Jasmine's China Adventure Tours

Yangshuo village scene

China Panorama

Beijing--Xi'an--Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise-- Guilin-- Yangshuo-- Shanghai
Three weeks
June 30-July 21, 2007
$3,400 per person, double occupancy.
Land cost only; does not include international airfare

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Special note from Jasmine: The April 2007 departure is the last one I will guide personally until 2010. I am booked for private tours this fall, and in 2008 and 2009 I will be concentrating on my solar eclipse tours. I will still offer this tour at least twice each year through my cooperating agents in China.

Combining ancient monuments and modern cities with two of China's most spectacular (and very different) river trips, this special summertime tour will introduce you to the vast panorama of the Middle Kingdom. As you explore by foot through the hidden back streets of Beijing, sail through the heart of the fabled Yangtze River Three Gorges on a luxury river cruiser, ride along quiet country lanes amid the rice paddies of rural Yangshuo, or visit family homes and even enjoy a meal of their home-cooked local specialties, you'll experience the real life of China close up in a way few group tours permit.

We start in Beijing, which holds the major monuments of the Chinese Empire: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and, above all, the Great Wall. But it is also a city of hidden residential alleyways where families live quietly in ancient courtyard homes, city parks where elderly people gather to do morning exercises, crowded street markets bursting with unusual produce, and night food streets offering unsuspected culinary treasures. We'll experience all these aspects of Beijing and gain a special feeling for its people by visiting local families in the courtyard homes of the ancient hutongs and in a quiet farming village at the foot of an unrestored section of the Wild Great Wall.

One of my local friends, from the cave house village near Xi'an (Photo by Sue Wright)

Xi'an, of course, offers the world-renowned terra cotta army. But the city also holds an intriguing Moslem Quarter, where the traveler can find traces of Xi'an's Silk Road past in the colorful and aromatic spice markets and the Central Asian faces of their vendors. We'll stroll the lively food markets of the Quarter to snack on local specialties such as persimmon cake and steamed dumplings. Along the way, we'll visit the inner courtyards of Xi'an's Great Mosque and perhaps see the local men at prayer. Dinner at a family restaurant gives us the chance to try Hui (Moslem) people's cooking in more depth. And we'll visit my local friends in their village of traditional "cave houses" that are a unique feature of the Shaanxi plains.

Next comes one of the great adventures of China: a cruise up the mighty Yangtze River through the fabled Three Gorges. Traveling for five nights and four days aboard a deluxe river cruiser, we'll marvel at this ancient transportation and cultural lifeline, where teams of "trackers" once pulled boats upstream through the boiling rapids. Although the river largely has been tamed, and the filling of the reservoir (already underway) behind the recently-completed Three Gorges Dam over the next few years will bring massive changes, the wonderful scenery of the Gorges still exists. The cruise includes a full program of shore excursions, including a visit to the dam itself, a trip in small motor launches or "drift boats" up the beautiful Little Three Gorges or the Shennong Stream, and visits to riverside temples and towns.

The cruise ends in Chongqing, a growing metropolis in the "spicy food" center of China, Sichuan Province. You'll have a special opportunity to explore the fiery cuisine of this region in a cooking class and demonstration put on for us at one of my favorite restaurants. You can even try your hand at making your own dishes--and then taste the results! We will also make an excursion to the stunning Buddhist grottoes at Dazu, one of China's premier artistic sites, where we can see thousands of religious rock carvings dating from the 9th-12th centuries, including a 100-foot long reclining Buddha.

For centuries, poets and painters have tried to capture the fairy-tale landscape of our next stops, Guilin and Yangshuo, in lyrics and traditional scroll paintings. Far different from the powerful Yangtze and the massive mountains of the Three Gorges, Guilin's gentle Li River flows through a forest of delicately-shaped karst pinnacles surrounded by electric-green rice paddies. Our four-hour cruise through the heart of this magnificent scenery is one of the highlights of China. Most group tours disembark from the cruise, stop in Yangshuo for no more than an hour and then head back to Guilin by road and on to their next destination. They miss one of the most enjoyable experiences in China. Yangshuo is a fascinating small town where the timeless rhythms of rural life mingle with the sounds of jazz from the international cafes on "Foreigner's Street". We spend two days in Yangshuo, exploring the quiet lanes and paths that lead into the surrounding countryside, passing Ming Dynasty stone bridges and farmers plowing with water buffalo, to visit nearby market towns and farming villages. A highlight is our trip to Moon Hill Village (which you can make by bicycle or by private minibus as you choose), where my local farmer friend will welcome us to her courtyard home while her husband cooks a delicious multi-course lunch including such local specialties as stuffed chili peppers and fermented beans. You can even try their home-made rice wine!

