China with Luxury & Style (12 Days): A Sample Itinerary
ID #: DT-C-12-11-1-10-RAIJ
DavidTravel Itinerary Highlights include:
The Middle Kingdom is home to one
of the world’s oldest civilizations — and some of the world’s
most spectacular sights. Discover the Forbidden City in Beijing
with an expert local guide. Then explore the narrow streets of
“Old China” on a special rickshaw excursion. Ascend via gondola
to less-visited sections of the majestic Great Wall. In Xi’an,
take a tour of the tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang and his Terra
Cotta Warriors. Glide through the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges
aboard the newest and most deluxe ship, M/V Victoria Jenna. And
indulge yourself with luxurious accommodations and world-class
dining in cosmopolitan Shanghai. Throughout this exclusive
journey, see China your way—in style.
• Explore Beijing’s vast
Tiananmen Square and a less visited
portion of the Great Wall in the company of your private guide
• Discover the historic, narrow streets of old
Beijing on a
private rickshaw ride
• Experience the remarkable sight of over 1,000 finely sculpted,
life-sized soldiers of Xi’an’s ancient
Terra Cotta army with a
private guide
• Cruise the legendary
Yangtze River for four days aboard the
luxury river cruiser, M/V Victoria Jenna
• Explore vibrant
Shanghai with a private guide and visit a
school for gifted children and enjoy a private performance of
music and dance
China's hosting of the 2008 Olympics showed off to the world
a nation on the rise, where ancient riches are complemented by
modern marvels of architecture and engineering. The energy of
the place is palpable as the world's largest population emerges
from the shadows of recent history and rushes headlong into a
future as a (perhaps the) major global player - and a must-see
travel destination.
China's multi-millennial history has been a tumultuous one. One
of the world's earliest civilizations, it was ruled for
thousands of years by imperial dynasties until the overthrowing
of the Qing dynasty in 1911. The civil war in 1945 defined the
China of today, ending with the defeated Nationalists fleeing to
Taiwan, while Mao's victorious Communists founded the People's
Republic of China. The Cultural Revolution in the 1960s
effectively closed the country. However, China has made up for
lost time since the 1990s: it now boasts the world's fastest
growing major economy and its main cities are emerging as
cosmopolitan global centers.
China is a land of natural and cultural superlatives too,
encompassing 37 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Great
Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, Xi'an's Terracotta Army,
traditional Suzhou gardens and the misty peaks of Huangshan.
Chinese food ranks among the world's great cuisines, while its
distinctive art forms, including acrobatics, martial arts and
Chinese opera, add more flavor to the mix.
From Beijing's medley of ancient and futuristic monuments to
cosmopolitan Shanghai's skyscrapers and art-deco heritage; and
from the heights of the spectacular Tibet (Xizang) Autonomous
Region to the karst peaks and rivers of Guizhou, China's
experiences are many and varied. Investment spurred on by
hosting world events like the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the 2010
Shanghai World Expo and 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou means
urban and tourist infrastructure is constantly evolving. And
while flexibility and patience are still required to travel
around China, in return, the Middle Kingdom rewards visitors
with memories to treasure for a lifetime.