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Follow US President Richard Nixon's ice-breaking China tour

Beijing - Hangzhou - Shanghai

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Description :February 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of former President Richard Nixon's historic Cold War visit to China. If you are interested in seeing what he saw, staying at the hotels he stayed, come with us. We will show you the actual China with its remarkable discoveries.

Tour Code : CHP-38

Duration : 8 Day(s) / 7 Night(s)

Departure Date :


Tour Days Destinations Meals Included Transports Today's Activities
Day 1
Beijing

Arrival in Beijing

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Day 2
Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Beijing Summer Palace, Optional Attraction: Qianmen Street - 1, Beijing Duck

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Day 3
Beijing

The Great Wall of China, Attraction: Changling Tomb - 1, Beijing Opera (front area)

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Day 4
Beijing

National Grand Theatre, Temple of Heaven, Attraction: 798 Art Zone, Optional Attraction: Beijing's Old Hutong, Kungfu Show (row 1-4, 12-16)

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Day 5
Beijing -> Hangzhou

Transportation, Attraction: Viewing fish at Flower Harbor - 1, Optional Attraction: West Lake Cruise with Island - 1, Impression West Lake

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Day 6
Hangzhou -> Shanghai

Lingyin Temple, Optional Attraction: Meijiawu Tea Village - 1, Six Harmony Pagoda, Transportation, Attraction: Shanghai Acrobatic Show - 1

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Day 7
Shanghai

Shanghai Old Street, Yuyuan Garden, Attraction: Tian Zi Fang Center, Optioanl Attraction: Shanghai World Financial Center - 1, Shanghai Xintiandi Plaza, Attraction: Huangpu River Cruise - Night - 1

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Day 8
Shanghai

Departure from Shanghai

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Day 1 - Beijing   (No meal included)

A top tourist attraction in Beijing

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the guide and be transferred to your hotel in the city center. 



On Feb. 21, 1972, the 37th President of the United States Mr. Richard Nixon and his wife Mrs. Patricia Nixon arrived in Beijing and were warmly received by Premier Zhou Enlai. They shook hands for a few minutes like long time known friends, which marked a big step forward for US-China relations. Nixon met Chairman Mao Zedong and Zhou at Mao´s home for more than an hour, where they discussed various issues. Mao was impressed by Nixon, whom he thought was forthright. And that evening, a formal welcoming party was given in the Great Hall of People. The following day, Nixon met with Zhou. They reached an agreement that the USA recognized Taiwan as a part of China while China should seek for a peaceful solution to the problem of reunification. During his stay in Beijing, Nixon toured architectural wonders including the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall, among which he liked the Great Wall the most. He commented: “Great Wall is great wall.” Nixon and his entourages traveled to Hangzhou on Feb. 26, where he took a boat ride on the famous West Lake. He brought 4 redwood saplings which were then planted in the Flower Habor Park and Botanical Garden. The next day, the President went to Shanghai and left for the USA on Feb. 28, 1972. His week in China turned on a new positive beginning of US-China relations, which was a very important, memorable event in the history.

Day 2 - Beijing   (B, L, D)

A top tourist attraction in Beijing

Visits : Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Beijing Summer Palace

After enjoying your breakfast visit the Tiananmen Square, which is a must for the tourist visiting Beijing City. You will take about 1 hour to walk around in this largest square of the world. These dignified architectures and stately layout of the square make it an eye-catching place for any tourists who come to Beijing for the first time.

Next, you will tour the Forbidden City which is the imperial palace for Ming and Qing emperors for 500 years. The Third Ming Emperor YongLe moved the capital of China to Beijing in early 1400. UNESCO cited that the Imperial Palaces provide outstanding examples of the greatest palatial architectural ensembles in China.
This afternoon you will visit the magnificent Summer Palace - a retreat where the imperial court spent the summer months. One of several features to look for here is the hand painted murals of the 722m long corridor that has been identified as the longest covered pavilion on record.

Qianmen Street, no more than 2 km long, has been a prosperous area for more than 600 years and has accumulated some long-standing stores. Now we will walk along Qianmen street to have a look at the old of Beijing. Tonight, you will enjoy the Beijing Duck.

