Black-necked crane in Caohai,Guiyang,China

16days Archaeological Adventure

Archaeological Adventure

16Days

BEIJING TO SHANGHAI
BEIJING & TIANANMEN SQUARE
FORBIDDEN CITY & TEMPLE OF HEAVEN
GREAT WALL &HUTONG
XI’AN & THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORSARCHAEOLOGY
LI RIVER &YANGSHUO
SHANGHAI

We take a journey encompassing some of the 2,000years of China’s incredible history. We visit many historical sites, explore authentic villages and towns, and witness the modern face of China in cities such as Shanghai. If that isn’t enough, we walk along the Great Wall, visit the army of Terracotta Warriors and China’s most breathtaking scenery. Bustling cities, serene farming communities, the relaxed pace of river life and stunning an archeological practice. We work with our own hands along with Chinese archeologists to excavate artifacts. This trip covers just about everything you will want to see in China.

Day 1-2: Fly to Beijing.

Non-stop direct flights available from New York, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Arrive in Beijing on Day 2. Meet your guide and escort at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Where you stay for three nights in Beijing.

Day 3: Explore Beijing/Visit the Forbidden City /Tiananmen Square/Temple of Heaven.

Beijing, the 800 year old ancient capital of China, is the vibrant heart of the Middle Kingdom. With 13 million residents, it is the living epitome of China’s past, present and future. We’ll begin exploring at the Forbidden City, a stunning 9,000-room maze of courtyards, a magnificent palace built between 1406 and 1420, from which 24 emperors ruled China for 500 years, after to visit Tiananmen Square. We visit the Temple of Heaven with its stunning Ming Dynasty architecture in the afternoon. The Temple was completed in 1420 and was originally a platform for the Son of Heaven (the emperor) to perform sacrifices and solemn rites. The Temple buildings and the parklands reflect ancient Chinese religious beliefs that imagine heaven as round and earth as square. Thus, the buildings in the temple are constructed on a central axis
B,L,D (we feast on Beijing roast duck.)

Day 4: Visit the Great Wall/Olympic Village/

Today we climb the Great Wall, the only visible human construction seen from the moon. Built in 600BC, it once stretched for over 6000 miles. We climb a wild part of the Great wall in the morning, We visit Olympic Village in the afternoon. Tonight we enjoy Beijing Opera.. B, L ,D

Day 5 : Discover Beijing’s Hutong neighborhoods/ Take the train to Xian

We take a rickshaw Hutong tour in the Houhai neighborhood among the old courtyard homes bordering the Forbidden City today and leave Beijing for Xian by train in the evening.B, L, D

Day6: Arrive in Xi’an/ lectures of Chinese archeology

Arrive in Xi’an in the morning, check in and have breakfast at the hotel. Attend lectures by Chinese archeologists on various aspects of Chinese archeology. For two thousand years, Xi’an was one of the most important cradles of Chinese civilization. The first capital of a unified China and capital of 13 dynasties periodically from the 11^th century BC to the early 10^th century AD. The famous “Silk Road” that linked China with central Asia and the Roman Empire starts in Xi’an.. B, L, D

Day7: Excavate in an archeological site

This morning we take a private air-conditioned van to an archeological site and spend the day working with archeologists at their excavation site helping them to excavate artifacts and uncover China’s past.
B, L, D——small local hotel in countryside

Day8: Participate excavation with your own hands

Today, with your own hands along with Chinese archeologists and using a small archeological brush and spade, you are able to participate in on-going archaeological excavation artifacts. You will discover thousands of years of Chinese history
B, L, D——small local hotels in countryside

Day9: Restore artifacts with archeologists

This morning we take a private air-conditioned van back to Xi’an where we again work in a hands-on atmosphere with archeologists helping to restore artifacts in the laboratory. We are able to touch thousand year old objects wearing white gloves!
B, L, D

Day10: Discover the Terra Cotta Army/ The Big Wild Goose Pagoda /Tang Dynasty Music and Dance performance.
Today we visit the world-renowned Terra Cotta Army Museum of The First Emperor QinShihuang, just outside Xi’an. Discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, this is one of the greatest archeological finds of the past century. The scale of this open-air museum never fail to impress. We also visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century and located in the middle of a Buddhist Temple. This evening we take in a Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.
B, L, D

Day11: Visit the City Wall / Han Yanglin Tomb/Fly to Guilin

This morning we visit the City Wall, built in the Ming Dynasty approximately 600 years ago, 14km (9 miles) in circumference.. In late afternoon we visit the tomb for Liuche, the emperor of Han dynasty on the way to the airport. It is only one museum which built on the tomb site. We fly to Guilin, Guangxi province in south China. It’s the most beautiful sightseeing area in China. Guilin is a karst basin surrounded by mountains. The LiRiver flows through Guilin from north to south.
B, L,

Day12: Cruise the Li River/Yangshuo

Today we cruise on the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. The picturesque Li River winds its way through the pointed craggy hills, rice paddies and interesting limestone (karst) rock formations. These have long inspired traditional Chinese landscape painters. End your cruise with some exploration of the small and charming market town of Yangshuo. Staying in Yangshou for one night.
B,L,D

Day13: Free in the morning/Explore the Reed Flute Cave.

