Peregrine Travel Group

12-DAYS/11 NIGHTS BEIJING/XIAN/ YANGTZE CRUISE/GUILIN/YANGSHUO/SHANGHAI
Group Tours

Departure Dates Double Occupancy Single Occupancy

June 29, 2008 USD 3216 USD 3696

July 13, 20, 2008 USD 3178 USD 3638

Sept 7, 21, 2008 USD 3503 USD 4056

Oct 12, 19, 26, 2008 USD 3503 USD 4056

Nov 4, 11, 2008 USD 3282 USD 3799

As the capital of China, Beijing is one of the world's truly imposing cities, with a 3,000-year history and 11 million people. Covering 16,808 square kilometers in area, it is the political, cultural and economic center of the People's Republic of China . Situated in northeast China, Beijing adjoins the Inner Mongolian Highland to the northwest and the Great Northern Plain to the south. Five rivers run through the city, connecting it to the eastern Bohai Sea. Administratively, the Beijing municipality equals the status of a province, reporting directly to the central government. Rich in history, Beijing has been China's primary capital for more than seven centuries. China's imperial past and political present meet at Tiananmen square, where the Forbidden City palace of the emperors gives way to the Great Hall of the People congress building and the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong. The old city walls have been replaced by ring roads, and many of the old residential districts of alleys and courtyard houses have been turned into high-rise hotels, office buildings, and department stores. Beijing, a dynamic city where the old and new intermingle, remains a magnet for visitors from inside and outside China.

Xi'an is a city with incredible history, as well as a prosperous modern city. As the capital city of Shannxi province, it holds a key position in the fertile plain between the highland plateau of the north and the Qinling Mountains to the south. Xi'an has been the capital of eleven dynasties for more than 2000 years. Along with Rome and Constantinople, this city played a vital role in bridging the gap between east and west. There are important sites and relics in this city. The Terracotta Army of Qin Emperor is regarded as the eighth wonder of the world.

Lying on the northern bank of the Yangtze River , Yichang covers an area of about 8,108 square miles. It is an ancient city and its history can be traced back for 4,000 years. Now, after thousands of years' development, the city stands out with its various unique characteristics. Located in the middle of China , Yichang is the transportation center which connects the eastern and the western parts of China . Yichang has abundant water resources.

The city of Guilin, named after the fragrance of osmanthus, built in Qin dynasty over 2000 years ago, prospering in Tang and song, flourishing in Ming and Qing, is a world famous tourist city for its picturesque scenery, as well as a well-known cultural and historic city. Located in the subtropical zone, Guilin boasts a pleasant climate for sight-seeing throughout the four seasons. It is inhabited by 12 nationalities with a total population of 1,260,000. The typical Karst formation makes Guilin the prettiest wonder on earth which notables of all dynasties and heads of different states have been coming one after another to appreciate, all gasping with admiration:"Guilin is the most beautiful place in the world!" Today's Guilin ranks second respectively on the list of China's ten best scenic spots and that of China's top forty tourist spot. With her new appearance today, she is ready at any moment to bid you welcome.

Shanghai is China's most comprehensive industrial and commercial city, ranking the first in population and population density. As a tourist city, it attracts travelers from both home and abroad by its commercial activity rather than scenic beauty. Shanghai is situated on the bank of the Yangtze River Delta, with East River in the east and Hangzhou delta in the south. Housing a population of over 16 million at present, it was once a small town supported by fishing and weaving before the first Opium War. Late in 1990, the central government started developing the area, and has since become the well-known booming metropolis city.

	Schedule:
	Day 1	Arrive at Beijing. Transfer to Beijing Novotel Xinqiao Hotel.
	Day 2	Beijing Full day tour in Beijing (Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace) (B, L, Peking duck Dinner)
	Day 3	Full day tour in Beijing (Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tomb) (B, L)
	Day 4	En-route to the airport, you'll see stunning 2008 Olympic venues (Vehicles cannot be stopped; clients only view on the bus). Flight CZ3282 12:30/15:20 to Guilin. Transfer to Guilin Bravo hotel (B, L, D)
	Day 5	Full day tour in Guilin (Li River cruise) (B, L, D)
	Day 6	AM flight MU2330 10:20/12:15 to Xi'an. Transfer to Xi'an Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel. Afternoon visit ( Shaanxi History Museum , Big Wild Goose Pagoda) (B, L, Dumpling Dinner)
	Day 7	AM tour in Xian (City Wall, Terracotta Warrior) PM flight 3U8806 15:25/16:40 to Chongqing for Yangtze Cruise. Embark at 9PM (B, L, D)
	Day 8	Cruise (Shore excursion to Fengdu or Shibaozhai or Wanzhou) (B, L, D)
	Day 9	Cruise (Sail through Qutang Gorge/Wu Gorge. Excursion to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream. Sail through Three Gorges dam ship locks) (B, L, D)
	Day 10	Morning visit Three Gorges Dam site. 1:30 pm disembark Yichang. PM flight MU2511 17:10/20:05 to Shanghai. This evening will be free for you to explore and perhaps sample your dinner at one of the many cafes or restaurants in this cosmopolitan city of Shanghai Transfer to Shanghai Hotel. (B, L)
	Day 11	Shanghai. Full day tour in Shanghai (Yu Yuan Garden, Jade Buddha, Shanghai Museum, the Bund) (B, L, Farewell Dinner)
	Day 12	Transfer to airport for departure from Shanghai International airport (B)