Day 3 - Beijing   (B, L, D)

A top tourist attraction in Beijing

Visits : The Great Wall of China

Today take an excursion to the Great Wall of China. The picturesque Badaling Section represents the Ming era construction. Enjoy a pleasant hike or ascend to the top beacon tower via cable car.  
After having lunch continue the tour to Changling Tomb. Changling is the tomb of Emperor Zhudi, known as Yongle (1360-1420), and his empress Xushi. Yongle was the third emperor of the Ming dynasty. Construction of his tomb began in 1409 and was completed in 1427. It is the largest of the Ming tombs among the 13 mausoleums in the vicinity of Tianshou mountain.   This evening, enjoy the fantastic Beijing Opera (seat in the VIP area).

Day 4 - Beijing   (B, L, D)

National Grand Theatre

Visits : National Grand Theatre, Temple of Heaven

After breakfast step out to visit the National Grand Theatre, which looks like a huge green park with an oval and silver grand theater encircled by green water. The shell, made of titanium metal and glass together with day and night lights will add radiance and beauty to each other, and have fast-changing colors. The surroundings of the Grand Theater are semi-transparent, golden netted glass walls. People can see the sky inside the building through its dome.

Proceed to Temple of Heaven. The magnificent and colorful Temple of Heaven (TianTan) was where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests.

After having lunch go to visit 798 Art Zone. It accommodates a thriving artist community, nestled in the over 50-year abandoned military factory buildings of featuring architectural style - typical Bauhaus style with perfect combination of practicality and concision. Because of the typical modernism Bauhaus style of some factory buildings, the orderly-planned courtyard and the distinctive architectural style, more and more artists are attracted to settle here and have formed the present 798 Art Zone gradually.

Then explore by pedicab ride some of Beijing´s old Hutongs (alleyways) and the traditional countyards. Nanluoguxiang is most worth visiting. This quaint little street (over a kilometer long) is packed with bars, cafes, restaurants and shops all designed in classical Chinese Hutong style. It is one of the best preserved old Hutong areas in downtown Beijing.

Tonight watch a fantastic Chinese Kungfu Performance.

Day 5 - Beijing -> Hangzhou   (B, L, D)

Impression West Lake

Visits : Impression West Lake

Today you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Hangzhou.   Flight: CA1702 (1100-1300)

After lunch we go to Flower Harbor Park. Visiting Flower Harbor is a trip into a picturesque poem. You can look at fish, admire flowers, touch trees, listen to birds chirping, and witness the exodus of spring. You will find yourself close to nature by looking up at the sky, looking down at reflections in water, trying to memorize the momentary shapes of clouds, strolling in a drizzle, or counting stars glittering in the universe.

Then the day comes to the highlight-the Lake. The West lake scenic area is half by the mountains and half by the city downtown. While the best place to discover the beauty of the lake must be in the two causeways over the bridge. So our essential lake cruising tour with rowing boat will be just along the famous Su Causeway.

Our boat will slowly take us to Water Paintings along the causeway. During the cruise, we will see the causeway elegantly strengthened along the lake, small isles dotted in the lake. We will go to the one named " Three pools mirroring the moon" to tour around.   Tonight, we will take the chance to enjoy Impression West Lake directed by Zhang Yimou. Never heard of Zhang Yimou? Did you happen to catch the 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony? Mr. Zhang is the one who did that little bit of coordination.

Staged entirely upon the lake itself (a stage has been built 3 centimeters below the surface), Impression West Lake is a spectacle of light, music, dance and theatrics. The story is based on a Hangzhou legend. With the lake and its surroundings as props, lights and hundreds of actors create a sensational performance.

Day 6 - Hangzhou -> Shanghai   (B, L, D)

Lingyin Temple

Visits : Lingyin Temple, Six Harmony Pagoda

After enjoying your breakfast we proceed to Lingyin temple. Commonly translated as "Temple of the Soul´s Retreat", it is one of the largest and wealthiest temples in China. It was originally founded in 326 AD, but has been rebuilt no less than sixteen times since then. The current buildings are modern restorations of late Qing buildings. The hillside to the south of the temple is also famous as a site of old Buddhist caves and rock carvings.

