The Best of China: Imperial Capitals, Tibet and the Yangtze River

Afternoon: After hotel arrival and check in, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. CAEE Group Leaders are full-time trained professionals and permanent staff members with certification from the Chinese government. All are university graduates, fluent in English, well-educated in safety and protocol and are supported by established local offices nation-wide. Most lunches and dinners will be “family style” with various dishes placed on a “Lazy Susan” turntable in the center of the table where everyone helps themselves. Chopsticks and forks will be available as well as Chinese spoons used for serving and for soup at the end of a meal. Tea and water are served with all meals; other beverages available for purchase. Some mornings as indicated on your itinerary, join the Group Leader for a tai ji session before breakfast to start the day off calm and refreshed. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room, we’ll enjoy a “family style” meal with typical Chinese dishes and ingredients including rice, meats, vegetables, and non-meat dishes for vegetarians.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Driving up to 1.5 hours throughout the day. Walking approximately 2 miles in and around the Forbidden City on flat, paved terrain with many chairs and benches to rest; up to 80 steps with railings. Walking up to 1/2 mile from the coach to Tian’anmen Square.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as warm meats, eggs, cereals, fruit, and Chinese dishes such as rice porridge and cooked vegetables; beverages include juice, tea, coffee, water.

Morning: We will explore parts of the 250-acre Forbidden City imperial compound. It was called the Forbidden City because it was “forbidden” to enter without the Emperor’s permission. The world's largest palace complex, it is surrounded by a moat 170 feet (52 meters) wide, a wall more than 32 feet (10 meters) high, and contains 8,700 rooms! Construction began in 1407, and, thanks to the labor of a million workers including 100,000 artisans, it was completed in 1420. The Forbidden City was not only the personal residence of emperors and their royal families, but China’s political center for more than five centuries.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, enjoy a family style meal.

Afternoon: Walk through Tian'anmen Square, considered the heart of Beijing. Meaning "Gate of Heavenly Peace," the square, set in the heart of Beijing, serves as the location of formal celebrations and ceremonies. More commonly, this huge piazza is where families come to stroll and chat and where kites and balloons abound. Here are located the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, the China National Museum, Great Hall of the People, Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Tiananmen Tower. The square was the site in 1989 of pro-democracy protests seen around the world. The remainder of the afternoon is free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll have our official welcome dinner and savor Beijing’s famous culinary delight, Beijing Roast Duck, a.k.a. Peking Duck. The ducks are specially raised and the elaborate preparation involves a series of steps to produce the crispy skin and savory meat with traditional accompaniments such as scallion and sweet bean sauce, all rolled inside a thin pancake.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Led by our Group Leader, tai ji sessions last approximately 30 minutes. No special clothes or shoes are required. Walking up to 1/2 in Hutong area, and 1 mile in the Summer Palace on flat, paved terrain.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Rise early before breakfast and join the group for a pre-breakfast tai ji class led by our Group Leader. After breakfast, we set out via motorcoach to explore the hutongs – small residential alleys and courtyards – near Beihai Park. Step onto a pedicab to ride around the district that houses many historic residences including the former home of Song Qing Ling, political activist and wife of Dr. Sun Yat Sen. The pedicabs allow us to ride deep into the smaller alleyways and immerse ourselves in the daily life of local people.

Lunch: In an “Old Beijing” hutong, we’ll gather for a family-hosted lunch including jaozi (Chinese style dumplings). Hutongs are old residential neighborhoods with courtyard homes situated in small lanes and alleys that are rapidly disappearing due to urban development.

Afternoon: Our day continues with a field trip to the Summer Palace, where lily ponds and arched bridges border its serene lake, and painted pavilions depict stories that reflect the rich history of Chinese life and art. After, we will return to the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant known for their steamed dumplings; dine on their renowned dumplings, stir fried dishes, and rice.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: The motorcoach trip to Jin Shan Ling Great Wall is about 98 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Walking up to about 1.5 miles. We will take a cable car to a higher point on the wall (weather and wind permitting). Some parts of the wall are very steep as it is in a mountainous area; walking sticks or trekking poles are helpful.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Board a motorcoach and drive out to the Great Wall at Jin Shan Ling, sometimes referred to as 'the Wild Great Wall' as it is not overly restored. Take a gondola lift to the upper part of the wall then walk along its battlements and through watchtowers to experience magnificent views of the wall as it climbs and descends over the distant mountains. It is probably the most beautiful section of the wall accessible from Beijing. It was built from 1368-89 (Ming Dynasty), and rebuilt 1567-70. There are still poems and tablet writings from that time.

