China Old and New

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Thursday April 17: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Friday April 18: Guilin

Arrive today in Guilin and meet your ACIS Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy dinner together. (D)

Day 3, Saturday April 19: Yangshuo

This morning 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 transfer to the peaceful town of Yangshuo. Glide past the breathtaking limestone landscape of the Yulong River during your bamboo rafting cruise. Then return to the pier for a bicycle tour. This afternoon, visit a local artist's workshop, where you'll immerse yourself in the traditional art of fan painting and create your own beautifully hand-crafted piece. After dinner tonight, 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. (B,L,D)

Day 4, Sunday April 20: Xi'an

This morning, transfer to Guilin where you will board your flight to Xi’an. Check into your next hotel and begin exploring this ancient city with your Tour Manager. (B,L,D)

Day 5, Monday April 21: 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. (B,L,D)

Day 6, Tuesday April 22: Beijing

This morning, take part in a cultural exchange with a local school where you’ll channel your inner English teacher, share laughs and learn about the similarities and differences between their school day and your typical day at home. This afternoon board your flight to Beijing. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Wednesday April 23: Beijing

This morning take an excursion to the Great Wall, the world’s largest manmade structure, and see the Olympic site en route. This afternoon, visit the Beijing Shaolin Martial Ars School where you'll learn about one of China’s oldest martial arts. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Thursday April 24: Beijing

Start your day with the popular Taiji exercises before visiting the majestic Temple of Heaven. Then 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. Delve into old Beijing in the afternoon and tour the Hutong area by rickshaw to see how some Chinese live in an enclosed community. You will visit with a local family and learn about their daily lifestyle. Then In the evening, enjoy a Peking Duck farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 9, Friday April 25: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)