Ceremonial drum, Shanghai Museum

Our final stop on the tour is Shanghai, the emerging commerical and financial center of modern China. Shanghai is a dynamic metropolis in which narrow residential alleyways connect with bustling modern shopping streets and ultramodern skyscrapers overshadow ancient gardens. During our two-day stay, we'll experience the life of Shanghai along the famous riverfront Bund, learn about the art and history of China in the magnificent new Shanghai Museum, and explore some of the once-infamous foreign concessions with their surprising European-style houses.

Special note about accommodations: One night will be spent on a train from Beijing to Xi'an in first-class "soft sleeper" compartments (four berths per compartment with washroom facilities at the end of the car).

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from the United States or Canada.

Day 2: Arrive in Beijing and transfer to hotel. If time permits, we will have a welcome dinner together.

Day 3-5: Sightseeing in and around Beijing. Walk on a restored section of the Great Wall and climb to an unrestored section of the "Wild Great Wall" where we will also visit my farmer friends' home at a nearby village. Visit the workshops of a cloisonne factory to see workers practice this unique art. Walk through the Liu Li cultural street, and explore the ancient alleyways (hutongs) on the way to the Forbidden City. Take an excursion to the Summer Palace to stroll along its lakeside arcades. In the morning, get up early to take part in local people's morning exercises at the park--you will be surprised how many people there are! In the evenings, observe the senior people's street dancing groups, enjoy a performance of Chinese acrobats and taste the famous Beijing Roast Duck in a neighborhood restaurant--where the local people enjoy it. On the evening of July 10, we will board an overnight train to Xi'an, the cradle of China's civilization and culture.

Day 6: Arrive in Xi'an in the early afternoon. Take a walk to get to know the Moslem Quarter of this ancient city, including the Great Mosque, and try some hot steaming dumplings in the open-air food markets under the ancient city walls.

Day 7: Sightseeing in and around Xi'an, including a full-day excursion to the terra cotta army, and a visit to a family living in a village of unusual Shaanxi-style "cave homes".

Day 8: Fly from Xi'an to Wuhan, a large port city on the Yangtze River. Sightseeing in Wuhan, including the Hubei Provincial Museum and the beautiful Donghu Park. In the evening, board the first class cruise ship to begin your Yangtze River journey.

Day 9-12: Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise. The cruise program includes shore excursions such as a visit to the famous site of the mammoth new Three Gorges Dam and an exciting ride in small motor launches or "drift boats" up one of the beautiful side canyons, either the Shennong Stream or the so-called Small Three Gorges. The ships also feature a full program of activities such as lessons in Tai Chi, Chinese painting or calligraphy, and the Mandarin language.

Day 13: Arrive in the port city of Chongqing in the morning. After arrival, visit an artists' village, and in the afternoon, attend a class of "Sichuan style cooking" in this capital of spicy food. (And how about trying to cook some dishes yourselves?!)

Day 14: Drive to the famous Dazu grottoes, showcase of some of the most spectacular religious sculptures in China, nearly 50,000 images, including a 100-foot reclining Buddha. Overnight in Dazu.

Day 15: Drive to Chongqing and fly from Chongqing to Guilin. Balance of day for a city tour of Guilin to see the parks along the Li River with their views of forests of karst pinnacles. In the evening, enjoy local people's street dancing by the riverfront. (You may even join them!)

Day 16: Boat cruise on the picturesque Li River through the stunning landscape, stopping along the way to visit an underground cavern; arrive in the small town of Yangshuo in the afternoon and have the balance of the day to explore the town.

Day 17-18: Sightseeing in and around the beautiful countryside of Yangshuo, including a visit to a nearby small village for lunch at my farmer friends' home. You can make the trip by private minibus or, if you prefer, join Jasmine to ride there by bicycle along quiet country lanes and paths. Excursions to nearby market towns and villages by bicycle or local transportation to see local produce fairs and traditional farming methods where rice cultivation is done by hand or with the aid of water buffalo.