Lunch: At a spot of your choosing, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: We return to our hotel in Beijing.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At the hotel, join our Group Leader for a chance to learn some handy Chinese expressions.

Activity note: Walk approximately 1.6 miles from the entrance to the exit of the Temple of Heaven park on flat, paved terrain. Climbing the Temple requires 27 steps. Bullet train to Luoyang is approximately 4 hrs. Toilets and storage spaces for luggage are available at each end of the bullet train cars. In addition to the dining car, there is trolley service throughout the train with water, soft drinks, beer and snacks for purchase. Hot water for tea and coffee is also available in each car.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We check out and depart via motorcoach to the Temple of Heaven, a 15th century architectural masterpiece, symbolizing the relationship between heaven and earth. With our Group Leader, we walk the extensive grounds to the Temple while observing the activities of local people practicing calligraphy, tai ji, musical instruments, dancing, or flying kites on the park-like grounds.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Coach to Beijing West Station to board a bullet train to the small city of Luoyang in Henan Province, located about 500 miles southwest of Beijing. The comfortable four-hour high-speed train takes us through two provinces in north China (Hebei and Henan) and crosses the Yellow River. Luoyang was one of the four great ancient capitals of China and is home to the extraordinary Longmen Buddhist cliff carvings. Check into the hotel late afternoon.

Dinner: At a local restaurant famous for local dishes.

Evening: At the hotel, enjoy a private demonstration of Chinese musical instruments. Tracing back thousands of years based on the discovery of a Neolithic bone flute, music has long been a Chinese tradition. The music has varied greatly through the ages and social classes, developing separately in religious temples, royal operas, and folk songs.

Activity note: Walking approximately 1.5 miles at Longmen Grotto. For closer views of the stone carvings, climb about 100 steps with railings; you may choose to remain at the bottom of the stairs and walk along a flat, paved path.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as warm meats, eggs, cereals, fruit, and Chinese dishes such as rice porridge and cooked vegetables; beverages include juice, tea, coffee, water.

Morning: Head out to People’s Square for an early morning tai ji session before breakfast. People’s Square is filled with local people practicing martial arts, ballroom dancing, or airing pet birds. After breakfast, depart for the 1,500 year old Longmen Grottoes. Here, experienced local staff members will introduce us to these ancient stone carvings that overlook the Yi River and celebrate the introduction of Buddhism to China.

Lunch: In the agricultural village of Hua Yuan Cun, we will divide into smaller groups and visit local families for a home-cooked meal, while accompanied by a local English speaker.

Afternoon: This afternoon, visit Hua Yuan Cun agricultural village and its Primary School. Hua Yuan Cun is a typical north Chinese country village and its primary school accommodates children from the area. Visit the school and observe classes when possible.

Dinner: On your own to explore the local fare in Luoyang.

Evening: Continue to practice conversational Chinese with our Group Leader.

Activity note: Train ride is approximately 1.5 hours. You are welcome to join the Group Leader for a tai ji session before breakfast. Climb approximately 40 steep, narrow steps with railings to the top of the Drum Tower. Walking up to 0.6 mile, or 1.5 miles total if choosing to walk back to the hotel from the Muslim section. Large luggage will be transferred directly from the train to the hotel; carry-on luggage can be brought and left on the motorcoach until we reach the hotel.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Join the early morning tai ji session in People’s Square. After breakfast, check out of the hotel and coach to the train station for our morning train to the city of Xi’an, 230 miles to the west. Enjoy views of rural life from the train as you ascend China's Yellow Soil Plateau. The land is covered with a thick layer of wind-blown loess soil, which masks the original landforms. Deeply eroded, the landscape has steep ravines and almost vertical cliff faces poked with holes and caves known as 'yaodong,' which are used for dwelling and resting. Our train will arrive in Xi’an around 12:00 Noon. Disembark the train and head to the Muslim area by motorcoach.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in the Muslim area, offering stir-fried dishes made of beef, lamb, chicken, and various vegetable. No pork or alcoholic beverages are served in Muslim restaurants.