Then our tour will start from Meijiawu Tea Plantation. Hangzhou as a birthplace of the best green tea Dragon Well Tea in China has its long history of tea culture. You will visit the farmer tea plantation yourself to be close to the natural tea trees, you can even go to tea farmers house to talk to them and have a cup of Dragon Well Green Tea. The lunch will be served in the farmer house or a restaurant nearby.

Our next stop is Six Harmonies Pagoda.This very tall pagoda is located on the Qiantang River in Hangzhou. It was built during the Northern Song Dynasty in 970 AD but then destroyed in a war. It was rebuilt and ruined several more times. The current brick and wood structure dates to 1152. The wooden corridors around the Pagoda´s 13 floors were built in 1900. The Pagoda is 196.5 feet tall and has 13 stories outside and 7 inside. The six harmonies refers to the six regulations of Buddhism as well as the 6 directions (heaven, earth, north, south, east, and west.) A bright lamp installed in the top allowed it to also serve as a lighthouse.
After having lunch be transferred to the railway station for the train to Shanghai.   Train: G7320 (16:00-16:49)   Round off the day with a visit the world famous Chinese Acrobats before returning to your hotel to overnight.

Day 7 - Shanghai   (B, L, D)

Shanghai Old Street

Visits : Shanghai Old Street, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Xintiandi Plaza

Today you will see the classic sights from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the enchanting Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Street. The garden covers a significant space and includes many halls, springs and other buildings of interest. The visit brings you back to Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644).

In the afternoon wander in the former French Concession and visit old street wonder of Shanghai-Tian Zi Fang Center. You will find that the place is dotted with fascinating old local Shikumen Houses which form part of Shanghai´s folk identity. Life goes on in a slow and easy pace in Tian Zi Fang, and in no time you will find yourself engrossed in its rather homely spirit.

Then we go up to Shanghai World Financial Center. A giant window in the sky, with a commanding view of Shanghai and its future soaring 474 meters above the groud, the 100th floor observation deck provides a specacular view of downtown Shanghai and the Huangpu River below.

After a drive along the former French Concession District, characterized by beautiful, tree-lined streets and weathered European architecture, you will finally be able to stretch your legs in the hottest new entertainment district, Xin Tian Di. The brick buildings on these two-square blocks have been preserved and transformed into trendy clubs, restaurants and boutiques.

You will have time on your own here, or can go back to your hotel.

At night, our trip starts with an evening cruise on the Huangpu River, which divides the Bund into two sections, Pu Dong and Pu Xi, which mean ´east of river´ and ´west of river´ respectively. Local people honor the Huangpu as Mother River, and as you view the lights and spectacle from the deck of your evening cruise, you will understand why.

Day 8 - Shanghai   (B)

A top tourist attraction in Shanghai

Free till being transfered to the airport. End of the fabulous tour in China.




Hotels
City Deluxe Class Superior Class Tourist Class
Beijing
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Hangzhou
Xihu State Guest Hotel
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Shanghai
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Price per person
Category 1 Person 2-5 person 6-9 person SSP Inquiry
Deluxe Class
USD4107
USD2536
USD2279
USD1166
Superior Class
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Tourist Class
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Note: SSP refers to Single Room Supplement Price.

- 5 stars hotel accommodation (or similar class, double occupancy) with daily breakfast
- Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (B= breakfast, L= Chinese lunch, D= Chinese dinner)
- Experienced English speaking guide in each city
- Air-conditioned private car or van for transfers and sightseeing
- Show tickets for Beijing Opera, Beijing Kungfu, Impression on west lake, Shanghai Acrobatic
- Pedicab for Beijing Hutong tour
- Cruise for west lake and Shanghai Huangpu River
- Domestic flight (economy class) between Beijing and Hangzhou, together with airport tax and fuel charge
- Domestic bulletin train from Hangzhou to Shanghai
- Service Charges & Government Taxes
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance

- International transportation
- Chinese visa
- Entrance ticket for Birds nest and Water cube
- Ticket for asending six harmonies pagoda
- Personal expenses such as: excess luggage charge (please verify your flight documentation), beverages, laundry services, etc.
- Tips or gratuities to local driver and guide
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