You are free in the morning to make local discovery by your self. After lunch we visit Reed Flute Cave which is typical carest feature and art school in Normal University.

Day14 ; Fly to Shanghai/Explore Shanghai/ Chinese acrobat performance.
This morning we fly to Shanghai. Once known as the “Paris of the East”, its China’s most comprehensive industrial and commercial city, ranking the first in population and population density. We visit the Bund (the river waterfront, which is lined by Art Deco buildings from the boom period of the 1920s and 30s)) and Nanjing Road (Shanghai’s most vibrant modern shopping area) in the afternoon. Tonight we take in a Chinese acrobat show.
B, D

Day 15: Discover Shanghai History Museum/ Yu garden
This morning we visit the beautiful new Shanghai History Museum, known for its exhibits of bronze, jade and Ming furniture, some of the finest in the world. In the afternoon we visit Yu Garden which is most beautiful garden in Shanghai.
B, L, D

Day16: Depart the China
Fly back to the USA

Price valid for 2010:

Number of passenger	Price	Single supplement
6-9 pax	2348 USD	450 USD
10-16 pax	2086 USD	365 USD
20 pax (students)	1950 USD	260 USD

Hotels we stay:

Beijing	Best Western Premier Beijing 4*	http://book.bestwestern.com
Xian	Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel 4*	www.gphxian.com
Guilin	Guiling Park hotel 4*	www.parkhtl.com
Yangshuo	New Century Hotel 3*
Shanghai	Shanghai Charms Hotel 4*	www.charmshotel.com

All-Inclusive Features

• All domestic flights within China, economy class
• Stay in 4 or 5 star hotels for whole trip. (Guest houses and 3 star hotels for student’s group).
• Best hotel in rural location for two days of archeological excavation work.
• Meals as specified and daily western style buffet breakfast in hotels
• Listed special evening cultural performances
• Services of English speaking guide for the listed sight-seeing
• Transfer between airport and hotels

What’s NOT Included

• Internatioal airfare
• All personal expense such as excess baggage, travel insurance, passport, laundry, telephone, excess of meals and beverage are not included in the program
• Gratuities for tour director, local guides and drivers
• Any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary.
• Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in schedule / cancellation of flights / trains / political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc.

18days Bird Watching Tour

Bird Watching Tour

Day 1: Upon arrival in Beijing international airport- Beijing, you will be transferred to your hotel for rest. The city of Beijing, one of the six ancient capitals of China was found by Emperor Zhudi in fourteenth century. It is metropolitan city with 16 million inhabitants and centre of politics, economy and culture of China.

Day2 : Leave the hotel after breakfast to explore the Great Wall which is about 70 miles far away from Beijing. It was built in Qin dynasty 2000years ago to defend Mongolian troops and is only one man-made construction on earth which can be seen from the moon. Lunch will be at the foot of the wall and visit Olympic village in the afternoon.          B+L+D

Day 3: Visit the Tian an men Square and Forbidden City in the morning. It is another highlight in Beijing used to be the residence for Emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties. Drive to Bei dai he, the seaside of China Bohai sea for birdwatching. Bei dai He is one of the best places to watch birds in China. It is 360km away from Beijing. From April to October every year, over hundreds thousands variety of species of birds come to here. So far 410 species of birds has been recorded, including red-crowned Crane, Oriental Stock, Pied Harrier, White Stock, Saunder’s Gull, Relict gull, Asian Dowicher,nordmann’s Greenshark and etc.                    B+L+D

Day 4: Full day bird watching. Leave the hotel in the morning for Lianpeng mountain to bird. Lunch will be boxed and dinner will be at the hotel.    B+L+D

Day 5: Early start to Jiaoshan Great Wall, typical section of the Great Wall in east end for BirdingWatching.           B+L+D

Day 6: Boat to Happy Island to explore more species of aquatic bird..   B+L+D

Day 7: Full day of Birdwatching on island and round table talk on birds we’v seen in the evening.  B+L+D

Day 8: We leave happy island after breakfast back to Beijing international airport to catch flight to Xi’an city, the ancient capital city of China, which has eight million people. Xi’an city is the starting point of the silk road which was opened in 138 year BC. It led all the way to ancient Rome in old days.Modern Xian has become the industrial city made the heavy industry and tourism as the back-bone of economy. Besides the historic places and tourist attractions Xi’an is the paradise for Birdwatching. South to Xian is the Qinling mountain which stretches from west to east. It is the water shed between North China and South China. The summit is 3770 meters altitude. It is the largest nature reserve in China, has been regarded as the national park. About 203 varity of species of birds have been discovered in the Reserve, pandas and golden hair monkies as well. Besides Birdwatching, we do explore the terra-cotta warriors and horses museum which were made in Qin dynasty, 2000 years ago. Check in the hotel and welcome dinner with Tang Dynasty Show in the evening.       B+L+D

