) for those from LAX) (2.5-3 hours including transfer time) Code: BJYL      $40 P/P Yonghe Lamasery, also known as Lama Temple, is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in the world. The building complex originally served as the official residence for Prince Yong who later became an emperor in Qing Dynasty. Tour of 798 Art District (available on the arrival day afternoon in Beijing (Day 2 in the itinerary) for those from LAX) (3.5-4 hours including transfer time) Code: BJ798      $40 P/P "798" is located in the Dashanzi area, to the northeast of central Beijing.It is the site of state-owned factories including Factory 798, which originally produced electronics. Beginning in 2002, artists and cultural organizations began to divide, rent out, and re-make the factory spaces, gradually developing them into galleries, art centers, artists' studios, design companies, restaurants, and bars. It is often compared with New York's Greenwich Village or SoHo, attracting attention from all around. Bringing together contemporary art, architecture, and culture with a historically interesting location and an urban lifestyle, "798" has evolved into a cultural concept, of interest to experts and normal folk alike, influential on our concepts of both urban culture and living space. Hutong Tour (Available on Day 5) (2.5-3 hours) Code: BJHT      $45 P/P The tour allows you to tour Hutongs (Chinese alleyways) by riding aboard the rickshaw pedicab through the narrow lanes of the old residential quarters in Beijing. Hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys in Beijing,  formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. Hutongs represent an important cultural element of the city of Beijing. Thanks to Beijing’s long history and status as capital for six dynasties, almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and some are even associated with historic events. In contrast to the court life and elite culture represented by the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, the hutongs reflect the culture of grassroots Beijingers. The hutongs are residential neighborhoods which still form the heart of Old Beijing. Taking a Hutong tour is a great way to learn about the local cultures, giving you the oppotunity to glimpse into the local residents' daily life.   Kung Fu (Martial Art) Show (2.5-3 hours including transfer time) Code: BJKF      $40 P/P The entertaining one hour thirty minutes show combines the performance of Chinese martial art with modern dance. Beijing Opera (also known as Peking Opera) Show (2.5-3 hours including transfer time) Code: BJPO      $40 P/P Beijing Opera has been referred to as China’s national opera, which combines the traditional Chinese music, singing and dancing with all performers in the special costumes. SHANGHAI: Night Cruise on Huangpu River (available on the night of Day 13, the previous night before you leave Shanghai) (2.5-3 hours including time for transfer to pier) Code: SHNC      $45 P/P Enjoy a fascinating night view of the city of Shanghai by cruise on Huangpu River (about one hour cruise). Tour of Zhujiajiao Water Village (available on the morning of Day 14-your departure date from Shanghai, for those flying back to LAX via Air China flight) (4-5 hours including transfer time) Code: SHZJJ      $45 P/P Located on the outskirts of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao Water Village has been well known for the well preserved cultures and ancient architectural style buildings. Jewish Heritage Tour(available on the morning of Day 14-your departure date from Shanghai, for those flying back to LAX via Air China flight) (3-4 hours including transfer time) Code: SHJH      $40 P/P In the 1930s, more than thirty thousand Jewish refugees came and settled in Shanghai from Europe. The tour will take you to Huoshan Park for the Monument for Jewish Refugees, the Jewish ghetto in Hongkou District, Ohel Moshe Synagogue which now serves as Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, and etc. Tour of the Oriental Pearl Tower(available on the morning of Day 14-your departure date from Shanghai, for those flying back to LAX via Air China flight)  ( 3 hours including transfer time) Code: SHOPT      $45 P/P Being the world’s third tallest TV & Radio Tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower has enjoyed a high popularity as a distinct landmark in Shanghai. With included admission, you will have access to the observation sightseeing deck to have a bird’s eye view of Shanghai. In addition, you will also visit the Shanghai Municipal History Museum in the tower. Acrobatic Show in Shanghai (2.5-3 hours including transfer time) Code: SHAS      $45 P/P The one hour and thirty minutes acrobatic show in Shanghai has been considered the best acrobatic show in China. Day Excursion to Suzhou with Lunch (Available on Day 12) (8-10 hours including time needed for transfer by bus or bullet train) Code: SZDT         $119 P/P Located one and half hour drive from Shanghai, Suzhou has earned the status of  one of the top tourism cities in China for its ancient canals, stone bridges, pagodas and and meticulously designed classic gardens designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Suzhou is also dubbed the" Venice of the East". This morning  you will take a bus or bullet train ride to Suzhou. You will cruise on the world famous ancient Grand Canal of more than 2400 years history to experience the unique cultures and glimpse the daily life of the local residents. You will also visit the silk embroidery factory, the Master of Fishing Nets Garden and the ancient Panmen Gate, the only existing water & land gate. Take a stroll along the famous Shan Tang Street with a history of more than 1100 years, where you can still experience the past prosperity of Suzhou and its traditional cultures well preserved. Return to Shanghai in late afternoon. "Lucy, Our tour guide in Beijing was exceptional. Couldn't have asked for a better guide! Overall, I reallyenjoyed my time in China. The small group was perfect. I have already recommended this tour to several friends. Thank you!"- D. Prusia "Loved the whole trip! Thank you for a great vacation. I will tell others about your company." - B. Miranda