Day 1 - Thursday

Beijing

You land in Beijing, the city where ancient imperial historical sites sit alongside modern government buildings, and the Chinese capital since the 13th century. This is where we begin our journey to discover the magic of China.

Upon arrival, meeting at the international airport with the Ofakim representative and from here we will go to the Temple of Heaven, a perfect example of Chinese architecture at its best. This is where the Emperor came to ask the Emperor of the skies for a calm and peaceful year.

Transfer to the hotel.

In the evening we will try out the food typical of northern China with a Peking Duck dinner.

Day 2 - Friday

Beijing, the Great Wall

Today’s highlight is the Great Wall of China. We will climb up as far as we can and take in the breathtaking views.

We will then walk along the statue-lined Spirit Way to the Ming Tombs where all thirteen Ming Emperors are buried.

Our next stop will be the Summer Palace where we will learn about how the Emperors lived and about the way some of the behaved in ancient China.

We will also take a boat and see the grounds of the Summer Palace from the lake. We will then go back to the city and to the famous Silk Market.

In the evening, we will go to a see a performance of Kung Fu, China’s ancient martial art.

Day 3 - Saturday

Beijing, Xian

This morning we will go to Tiananmen Square, also known as the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

Tiananmen Square is the largest square in the world. Standing majestically in its center is Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, and nearby we will also see the Monument to the People’s Heroes. From there, we will enter into the world of Imperial China, the Forbidden City.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Xian, capital of China at the time of the Tang Dynasty and then known as the City of Eternal Peace. It was from Xian that goods began their journey along the famous Silk Road.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 4 - Sunday

Xian

We will go to see the Terracotta soldiers, thousands of life-size clay statues of soldiers and their horses ready to go to battle 2200 years ago. We will see the bronze carriages and watch a panoramic movie that explains the background to the soldiers.

In the afternoon, we will go to the Muslim quarter and to the Great Mosque there.

If there is time, we will go to the spice and medicine market.

In the evening we will go to see a Tang Dynasty performance.

Day 5 - Monday

Chengdu, Emishan

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Chengdu, the capital of the province of Szechuan, a vibrant city with wide avenues, lively markets and numerous teahouses. This is the most densely populated area in China.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Panda Research Center. If there is time, we will ride on electrical carriages and observe the pandas in a setting that is as close to their natural habitat as possible.

We will then drive to Emishan amid some of Szechuan’s most beautiful scenery.

Day 6 - Tuesday

Emishan, Leshan

Mount Emei is one of the most sacred for Chinese Buddhists.

We will take a walk amid the lush vegetation, will take the cable car up the mountain and watch the believers make their way to the monasteries.

Later, we will drive to Leshan, one of China’s important Buddhist centers.

We will take a boat on the Minjiang River to see the statue of the 73 meter high Giant Buddha (Da Fo) that is carved in the rock and watches over the Minjiang and Dadu rivers.

Back to hotel in Emishan.

Day 7 - Wednesday

Chengdu, Lijiang

Transfer to Chengdu airport for the flight to Lijiang, the capital of the Naxi minority, in the province of Yunan.

Lijiang sits at the foot of the Tibetan mountains. The old town is lined by canals filled with the water from the nearby icebergs and is on Unesco’s World Heritage Site list. We will wander through the narrow winding alleys along the canals.

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 8 - Thursday

Lijiang

We will visit Yunan’s beautiful nature sites: we will take the cable car up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and visit Baisha village and the Black Dragon Pool Park.

This long, fascinating day will afford us a different insight into China.

Day 9 - Friday

Lijiang, Dali

We will drive through mountain landscapes to Dali, the capital of the Bai minority, that sits on the shores of the Erhai Lake.

We will visit the old town and the Three Pagodas Temple and take a boat on the Erhai Lake.

Day 10 - Saturday

Kunming, the Stone Forest

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Kunming, the capital of Yunan province, renowned for its ethnic diversity and the many minority groups living there.

Upon arrival, we will go to the Stone Forest to see thousands of limestone rocks eroded by wind and water into a variety of unique formations over a vast expanse of land. We will wander through this impressive labyrinth.

Transfer to the hotel in Kunming.

Day 11 - Sunday

Kunming, Guilin

We will go to the colorful bird and flower market.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin, one of the areas with the most breathtaking landscapes in China.

Guilin is all about beautiful, unique limestone rock formations, mountains covered in bamboo flora, the peacefully flowing River Li and the fog that hovers it all. This landscape has served as inspiration for many a Chinese poet and painter for hundreds of years.

Day 12-13 - Monday-Tuesday

Guilin, Cruise on the River Li, the Rice Terrrasses

If we get up early enough, we will be able to join the thousands of Chinese who begin their day doing Tai Chi in one of the public parks.

After breakfast, we will take a leisurely cruise down the River Li that winds along through the splendid karst mountain formations whose peaks are often immersed in fog.

After the cruise, we will drive back to Guilin and go to the Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Hill.

On our second day in this enchanting town, we will go to see the Longshen rice terrasses. We will go to one of the villages and visit a local resident in his house and will also try to go to one of the village schools.

Day 14 - Wednesday

Shanghai

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Shanghai, the big, bustling modern city that was once known as the Paris of the East.

We will see the European-style colonial buildings, the modern skyscrapers, the busy business quarter and the alleys of the old city, all of which give this cosmopolitan city a unique character.

In the evening we will go to a Chinese acrobatics show.

Day 15 - Thursday

Shanghai, Home

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, Chengdu, Leshan, Emishan, Dali, Lijiang, Kunming, Guilin, Shanghai

Guided tours in: Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Leshan, Emishan, Lijiang, Kunming, Guilin, Shanghai. Special visits: Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Ming Dynasty Tombs. Peking Duck dinner. Xian: Muslim Quarter, Terracotta Soldiers. Chengdu: Panda Reserve. Leshan: the largest Buddha in the world. Emishan: Cable car to Monastery of Ten Thousand Years. Lijiang: Old Town on the Canals, Cable Car to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Dali: Old Town, Three Pagodas Temple. Kunming: World Renowned Stone Forest. Guilin: Longshen rice terraces, Reed Flute Cave, river Li cruise, Elephant Hill, Fubo Hill, Yangshuo. 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: OCY Arrival date to destination Price p.p land only 2007 Sep 6, 20 $2,120 Oct 12, 18 $2,120 2008 Mar 20 $2,120 Apr 3, 17, 24 $2,120 May 1, 15 $2,120 Jun 12, 26 $2,120 Jul 10, 24 $2,120 Aug 7, 21 $2,120 Sep 4, 18 $2,120 Oct 2, 23 $2,120 2009 Mar 5, 19 $2,120 Apr 2, 23 $2,120

For more information regarding tour costs and extensions, contact Gil Travel by email or phone 800.223.3855.

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