Day 1-2 - Tuesday-Wednesday

Beijing

Meeting at the international airport with the Ofakim representative and transfer to the hotel.

Beijing was the Emperors’ capital for the last 600 years of the Imperial era. We will visit the Temple of Heaven, site of the most important imperial rituals and ceremonies.

From there we will go to famous Tiananmen Square (the largest square in the world) and see Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, majestically standing in the center of the square.

We will then enter the Forbidden City, home to the Emperors during China’s long Imperial era and an impressive testimony to China’s ancient architecture.

We will also go to Coal Hill, a Chinese medical center and the Silk Market.

Peking Duck dinner.

Day 3 - Thursday

Beijing, the Great Wall

Today we will visit one of the great wonders of the world: we will climb the Great Wall of China and see how far we can go.

Afterwards we will make the same journey as did the Emperors’ bodies on their way to eternal rest and walk along the statue-lined Spirit Way on our way to the Ming Emperors’ tombs.

Lunch.

After lunch we will go to the sumptuous Summer Palace that was used by the last Emperors when they wanted to escape the ferocious Beijing summer heat.

We will sail on the lake and see beautiful bridges, the famous marble boat, pagodas and more.

In the evening, we will go to a Kung Fu performance.

Day 4 - Friday

Beijing, Xian

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Xian, one of the ancient capitals of China and the starting point of the legendary Silk Road. The highlight of Xian, often considered to be the 8th wonder of the world, is undoubtedly the extraordinary army of over 6000 unique terra-cotta warriors, with horses and chariots from the Qin dynasty of the 3rd century BC, standing there, ready to protect the Emperors’ tomb.

We will then go to the Huaqing Hot Springs.

When we return to Xian we will go to the Muslim quarter where we will see the Mosque.

Dinner.

In the evening, we will go to a performance of the colorful Tang Dynasty Show that dates back to the traditions of 1200 years ago.

Day 5 - Saturday

Xian, Chengdu

It is Xian’s minority groups that give the city its unique style. We will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built by the wandering monk, Xuan Jiang, and we will see the vast city walls.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Chengdu in the province of Szechuan.

Szechuan is called the land of the four rivers and is one of the most fertile areas in China. It is also one of the most populated. Chengdu is the capital of Szechuan and it is a vibrant city, filled with busy streets and teahouses, that has, nonetheless, managed to preserve its rural character.

We will go to the only Panda reserve of its kind in the world and to the colorful flower and bird market.

Hot Pot Szechuan dinner, a speciality of the area.

Overnight in Chengdu.

Day 6 - Sunday

Chengdu, Emishan, Leshan

Today we will drive to Emishan, where we will take the cable car up to the Monastery of Ten Thousand Years.

We will come back down the mountain and drive to Leshan to see the largest Buddha in the world (73 meters high) engraved in the rock. The statue was engraved there to protect the fisherman at this juncture where the 3 rivers meet. We will see the statue from a boat on the river.

Transfer to the hotel.

Dinner.

Day 7 - Monday

Leshan, Dazu, Chonqing

Today we will drive to Dazu.

Hidden in the rocks of this pleasant town there are Buddhist caves full of Buddha rock carvings dating back to the 8th century. We will go into some of the caves and look at the fabulous works of art; these treasures date back to the Tang and Song Dynasties.

We will then drive to Chonqing in the heart of the province of Szechuan.

Dinner.

Overnight either in Dazu or in Chonqing.

Day 8 - Tuesday

Chonqing, Guilin

Today we take our leave of the province of Szechuan and go south to another beautiful area: Guilin.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin.

Upon arrival, we will go to the Reed Flute Cave, to Elephant Hill and to Fubo Hill.

Transfer to the hotel.

Dinner.

Day 9-10 - Wednesday-Thursday

Guilin, Cruise on the River Li, Yanshuo, Yangshuo market

We will spend the next two days in this breathtakingly beautiful area with its karstic rock formations, rice paddies and colorful minority groups.

