BOB'S CHINA TOUR

Day 1: Thursday, August 5, depart from Vancouver for Beijing, Air Canada 029, 12:25 p.m.

Day 2: Beijing (D)

Friday, August 6. Arrive Beijing Capital International Airport @ 14:45 p.m. Beijing is the capital of China

and served as the capital of 5 dynasties over a period of 800 years.

Upon arrival we will be transferred to the Novotel Xinqiao. The hotel is in an excellent location.

It is a short walking distance to the:

Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Pearl Market.

We should be checked into the hotel and into our rooms by 17:00 p.m.

After dinner, some will want to rest after a long day or I would suggest an evening

walk around Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. It is lit up and quite spectacular.

Day 3: Beijing (B, L, D)

Saturday, August 7. In the morning we will depart for the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall is the most famous image

of China. It is more than 12,000 kilometers in total and is designated as one of the Eight Wonders

of the world.

After lunch, we will see skilled artisans at work at a Cloisonne factory. You will see how these magnificent

pieces are made. After the actual factory visit, you will have an opportunity to visit the showroom to

make a purchase if you wish.

The next stop will be at the Bird Nest and Water Cube, the sites constructed for the Beijing Olympics.

We will return to the hotel in the afternoon for a rest. I will accompany any who want to go to the Pearl

Market to shop. You can purchase anything you can imagine at great prices. You do have to bargain and

I will assist you if you have not had that experience or do not like to bargain. I am well known there and have been called the

"Bargaining Guru". If you wear glasses, bring your prescription along. I have Prada, Hugo Boss, and Cartier

readers that I have purchased there at about $20.

In the evening we will enjoy a fabulous Peking Roast Duck Dinner.

After dinner, we will return to the hotel.

Day 4: Sunday, August 8. Beijing (B, L) In the morning, we will visit the Forbidden City. This complex, the largest

conglomeration of ancient structures fpr an Imperial Palace ever built in the world. The complex has more than

800 buildings, 9999 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermillion walls.

I would suggest you view the movie "The Last Emperor" before you leave for China. When you visit the Forbidden City,

you will visit many of the sites in the movie.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Heaven, which was used by Emperors to offer sacrifices to heaven

and pray for good harvests.

After the Temple of Heaven, we will visit the Pearl Market and the Toy Market. Both are nearby. Adjacent to the Pearl

Market is a charming little restaurant called the Brown Door. It is popular with flight attendants. I go there for lunch

and dinner when I am in Beijing. That is where we can go for dinner after the Pearl Market. It will be your choice and

at your own expense. The cost is very little.

You will have free time that evening or you can attend an optional show -

"Legend of Kung-fu". The show and dinner that night will be at your own expense. There are lots of choices around the hotel

including Pizza Hut, KFC, and Macdonalds. There is a super market I want to take you to and an interesting little restaurant that

has great won ton soup. This is you last day in Beijing. That is why you are being given free time to wander about.

Day 5: Beijing-Xian (B, L, D)

Monday, August 9. We take an early flight to Xian. Over a period of more than 2000 years Xian was the capital for eleven dynasties.

We will visit the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the site of the life-sized army to the first emperor of

China. This site is also considered one of the Wonders of the World and among the top archaeological

excavations of the 20th century.

In the evening we will have a special local Imperial Dumpling Banquet Dinner and the traditional Dynasty Singing and

Dancing Show.

Day 6: Xian (B, L, D)

Tuesday, August 10. We will visit the Shanxi Provincial Historical Museum in the morning. We will enjoy a local special noodle lunch and

Noodle Making Performance.  After lunch we will visit the Ancient City Wall, a wall that has survived in China and includes

one of the largest and most complete anicent military systems in the world. We will then visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda,

the symbol of the city. It is said to have been built to house and protect Buddist scriptures collected by the Chinese monk,

Xuan Zang.

Day 7: Xian - Qingdao (B, L, D)

Wednesday, August 11. We will fly to Qingdao this morning.  We will take a tour of the City.  Qingdao is famed for its beer. In North America

you may have enjoyed "Tsingtao Beer" at your favourite Chinese restaurant. Qingdao was occupied by Germany early in the last century,

thus the famous beer. It is a beautiful city on the ocean.

After the tour we will depart by bus for Weifang, known as the Kite capital of the world. In Weifang we will visit the Kite Musem

and factory. You will have an opportunity to purchase a kite/s.  We will also visit the silver inlay factory.  You will also visit a memorial

to the North Americans and Europeans who were interred in Qingdao by the Japanese during World War II.