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is the largest downtown square in the world. It covers an area of 44 hectares, big enough to hold one million people. Here is the most sacred place for Chinese people. Beijing is the heart of China, and Tiananmen Square is the heart of Beijing.

The Forbidden City

Forbidden City was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties which is the largest palace complex in the world. It surrounded by 10-meter high walls and a 52-meter wide moat. It covers 74 hectares and has 9,999 rooms. In the forbidden city, you can get more knowledge about the eastern architecture, splendid painted and beautiful craftwork.

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven was built in 1,420 in the Ming Dynasty, which is the most holy of all Beijing's imperial temples. This is where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. True to the Chinese saying, "Round Heaven, Square Earth." The park is in a square shape and the temple in a round shape which symbolizes that the emperor had to leave the Earth (represented by the square) for Heaven (represented by the round-roofed building).

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace landscape, dominated mainly by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three quarters of which is under water. Its 70,000 square meters of building space features a variety of palaces, gardens and other ancient-style architectural structures. The Summer Palace is a monument to classical Chinese architecture, in terms of both garden design and construction. Borrowing scenes from surrounding landscapes, it radiates not only the grandeur of an imperial garden but also the beauty of nature in a seamless combination that best illustrates the guiding principle of traditional Chinese garden design which is: "The works of men should match the works of Heaven".

The Great Wall

The Great Wall is perhaps China's most famous and most mythologized site. Several sections are conveniently visited from Beijing, including at Badaling, the most popular site, about 70 km (43 mi.) northwest of Beijing and at Mutianyu, 90 km (56 mi.) northeast of Beijing. These impressive brick and earth structures date from the Ming dynasty, when the wall was fortified against Mongol forces to the north. The Ming wall is about 26 feet tall and 23 feet wide at the base, and could accommodate up to six horsemen riding abreast. Watch towers, built on high points every 200-300 meters or so with small garrison forces, used fire signals or fireworks as a means of communication. These stretches of the wall are part of a system that extends from the Shanhaiguan fortress on the Bohai Gulf in the east to the Jiayuguan fortress in the west, altogether some 6000 km (3700 mi).

Ming Tomb

Located about 31 miles northwest of Beijing , tombs and Mausoleums of 13 of the 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) buried in a complex that spread some 15 square miles. It was originally built only as Changling, tomb of emperor Yongle, Zhu Di (reigned 1403-1424) and of his empress. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built around Changling. Each tomb is located at the foot of a separate hill and is linked with other tombs by the Sacred Way , a road guarded by 36 statues. Carved in the 15 th century, the statues include 12 pairs of animals and 12 humans. Only two tombs are open to the public, the Changling and the Dingling, an underground mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses.

Li River Cruise

The poetic and picturesque Li River is the important component of Guilin scenery. It originates in Mountain Cat at Xinan county in the northeast of Guilin. It winds and meanders its way for 170 kilometers, passing through Guilin, Yangshuo to the outlet of Gongchen river in Pingle county. Li River, between Guilin and Yangshuo, traverses 84 kiometers like a jade ribbon winding among thousands of hills. Along the river, the rolling peaks, steep cliffs, green hills and clear water constitue a fascinating hundred-mile picturesque gallery. Li River scenery is known to all not only for its green hills, clear water, fantastic caves and spectacular rocks but also for its wonderful deep pools, springs and waterfalls. Moreover, people can enjoy the different beauties of Li River scenery at different seasons and weathers. In fine days, reflections of the hills in clear and greenish water are specially pleasing to the eyes, but it is more enchanting under rainy and misty weather. The hazy view of the drizzling rain and lingering clouds give birth to a wonderful fairyland for tourists.

