The itinerary was very
packed. We were fully
occupied all ten days with
the tight schedule. From
sunrise to sundown and
even after sundown we
witnessed and
experienced one amazing
thing after another.

The map on the right
shows our route. Our first
stop was Beijing, followed
by Xian, Guilin and lastly
Shanghai.

Below is a brief journal of
our trip. Enjoy.
Our Travel Route
Air China in SFO
Day 1 - Saturday - 7/15/06 - San Francisco to Beijing
We start our vacation by boarding an international flight on Air China bound for
Beijing, the capital of modern-day China. Crossed the International Date Line and
spent the night aboard the plane.
Mall in downtown Beijing
Day 2 - Sunday - 7/16/06 - Beijing
We arrived at Beijing in the evening. After clearing customs and retrieving our
baggage, we are met by our local Beijing guide, Crystal, and transferred to the luxury
hotel, Crowne Plaza, for well-deserved rest and relaxation. At night, we ventured on
our own to downtown Beijing to get our first taste of Beijing.
Entrance to Forbidden City
Day 3 - Monday - 7/17/06 - Beijing
Our Beijing tour started with a visit to the Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest
public square. We then proceeded to the Forbidden City, where for over 500 years
commoners were forbidden to enter. After lunch at Sichuan restaurant, we were given
2 hours to rest back at the hotel. In the afternoon, we visited the Temple of Heaven.
We had dinner at the Emperial Palace restaurant followed by a Chinese Opera show.
The Great Wall of China
Day 4 - Tuesday - 7/18/06 - Beijing
This morning we visited the Ming's Tombs, a general name given to a site of 13
emperor's mausoleums from the Ming Dynasty. After lunch we head over to the Great
Wall of China. We spent some time walking atop this man made wonder. On the way
back we stopped at a Jade factory where we were given a lesson on the value of Jade
and how to distinguish the real Jade from imitations. For dinner we indulged ourselves
with the famed Peking Duck Banquet.
Summer Palace at Kunming Lake
Day 5 - Wednesday - 7/19/06 - Beijing - Xian
Today was started of by visiting the Summer Palace at Kunming Lake, the summer
home of the emperor and his royal court. We then headed over to the airport where
we had lunch. From there we boarded a flight bound to Xian, the historic starting point
of the famed Silk Road. We were greeted by our local guide, Kevin. After checking
into the hotel, the Sheraton Xian, we went for dinner at a restaurant were we were
served the local hot pot cuisine for dinner.
Terra Cotta Warriors
Day 6 - Thursday - 7/20/06 - Xian
In the morning we headed off to view the life-sized Terra-Cotta Warriors of Qin Shi
Huang. After viewing the fine troops, we headed to Hua Qin Hot Springs. On the way
back to the hotel we passed by the Old City Wall and the ancient Bell Tower and
Drum Tower. For dinner we were taken to Defachang restaurant and treated to
dumplings. After dinner we watched a stage opera of the Tang Dynasty.
Elephant Trunk Hill
Day 7 - Friday - 7/21/06 - Xian - Guilin
After breakfast, we visited the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Later we flew to the
picturesque city, Guilin. Upon our arrival we were received by our local guide, John,
and taken to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill, which is regarded as a symbol of Guilin
landscape. We then checked into our hotel, Guilin Royal Garden Hotel. Later at night,
after dinner, we went on a boat ride to view fishermen fishing using cormorant birds.
After the boat ride we went to see the Guilin night view.
Li River
Day 8 - Saturday - 7/22/06 - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin
After breakfast we took a meandering river cruise down the Li River. It was a delightful
way to savor the serene, fairy tale scenery of Southern China. The cruise ends at
Yangshuo, then we take a bus back to Guilin. On the way back we stopped at Reed
Flute Cave, a cave with lots of limestone formations. At night, after dinner we were
treated to a show of China’s minority folklore dance show.
Shanghai Skyline
Day 9 - Sunday - 7/23/06 - Guilin - Shanghai
After breakfast, we boarded a domestic short flight to Shanghai, China’s largest city
with a population of over 14 million. In the afternoon we tour Yu Garden, the Jade
Buddha Temple, bustling Nanjing Road, and the famous waterfront Bund. At night,
after we checked into our hotel, the Shangri-La, we were captivated by an impressive
Chinese Acrobatics Show
On the way to airport
Day 10 - Monday - 7/24/06 - Shanghai - Beijing
After breakfast, we had a little time to do some shopping at Nanjing Road. We then
proceeded to the airport to take a domestic flight to Beijing to catch our international
flight back home. Our flight was delayed in getting to Beijing due to a Typhoon and we
missed our connecting international flight. Air China put us in a hotel for the night.
Day 11 - Tuesday - 7/25/06 - Beijing - San Francisco
After checking in for the flight we realized we were upgraded to Business Class. We
then boarded our flight and came home.
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Updated: 8/05/06