China Dream Tour

Xi’an & Guilin Extension Tour

ItinerarySpecially Prepared and CustomizedFor:Bernadette Vadurro&Rhonda Faught

Speakers’

Group

Tour ItineraryShanghai

, Xi’an,

Guilin, Shanghai,

(6 days)

April 9

–

14, 2012

Day 1 (Apr 9) SHANGHAI / XIAN (SD)

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide and taken to theMaglev station, where you will take the

Shanghai Maglev

Train

(highspeed train) to Pudong International Airport for your

flight to Xi’an.Xi’an is

the cradl

e of Chinese civilization. Xi’an was the state capital

for 73emperors, spanning 11 dynasties lasting

over 2,000 years. One of China’s

most prosperous times in history was the spectacular Tang Dynasty (619

–

907 AD

), during which Xi’an was the capital. As

the eastern terminus of theAncient

Silk Road, Xi’an was the most important international metropolis in

middle Asia; attracting businessmen, traders, scholars and students from allover the world.This afternoon, you will enjoy the ancient city wall of X

i’an. Get a feeling

for this medieval metropolis as you stand on top of the old

City Wall

enjoying the fabulous bird’s

-eye view.

Then you will visit the Great Mosque. Xi’an is also famous for its Muslim

population and influence! Your next stop will be at Xi'an's famous

GreatMosque

, which is still active and always impresses people with its authenticreligious architecture! The bazaar that you walk through to get to the GreatMosque is full of Muslim venders selling their arts and crafts!Tonight, you will enjoy the famous

Dumpling Banquet

!You will stay overnight at

Bell Tower Hotel

,a 4* hotel, located by the BellTower and the public square.

You can learn more about Xi’an from t

Xi’an page

in our website!

Day 2 (Apr 10) XIAN (B, L, SD)

This morning, you are going to visit the

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

; still an

active temple and the symbol of Xi’an.

In the afternoon you are going to visit one of the most stunning sites in theworld, the life-sized

Terra-Cotta Warrior Army

. An underground terra-cotta army buried to protect the legendary first Emperor of China, QinShihuang during his afterlife. While in awe of those eight thousand life-sizedsoldiers, officers, horses and wagons dating from the third century BC, itwill be hard to believe that this wonder was accidentally discovered by a

farmer while he was digging out a well in the early 1970’s! If you are lucky,

you will also see some archaeologists still working the site to uncoveranother part of the vast tomb complex built by first emperor in Chinesehistory!Tonight, you are going to have a feast while enjoying the dazzling

TangDynasty Cultural Show

featuring music, dance, and colorful traditionalTang costumes!

Day 3 (Apr 11) XIAN/GUILIN (B)

After breakfast, you will fly to Guilin. Guilin is the most picturesque city inChina, famous for its splendid natural scenery. Its romantic countryside willsoothe you of your tiring urbanism. Enjoy water buffalos strolling in the lushgreen rice paddies combined with the craggy limestone background.You will visit the famous:

Reed Flute Cave

, also known by anotherbeautiful name, "The Art Palace of Nature", features fantastic naturalstalactite and stalagmite formations, artfully illuminated by multicoloredlights.Tonight, you will stay at

Royal Garden Hotel

,a nice 5* hotel located bythe bank of tranquil Li River.You can learn more about Guilin from the Guilin page in our website!