Yangshuo West Street

West Street is the oldest street in Yangshuo with a history of more than 1,400 years. Situated at the center of Yangshuo County, West Street has become, since the 1980's, a window of eastern and western culture and the biggest 'foreign language center' in China. Visitors are attracted to West Street by its unique mix of cultures. West Street is 517 meters (1,696 feet) long and 8 meters (26 feet) wide, meandering in an 'S' along its length. Being completely paved with marble it is a typical example of a southern China street. It is greatly admired by foreigners for its simple style and courtyard-like setting. There is a saying about West Street that 'half is village while the other half is stores'. Because, at times, foreigners outnumber Chinese, West Street is also called 'foreigners' street'. Visiting West Street , you may see a multitude of items, from embroidered silk cloth, wax-painted weaving, to ethnic costumes made of batik fabric. At night, the restaurants on "Foreigner's Street" are crowded with diners. With facades decorated stylishly with tree bark, palm leaves and colorful lights, these restaurants all boast their own specialties.

Shaanxi History Museum

Shaanxi History Museum Shaanxi Province is the birthplace of the ancient Chinese civilization. Xi'an City was the capital city in thirteen dynasties which in total lasted over 1100 years. The Shaanxi History Museum considers it an obligation to be a showcase of ancient civilizations. It was opened to the public in 1991. Over 700,000 people visit this national treasure each year.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. This attraction can be divided into three parts: the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Da Ci'en Temple, and the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. it attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion, its simple but appealing style of construction, and its new square in front of the temple.

Xi'an City Wall

Xi'an City Wall initially built during the old Tang dynasty (618-907) and ZhuYuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming dynasty, rebuilt the wall, creating the modern Xi'an City Wall. The wall now stands 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide at the top and 15-18 meters thick at the bottom. It covers13.7 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well as being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Museum of Terracotta Warriors and
Horses of Emperor Qin Shi Huang

The Terracotta warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC), Qin Shi Huang, had work begun on his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had accompanied the emperor in his after life. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

Li River Cruise

Yangshuo West Street

Yangtze River Cruise

Coursing over a distance of 6,380 kilometers, the mighty Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Amazon in South America and the Nile in Africa . It begins at Qinghai plateau at southwest, and flows through nine provinces, some major industrialized cities and into Yellow Sea after Shanghai in the east. It is also a cradle of ancient Chinese civilization. However, Yangtze River also floods every year causing loss of lives & millions of dollars. Therefore, the government decided to build dams to control the water; and Gezhouba & Three Gorges dams are born. Highlights of the cruise include the famed Three Gorges "Qutang, Wu and Xiling" showcasing dramatic scenery, deep valleys, verdant landscapes and stunning vistas; shore excursions of the Small Gorges with visits to either Shennong Stream Gorges or the Daning River; and the Three Gorges Dam Site, the world's largest construction project and an engineering marvel.

Yu Yuan Garden

Yu Yuan is a 400 year old classical Chinese garden in the Old Town of Shanghai, not far from the Bund. Pan Yunduan spent twenty years and all his savings building it to please his parents in their old age. In the garden you can feel the harmonies between the construction, plants and human.

The Jade Buddha Monastery

The Jade Buddha Monastery is famous for the Jade Buddhas in it. During the rule of Emperor Guang Xu of the Qing dynasty, Hui Gen, an abbot from Putuo Mountain , went on a pilgrimage to Tibet traveling through China and finally arriving in Burma . He found Burma to be rich in jade and superb in craftsmanship. He wanted to bring carved jade Buddha back to China . He obtained donation of over 20,000 taels of silver and got special permission from the Burmese king to dig and select jade in the mountains. He hired excellent jade carvers to carve five jade Buddhas in various sizes, all decorated with treasured stones and big pearls. On his way back from Burma , he left two Buddha carvings in Shanghai for the Buddhist disciples there to worship.

Shanghai Museum

As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum houses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. Its unique architectural form of a round top with a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy that the square earth is under the round sky, is a distinguished architectural combination of traditional feature and modern spirit. The present Shanghai Museum has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls. It extends warm welcome to the visitors from all over the world.

Novotel Xinqiao Hotel, Beijing
No. 2 Dongjiao Min Xiang, Beijing , China

Area : Jian Guo Men Area
Surrounding:
Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, New World Shopping Center
The hotel has 700 rooms

Hotel Amenities:

Business Centre
Outdoor tennis court
Car hire service desk
Concierge
Dry cleaning / Ironing
Babysitting on request
Art gallery
Thermal baths
Beauty salon
Gift shop/newspaper shop
Parking
Ramp access
Reduced mobility facilities
24 hour security staff
Fitness centre
Massage
Sauna

Hotel Description

Guest Rooms: The hotel brings an ideally balanced combination of traditional and modern architecture. Various kinds of rooms, different flavors of restaurants and many choices of facilities will greatly meet guests' needs. It is also unique for supplying spring water to guestroom.

