China Old and New

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Hong Kong

Arrive in Hong Kong. Meet your guide and get settled in your hotel.

Day 3: Hong Kong

Enjoy a morning island tour which includes Victoria Peak, the Central District, the floating community at Aberdeen, Repulse Bay and Stanley Market. After lunch take the Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and stroll along the waterfront. Meet your coach at the Cultural Centre and head to Wong Tai Sein Temple for your last visit of the day.

Day 4: Yangshuo

Rise early to take the high-speed train from Hong Kong to Guilin, known for its unique scenery and abundance of the Sweet Osmanthus trees, then transfer to the peaceful town of Yangshuo. If time allows, explore the cultural melting pot of West Street in the evening. The oldest street in Yangshuo, with a history dating back over 1,400 years, it has become the epicenter of foreign language learning in China and an ideal spot to engage in conversation with both native Chinese and foreigners across generations.

Day 5: Yangshuo

Glide past the breathtaking limestone landscape of the Yulong River during your morning bamboo rafting cruise. Then return to the pier for a bicycle tour of the wild Yangshuo countryside's paddy fields, orchards and beautiful vistas. In the afternoon, let the day's scenery inspire you during a Chinese fan making and ink brush painting lesson.

Day 6: Xi'an

This morning return to Guilin where you'll visit the Reed Flute Cave, with its stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations, and see Elephant Trunk Hill regarded as a symbol of the Guilin landscape. Then fly to Xi'an.

Day 7: Xi'an

In the morning discover the eighth wonder of the world, the life-size Terracotta Warriors, with a local guide. View the Bronze Chariot and see a Circle Vision movie. After lunch visit the Wild Goose Pagoda to see the Shadow Show and the Muslim Quarter to learn about China's minority cultures.

Day 8: Beijing

This morning visit a local village school to participate in a cultural exchange with local students and learn about the evolution and modernization of the Chinese educational system (if not available, another cultural visit will be substituted). Then transfer to the airport and board your flight to Beijing.

Day 9: Beijing

Start your day with a visit to the majestic Temple of Heaven. After lunch, visit the Forbidden City—a maze of buildings also known as the Imperial Palace, that was off-limits to the public for 500 years—and Tiananmen Square. Then delve into old Beijing as you tour the narrow streets and alleyways of the Hutong area by rickshaw to see how some Chinese live in a traditional, enclosed community. This evening's highlight is a Peking Duck dinner.

Day 10: Beijing

Today take an excursion to the Great Wall, the world's largest manmade structure. This ancient line of defense is so massive it can be seen from space. We’ll also get to see the Olympic Park, site of 2008 Games, en route back to Beijing. After dinner enjoy a spectacular Kung Fu show highlighting one of China's oldest martial arts.

Day 11: Departure

Depart for the USA.