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Program Cost: $4160 March 9 - 18, 2012 (Dates subject to change)
Join us to explore breathtaking China, the third largest country in the world and the most populated with 1.3 billion people.
The numerous ethnic groups and the fascinating ancient history are reflected in majestic temples, imperial palaces, and sacred monuments created by grand emperors over the centuries and are spread across diverse and spectacular landscapes.
We will start our adventure in the northern part of mainland China in Beijing, move through central China, ending our trip in the southern city of Guilin and finally, the bustling city of Hong Kong to experience aspects of rural and commercial ways of life in this unique nation.
From the Imperial Forbidden City where one man once ruled over this vast nation to Tiananmen Square where Mao's Communist rule was first established, Beijing plays host to our first encounter with China. Its old-style 'Hutong' villages still house flea markets, tea houses and rickshaws, while the Great Wall which once served to defend it from foreign invaders now invites visitors from across the globe to take panoramic views of this stunning land.
We then travel to Chengdu to visit a Panda breeding facility and encounter these incredibly unique creatures. You will be volunteering some of your time here to assist with the feeding and caring of the resident Pandas.
Our time in Guilin, in the southern part of China, gives you the opportunity to experience the inspiring and picturesque landscape as you ride along the Li River view villages along its banks, hike into the magnificent caves just outside this city and visit the striking Sun and Moon Pagodas.
Our last destination will be Hong Kong to take in the vibrant city teeming with people, restaurants and shops - and this is where you can use some of your bargaining skills! This former British Colony is still the financial heart of China where skyscrapers soar along the busy Harbour highlighting the growing prosperity of this country and the economic power it has become.
Our journey to China gives you the opportunity to understand the nation’s complex history and cultures as we travel through this vast land while exploring the impressive sites.
SAMPLE ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Depart Toronto
DAY 2: Arrival in Beijing – and transfer to hotel Orientation, Dinner Evening walking tour to explore night markets and shopping streets. Overnight at Hotel in Beijing
DAY 3: Breakfast Visit the Silk Market Lunch Afternoon Tours: The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 AD and 1911 AD. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with an intricate network of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'.
Tiananmen Square: The world's largest city square and a symbol of China's national pride, surrounded by the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
Hutong Tours in a Rickshaw: A maze of historic alleyways and old single storey traditional courtyard houses, now fast disappearing. Dotted around the hutong are the Drum and Bell Towers, Tea Houses, and local people's houses.
Dinner: Traditional Peking Roasted Duck Dinner at a restaurant near the Temple of Heaven. Overnight at Hotel in Beijing
DAY 4: Breakfast Temple of Heaven: Situated in the southern part of the city, this site covers an area of 2,700,000 square meters. The temple was built in 1420 AD and is where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer their sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests. The main buildings of the temple include the Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
Transfer to Great Wall for guided tour with Tai chi Lesson at The Great Wall Of China
Mutianyu Great Wall: This less-crowded section of the Great Wall is about a 2.5 hour drive from downtown Beijing. We will take a cable car up and walk along the wall and through the watch towers to experience the amazing views of the wall that meanders across the hills and mountains.
While on the wall our group will practice Tai Chi with a Master before sliding down the Great Wall of China on sleds.
Lunch Enroute Dinner at Restaurant Transfer to Airport for Flight to Chengdu Overnight at Hotel in Chengdu
DAY 5: Breakfast
Panda Breeding and Research Centre: 10km north of Chengdu this beautifully laid-out 230 hectare park is home to giant pandas, the endearing red, or lesser panda, and other endangered species. You will be visiting the nursery to see the highly successful breeding program, and the many enclosures among lakes, bamboo groves and shady walkways, to view the pandas at rest and play. Our group will spend part of the morning volunteering time to assist with feeding the pandas and clearing and cleaning areas in which they reside.
Panda Breeding and Research Centre Schedule: The Keeper Work Experience 8:30 am - 10:30 am The Giant Panda Class 10:30 - 11:30 am Explore Panda Breeding and Research Centre 11:30 am
Lunch On Site
Afternoon Tours: Wu Hou Temple: The Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang (181-234 AD) was the outstanding military strategist during the period of the Three Kingdoms. Gardens surround several halls, including one dedicated to his memory and another to that of his emperor Liu Bei, with impressive statues, a small museum, a famous Tang Dynasty stele and a classic red wall leading to Liu Bei's tomb.
Jinli Old Street: Once the commercial heart of the old kingdoms this ancient street has been fully restored in traditional Sichuan style. Picturesque and bustling, you can find local arts and crafts, and traditional Chinese goods.
Dinner at Restaurant Overnight at Hotel in Chengdu
DAY 6: Breakfast
Wenshu Monastery: This large Zen Buddhist temple with exquisitely decorated halls houses a fascinating collection of artwork and statues.
Kuan-zhai Lane: A large area that is divided into 3 streets built in a traditional Chinese style where you have time to explore some of the many teahouses and shops for which Chengdu is famous.
Domestic flight from Chengdu Airport to Guilin Dinner on Flight Overnight at Bravo Hotel Guilin
DAY 7: Breakfast Early departure
Longji Terraced Field: Located in Longsheng county, 90km away from Guilin. This is a very scenic area where the terraces spiral from the foot of the hill to the top.
Lunch Enroute
Longsheng Hot Springs: Located in a National Forest Park 132 kilometers northwest of Guilin. Covering an area of 260 hectares (about 642 acres), the park boasts a dense forest, various rare animals and plants, as well as its famous hot springs - Bring your swim wear and a small towel.
These springs can spout over 1,200 meters from underground with water temperatures ranging from 45C to 58C. The waters contain various elements including zinc, manganese, lithium, strontium and iron that are considered to be beneficial to one's health.
Dinner at restaurant Overnight at Hotel in Guilin
DAY 8: Breakfast
Li River Cruise: A riverboat will take us along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo to view the incredible scenery. How fast and how far we travel along the river will depend on the water levels at the time we are there.
Between spectacular limestone peaks you will see bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and water buffalo pulling carts or cooling off in the river. We will also see fishermen on bamboo rafts with Cormorants - part of an old local custom - these large birds help the fishermen catch fish in place of fishing rods.
Lunch Enroute Return to Hotel and Dinner Overnight at Hotel in Guilin
DAY 9: Breakfast Our group will visit the Crown Cave - a giant subterranean river cavern by the Li River. The cave is 12 km long and consists of large stalactites and stalagmites with an underground stream that passes through the cave to join the Li River. Lunch Enroute Free Afternoon to relax
Transfer to Airport for Flight to Hong Kong Dinner on Flight Night tour of Hong Kong Overnight at Hotel in Hong Kong
DAY 10: Breakfast Morning Tour of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Time for shopping Free time for lunch and return to hotel to pick up luggage Coach will pick up group at Hotel Late Afternoon Transfer to Hong Kong Airport Flight to Toronto (arrival on same day)
March Break Program includes: • Round Trip from Toronto Pearson Airport to Beijing/Hong Kong • All Airport Transfers • Private Coach Transfers for activities when required • Guided tours, visits and entrance fees as per itinerary • Accommodation in twins or triples • Full Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners with juice/water daily
March Break Program does not include: Applicable Departure Taxes & Airport Service Fees Optional Comprehensive Travel Insurance (Cancellation & Medical): $175 Or Optional Cancellation Insurance:$125
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