This family tour offers quality hotels and private tours to some of China's top sights. Start in Beijing with a visit to the Great Wall, as well as a boat ride at the Summer Palace. Experience an overnight train to Xi'an, the ancient first capital of the Empire, and see the magnificent Terra Cotta Army. Take a day trip to see the famous Shaolin Temple, and visit the Luoyang Longmen Grottoes. Continue on to Chengdu and spend some time at the Panda Research Center. Finish your journey in Shanghai, the symbol of the modern China and its economic emergence.

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. All guestrooms feature Western décor and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Start off the day in Chinese style peace, harmony and good health through having a Tai Qi instructor instruct and lead you through a one hour Tai Qi session at your hotel or, as part of your tour at one of the most popular venues for public space recreation in all of China, the park surrounding the Temple of Heaven.

This Full day tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Summer Palace offers a light schedule with time to explore and enjoy each site. Begin with the famous Tiananmen Square, built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and “ front door” of the Forbidden City. The present square stretches a vast 440,000 square meters and features Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings across 74 hectares, surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter wall, and divided into two parts. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Summer Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), three quarters of which is water. Classically designed as an archetypal Chinese garden, it is ranked amongst the most noted gardens of the world and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1998. Lunch is included.

Enjoy a private deluxe dinner at a fine local restaurant, then settle into your VIP seats for the Legend of KongFu Show, featuring a group of the best Kung Fu practitioners of China.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Drive to the Ming Tombs - the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums and necropolis are notable for their palatial architecture. Originally built as the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built closely nearby in a grand complex. Lunch is included.

Train station to hotel or hotel to train station transfer by private car with professional tour guide.

Board your overnight train bound for Xi'an. Choose either the standard soft sleeper, which is a cabin of 4 berths (two upper bunks, two lower bunks) or opt for the private 2 person berth (two lower bunks only). Comfortable bedding and good quality pillows are provided. Each bunk is equipped with a small reading lamp. Temperature controls are installed alongside the door. Generally speaking, the facilities include a clothes rack, slippers, clothes brush, stainless steel thermos, fine porcelain teacup, a trash can and wall socket. Travel time is roughly 11-13 hours.

Overnight at Train - Xi`an.

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

Train station to hotel or hotel to train station transfer by private car with professional tour guide.

Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display.

Built to meet the elaborate standards of China's new platinum five-star hotel rating, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is the ultimate accommodation facility in the ancient city of Xian. Its design is of astounding contemporary concept. With a full range of spacious and well-appointed rooms, suites and apartments, state-of-the-art business facilities and exquisite dining and recreational options, Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is a perfect choice for the most astute of business and leisure travelers.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .

You will be picked up from your hotel by private vehicle and driver for a full day train excursion to see the Luoyang Longmen Grottoes & Shaolin Temple. The tour includes 2nd class high-speed train round trip from Xi'an. A deluxe lunch is also included enroute.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .

Chengdu is noted rich culture, gateway to the Himalaya foothills and the famous Panda reserves. Some of the major sights include: The Bronze Museum contains over a thousand cultural relics unearthed from the Sanxingdui site. That was the catalyst to the discovery of a mysterious ancient kingdom of Shu, illuminating the bronze culture. Wolong Panda Reserve is a state natural reserve of 200,000 hectares created in 1963. Sixty-seven captive pandas are among 150 pandas in the Reserve managed by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

Half day private guided city tour. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre, experience the full 14km circuit of China's most intact city wall with great views of the city on either side.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Fly from Xi'an to Chengdu.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, guide, and driver.

Buddha Zen was named by Master Chishan and is the first hotel with the theme of Buddha Zen culture in China. The design of the hotel follows the spirit of Buddha Zen with the combination of traditional Chinese aesthetics. Its interior design is unique and there are a plenty of rare Tangkas, ancient temple paintings and antiques, which include the oldest man-made embroidery of Qing Dynasty in Sichuan.

Overnight at Buddha Zen Hotel (3*).

In the morning visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, which was set up in 1990 to ensure the survival of China's living national treasure. This place provides visitors with a rare chance to glimpse this cute and cuddly icon - a real highlight! And then off to the Wuhou Shrine which is situated in the southern suburb of Chengdu. Wuhou might be translated as "minister or war". That was the title given to ZhugeLiang, a famous military strategist of the three Kingdoms period (AD220-280), immortalised in one of the classics of Chinese literature, the tale of the Three Kingdoms. Lunch is included

If you want an up close and personal encounter with these gentle giants, opt for the rare opportunity to hug a real baby panda (normally 6-9 months old) in the Panda Breeding & Research Center in Chengdu. This program is extremely popular with families. The cost has not been included here in your tour, but it can certainly be added. The current rate for this is roughly $475 USD but continues to increase, ask your China specialist for details!

Sichuan province is of course the home of Szechuan cooking. Experience the burning fire of Sichuan's famous Hotpot dish at the Huang Cheng Lao Ma restaurant.

Overnight at Buddha Zen Hotel (3*).

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, guide, and driver.

Fly from Chengdu to Shanghai.

Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

Enjoy a deluxe dinner and VIP seats at an Acrobatic Show with private car transfer. The spectacular acrobatic feats are barely believable but come from expert training starting as young as age six or seven. Most performers have a minimum of twenty years experience.

The Marriot run Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan is a modern and luxurious property located adjacent to the Yuyuan Gardens and old quarter of downtown Shanghai. With a top-notch spa, 340 contemporary rooms and suites offering breathtaking views across the Shanghai city skyline and a central location within reasonable distance both to Shanghai's traditional attractions and the EXPO 2010 site this hotels offers a great luxury to value proposition well-suited to any trip.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.

In the morning you will transfer from you hotel to the home of a local family. There you will learn to make authentic Chinese dumplings with the local family, while your tour guide works as an interpreter. Eat your dumplings for lunch before being driven back to your hotel.

Half day private guided tour of Jade Buddha Temple and Yuyuan Garden with deluxe lunch. The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. One is seated while the other is in the recumbent position of Sakyamuni symbolizing the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment or nirvana. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.

Transfer from central Shanghai with a driver, and English-speaking Guide to the Maglev station in Pudong from where you can complete your airport transfer in about 8 minutes at speeds of over 400 km/h. (Warning - involves a little walking).

Depart from Shanghai international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.