12
Days / 11 Nights
China can be daunting, which is why our Elite China itinerary is the ideal answer for the upscale traveler who wants to experience the world’s most populous country luxuriously and effortlessly. Stay at the finest addresses in Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai. You’ll be showered with an array of special treats, from a private lunch in the Forbidden City to a tour of off-limits treasures in Xian, a Chinese cooking lesson in Yangshuo plus privileged visits and happenings unavailable to general travelers.
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| COUNTRY | CITY | NIGHTS |
HOTEL |
| China | Beijing | 3 |
Peninsula Beijing - Executive Suite |
| China | Xian | 2 |
Sofitel on Renmin Square - Premier Room |
| China | Guilin | 3 |
Hotel of Modern Art Relais & Chateaux
- Libre Suite |
| China | Shanghai | 3 |
Four Seasons Shanghai - Center Suite OR Portman Ritz Carlton - Executive Suite |
| DAY 1: Arrive Beijing Arrive in Beijing, China’s capital city and cultural center; personal meeting atthe VIP passageway. Then, transfer by Private Luxury Car to the deluxe Hotel Peninsula in the heart of Beijing. Remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and acclimate to your new surroundings. |
| DAY 2: Beijing Today, your Private Car, Driver and Guide will be at your disposal to tour Beijing. We recommend a visit to the vast Tiananmen Square in the center of the city; it can accommodate over one million people. Stroll around the square, and view the surrounding buildings including the Great Hall of the People and the Mao Mausoleum. Then, see the 250-acre Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex, built in the 15th century when the Ming Emperor Yong Le re-established the capital in Beijing. New palaces have been built in the Forbidden City over the centuries, and Emperors ruled here amidst much opulence, until the last dynasty fell in 1911. After your visit, enjoy a “once in a lifetime” special Private Royal Cuisine Lunch inside the restricted area of Forbidden City. (This meal is not open to the general public and it is available only through special arrangements.) Master Cheng Ruming is the former Executive Chef of Chairman Mao; you’ll taste many dishes that are served at State Banquets. The Forbidden City’s Royal Kitchen itself is a legend of several hundred years. After lunch, visit the 700-acre complex of temples, gardens and pavilions of the beautiful Summer Palace, where the Emperor’s court once came to escape the heat of Beijing, and take a cruise on Lake Kunming (cruise does not operate in winter). (BL) |
| DAY 3: Beijing Travel today northeast of Beijing to discover the 2000-year old Great Wall. At the Mutianyu section, ascend by cable car. This part of the approximately 4,000 mile long wall is noted for its numerous guard towers and striking views. Later, visit the Ming Tombs, traveling via the “Sacred Way” and famed “Avenue of the Animals.” A special Box Lunch will be prepared for you today by the hotel. (B.Box Lunch) |
| DAY 4: Beijing / XianTravel by First Class air to Xian, the starting point of the Silk Road. Visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, and take a specially arranged “White Glove” tour, not available to the general public. You’ll actually put on white gloves and have the opportunity to hold original priceless artifacts in your hands; an expert will describes the history and significance of each piece. Later, visit the small Wild Goose Pagoda, built in the 8th century to store Buddhist sutras. Then on to your hotel, the Sofitel on Renmin Square, located in the center of the city in a complex of historic buildings. (B) |
| DAY 5: Xian An extraordinary day! Visit one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds – the excavations of the underground vault of Qin Shi Huang Di, the first Emperor of unified China, buried in 209 B.C. See the life-size Terra Cotta warriors and “Pit K9801,” the largest burial put of the complex, not open to the general public. Here, you can actually walk down to a working pit and see the Terra Cotta Soldiers’ Armor still in the ground as originally buried. The discovery of Pit K9801 has greatly enriched people’s knowledge of ancient stone armors and the technical standard of the Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago. Later, another unique visit! On to the Forest of Stone Tablets, once the Temple of Confucius; this exhibit is the heaviest collection of books in the world. The first of these 2,300 large engraved stone tablets dates back to the Han dynasty. You’ll have the rare experience of rubbing the calligraphy from one of the ancient stone tablet onto rice paper. (B) |
| DAY 6: Xian / GuilinDepart Xian by First Class air to Guilin, known worldwide for its magnificent scenic wonders. Here, see the beautiful karst landscape made famous through centuries of Chinese art. Upon arrival, transfer by Private Luxury Car to the Yuzi Paradise, an art park set against the exquisitely beautiful mountains of Guilin, dedicated to the promotion of contemporary art and culture in China. Overnight at the elegant, unique and contemporary Hotel of Modern Art (HOMA) inside the park. (B) |
| DAY 7: Guilin Embark this morning on a leisurely cruise on the placid waters of the Li River. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery from your Private Upper Deck open balcony compartment. A special catered Western Lunch will be served onboard. After afternoon disembarkation in Yangshuo, walk around the bustling bazaars before returning to your hotel. Evening evening, you will be transferred to Yangshuo to enjoy a special Show – “Impression of Sister Liu” by the famous multiple Oscar nominee, Mr. Zhang Yimou, Director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening/Closing Ceremony. The show, set on an open stage takes place along the Li River, with the usage of lights and water to emphasize the landscape’s natural beauty. (B) |
| DAY 8: Guilin This morning, participate in a unique Cooking Class in a farmer’s house in the beautiful countryside of Yangshuo. Before the class starts, visit the local market with the chef to shop for the ingredients that you’ll use to prepare your lunch. Have fun learning the art of Chinese cooking! Afterwards, time to relax and stroll at the Yuzi Paradise Park. (B) |
| DAY 9: Guilin / Shanghai Depart Guilin by First Class air to dynamic and cosmopolitan Shanghai. Arrive at your deluxe hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in this trendy and bustling metropolis. Your car and guide will be at your disposal. (B) |
| DAY 10: Shanghai Drive to the Shanghai Museum; view one of China’s most outstanding collections of artwork and relics. Walk along the elegant waterfront Bund Promenade; see the extraordinary skyline of this ever-growing city. Visit the contrasting Yu Yuan Gardens for a view of Shanghai’s past and a tea-drinking traditional ceremony at the 150-year-old Tea House. See the charming former French Concession district before returning to the hotel. (B) |
| DAY 11: Shanghai Morning visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1918, known for its huge white Jade Buddha; this temple is built in the Song Dynasty style. Then, on to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s busy main thoroughfare, with high-end shops, boutiques, cafes and throngs of shoppers. Your car, driver and guide will be at your disposal all day. (B) |
| DAY 12: Depart Shanghai Day at leisure until your Private Car departure to the airport where you will be assisted in checking in via the VIP passageway for your flight back home. (B) |
| $17,650 | Per person, double occupancy |
| Special booking and cancellation policy applies. Please inquire. | |
