Itinerary

Day 01-San Francisco/Beijing
Depart San Francisco on Air China's Boeing 747 wide-body aircraft and fly (12 hours) non-stop to Beijing. Cross the International Dateline.

Day 02-Beijing
Arrive Beijing in the evening. Lodging at Qianmen Hotel.

Day 03-Beijing
After breakfast, tour Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest and most famous square. Followed by a tour of the Forbidden City, where exquisite architecture and a vast glimpse of the staggeringly opulent lifestyles of the Chinese emperors and their concubines. After lunch, visit the picturesque Summer Palace on Kunming Lake.

Day 04-Beijing
After breakfast, depart Beijing by deluxe motor coach to explore the Great Wall, one of the seven world wonders. Followed by a visit to the Sacred Way. Enjoy a special Peking duck dinner tonight.

Day 05-Beijing/Ji'nan
After breakfast, visit the Temple of Heaven, where dynastic Chinese rulers historically worshipped the Emperor of Heaven. After lunch, travel by train (4 ½ hours) to Ji'nan, the capital of Shandong Province, also a city of 1,000 bubbling springs and lakes. A special dinner banquet is planned for tonight. Lodging at Minghu Hotel.

Day 06-Ji'nan/Tai'an
After breakfast, visit Shandong Provincial Museum. After lunch, travel by motor coach (1 ½ hours) to Tai'an, a quaint town at the foot of Mt. Tai. Upon arrival, visit a Free Market, followed by dinner. Lodging at Taishan Hotel.

Day 07-Tai'an
After breakfast, take a cable car ride to visit the summit of Mt. Tai, revered over the centuries in turn by the Taoists, Buddhists, Confucianists, and Taoists. Then travel by motor coach to the countryside to visit a Farmer's Family.

Day 08-Tai'an/Qufu/Shanghai
After breakfast, travel by motor coach (1 ½ hours) to Qufu, home of the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, who lived 2,500 years ago. After lunch, visit Confucius' Mansion, Temple, Cemetery and Forest. Take an overnight train ride (9 hours) to Shanghai.

Day 09-Shanghai
Arrive Shanghai in the morning. Today's sightseeing will include a visit to the Bund plus the Yu Yuan Garden Bazaar. Attend a breathtaking Shanghai Acrobatic Show after dinner. Lodging at Qianhe Hotel.

Day 10-Shanghai
After breakfast, visit the Shanghai Museum. After lunch, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city at your own pace, shop or simply relax.

Day 11-Shanghai/Suzhou/Shanghai
After breakfast, travel by motor coach (1 ½ hours) for a day excursion to Suzhou, also known as "Venice of the Orient." Upon arrival, visit the Silk Spinning Factory, Garden of the Fishing Net Master, Suzhou-Singapore Industrial Park, topped off by a boat ride on the Grand Canal. Travel by motor coach back to Shanghai for dinner.

Day 12-Shanghai/San Francisco
After a leisurely breakfast, depart Shanghai on Air China and fly (11 hours) non-stop to San Francisco with a same day arrival.