DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 • Thursday

SAN FRANCISCO to SHANGHAI
Lift off aboard United Airlines to fly transpacific.

CHINA

Day 2 • Friday

ARRIVE SHANGHAI
Welcome to China’s bustling center of commerce, shanghai. You are met and escorted to check in to the Hua Ting Hotel & Towers.

Day 3 • Saturday

SHANGHAI

Today’s sightseeing tour shows the glories of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum and Jade Buddha Temple. Visit a carpet factory and continue on to see the colonial-style architecture at the Bund. Enjoy a charming performance at the Children’s Palace and shop at emporium-lined Huai Hai or Nanjing Road.
MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 • Sunday

SHANGHAI TO SUZHOU/ SHANGHAI

This morning, travel by motorcoach to Suzhou, noted for its legendary ancient gardens. Tour the Embroidery Research Institute, North Temple Pagoda, Pan Men City Gate and the Garden of the Master of Fishing Net.

MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch

*Travel to Suzhou by train if group is less than 6 tour members.

Day 5 • Monday

SHANGHAI TO KUNMING

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Kunming, at the foot of the Himalayas. Then out to tour the Western Hills, a range of four mountains whose silhouette is said to resemble “Sleeping Beauty”, stretching over 25 miles along the shore of Dianchi Lake. The area offers some of the most beautiful scenery and finest temples in the region. Then on to tour the 400 year old Golden palace Temple at the top of Mingfeng Hill, home of the Taoist Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony) and the largest copper temple in China. Check in to the Harbour Plaza Hotel.
MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 • Tuesday

KUNMING/ STONE FOREST/ KUNMING

A rare experience today as you take an excursion to the legendary Stone Forest, where you will marvel at the enthralling labyrinth of jagged limestone crags. This area is home to the Sani Minority, known for their fine embroidery and dancing skills.

MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 • Wednesday

KUNMING TO DALI

This morning, a short flight takes you to Dali, capital of ancient nanzhao and Dali kingdoms, and home of the Bai minority group. A tour takes you on a two hour cruise on scenic Erhai lake to enjoy its alpine setting. Visit Jin Suo Isle, which is home to a Bai minority fishing village and colorful market. Continue on to visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, 9^th century examples of the architectural art and culture of the Bai ethnic group. Then visit the city museum. Check in to the Asia Star Hotel, the city’s best hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

Day 8 • Thursday

DALI TO LIJIANG

A scenic drive takes you to breathtaking Lijiang today. Along the way, stop at the village of Xizhou, home to a diverse population. An important stop on the trade route to Tibet, Xizhou flourished in the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644), along the fortunes of Dali’s tea merchants. Visit the Yang family courtyard, a traditional Bai house. At the small local market, villagers in traditional Bai garb buy and sell produce and goods. In the afternoon, arrive in Lijiang, where the Naxi ethnic minorities have a logn history and splendid culture, with their unique traditions, architecture and clothing. A tour takes you to renowned Black Dragon Pool with its Moon embracing Pavilion, Five Phoenix Pavilion and Dongba Cultural Village. Check in to the deluxe Lijiang Guan Fang Hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

Day 9 • Friday

LIJIANG

Visit the ancient Dayan Town, a UNESCO world heritage site, where the houses are wood-and-earth structures with tiled roofs and flower-filled courtyards. The Mu Family Mansion, ancient home of a Naxi noble, is now a museum offering insight into Naxi history and culture. Then visit Yufeng Temple, with it famous 500 year old camellia tree. In the afternoon, visit Baisha village to see its Ming and Qing dynasty frescos, then tour Yuhu Village, a well-preserved Naxi community.
MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

Day 10 • Saturday

LIJIANG TO ZHONGDIAN

Depart Lijiang by motorcoach traveling to Zhongdian, the stunningly picturesque setting believed to be the inspiration of the mythical Shangri-la described in James Hilton’s novel, The Lost Horizon. Enroute, view the “first Bend” of the Yangtze River at Shigu, and astounding Hutiao (Tiger Leap) Gorge on the Jinsha River, one of the deepest gorges in the world. Check in to the Gyalthang Dzong Hotel.
MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

Day 11 • Sunday

ZHONGDIAN

Today, a breathtaking sightseeing tour of this beautiful region visits 17^th century Ganden Songzanglin Monastery, scenic Napa Lake, then on to tour Zhongdian’s Tibetan-style old town and local market.
MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12 • Monday

ZHONGDIAN TO KUNMING/ SHANGHAI

In the morning, transfer to the airport for you flight to Kunming, where you take a connecting flight to cosmopolitan Shanghai. Check in to the Hua Ting Hotel & Towers.
MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 • Tuesday

SHANGHAI

Free day at leisure. You may wish to join an optional tour.

MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast

Day 14• Wednesday

SHANGHAI to SAN FRANCISCO

Fly home today aboard United Airlines..
MEALS INCLUDED: American Breakfast

ALL INCLUSIVE FEATURES:
• Round-trip transpacific air transportation
• All intra-China air/land transportation
• Escorted by a professional Tour Manager
• 12 nights in deluxe and superior first class hotels
• 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 5 dinners
• Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel, baggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges
• Sightseeing tours, cultural entertainment and other performances as specified

• United Mileage Plus® members earn: frequent flyer credit with the purchase of each air/land tour package
• $100,000 Automatic Flight Insurance for transpacific air reservations ticketed by PDT