through the narrow lanes of the old residential quarters . You will have the opportunity to take a glimpse of the local residents' daily life. Enjoy an emperor's dinner banquet in the evening.

Day 3: BEIJING.

The highlight today is a trip to the astonishing Great Wall of China, one of the two man-made structures on Earth that can be observed from space. After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs, burial sites for 13 of the Ming emperors. Enjoy a Peking duck dinner in the evening.

Day 4: BEIJING.

The excursion today includes a visit to the Summer Palace, the famous resort of Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Feast your eyes on the Long Corridor, Longevity Hill, and Kunming Lake. Lunch is followed by a visit to the Forbidden City, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace. This was the palace for 24 Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors who ruled China for over 500 years. In the evening you may attend an acrobatic show.

Day 5: BEIJING - SUZHOU (Via Shanghai).

After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square before leaving for Shanghai. At the Shanghai airport, you will need to catch a bus to the city of Suzhou, noted for its landscaped gardens. You will stop for a couple of hours along the way at the village of Zhouzhuang to experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents and enjoy the well preserved "old world" architecture.

Night in Suzhou.

Day 6: SUZHOU - HANGZHOU.

Cruise the Grand Canal, enjoy the unique, classic gardens, and visit the Embroidery Research Institute. Then take a bus ride to Hangzhou, "Paradise on Earth." Night in Hangzhou.

Day 7: HANGZHO - SHANGHAI

After breakfast, cruise the famous West Lake, taste the well-known Longjing Tea, and treat yourself to the gorgeous scenic spots around the lake. Tour the Yue Fei Temple and tea plantations before taking a bus ride to Shanghai. Shanghai, China's largest city (home to 14 million people), is also China's principal port on a deep estuary of the Yangtze River. Often regarded as "the Paris of the East," Shanghai has retained the flavor of its past European influences. 2 nights in Shanghai.

Day 8: SHANGHAI.

Today's excursion takes you to the Children's Palace, Yu Garden, the Bund, and the bustling Nanjing Road. Experience Shanghai cuisine in the evening.

Day 9: SHANGHAI - Return Home

This morning, you may want to visit the Shanghai Museum of Art and History, which ranks as one of the greatest museums in the world, take a stroll along the Nanjing Road, before going to the airport for your flight back home.