Afternoon: Setting out on foot, we will explore Xi’an’s Hui Muslim area. Among the highlights are its beautiful Great Mosque, one of China's best preserved. Xi'an was a hub of the Silk Road in ancient times. Merchants, traders, and students from Islamic lands were drawn there and settled down. Over generations, they became known as the Hui people, officially recognized as one of China’s ethnic minorities. There were thousands of mosques in China at one time, but most are now gone. We’ll transfer to the hotel and check-in in the late afternoon.

Dinner: At a local restaurant a short walk from the hotel.

Evening: Practice spoken Chinese with our Group Leader.

Activity note: Walk approximately 1 mile on flat, paved terrain mostly indoors in approximately 2 hours.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as warm meats, eggs, cereals, fruit, and Chinese dishes such as rice porridge and cooked vegetables; beverages include juice, tea, coffee, water.

Morning: Early morning tai ji session in the hotel courtyard. We will take a motorcoach to Xi'an International Studies University, one of China's key institutions of higher learning, and meet with a faculty expert who will teach us about Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism as a way of understanding Chinese character and customs. We’ll then visit the campus with students from the university's renowned English Department and hear about student life in China.

Lunch: In the university dining room, we’ll have a family style meal with typical Chinese dishes including meats such as chicken or pork with vegetables as well as non-meat platters such as tomatoes, potatoes, bakchoi, mushrooms, served with rice.

Afternoon: Our next stop brings us to the state-of-the-art Shaanxi History Museum, where we will gain an understanding of China’s dynastic history as well as its rich and enduring culture in the company of a local staff member. We will then have some time to explore independently. The museum was built in the 1990s in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty and named after Shaanxi province of which Xi’an is the capital city.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, taste a selection of unique dumplings with amusing shapes and delicious variations in fillings -- a Xi'an specialty.

Evening: Join our Group Leader for informal instruction in useful Chinese conversational phrases.

Activity note: Drive is approximately 1 hour each way. Walking approximately 2 miles at the Terra Cotta Warriors on flat, paved terrain.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Early morning tai ji session. The huge tomb site of the Qin Emperor, containing an army of life size terra cotta figures, was one of the most astounding archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. With our Group Leader and experienced local staff — all Xi’an college graduates who have much experience with the terra cotta warriors site — we will explore sections of this vast site where three huge pits are filled with the terra-cotta soldiers, cavalry, archers, their weapons, horses and chariots. It has been estimated that there are as many as 8,000 individual figures, but the total number is still unknown. Traces of paint suggest they were once brilliantly colored. Experimental digs in nearby areas have revealed other kinds of figures such as acrobats, dancers, and musicians, but further excavations are “on hold” due to the complex conditions at the site.

Lunch: We will ride to a restaurant near the Terra Cotta Warriors for a buffet lunch with local Chinese food and some Western additions.

Afternoon: Returning to the hotel, join our Group Leader for a discussion of the Chinese government structure.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Drive to the airport is approximately 1 hour; flight to Lhasa is 3hr 10 minutes; drive approximately 1 hour to the hotel to check in. Walking up to 1 mile in Norbulingka. Although Tibet uses “Beijing time,” it is actually 2 hours later than Beijing. All of our times have been adjusted to reflect this time change.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Early morning tai ji session. After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight to Lhasa, the ancient capital of Tibet.

Lunch: In flight.

Afternoon: Arriving in Lhasa, we will ride from the airport to our hotel for check in. After a short opportunity to relax, we will be joined by a professor from Tibet University to talk about Tibetan life, culture, and religion. Then board the motorcoach for a short ride to explore Norbulingka; the summer palace of the Dalai Lama and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it contains his residential quarters and is hub for local entertainment during the summer and autumn months.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Join our Group Leader to continue practicing conversational Chinese.

Breakfast: At the hotel we will have a buffet offering eggs, yogurt, bread with various spreads, and fruit, plus coffee, tea, fruit juices, water.

Morning: Today we will coach to the heart of Lhasa to explore the Jokhang Temple, built in the 7th century, with experienced local staff members. This is the most revered temple in Tibet and the destination of pilgrims who journey by any means, even on foot, to worship here. Surrounding the temple is the Bokhor Bazaar, offering an exciting array of Tibetan goods both old and new: tools, cloth, thangkas, jewelry, and yak hides.

