China, long a favorite, is complex, charming, astonishing, fascinating, vibrant - and remains, in some respects, the "last frontier" for the American traveler. This year, traveling to China with Jacob Shoshan, your esteemed Tour Manager and Guest Lecturer - affords you the opportunity to enhance your exposure to this exotic land with glimpses of its extraordinary Jewish history. For while there is no longer an established Jewish presence in the People's Republic, your touring will be augmented by insights of China's rich Jewish history and lore. A special highlight of the tour is a visit to Kaifeng, where traces of an active Jewish community remains.
You will see the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Great Wall of China, the Terra Cotta Warriors, Jewish Kaifeng and the tumult of Shanghai. End the tour with an optional visit to nearby Hong Kong.
HIGHLIGHTS:
· 30 meals including Buffet Breakfast daily, 7 lunches & 10 dinners · Includes Shabbat and Farewell Dinners with wine · Tour Manager hosted dinner in Shanghai · PLUS -Special Peking Duck Dinner · Visit the Temple of Heaven · Enter the Forbidden City · Walk through Tiananmen Square · See the formerly Jewish sites · Attend an acrobatic show · Enjoy Kosher lunch at the Jewish Community Center in Shanghai
ITINERARY 15 Days / 13 Nights
SUNDAY, DAY 1 - EN ROUTE
Depart on the airline of your choice to China.
MONDAY, DAY 2- BEIJING
Arrival in Beijing, China's political, cultural and communications capital. Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to our hotel. Briefing on the special itinerary that awaits, followed by a Welcome Buffet Dinner at the hotel. D
TUESDAY, DAY 3- BEIJING
Full day of sightseeing in Beijing. Wander about the immense plaza that is Tiananmen Square, capable of holding more than one million people. Enter the Forbidden City, the 9,000 room home to Ming and Qing emperors, with its priceless historical treasures. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of 15th century architecture. Tonight, Dinner at China's first and only Kosher Restaurant, Dini's. BLD
WEDNESDAY, DAY 4- BEIJING
Today's journey takes us outside the city to the Great Wall of China - one of the only man-made structures visible from outer space! For 5,000 kilometers, it snakes up and down rugged mountains like a huge imperial dragon. You'll have an opportunity to ascend (and descend) by cable car this ancient wonder. After lunch, drive to the fabled Summer Palace, one of China's most enchanting garden complexes. Tonight,a special feast- Peking Duck dinner. BLD
THURSDAY, DAY 5- BEIJING - XIAN
This morning, travel by old-fashioned rickshaw through the narrow streets of a Hutong Village, one of a number of self-contained communities within the city, providing a revealing glimpse into the daily life of ordinary Beijing residents. Fill your senses with the sights and sounds of this exotic metropolis - the street vendors, crowds, bicycles and colorful banners. Shop in Silk Market, after lunch, fly westward to X'ian, ancient capital of eleven dynasties. Dinner and performance at the Tang Dynasty Theater. BLD
FRIDAY, DAY 6 - XIAN
The day begins with a visit to one of the country's most prized treasures - 6,000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors and horses that guard the tombs of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, as they have done faithfully for 2,200 years. After lunch, see well preserved artifacts at the Provincial Museum and stop at the Wild Goose Pagoda. Shabbat Dinner at hotel. BLD
SATURDAY, DAY 7- XIAN
Shabbat at leisure to spend as you would at home. Join your tour Manager on a walking tour through the Old Town and Pagoda Mosque. B
SUNDAY, DAY 8- XIAN-KAIFENG
Transfer to the rail station for the First Class Express train to Zhengzhou. (#G2008 at 2:50pm arriving 4:48pm.) Meet your local guide and transfer to Kaifeng, where traces of an active Jewish community remains. Check into your hotel. Tonight, after dinner explore Kaifeng’s famed Night Market. BD
MONDAY, DAY 9 - KAIFENG