We will take a cruise on the River Li (lunch will be served on the cruise) and sail past landscapes that served as inspiration to many a painter and a poet.

At the end of the cruise, we arrive in Yangshuo which has become a popular place for backpackers in recent years. We will wander around the colorful market.

In the evening, we can wander around Guilin’s streets and markets.

Dinner.

Day 11 - Friday

Guilin, Hanghzou

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hangzhou.

Upon arrival, we will go and sip tea the Chinese way at a tea plantation.

Transfer to the hotel.

Dinner.

Day 12 - Saturday

Hangzhou, Suzhou

Today we go for an interesting tour to the Six Harmony Pagoda, take a boat trip on the West Lake, legendary for its beauty.

We will also visit the Buddhist Lingyin Temple. Our bus will then drive us through the picturesque agricultural landscape of Southern China to the city of Suzhou, also known as the Venice of the East.

Transfer to the hotel.

Dinner.

After dinner, we will go to see a succession of folkloric shows at the Master of Nets Gardens.

Day 13 - Sunday

Suzhou, Shanghai

After breakfast we will go to Tiger hill with its beautiful gardens, go for a tour of a silk factory and then take a cruise on the canals that reminded Marco Polo of his hometown of Venice.

We will then drive to Shanghai.

Transfer to the hotel.

Dinner.

Day 14 - Monday

Shanghai

We have reached one of the liveliest and fastest changing cities in China - its financial and industrial center.

We will start our tour at the Temple of the Jade Buddha, which still buzzes with religious activity. We will walk along the Bund, the Shanghai promenade that became famous in the days when the superpowers ruled the city.

Dinner.

In the evening, we will go and see a Chinese acrobatics show.

Day 15 - Tuesday

Shanghai, Beijing

Today we will visit what was the Jewish area of Shanghai during the Second World War, and we will see the memorial monument to the Jewish community.

We will then go to Yu Gardens and to the famous Nanjing Road in the shopping district.

Our tour of China has come to an end and we transfer to the airport for our flight back home.

END OF SERVICES.

Beijing, Xian, Changdu, Leshan, Emishan, Dazu, Guilin, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai

Guided tours in: Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Leshan, Amishan, Guilin, Shanghai. Special visits: Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Ming Dynasty Tombs. Peking Duck dinner. Xian: Wild Goose Pagoda, Terracotta Soldiers. Chengdu: Panda Reserve. Leshan: the largest Buddha in the world. Dazu: Baoding Valley and the rock carvings. Emishan: Cable car to Monastery of Ten Thousand Years. Guilin: Longshen rice terraces, Reed Flute Cave, river Li cruise, Yangshuo. Hangzhou: Six Harmony Pagoda, Boat trip on the West Lake, Lingyin Temple. Suzhou: Cruise on the Grand Canal, the gardens, Tiger Hill. Shanghai: Yu Gardens, the Bund, Nanjing Road, Chinese acrobatics show.   Domestic flights abroad Hotels: First class and good tourist class. Double rooms with adjoining bathrooms. Meals: Half board. Buffet breakfast and 14 extra meals, either lunch or dinner. Air-conditioned bus for all touring and transfers Experienced, professional guide Visa: Please check with your travel agent Visits: Entrance fees included as per the itinerary   The price also includes: local airport taxes, fuel tax as per 6/1/07, tips for services rendered. The price does not include: international air, optional tours, travel insurance. We recommend that you read the chapter at the end of the brochure devoted to general information and general terms. TOUR CODE: TCH Arrival date to destination Land only - per person in USD 2007 Aug 23 $1,985 Sep 6, 20, 26, 27 $1,985 Oct 11, 18 $1,775 Nov 1 $1,775 2008 Mar 20 $2,060 Apr 3, 17, 24 $2,080/*$2,160 Aug 28 $1,990 Sep 11, 25 $1,990 Oct 2, 16, 30 $1,815 2009 Mar 12, 26 $1,895 Apr 7 $1,915