Lunch: At a restaurant overlooking the bazaar, we’ll dine on a mixed style of Tibetan, Chinese, and Nepalese dishes often including yak meat, chicken, curry dishes, vegetables, Naan, rice, and dessert, plus tea, soft drinks, water.

Afternoon: Coach to the edge of town near Sera Monastery. Learn about traditional Thangka painting (Tibetan religious scrolls) through a talk and demonstration by a Master. Then, visit Sera Monastery, one of Tibet's three great monasteries and famed for the debating style of its resident monks.

Dinner: At the hotel or a local restaurant.

Evening: With our Tibetan expert, discuss Tibetan culture and religion at the hotel.

Activity note: Drive is approximately 2 hours to the nomadic village.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Board the motorcoach and head out into the countryside beyond Lhasa to grasslands where we meet a pastoral Nomadic family that raises livestock.

Lunch: At an outdoor spot enjoy a varied picnic buffet prepared by our hotel and which includes soup, salads, rice, vegetables and other dishes. Dine at a portable table and chairs arranged for our al fresco lunch in the Tibetan countryside.

Afternoon: After lunch, we drive to a nearby herdsmen’s village to learn firsthand about their daily life in rural Tibet. Following our visits, we take a short walk to a modest nunnery where we may encounter its residents chanting or studying scripture. The nuns are welcoming and enjoy sharing the precepts of their life and Tibetan Buddhism.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: Continue practicing conversational Chinese with our Group Leader.

Activity note: Climb 258 steps to the top of Potala Palace; walking shoes and sticks are strongly recommended.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Coach to the Potala Palace, seat of the Dalai Lama and one of the most awe-inspiring princely residences and palaces in the world, and explore with a local expert. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Potala Palace has served as the Dalai Lama’s winter residence since the 7th century. Rising from Red Mountain in the central Lhasa Valley, the location symbolizes the integral role of Buddhism in Tibetan society.

Lunch: At a local restaurant serving traditional Lhasa cuisine including Tibetan, Chinese, and Nepalese dishes often featuring yak meat, chicken, curry dishes, vegetables, Naan, rice, and dessert, plus tea, soft drinks, water.

Afternoon: Walk to the nearby traditional Tibetan Medicine Hospital for an introductory talk from the Vice President of the hospital, who specializes in Tibetan medicine and has also worked in Russia and Spain. He will explain the precepts of Tibetan medicine and treatments. Enjoy the hospital's colorful array of medical thangkas.

Dinner: At the hotel or a local restaurant.

Evening: At the hotel, we will have a private farewell party featuring Tibetan dance and song.

Activity note: Drive approximately 1 hour to the airport; flight to Chongqing is approximately 2 hours, drive 1 hour to Chongqing Zoological Gardens. Walking up to 1.5 miles at the Zoological Gardens. About 35 steps down to the Yangtze River Dock with railings for embarkation. Luggage must be claimed at the Chongqing airport and will be transported directly to the vessel. Carry-on luggage can be left on the coach during the day.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight to Chongqing, an independent municipality situated inside Szechuan Province and at the head of the navigable Yangtze.

Lunch: In flight.

Afternoon: Having arrived in Chongqing, we will transfer to the Chongqing Zoological Gardens to observe its giant pandas, indigenous primarily to the Szechuan province. Led by local staff members, we will visit the pandas during their feeding time when they are most active. Watch the pandas eat, sleep, and play.

Dinner: At a local restaurant near the pier, enjoy a traditional Szechuan “hot pot” dinner.

Evening: Transfer to our Yangtze vessel, and as we depart, view the city of Chongqing on the hill.

Breakfast: Aboard the ship, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as warm meats, eggs, cereals, fruit, and Chinese dishes such as rice porridge and cooked vegetables; beverages include juice, tea, coffee, water.

Morning: Discuss traditional Chinese medicine and consider the Yangtze's influence on China. Where possible, our Group Leader will also continue instruction in tai ji and Chinese conversation as we sail down the river.

Lunch: Aboard the ship, we will have a buffet often including soup, salad, stir-fried dishes, dessert, fruit, and dessert, plus coffee, tea, soft drinks, water.