Today’s full day in Kaifeng, in the middle part of the Henan Provence includes a visit to the Kaifeng Museum which house documents of the ancient history of Kaifeng Jewry. The most significant artifact is a 15th century etched stone with inscriptions describing Kaifeng’s Jeiwsh history and customs “from the time of Abraham”. Visit the Qingming Park exhibit of the city’s Jewish history, donated by the Sino-Judaic Institute. Walk along South Teaching Sculpture lane where the ancient synagogues of the Chinese Jews was first built in 1163. Visit the home of a Jewish descendant and tour the Great East Mosque, whose blue roof tiles once belonged to the last remaining synagogue in Kaifeng in the 19th century. Before ending the day, visit the privately owned Shi Lei Museum, developed by one of the Jewish descendents. Dinner tonight with some of the Jewish descendants.BLD
TUESDAY, DAY 10 - KAIFENG-SHANGHAI
Transfer back to Zhengzhou for a midday flight to exciting Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city, setting the pace for business, commerce, fashion, politics and culture. During World War II, Shanghai was the world’s only place that allowed Jews without visa, guarantee nor documents as refugees. From 1937-39, about 30,000 European Jews settled here. Evening at leisure. B
WEDNESDAY DAY 11 - SHANGHAI
Visit the lovely Yu Yuan Gardens (Garden of Peace and Comfort) and its maze of ponds and pavilions, elaborate rookeries and bridges making it the city’s most complete classic garden in the midst of bustling Shanghai. See the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Hall, the World War II Ghetto and the Ohel Moshe Synagogue, with its museum depicting past Jewish life in the ghetto. Built by Russian Jews fleeing Russia and Eastern Europe’s pogroms, it later served as a refuge for European Jews escaping Nazi oppression. See the Peace Hotel, built in 1930 by Victor Sassoon, a 4th generation descendant of a wealthy Jewish-Iraqi family. Kosher lunch in the Jewish Community Center, followed by a stroll along the scenic and bustling waterside Bund. Tonight, your Tour Manager hosts a dinner buffet, followed by a performance by the Shanghai Acrobats. BLD
THURSDAY, DAY 12 -SHANGHAI-SUZHOU
Full day excursion to Suzhou with its classical gardens and winding canals, including a cruise on the Grand Canal. Lunch, then a visit to the famed Administrator's Garden and the Fish-Net Gardens before returning to Shanghai. Evening at leisure. BL
FRIDAY, DAY 13 - SHANGHAI
Morning visit to the Shanghai Museum with its wealth of treasures. Balance of the afternoon at leisure to browse the city at your own pace. Tonight, Shabbat Dinner together. BD
SATURDAY - DAY 14 - SHANGHAI
Full day at leisure in this vibrant city to stroll the Bund, the city's elegant waterfront boulevard, and browse the pretty shops and boutiques. Tonight's Farewell Dinner caps an enchanting journey. BD
SUNDAY - DAY 15- EN ROUTE - OR CONTINUE TO HONG KONG
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. arriving later the same day. B
This is a sample itinerary – distribution of sites & leisure time is subject to change. Meal Conditions: Buffet Breakfast daily, 7 lunches & 9 dinners. Gratuities to local guides and driers are included – as well as wine with Welcome, Shabbat & Farewell Dinners.
2011 Prices
Depart
Return
Land Only Tour Price
Sunday
Sunday
Per Person
Single Supp
May 22
Jun 5
$3,695
$950
Sep 11
Sep 25
$3,795
$995
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES LOCAL FLIGHTS WITHIN CHINA It does not include TRANS PACIFIC AIR AND TAXES (we will be happy to assist you with your air requirements. A visa is required for China Extension available to Hong Kong, please ask for details
Where You'll Stay: 15 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS
CITY
# NIGHTS
ACCOMMODATIONS
BEIJING
3 NIGHTS
HILTON DOUBLE TREE HOTEL
X’IAN
3 NIGHTS
HYATT REGENCY XIAN HOTEL
KEIFENG
2 NIGHTS
KAIYUAN HOTEL
SHANGHAI
5 NIGHTS
JIN JIANG HOTEL Center
INCLUDED: Local flights and taxes within China - Gratuities to local guides & drivers, airport & hotel personnel –– Gratuities for included meals Wine with Welcome, Farewell & Shabbat dinners. NOT INCLUDED: Trans pacific air fares,Visa processing fees, U.S. and local taxes, gratuities to hotel housekeeping staff , traditional end-of-tour-gratuity to your Tour Manager – To reserve space, a deposit of $300.00 and optional insurance of $175.00 per person, is required – and may be charged to MasterCard or Visa. A China Visa application kit will be sent upon receipt of deposit.
Balance of payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure by check.
