Rascals in China
Trip Length: 14 days

China, the ancient Land of the Dragon. Beijing, the capital city of the people's Republic of China, is over 3,000 years old. Tour the Forbidden City, ancient residence of emperors and bastion of imperial power, forbidden to all but the highest nobility. The 250-acre palace contains more than 9,000 rooms. Closed to the common people for centuries, it was only opened to the public in 1949. Pass by the "Gate of Heavenly Peace", Great Hall of the People and Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall.

Itinerary

Day 1
Visit the impressive Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, built to accommodate rallies of a million or more. After lunch, visit the lovely Blue Temple of Heaven, where the celestial Emperors came offer an annual sacrifice to ensure the harvest of the Middle Kingdom. Explore the Summer Palace, rebuilt by the Empress Ci Xi as a retreat for China's royal families for over 2,000 years.

Day 2
Visit to the legendary Ming Tombs, the last resting place of 13 emperors from the Ming Dynasty. Travel to the Great Wall. Begun around 220 BC, the awesome 3,750 mile-long wall was built to keep out Mongolian invaders. In the afternoon, enjoy an acrobatic show. Lunch and a traditional Peking Duck dinner included.

Day 3
Morning tour to visit the old neighborhoods in the Shishahai Lake area. Roam through Beijing's old, narrow streets, hutongs, by old-fashioned pedicab to visit siheyuan, the old quadrangles, and learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens. A hutong is an ancient city alley typical in Beijing. Many were built during the Yuan (1206-1341), Ming (1368-1628), and Qing (1644-1908) dynasties. As the city of Beijing deteriorated, the conditions of the hutong worsened. Quadrangles previously owned by one family became a compound occupied by many households. Beijing houses along hutongs still occupy one third of the total area, providing housing for half the population. The hutong today is fading into the shade for both tourists and inhabitants. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 4
Morning flight to Xi'an, the ancient national capital city for 11 dynasties, where myth and fact blend miraculously before your eyes. Once the largest city in the world, Xi'an was a major link between Asia and Europe, the terminus of the Silk Road. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay. In the afternoon the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the "Forest of Stelae", ancient stone tablets displaying ancient classics in traditional calligraphy, and the Ancient City Wall from the Ming Dynasty.

Day 5
Today take a fascinating look into China's past as you visit the site of one of its most magnificent archeological finds. Xi'an captured the interest of the world in 1974 when peasants, in the course of digging wells, uncovered the astonishing 3rd-century BC burial site of the first emperor to unite China, Qin Shi Huangdi.. See more than 6,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors and horses which have been standing guard over the Imperial Tomb for 2,000 years. The Emperor had them buried with him to guard the entrance to his tomb Visit also the Neolithic site from 6,000 BC at Ban Po Village, and Museum. (L)

Day 6
Visit a local kindergarten before departing this morning for Guilin, one of the most gorgeous cities in China. It is set amidst the jagged, vertical limestone mountains and the soft crop-green banks of the Li River. The beauty of this part of China is most fully appreciated from the decks of a slow-moving boat on the Li River as you glimpse some of the mystery of this ancient region. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay.

Day 7
Today you will visit the most famous of Guilin's many caves, the Reed Flute Cave, where you will see the spectacular collection of unusual stalactite and formations whose shapes resemble people, animals and threes. Visit also the legendary Fubo Hill, Elephant Hill Park and watch a demonstration of how local fisherman use cormorants to fish. (L)

Day 8
The highlight of any trip to China is the full day cruise on the Li River. The rain washed pastel-colored landscape unfolds on the cruise. On your leisure 50-mile journey down the Li River to the picturesque town of Yangshuo, enjoy the spectacular limestone formations rising from the green banks, which have provided inspiration to Chinese painters for centuries. See graceful bamboo groves, pass valleys, rice fields, green plains and jagged cliffs with unusual names like Elephant Trunk Hill before disembarking at the colorful market of Yangshuo, the best antique and crafts markets in China. (L)

Day 9
Visit Moon Hill, ancient Banyon Tree Park, a local village and a kindergarten. Afternoon flight to Hong Kong, a unique blend of ancient Chinese traditions and modern Western culture.