Itinerary

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Peninsula Palace Hotel. This grand hotel is located in the center of Beijing within walking distance of the city's historic heart, the Forbidden City. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may want to do some exploring on your own, or have your driver/guide take you to any of the historic sites, parks or markets.

Today you will have a full day of sightseeing in the heart of the city. You'll begin at the Temple of Heaven Park and see exquisite examples of Ming Dynasty architecture. The park is well used and most mornings you can see Tai Chi, rhythm gymnastics and ballroom dancing classes.

Next we will go onto the Hongqiao Market which is just across the street from the north or east gates of the Temple of Heaven Park. The market is filled with tiny shops selling everything from antiques to ceramics and jewelry.

Break for lunch at Fangshan Restaurant located on an island in Beihai Park and enjoy Imperial Court food.

After lunch we will go to Tianamen Square, the Forbidden City, then onto the Drum and Bell Towers.

Tianamen Square is the largest public plaza in the world (122 acres). It is famous for its huge portrait of Mao watching over everything – and everyone. Despite its dark history, it is a very popular venue. Both Chinese and visitors come by the thousands each day to enjoy the plaza, view the monuments, and even fly kites.

The Forbidden City lies just north of Tianamen Square. It was the imperial residence of 24 emperors and their families, soldiers and servants from the early 1400s until 1911. There are six palaces and 800 buildings on the grounds, reportedly containing 9,999 rooms and halls and hundreds of gardens. The city's design and symmetry make it an architectural wonder. You would need days to see all of it, but you can see its main halls in a couple of hours. A great guide will add so much to your visit as he can explain the social and political significance of the architecture.

The Drum and Bell Towers lie north of the Forbidden City. These magnificent ancient towers offer great views of the city and a chance to hear the drums and ring the bell.

In the evening, you'll take in the spectacular Beijing Acrobatics. Performances are held in two theaters, the Chaoyang or Tiandi.

In the morning, you will be picked up by your driver/guide and drive 90 minutes to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Built over a span of 1,100 years, the Great Wall is one of the most awe-inspiring sites in the world. It winds across the countryside for more than 3,000 miles. It is built of brick and stone and filled with earth, and some say the bodies of the laborers who died building it. Much of it is in disrepair, but several sections near Beijing have been reconstructed. Mitianyu is unspoiled. The views of the countryside are magnificent. Ride either a cable car (our choice) or climb 1,156 steps to get to the top. Pack a picnic lunch, and bring plenty of water and daypacks for the kids.

After lunch, you will continue onto the Ming Tombs, magnificent burial ground for 13 of the 16 Ming emperors. The site was chosen for its auspicious feng shui. It is located in a valley, cradled on three sides by a Northern mountain range, protecting the dead from evil spirits carried on the north wind. The site is approached along Spirit Way, a 4 mile road lined with 36 statues of officials, soldiers, animals and mythical beasts. Only 3 tombs have been restored. Of these, the Chang Ling is the most impressive.

A car will pick you up for dinner at the Li Family Restaurant. (10 minutes from Hotel)

Your driver/guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Summer Palace. This was the summer retreat for emporers in both the Ming and Quing dynasties. This complex is a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and landscape design.

Depending on the amount of time you spend at the Summer Palace, you may want to visit the Lama Temple and the Confucius Temple. The Lama Temple is Beijing's most spectacular temple complex and an important center for Tibetan Lamaism. 200 Monks still live, study and pray there. The tranquil Confucius temple is adjacent to the Lama Temple.

After lunch in Sichuan Fandian, we will stop at Three Stones Kite to see Old Chinese kites and then visit the old alleyways and neighborhoods or Hutongs by Pedicab. Tour includes a visit to the 700-year-old Guang Hua Temple and snacks and tea at Prince Gong's Mansion.

We spent the morning visiting a number of schools — Beijing Opera, Calligraphy, Dance Academy, and Shi Cha Hai Sports School — so our kids could visit and participate in number of classes designed for children. We also took in a Shao lin Monk Martial Art exhibition. The calligraphy class was Emerson's favorite. Both Morgan and Ali enjoyed dressing up at the Opera school. And the boys really took to the Sports Institute and the Martial Arts Exhibitions. All visits need to be pre-booked.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free for shopping.

For dinner, we would suggest the China Club, a private member's club, housed in a Qing palace. Your tour operator or hotel concierge should be able to make this arrangement.

