Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter China.

Explore classic China on your 13-day tour through three of its brilliant cities. China’s landscape spins stunning visuals of pristine greenery sprinkled with villages, misty waterfalls overlooking serene rivers and ancient, peaceful temples.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to China

Board your overnight flight to China.

Day 2 - Beijing

Welcome to Beijing! A Go Ahead representative greets you after you clear customs and accompanies you to your hotel. (B in flight)

Day 3 - Beijing

Meet your fellow travelers this morning when you venture out for a guided sightseeing tour of Beijiing, which includes a stop at Tian’anmen Square. This afternoon, participate in a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony and take a tour of the Forbidden City. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Beijing

Continue your guided sightseeing tour of Beijing, with a stop at the Taiji Training Course at the Temple of Heaven. After lunch with your group, stroll down the Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. Tonight, enjoy a Chinese culinary treat at an optional Peking Duck Dinner. (B, L)

$45 USD

Peking Duck Dinner While in Beijing, originally called Peking, trying the city’s signature dish is a must. Savor every bite as you dine on duck and side dishes and enjoy an authentic Chinese experience you’ll never forget.

Day 5 - Beijing

Set foot upon one of the wonders of the world when you visit the Great Wall of China at Badaling. You will have time to explore the Great Wall on your own before rejoining your group for lunch and a tour of the Ming Tombs. (B, L)

Day 6 - Beijing

Enjoy a free day to discover Beijing on your own. Tonight, an optional Kung Fu show follows dinner. (B)

$45 USD

Kung Fu Show This exciting theatrical performance, The Legend of Kung Fu puts on a spectacular display of kung fu moves, music and theatrics that will leave you mesmerized.

Day 7 - Xi'an

Tour the Summer Palace and enjoy lunch with your group before you board your flight to Xi’an. Tonight, settle into your hotel and join your group for dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Xi'an

On today's tour of Xi'an, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, an underground battle formation of 8,099 life-sized pottery warriors buried with Emperor Quin shi Huang. After an included lunch, visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and Temple of Great Goodwill. This afternoon, opt for a tour of the Xi'an City Walls. (B, L)

$49 USD

Xi'an City Wall Tour This afternoon, embark on a walking tour of the ancient walls that circle the city of Xi’an. This is the most complete city wall in China, and is one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Day 9 - Shanghai

Continue to explore Xi'an this morning, visiting the Islamic quarter. After lunch with your group, board a flight to Shanghai. Tonight, settle into your hotel and join an optional Tang Dynasty Dinner. (B, L)

$75 USD

Tang Dynasty Evening After a filling Chinese dinner at a local restaurant, be prepared for an evening of entertainment. Popularly regarded as the best Tang Dynasty performance in Xi’an, this event is sure to please.

Day 10 - Shanghai

Shanghai’s unique history comes alive on today’s tour. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s waterfront promenade, and Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden. Visit an active Buddhist temple, home to 70 monks. This evening, take an optional cruise along the Huangpu River. (B, L)

$45 USD

Huangpu River cruise Between the stately colonial edifices along the Bund, the glittering skyscrapers on Pudong's eastern shore, and the unceasing river traffic, there is plenty to enjoy during your Hupong River Cruise.

Day 11 - Shanghai

Today you'll learn about the ancient practices of Chinese Acupuncture or Feng Shui. Then enjoy an afternoon in Shanghai. This evening, enjoy an optional dinner followed by a Chinese acrobat show. (B)

$55 USD

Chinese acrobatic troupe performance This exciting event is a combination of delicious food and talented performers like you’ve never experienced before. After dinner, thrill your senses with a show that can only be likened to the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil.

Day 12 - Shanghai

Enjoy a free day in Shanghai or opt for an excursion to Suzhou, where you will see the Lingering Gardens, the Grand Canal, Tiger Hill, a silk factory and enjoy lunch with the group. Tonight, join your group for a farewell dinner. (B, D)

$85 USD

Suzhou Today, explore Suzhou's meandering canals and pathways.

Day 13 - Shanghai

Continue to explore China on our 3-night Hong Kong extension, or board your flight home.

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter China, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. Your passport must also have at least two blank pages remaining.

A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter China. You must obtain an individual visa prior to departure through one of our recommended providers:

U.S. Citizens: Zierer Visa Service (1-866-788 1100; www.zvs.com/home.aspx?login=73041. If you get to a page requiring a log in, please use code 73041.)

Canadian Citizens: Visa Connection (1-416-506-8787; www.visaconnection.biz)

If you opt to apply for your visa directly with the Chinese consulate and require additional assistance and/or documentation from Go Ahead Tours, a special arrangements fee of $95 per person may be charged.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the relevant embassies as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There is some risk of the following diseases in China, mostly concentrated in rural areas: dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever. Travelers should make sure to wear protective clothing and insect repellent when outside, particularly in forested or rural areas. Sun protection is also highly advisable.
No vaccinations are required for entry. However, it’s advisable to check with your health-care provider at least eight weeks prior to departure for recommendations and updates on requirements.

For updated information on travel in this area, call the Centers for Disease Control and Protection at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or visit its
website at www.cdc.gov/travel and view the sections on East Asia.

Important Health Tips
In order for you to stay healthy throughout your tour, we recommend the following:

• Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
• Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Beijing and depart from Hong Kong. Internal flights from Beijing to Xi’an, Xi’an to Chongquing, Yichang to Shanghai, Shanghai to Guilin and Guilin to Hong Kong are also included. All other included transportation is by private motorcoach or river boat.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Please note that, depending upon the season, China’s climate can change drastically as you change destinations. Due to the varying climates, we advise you pack in layers. Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring sights is essential for your tour. A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is also recommended for shore excursions and exploring cities. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and rainwear are advised.

Also, remember it is preferable not to visit religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

Chinese money is called Renminbi (RMB), which means “People’s Currency.” The popular unit of RMB is yuan. Better rates of exchange are available in China, because exchange rates are fixed throughout China. In Hong Kong, the currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$).

We advise you take a combination of bank/ATM cards and credit cards, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2USD per person per day for your drivers and $4USD to $6USD per person per day for your tour director/guide. We also recommend $1USD to $2USD per day for your local guides.