Afternoon: We will visit a new village for relocated families, exploring their agricultural market and visit a local family with a local staff member. Our host or hostess will introduce us to their village and family, followed by an opportunity to ask some questions translated by our Group Leader. Before dinner, join the captain for a welcome reception aboard the ship.

Dinner: Aboard ship, we will have a choice of a plated meal 3-course meal ordered a la carte from the dinner menu provided during breakfast and lunch, plus soft drinks, water.

Evening: Entertainment aboard the ship including performance of Chinese music and dance.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Today, pass through the magnificent Yangtze Gorges and ferry up a mini-gorge on a pristine tributary of the Yangtze. Here we can catch glimpses of red monkeys amongst the trees, goats clinging to the craggy cliffs, and 'hanging coffins' secured in the cliff face by the Ba people centuries ago. As we sail, the ships staff will offer commentary.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: Free Time. Enjoy the views as we sail the Yangtze, attend one of the ship’s presentations, or continue to learn conversational Chinese with our Group Leader.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: Onboard entertainment.

Activity note: Visiting the Three Gorges Dam for approximately 2.5 hours. About 40 steps at the dam, about 30 steps disembarking the ship in the afternoon. Flight to Shanghai about 1 hr 45 mins.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: This morning, take a short coach ride to the Three Gorges Dam site. From an observation deck, we’ll have a bird's-eye view of the dam, five-step ship lock, diversion canal, and power station. A nearby exhibition displays a dam model; a briefing from a local staff member will explain this project, one of the largest construction ventures ever. We will return to the ship in time for lunch.

Lunch: Boxed lunch aboard ship typically including a sandwich, egg, chicken, and fruit.

Afternoon: Disembark and transfer to Yichang Airport for flight to Shanghai.

Dinner: At a restaurant en route to our hotel.

Evening: At your leisure.

Activity note: Walk up to 10 minutes to the metro station with a staff member or ride the coach with the Group Leader to the Shanghai Museum. Spend about 2 hours at the museum; elevators and escalators available. Acrobatic performance will last for 1hr 40 minutes.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as warm meats, eggs, cereals, fruit, and Chinese dishes such as rice porridge and cooked vegetables; beverages include juice, tea, coffee, water.

Morning: After breakfast we’ll board a motorcoach or travel with a staff member on the Shanghai metro for a field trip to the state-of-the-art Shanghai Museum, completed in 1996 on People’s Square, previously the site of Shanghai’s colonial horse-racing course. Here, we enjoy the opportunity for a self-led exploration using English language audio guides, allowing you to venture among China’s unparalleled collection of paintings, bronzes, ceramics, and sculpture at your own pace and according to your own interests.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The Museum contains a small café if you would like a convenient option to continue exploring the museum on your own.

Afternoon: Meeting at a predetermined time and place, we will regroup and travel to the riverfront Bund. With our Group Leader, walk along the pedestrian promenade beside the busy Huangpu River. Learn about this renowned riverfront area characterized by iconic Art Deco and Neoclassical buildings from Shanghai's history as a foreign “concession.” Unaffected by the Great Depression, Western capital financed extensive neighborhoods in the Art Deco style for nearly a decade, remaining untouched during the Japanese invasion in 1937 and WWII. Across the river we see “new Shanghai” that was only recently undeveloped farmland and is now a forest of glittering skyscrapers. The motorcoach will then return to the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant near the hotel.

Evening: Travel to the Shanghai Acrobatics theater to attend an evening of amazing skill and prowess in a performance by the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe. For thousands of years, acrobatics have been considered as one of the treasures of Chinese performing arts, also figuring in other genres such as Beijing Opera.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Shanghai's historic old section. With our Group Leader, we’ll explore the nearby Yu Garden whose classical pavilions, fountains, and arching bridges exemplify traditional Chinese garden landscaping.

Lunch: Near the active Longhua Temple, experience a delicious and imaginative vegetarian meal.

Afternoon: We coach to Shanghai’s Xin Tian Di district – a cultural street and restoration project that has set a benchmark for Asia.

Dinner: At a nearby restaurant we will have our farewell meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: See the “Travel Information” section regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveler (POP status), see “Ground Transportation from Last Location.” The Group Leader will advise as to departure times from the hotel.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!