In the morning, you will take a 1½ hour flight to Xian. Upon arrival you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. The Golden Flower is a grand hotel with all the amenities including a swimming pool. After settling in and having lunch, your driver/guide will take you to the Shaanxi History Museum, the finest historical museum in all of China. Simply an amazing museum. Afterwards, the kids got to stretch their legs and vocal chords while climbing the Xian City wall and Terry and I enjoyed the views of the city.

Today's sightseeing begins at with a visit to the greatest of all archeological sites in China, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses dig in Lingtong. More than 8000 life-size soldiers, chariots and horses have been uncovered, only a fraction of the total buried to protect the tomb of the first Qin emperor (or some say to help him rule in the afterlife). Each soldier is based on an actual person at the time, and all segments of Chinese society are represented. This so impressed my eldest son, Emerson, that we brought full-scale replica home. This is the only thing he has ever asked for on any of our trips. It now resides in his bedroom.

After a traditional dumpling lunch, visit the Big and Small Wild Goose Pavilions. The Big Wild Goose Pavilion was originally built in the 7th as a Buddhist retreat. The seven-story, 240 foot tall pavilion offers a great view of the city.

Next stop, the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarters. Although non-Muslim visitors are not allowed to enter to the main prayer hall, this is the only mosque in China open to visitors. Situated in the heart of the Muslim Quarter, which becomes a bustling night market in the evening.

This morning, you'll visit the Forest of Stelae Museum, known for its collection of more than 1,000 engraved stone tablets, including 12 classic Confucian books engraved on stelae, and the Bell and Drum Towers.

In the afternoon, you'll be taken to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. On arrival, you'll be met and transferred to hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy walking along the riverbank or along another pedestrian mall.

The morning is spent in the Chinese quarter of the Old City. The center of this is Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar. You will also have time to visit other Temples, enjoy a full Chinese tea ceremony, and go shopping in Old Town.

After lunch, you'll visit the People's Square and Huangpu District. Highlights are visiting the Shanghai Museum, and the Urban Planning Exhibition Center and the Silk Worm Factory with stops for shopping along the way.

In the morning, your driver/guide will take you to Zhujiajao, west of Shanghai. Called the Venice of China, Zhusiajiao is a charming canal town. On your way back into Shanghai, you will stop at the Jade Buddha Temple, the most famous Buddhist temple in Shanghai, built to house two precious jade Buddhas, one sitting and one reclining. The Sitting Buddha portrays the moment of enlightenment; the Reclining Buddha shows his peaceful death.

Today you will visit two historic areas, the Bund and French Concession. The Treaty of Nanjing in 1842 gave areas of Shanghai to the French, British (the Bund) and Americans. Later the British and American settlements combined into the International Settlement. The Bund reflects this era of international involvement. It is a beautiful promenade of Edwardian and Art Deco buildings along the Huangpu River. The French Concession remained separate and still retains its unique character.

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Hong Kong. On arrival you will be met by a driver and taken to the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. This five-star hotel is in part of the International Finance Center, close to both the Hong Kong Station and the Star Ferry. Depending on your arrival time, you might enjoy a ride or tram up to the Peak. Great views of the city, harbor and outlying islands.

Enjoy the beautiful drive to along the south side of the island. Stop in Stanley for street markets and beaches.

Take the Star Ferry over to Kowloon and enjoy the markets. You will find everything from flowers, fish and birds, to jade, pearls and stone jewelry. While in Kowloon, you might want to take the kids to either the Science or the History Museum. And don't forget afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel.

Depending on the time of year you visit, we would like to suggest that you spend the morning shopping at the Central Mall; take in lunch (or dinner) at the China Club; break for tea at the Mandarin Hotel, and catch the horse races at the Happy Valley Race Track. An evening ride up to Victoria Park to see Hong Kong in lights will be the perfect end to a wonderful day.

Today you'll get to take a private Junk around Hong Kong Harbor, with a stop at Lantau Island to visit the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha. Stop for lunch at The Jumbo, a floating restaurant in the harbor.

Our last day in Hong Kong, we chose to visit "Old" Wan Chai, the Little Thailand, and do some last-minute shopping and sightseeing on the Western end and the Mall.

Today you'll be picked up by your driver and transferred to the airport for your homeward bound flight.