Exploring China with Mike & Bonnie Ramsdell – November 7-20, 2013
Take the China tour of a lifetime this coming November with Mike & Bonnie Ramsdell! This tour is full of highlights including: the Olympic sites of Beijing, hiking the Great Wall of China, exploring the Forbidden City, helping at an orphanage, shopping, and coming face-to-face with the Terracotta Warriors. Your family and friends won’t forget this magical tour and part of the world.
Included is: round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, all hotel accommodations, sightseeing as outlined in itinerary, most meals, ground transportation via deluxe coaches, and excellent English speaking guides.
Itinerary:
November 7 – Shanghai & Guilin add-on- Leave from your home city this morning and begin your journey across the Pacific Ocean to magical Asia!
November 8 – Shanghai & Guilin add-on- Continue your flight and arrive in Shanghai, China this evening. Overnight in Shanghai.
November 9 – Shanghai & Guilin add-on - Wake up in Shanghai and get ready for same sightseeing in this financial hub of China. You will go to the Bund this morning where world-class shopping can be found. Look across the harbor for an incredible view of the Shanghai skyline. Spend time exploring the Bund before your afternoon flight to Guilin. Arrive in Guilin and overnight in Chinese paradise.
November 10 – Shanghai & Guilin add-on - This morning you will transfer to the stunning mountain village of Longi. Take part in a cultural experience as the the Longi women demonstrate their long hair that they cut once in their lifetime. You will then arrive at your mountain retreat where you will spend the night. Enjoy a walk up to your hotel built into the mountainside with incredible vistas overlooking rice terraces built into the mountains as far as eye can see! Walk through the surrounding mountainside village to be greeted by quaint minority shops, rich smells of delicious cuisine, and happy villagers. (B,L)
November 11 - Shanghai & Guilin add-on- Set sail for a cruise down the Li River. The Li River cruise from that departs from Yangshuo is the centerpiece of your trip to Guilin. Gorgeous peaks give you surprises at each bend of the river under the blue sky. These “gumdrop” mountains have helped this part of the country gain worldwide recognition for being one of the most scenic spots in the entire world. Hold up your 20 Yuan bill and what do you see – the exact same view on the Li River you will cruise by! (B,L)
Xi’an add-on group (not doing Guilin) – Fly from home city to LAX and then to Xi’an, China
November 12 - Shanghai & Guilin add-on - Today you have a free morning with an optional bike ride along the gorgeous Li River. Also take in the local market to see what life is like in the countryside. A visit to a local tea plantation will give you a glimpse as to where the tea dumped in the Boston Harbor many years ago came from. This evening you will travel by air from Guilin to Xi’an and transfer to your hotel! (B,L)
Xi’an add-on group (not doing Guilin) – Continue flight and arrive in Xi’an where you will transfer to hotel and overnight.
November 13 - Guilin/Xi’an Groups – Your exciting day in Xi’an begins with a relaxing bike ride on the ancient city wall or you may wish to take a ride in a traditional rickshaw. Learn the legend as to how the Wild Goose Pagoda received its name as you visit this holy place revered for centuries. The highlight of your trip will probably be this afternoon as you visit a local orphanage and spend time giving affection and lending a hand. Your day will wind down as you enjoy the city water fountain show accompanied with orchestrated music. (B,L)
November 14 - Guilin/Xi’an Groups – You will be in awe as you visit the Terracotta Warrior museum. It has been said to be the most exciting archaeological find of the 20th century and considered as the 8th Wonder of the World. It is nothing short of astonishing! This evening you’ll board the overnight sleeper train bound for Beijing. All aboard! (B,L)
Beijing ONLY: Depart from home city in the morning.
November 15 - Guilin/Xi’an Groups – Upon arriving in Beijing this morning, you’ll travel to a local restaurant for breakfast and then check into your Beijing hotel to freshen up. In the afternoon, experience a Hutong Tour, and take a glimpse into the world of yesterday while being pedaled through the narrow streets on bicycle-pedaled rickshaws. (B,L)
Beijing ONLY: Evening arrival and meet rest of the group
November 16 - A stop at the local zoo will be a great photo opportunity for pandas to start off your day! Today you’ll pay a visit to the Summer Palace which is listed as one of the world UNESCO World Heritage Sites and ranked as one of the finest classical gardens in the world. Nearby learn about China’s fresh water pearls and visit one of the largest pearl showrooms on the planet. (B,L)
November 17 – Winding across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, the Great Wall of China stretches over 4,000 miles. Today as you experience climbing a section of the Great Wall, marvel at its size and grandeur. Not far from the wall you will explore the Ming tomb area and stroll down the path of the Sacred Way of the Animals. You will have plenty of time this evening to go bargain shopping at a local knock-off market where low price rules. Then, back to the hotel and it’s time for an optional foot massage. (B,L)
November 18 - Today you will visit the Forbidden City which was built in the 15th century. The Forbidden City includes the Imperial Palace which was the residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Later you will walk on the 98-acre quadrangle of Tiananmen Square, which is one of the largest public squares in the world. This evening enjoy some free time or more shopping at the knock-off market. (B,L)
November 19 - The Temple of Heaven is first on our agenda today and is located in a beautiful park. Elderly Chinese come by the thousands daily to exercise and to participate in Chinese cultural activities. Most tourists find themselves participating in the middle of these activities with the local Chinese. The rest of the day is dedicated to last minute shopping, including a famous silk store where you will find silk comforters. If you get your shopping all done, enjoy an optional Chinese acrobatic show. You will be amazed at the acrobatic skills demonstrated in the performances. (B,L)
November 20 - After breakfast, you will transfer to the Beijing Airport and check-in for your international flight departing mid-day and arriving in Los Angeles or San Francisco mid-day, with connections to your home city. As you reflect upon your tour days, we think you will consider them some of the best days of your life. (B)
Your Host: Mike & Bonnie Ramsdell
Mike and Bonnie Ramsdell have spent almost half of their married life living abroad in Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia. Upon returning home to America after Mike finished his career, they found themselves with a second career of hosting groups to various travel destinations around the world including: the British Isles, the Middle East, Russia and the Eastern Block, Scandinavia, Europe, South America , the Caribbean, and Asia. With degrees from Brigham Young University and Utah State University and their years of living abroad, Mike and Bonnie’s world experiences add greatly to the trips they host. A highly sought after speaker, Mike gives lectures from his national best seller “A Train to Potevka” during tours. The book details his years living and working in Russia as a covert agent. A pseudo archeologist and history buff, Bonnie lectures on the fascinating, recent discoveries of the early civilizations of North America. Come join Mike and Bonnie for a trip of a lifetime.
———-Beijing Only Tour with Airfare from Los Angeles: $1364 (includes tour and air for $899 & taxes for $465)
Fly from JFK Airport: $100 more
Xi’an Add-On – Double/Triple Occupancy - $499
Shanghai & Guilin Add-On – Double/Triple Occupancy - $699
Call For Single Occupancy Pricing
Children 11 and under – $100 off per person
Chinese Visa - $185
Credit Card Fee – 3.5% (only applies to final payment-pay by check to avoid it)
Deposit Required for Reservation - $1200
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*Trip cancellation and emergency insurance available *Passports are required *Full payment due 90 days before departure. *Cancellation charges: non-refundable after deposit and final payment is made Click Here for Current Airline Baggage Fees Click Here For Terms and Conditions