Day 9: We take long drive to Yangxian conty in Qinling mountain for birding in the morning which is 260 km far away from Xian city. Lunch will be in Yangxian county. We are going to the crested ibis reserve and breeding centre in the afternoon to see China gem— Oriental Crested Ibis. There are over 1700 crested ibises living around in Yangxian county, which were found only seven in 1981. After twenty years artificial breeding, Yangxian county in Qinling mountain has become the one of best place to watch the Crested Ibis in the world. Stay overnight in the county.  B+L+D

Day 10: Full day Birding. Today we drive up to 1017- 1700m altitude to watch birds. Yangjiagou supplies varity of wonderful birds including: Golden Pheasant, Ring-necked Pheasant, Hua Mei, White-eyes,Red-billed Leiothrix, Leaf Warblers, Laughng thrushes and Tits. Lunch will be the boxed and dinner at the hotel。 B+L+D

Day 11 : Start early to Zhongdi mountain by Diaoba river for Bird watching. We climb from 1100 to 2300m above sea level to get view of species of birds like Oriental Crested Ibis, Golden Eagle, Upland Buzzard,Game Birds, Azure-winged Magpie, Mrs Gould’s sunbird,White-bellied Green Pigeon,Fire-capped Tit and Grey Bushchat。 Lunch will be boxed and dinner at the hotel  B+L+D

Day12: On the third day in Qinling mountain we will drive to Dapin area(1900m to 3071m above sea level) to see Blood Pheasant, Golden pheasant, Temminck’s Tragopan,Koklass Pheasant, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Bar-tailed treecreeper, Marsh Tit, Rusty-breasted Tit, White-collared Yuhinas,Long-tailed Minivet and White-capped water redstart.  B+L+D

Day 13: Start early to Boyangpin(1300m to 2700m) for birdwatching.Golden eagle, golden-spectacled warbler, yellow-breasted babbler,Greated kingfisher, Chestnut-crowned warbler,White-crowned forktail,Goldcrest, Chestnut bunting, Blue rock thrush, Siberian blue robin, Plumbeous water redstart, little forktail, Brown dipper, Tawny fish owl, Cuckoo owlet, Owls, Accipiters, Falcons, tits, leaf warblers and Tree babblers we shall see this morning. After dinner

We will get together to share our birding experiences.                                 B+L+D

Day 14: We sadly leave Changqin Nature Reserve back to Xi’an this morning. Lunch will be in Xian city. Check in hotel and visit Big wildgoose Pagoda in the afternoon. Dinner will be at local restaurant. B+L+D

Day 15 : Drive to Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum in the morning. Lunch will be arranged at local restaurant. Visit City Wall and Great Mosque in the afternoon. Dinner will be special local Flavor- Dumpling Dinner                          B+L+D

Day 16: Take morning flight to Shanghai city, the metropolis of the world with over twenty million inhabitants. Shanghai is commercial centre of China which witness the great change of Chinese economy in past fifty years. Check in the hotel and lunch will be at local restaurant. In the afternoon,our tour will take us to Bund, the waterfront by Huangpu river and Nanjing Road,the most famous shopping street in Shanghai. After dinner will be the Acrobatic show.  B+L+D

Day 17 : Shanghai History Museum will be in the morning and Yuyuan Garden in the afternoon. In evening we cordially invite entire group to join our farewell dinner.B+L+D

Day 18: Fly back home

Hiking Tour

Hiking Tour

Day1: Your guide meet you at Xi”an airport and transfer you to your hotel. Check in the hotel and take rest for a while. In late afternoon, you will be guided to South lake for warm up for your hiking tour to Hua yang ancient town in Qinling mountain.   D

Day2: Check out for Hua yang tour in early morning. Bus ride will be over five hours(248km) to ancient town. Lunch will be in the town. You will be shown to an old street which is full of houses over three hundred years old. In the afternoon.  B+L+D

Day3: Hiking along the circuit line in the countryside about eight kilometers long. You may enjoy the beautiful country inside of mountain and can see Crested Ibis which are endangered in the world. Qinling mountain is only one place to see such birds in whole world.          B+L+D

Day4: This morning we are going to see wild golden monkey by bus in the morning and walk back to the hotel for another hiking about nine kilometers. Lunch will be at your hotel. We will check out hotel after lunch for returning back to Xi’an city. Dinner will be in Xi’an.  B+L+D

Day5: Terra cotta warriors and horses museum will be arranged in this morning, which has been regarded as eighth wonders wonder in the world. City wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the afternoon. Dumpling dinner and Tang dynasty show in the evening. B+L+D

Day6: Leave Xi’an for next city.

Qinling Moutain Forest Birds

Qinling Moutain Forest Birds

Ring-billed Sandpiper

Ring-billed Sandpiper

Relict Gull

Relict Gull

Common Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Common Hoopoe

Common Hoopoe

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt

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