We may be given a dinner by a great friend of mine,  Mayor Zheng, if he is in town and available.

After dinner we will check in to our hotel.

Day 8:  Weifang - Daqingshan {B, L, D)

Thursday, August 12.  We will depart by bus for Daqingshan (Big Green Mountain).  There will be lots of activies available at DQS.

My longtime colleague, Master Joseph Chen, is a world reknowned Taiji instructor. He will teach Taiji for those who are interested.

He is also owner and operator of Daqingshan. You may want to hike to the Immortal's Caves and a pagoda located on the

mountain. It is a day for exploring or just resting.

Day 9: Daqingshan (B, L, D)

Friday, August 13. After breakfast, we will travel to Rizhao. The city of Rizhao is located on the ocean about one hour from DQS. The day can be spent

on the beach and visiting the market located adjacent to the beach. We will have lunch in Rizhao.  We will then return to Daqingshan.

After dinner, we will visit Wulian, a small city minutes from DQS. North Americans and Europeans are a rare site in Wulian. Like many cities in

in China, Wulian has a night market. It is an enjoyable experience and there are opportunities to shop.

Day 10: Saturday, August 14 (B, L, D)

Depart for Jinan by bus. Jinan is the capital of Shandong Province. While in Jinan, we will visit the famed Leaping Springs and Daming Lake.

Day 11: Sunday, August 15 (B, L, D)

We will fly to Suzhou.  Upon arrival we will check in to our hotel.  While in Suzhou we will travel on the Grand Canal and tour the city.

After the Grand Canal, we will visit the Silk Factory and if there is enough time, we will visit the jade factory.

Day 12: Monday, August 16 (B, L, D)

We will depart by motor coach to Shanghai in the morning.  It is about a 90 minute trip depending on the traffic.

We will check in to the New Asia Hotel. After lunch, we will walk along the famous Bund, a mile

long stretch on the Huangpu River. The Bund is lined by buildings of colonial architecture of European design. This area is the best place to witness

the western influences of the old days. The tour will then travel to the Ming Dynasty Yuyuan Garden, which is considered to be one of the four

greatest Chinese Gardens. The tour will then visit the famed Jade Budda Temple.

After Dinner that evening you will have free time. I would recommend you visit the famed Acrobat Show. People returning from the performance

rave about the show. This is optional and at your own expense.

Day 13: Tuesday, August 17 (B, D)

We will visit the Museum of Science and Technology. Ad jacent to the market is an amazing market. They are very aggressive but by then you

will be excellent bargainers.

We will return to the hotel. After a short rest, I will accompany you to Nanjing Road, the famous bustling shopping district. We will walk

several blocks to Nanjing Road through an area where locals live and shop.

After dinner you may take an optional tour, the Night Cruise on the Huangpu River, at your own expense.

Since we are departing for home at noon the following day, it is a good time to pack and list your purchases for entry to Canada or the

United States, wherever you may live.

Day 14, Wednesday, August 18 (B, L)  You will have free time in the morning to sleep in and pack for the trip home.  For those who are

interested I will take you to the Cheapo Market which is a couple of blocks from the hotel.  We will check out of the hotel no later than 12:00 p.m.

We will depart for the airport no later than 12:30 p.m.. For those returning on Air Canada via Vancouver or Toronto, we will depart from

Pudong International Airport on AC025 at 15:45 p.m.

Your China trip is over all too soon, bidding a farewell to this ancient land. We know the trip is over, yet the experience and memories will

certainly last for a life time. You will get back to Vancouver the same day you leave China. You get back the day you lost on your trip to China.

 

THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:

1. Any personal charges, such as phone bills, laundry, postage, baggage over-weight charges, insurance, beverages including those from the

minifridge in your room.

2. Tips: Please note that gratuities are not included in the tour cost. They are customary, and their purpose is to show appreciation and reward

quality service. Tour guides, drivers, hotel porters and other services do their utmost to make the trip pleasant. We suggest that we calculate

the amount required at the beginning of the trip. We will collect it from you and then you do not have to be concerned about it.

3. The cost of your passport and China Tourist Visa Fee.

4, Any other charges caused by an act of God.

THE TOUR INCLUDES:

China domestic air tickets.

Tour buses for sightseeing and transfers between airport and hotel.

All hotel accommodation.

Most meals as inicated on the itinerary.

All sightseeing as indicated on the itinerary except those noted as optional.

Profession English-speaking tour guides.