Location: It is 35-min drive from Beijing Capital International Airport , 20-min drive from Central Business District Area, Embassies compound and China International Exhibition Center (CIEC), 5-min drive from Beijing Railway Station

Restaurant: There is a lobby bar and restaurants, serving French, regional and Japanese, available onsite

Guilin Bravo Hotel
14 South Ronghu Road, Guilin, China

Guilin Bravo Hotel is a new four star hotel that provides the services and standards one would expect of an international five star hotel. The hotel has 268 rooms.

Hotel Amenities

Meeting Facilities Business Center
Currency Exchange
Ticketing Office
First Aid
Laundry Service
Gift Shop
Beauty Salon
International Long-distance Access
Domestic Long-distance Access
Broadband Access in all rooms

Hotel Description

Guest Rooms: The hotel offers 268 tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites, each with individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, mini-bar, private bathroom, radio, color television with free in-house movies and satellite channels, and an IDD telephone with extension in the bathroom. Non-smoking and handicapped rooms are also available.

Location: The Bravo Hotel Guilin is conveniently located near the city centre on the Banyan Lake Promenade, just 30 minutes from the Guilin International Airport.

Restaurant: The Patio Cafe features Western, Asian and local dishes. The Windows of China Restaurant offers Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines. The Hao Di Fang Restaurant offers Dim Sum, local dishes and specialties from different Chinese provinces.

Xi'an Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel
15 North Yanta Road Xian Shaanxi 710054 China

The Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel, Xian is in the east of Xian, just a 10-minute walk to the city centre. It is in an attractive location for business and historical sightseeing. Big Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty dinner shows and other historical sites are within walking distance. Rooms at the Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel are moderately equipped with good standard facilities.
The hotel has 328 rooms

Hotel Amenities:

Air-Conditioned Rooms
Restaurant
Coffee Shop
Shopping Arcade Banquet & Conference Facilities Business Centre
Laundry Service
Karaoke
Car Park

Hotel Description

Guest Rooms: All 328 elegant guest rooms, apartments and suites has been tastefully decorated and designed to give you maximum comfort, privacy and relaxation throughout your stay. Non-smoking floors and inter-connecting rooms are available.

Location: The location of Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel in Xian is in the center of the bustling commercial and shopping district, just 15 minutes walk from the city center and close to most of the sightseeing attractions in the city. Xian, in the middle of the Wei River Plain, is home to one of the most renowned attractions in the world, namely the Terracotta Warriors. These terracotta figures of warriors and horses are located near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. These statues were buried with Emperor of Qin to help him rule in the afterlife.

Restaurant: Hotel amenities and services at Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel in Xian include a number of top rate restaurants and bars that cater a range of delicacies in charming ambiences. The Lobby Lounge is the ideal place to relax and unwind with your friends, with a glass of your favorite cocktail. You can also check out the fusion dishes from all over the world at The Atrium Café. Also check out the other world class restaurants present here.

Shanghai Hotel
505 Wulumuqi Road North Shanghai

The hotel offers well-appointed meeting rooms for organizing your business as well as social events. After an exhausting day, you can workout in the state-of-the-art gymnasium, have a bracing dip in the swimming pool, pamper yourself at the sauna or avail the massage service. The hotel has 527 rooms.

Hotel Amenities:

Baby sitting service
Banquet facilities
Business center
Cocktail bar
Disabled facilities
Laundry facilities
Gymnasium
Lobby
Reception
Restaurant
Room service
Sauna
Swimming pool

Hotel Description

Guest Rooms: The property boasts 527 pleasantly decorated guestrooms, which provides its guests with modern and comfortable amenities. Attentive room service is also provided for your convenience.

Location: Situated in the heart of the city, Shanghai Hotel is close to the ancient Jing'an Temple and the Bund. This property is 5 kilometers from the Shanghai Railway Station and 30 minutes drive from the Hongqiao International Airport.

Restaurant: Guests can dine at the on-site Bauhinia Restaurant that serves delicious cuisine for breakfast, lunch as well as dinner. The Kawakyu Restaurant serves delectable Japanese cuisine for you to feast on. Sip your favorite cocktail while listening to the melodious music at the cozy bar.