Day 19: Drive from Yangshuo to Guilin and visit the Guilin Traditional Medicine Hospital, where my friend Dr. Jiang will explain ancient acupuncture techniques and take us to visit the herbal pharmacy. Afterwards, fly from Guilin to Shanghai.

Day 20-21: Sightseeing in Shanghai, including a walking tour of old neighborhoods to discover the local plant and bird market, visit the legendary waterfront, the Bund, explore the newly-built Shanghai Museum, the Yuyuan Garden, visit the Children's Palace.

Day 22: Return home, arriving the same day.

C.S.T. Number 2034611-40

Web Design by Brian H. Day

Day 1:	Depart from the United States or Canada.
Day 2:	Arrive in Beijing and transfer to hotel. If time permits, we will have a welcome dinner together.
Day 3-5:	Sightseeing in and around Beijing. Walk on a restored section of the Great Wall and climb to an unrestored section of the "Wild Great Wall" where we will also visit my farmer friends' home at a nearby village. Visit the workshops of a cloisonne factory to see workers practice this unique art. Walk through the Liu Li cultural street, and explore the ancient alleyways (hutongs) on the way to the Forbidden City. Take an excursion to the Summer Palace to stroll along its lakeside arcades. In the morning, get up early to take part in local people's morning exercises at the park--you will be surprised how many people there are! In the evenings, observe the senior people's street dancing groups, enjoy a performance of Chinese acrobats and taste the famous Beijing Roast Duck in a neighborhood restaurant--where the local people enjoy it. On the evening of July 10, we will board an overnight train to Xi'an, the cradle of China's civilization and culture.
Day 6:	Arrive in Xi'an in the early afternoon. Take a walk to get to know the Moslem Quarter of this ancient city, including the Great Mosque, and try some hot steaming dumplings in the open-air food markets under the ancient city walls.
Day 7:	Sightseeing in and around Xi'an, including a full-day excursion to the terra cotta army, and a visit to a family living in a village of unusual Shaanxi-style "cave homes".
Day 8:	Fly from Xi'an to Wuhan, a large port city on the Yangtze River. Sightseeing in Wuhan, including the Hubei Provincial Museum and the beautiful Donghu Park. In the evening, board the first class cruise ship to begin your Yangtze River journey.
Day 9-12:	Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise. The cruise program includes shore excursions such as a visit to the famous site of the mammoth new Three Gorges Dam and an exciting ride in small motor launches or "drift boats" up one of the beautiful side canyons, either the Shennong Stream or the so-called Small Three Gorges. The ships also feature a full program of activities such as lessons in Tai Chi, Chinese painting or calligraphy, and the Mandarin language.
Day 13:	Arrive in the port city of Chongqing in the morning. After arrival, visit an artists' village, and in the afternoon, attend a class of "Sichuan style cooking" in this capital of spicy food. (And how about trying to cook some dishes yourselves?!)
Day 14:	Drive to the famous Dazu grottoes, showcase of some of the most spectacular religious sculptures in China, nearly 50,000 images, including a 100-foot reclining Buddha. Overnight in Dazu.
Day 15:	Drive to Chongqing and fly from Chongqing to Guilin. Balance of day for a city tour of Guilin to see the parks along the Li River with their views of forests of karst pinnacles. In the evening, enjoy local people's street dancing by the riverfront. (You may even join them!)
Day 16:	Boat cruise on the picturesque Li River through the stunning landscape, stopping along the way to visit an underground cavern; arrive in the small town of Yangshuo in the afternoon and have the balance of the day to explore the town.
Day 17-18:	Sightseeing in and around the beautiful countryside of Yangshuo, including a visit to a nearby small village for lunch at my farmer friends' home. You can make the trip by private minibus or, if you prefer, join Jasmine to ride there by bicycle along quiet country lanes and paths. Excursions to nearby market towns and villages by bicycle or local transportation to see local produce fairs and traditional farming methods where rice cultivation is done by hand or with the aid of water buffalo.
Day 19:	Drive from Yangshuo to Guilin and visit the Guilin Traditional Medicine Hospital, where my friend Dr. Jiang will explain ancient acupuncture techniques and take us to visit the herbal pharmacy. Afterwards, fly from Guilin to Shanghai.
Day 20-21:	Sightseeing in Shanghai, including a walking tour of old neighborhoods to discover the local plant and bird market, visit the legendary waterfront, the Bund, explore the newly-built Shanghai Museum, the Yuyuan Garden, visit the Children's Palace.
Day 22:	Return home, arriving the same day.