Board your international flight to Beijing, China.

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

If you bought air tickets yourself, please meet the group at the hotel.

Beijing has become the face of a rapidly changing China. Established over 2000 years ago, the city first became the capital of China during the Ming Dynasty and has remiand the home of China's central governemnt for the past 700 years.Visit the FORBIDDEN CITY. Completed in 1420, this complex was where 24 emperors ruled from for nearly 500 years. Tour the grounds and imagine what life must have been like in Imperial China. After visiting this symbol of ancient China, visit the SUMMER PALACE, which served as a retreat from the stifiling Beijing summers for the Qing Dynasty emperors.Spend some time on the grounds and maybe take a paddle boat on the palace’s massive lake before returning to the city center to see TIANANMEN SQUARE, the largest square in the world. Stroll along the historic QIANMEN STREET. Dinner is an imperial-style banquet at Fangshan Restaurant. (B/L/D)

Climb the iconic GREAT WALL OF CHINA this morning. Originally a series of disparate walls, the Great Wall was created after the Emperor Qin unified China in 221 BC. The Ming Dynasty restored sections of the wall and is responsible for its iconic design. While not a strenuous hike, make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera to capture the beautiful Beijing countryside. Upon returning to Beijing, stop by the OLYMPIC STADIUM. Then, enjoy a Peking Roast duck dinner in the evening. (B/L/D)

Visit the TEMPLE OF HEAVEN. Completed during the Ming Dynasty, the temple was where the emperor would pray for good harvests. Enjoy some time in the surrounding parks before flying to Xian. Enjoy a buffet dinner in the hotel. (B/L/D)

Xi’an, the capital of the Shaanxi Province, was once the capital of China for 1100 years. Visit the famed TERRA COTTA ARMY, which was created emperor, Qin Shihuang. Each of the soldiers was designed to be different; no two faces are alike. Some of the pits are still being excavated and shattered fragments are still being assembled. Later, stroll along the ANCIENT CITY WALL. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the ancient Xi’an City Wall is the oldest and also the largest city wall in the world. Enjoy a TANG DYNASTY STAGE SHOW this evening.

Dinner is excluded tonight. (B/L)

Fly to Guilin City in Guangxi Province. Visit the REED FLUTE CAVE, a natural limestone cave with multicolored lighting filled with stalactites, stalacmites, and curious rock formations. This has been an attraction in Guilin since ancient times, where you can see graffiti from the Tang Dynasty (circa 792 AD) on the walls. Your dinner will be local rice noodle cuisine. (B/L/D)

Cruise down the LI RIVER, one of China’s most famous scenic sites. You will be entering a real life gallery; see fisherment use trained cormorants to catch fish. Pass along the picturesque riverbank and see limestone hill vistas. Lunch is provided on the ship. Return to Guilin in the evening. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Guilin - Shanghai

Fly to Shanghai, which is a renowned international metropolis drawing more and more attention from all over the world. Situated on the estuary of Yangtze River, it serves as the most influential economic, finanacial, international trade, cultural, science and technology center in East China. In addition to its modernization, the city's multicultural flair endows it with a unique glamour. (B/L/D)

Visit the SHANGHAI TOWER,which ranks as China’s tallest building and second only to the world at large. Climb to the ‘Top of Shanghai Observatory’, which is the world’s highest indoor observation deck. From this height, you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Huangpu River, the Bund on the west, and several other skyscrapers on the east bank. Then, visit SHANGHAI HISTORY MUSEUM, exhibits reveal the history of art, culture and industrialization in Shanghai. The neo-classical Shanghai Race Club building (1934) that houses the museum, has an imposing 10-storey tall tower which was long a landmark of central Shanghai. Later wander Shanghai’s OLD TOWN, where you can get lost in the maze of pavilions designed in the Classical Chinese style. Grab some authentic xiaolongbao or explore through the various shops in the oldest part of Shanghai. Enjoy a deluxe local cuisine dinner. (B/L/D)

Explore the city on your own. We can also arrange a Suzhou one-day optional tour or a visit to Shanghai Disneyland with a ONE-DAY VIP FAST PASS for you. For details, please consult your agent.

Lunch and dinner are excluded today. (B)

Fly home or on to your next destination. (B)

• You have the option of purchasing international round trip air tickets via Grand American Travels. For more details, please inquire with our travel agents.