Day-by-day Itinerary – UWSP Culture of China Tour 2010

D01, May 20: Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai via American Airlines in the early afternoon. Met by our guide on arrival, coach to the Fountain Hotel which is right on the Huangpu River waterfront, check in. Dinner at local restaurant. (D)

D02, May 21: Shanghai
Breakfast at hotel, full day visit to 2010 World Expo; we'll stop at selected sites for visit (details to be advised when it's closer); lunch and dinner at local Chinese restaurant. After dinner, have a brief visit toXintiandi, a beautiful street of Shanghai. Return to hotel. (BLD)

D03, May 22: Shanghai/Suzhou
Breakfast at hotel, full day tour of Shanghai, including stops at the Bund, Old Town, Shanghai Museum. Later in the afternoon, coach to Suzhou for dinner & check in 4* Bamboo Grove Hotel.

D04, May 23: Suzhou/Zhouzhuang/Huangshan
Breakfast at hotel, visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Garden of Fish-net Master, these two represent the best gardens of all in Suzhou; we'll also not miss the chance to visit Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill to see how this fine product is made. After lunch, drive to the famous watertown of Zhouzhuang to visit Shen Ting, walk around the town. Afterwards drive back to Shanghai domestic airport, take evening flight to Huangshan in Anhui. Arrive and check in 4* International Hotel for overnight. Dinner in Shanghai or Huangshan(depending on the flight timing). (BLD)

D05, May 24: Huangshan
After breakfast, go up Mt. Huangshan with cable car ride; after getting off the cable car, we'll first hike to our hotel 4* Xihai Hotel, have lunch, enjoying the beautiful view along the way; after lunch continue sightseeing and walk to the various highlights of Huangshan. Overnight in hotel on the mountain. (BLD)

D06, May 25: Huangshan/Hangzhou
More time on Mt. Huangshan in the morning. Then follow the same way with cable car down to Tunxi town for lunch and a brief tour in the town before we drive to Hangzhou (about 3 hours drive); arrive and check in 4* Hangzhou Sunny Hotel. Dinner at local restaurant. (BLD)

D07, May 26: Hangzhou
Breakfast at hotel, then full day tour of Hangzhou: tour the most beautiful & romantic park of China - West Lake Park with a cruise ride; Six Harmony Pagoda by the Qiangtangjiang River, Longjing Green Tea Plantation, Zhejiang Museum and Huqingyutang at the old street. (BLD)

D08, May 27: Hangzhou/Chengdu
Breakfast at hotel, half day in Hangzhou: visit Mt. Phoenix and the Guan Kiln Museum from the Southern Song Dynasty. Afternoon flight to Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan Province and also a historical, cultural town in China. Arrive, meet our guide and check in hotel4* Galaxy Dynasty Hotel. Dinner. (BLD)

D09, May 28: Chengdu
Breakfast at hotel, full day tour in Chengdu: visit the Panda Breeding and Research Institute, learn about this endangered rare animal and see many giant pandas.Later drive to historic Sanxindui and visit the Sanxingdui Museum. Drive back to Chengdu and enjoy a Sichuan hotpot dinner. (BL, SD)

D10, May 29: Chengdu
Breakfast at hotel, more time in Chengdu: Qingyang Temple, followed by lunch at the Mapo Tofu Restaurant nearby. Then visit the Wuhou Temple and Kuanzhai Lane. After dinner, go to the tea house for tea and Sichuan Opera at Shufengyayun.
(BLD)

D11, May 30: Chengdu-Dujiangyan
Breakfast at hotel, day trip Doujiangyan City to visit the ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a wonderful irrigation project from more than 2200 years ago that is still in use till today; and Mt. Qingcheng, a famous Taoism place in China. Drive back to Chengdu and enjoy dinner at Chengdu Snacks Mall. (BLD)

D12, May 31: Chengdu/Jiuzhaigou by flight
After breakfast, transfer to airport and fly to Jiuzhaigou airport; and drive from the airport for about 2 hours to get to Jiuzhaigou, check in 4* Jiuzhaigou Hotel or similar. Visit a Tibetan village on the way. Overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

D13, June 1: Jiuzhaigou
A full day sightseeing in Jiuzhaigou, known as the best scenery and a fairyland in China. Overnight in Jiuzhaigou.

D14, June 2: Jiuzhaigou/Xian
After breakfast, drive to airport and fly from Jiuzhaigou to Xi'an; City tour of Xian if time allows. A light dinner followed by a visit to the Drum Tower and Bell Tower square to see the night scene and also visit the Muslim Street night market nearby to sample local Muslim snacks. Overnight at 4* Jianguo Hotel or similar.

D15, June3: Xi'an
Full day trip to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses Museum (start from Pit #3, followed by Pit #2, and end at Pit #1). Return to the town and spend time at Shuanyuan Street to wander and shop for souvenirs (paper-cutting, Chinese calligraphy pieces, leather puppets, and other shopping. Back to hotel for a break. In the evening, enjoy the fabulous Tang Dynasty
Dinner & Show at "Tang Dynsty" Theatre. (BL, SD)

D16, June 4: Xi'an/Beijing
More time in the city of Xi'an, visit the Ancient City Wall with walking or biking on the wall; afterwards drive to the airport and take afternoon flight to Beijing; on arrival Beijing, take a rickshaw ride in old Beijing's Hutong area with visit to a local family; then check in to 4* Oriental Culture Hotel.. Dinner.

Day 17, June 5: Beijing
Breakfast at hotel, full day tour in Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Lama Temple. Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. (BLD)

Day18, June 6: Beijing
Day trip to the Great Wall at Simatai or Jinshanling (we'll decide which one to go later). Peking Roasted Duck Dinner at the famous Quanjude Restaurant. (BL, SD).

Day19, June 7: Beijing
Full day free on your own to explore Beijing: try local subways, get to Olympic Village, or just walk around the towns - plenty of things that you can try on your own. (B)

Day20, June 8 Beijing/Chicago
In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven. After lunch, check out of hotel and fly back to Chicago via American Airlines. (BL)