This is an extraordinary excursion to a captivating culture. Big bustling cities on breathtaking backdrops; tasty exotic teas and fertile rice paddies; soft silk and exquisitely pleasing pearls, and the marvels of Chinese medicine – see them all up close and personal as the greatest transformation of the modern age takes place before our very eyes. Our tour menu includes Yunan Province – the Stone Forest in Kunming and fascinating Lijiang; charming Suzhou, the enchanting vistas of Guilin; the cities of Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and quaint countryside villages. An exciting exploration of both ancient and modern Chinese culture – and for dessert: Hong Kong!
Day 1, Monday Tel Aviv - Bangkok
From Ben Gurion Airport we'll fly via an intermediate stop en route to Bangkok, our gateway to the mysteries of East Asia.
Day 1-2, Saturday-Sunday 24-25/10, Tel Aviv – Beijing
Flight from Ben Gurion Airport to Beijing, China. Upon arrival We will visit Tiananmen Square and see the Mausoleum where Chairman Mao is buried. Transfer to our hotel.
Day 3, Monday 26/10, Beijing – The Great Wall, Summer Palace
Today we'll make an early departure for the greatest wall in the world. The Great Wall of China is the largest construction project ever undertaken by man – measuring over 7,000 kilometers. Large sections of the wall were built between the 7th and 4th centuries BC, over 2500 years ago. For hundreds of years, according to security needs arising from political conflicts in different ages, some sections of the Great Wall of China were added and strengthened while other sections were neglected.
The Great Wall is made up of three primary components: passes, signal- and watch towers, and defensive walls. Later, return to Beijing to visit Chinese hospital where we will experience a traditional reflexology session.
We will then continue to visit the Summer Palace, the refuge of the last emperors of China and the Empress Dowager Cixi. In the evening we recommend the fascinating Kung-Fu show.
Day 4, Tuesday 27/10, Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City
This morning we'll visit the most impressive site in Beijing, the Temple of Heaven. In the surrounding gardens we will watch the locals practicing Tai-Chi, dancing and playing a variety of games. We'll tour the Temple complex which used to be an important place of ritual worship.
We'll continue to the Forbidden City, an impressive example of traditional Chinese architecture. The Forbidden City was the palace of the China's Emperors. Continue to visit a Pearl factory.
Day 5, Wednesday 28/10, Xian
In the morning we fly to Xian. Upon arrival we'll visit one of the great wonders of the world: the immense Terra Cotta Army that the great Emperor Qin Xi Huan Di prepared for himself for his "eternal life." We'll view the mountains at the foot of which lie the Huah Qin springs, which became famous as the place where Chiang Kai-shek was captured and from where he escaped.
In the evening we recommend the colorful Tang Dynasty show.
Day 6, Thursday 29/10, Xian
After prayers and breakfast, we walk to the Moslem quarter and visit the mosque which is the exact replica of the original synagogue in Kaifeng. We'll walk in the colorful market, and continue to visit Hanyang Tomb. the Mausoleum of Liu Qi, the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, and his queen.
Day 7, Friday 30/10, Xian – Hangzhou
This morning we'll depart Xian and fly to Hangzhou, a city surrounded by the most famous tea plantations in China. We'll be amazed by this "Switzerland" of China, its western lake, gardens and promenade. The city's ancient quarter is one of the most special in all of China. We will visit a tea plantation, The Six Harmonies Pagoda and the West lake. Afterwards we'll go to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
Shabbat services and evening meal.
Day 8, Shabbat 31/10, Hangzhou
After morning prayers and breakfast, we'll depart for a walking tour to visit a Chinese pharmacy to learn about Chinese medicine, and also one of the most beautiful wooden houses in the world. In the evening we recommend the amazing Sung Dynasty show.
Day 9, Sunday 1/11, Hangzhou – Wuzhen – Shanghai
This morning we'll depart Hangzhou to Shanghai, on the way we'll visit the town Wuzhen, located in the center of the six ancient towns south of Yangtze River, Wuzhen displays its two-thousand-year history in its ancient stone bridges floating on mild water, its stone pathways between the mottled walls and its delicate wood carvings. The journey to Shanghai is one from an ancient culture to "Future Shock:" Soaring skyscrapers, elevated highways, bridges and a level of sophistication seen in very few countries. We will tour Nanjing road and Bond street with its 19th century buildings. After dinner, we recommend a cruise on the river.
Day 10, Monday 2/11, Shanghai
This morning We'll tour the Jewish Quarter – a fascinating and unique story in itself. From there we'll continue to the Yu-Yuan neighborhood, Shanghai's "Chinatown" with its bustling shopping center and beautiful gardens. We will visit the fascinating Shanghai museum, and traditional silk factory. In the evening, we recommend a very special Chinese Acrobatics show.
Days 11, Tuesday 3/11, Shanghai – Guilin
After breakfast we will visit the Pudong district. From Shanghai, we'll take a flight to Guilin. We'll fly over mountainous Karst scenery that for generations has served to inspire many artists, writers and poets. Upon arrival we will have a short city tour.
Days 12, Wednesday 4/11, Guilin – Longsheng - Songjiang
On the road to Longsheng, we'll be amazed by the fascinating rice paddies of the countryside and view the villagers in their natural habitat - a world that is slowly disappearing. In the evening we'll arrive to our hotel in Songiang.
Days 13, Thursday 5/11, Songjiang - Yangshuo
This morning we will visit the 8 villages typical to this area, continue south to the picturesque village of Yangshuo. In the evening we recommend a spectacular show with hundreds of actors – one of the largest and most fantastic in the world.
Days 14, Friday 6/11, Yangshuo - Guilin
After breakfast we'll sail down the Li River through the mountains, until we get to Guilin. We'll visit Elephant Trunk Park and Reed Flute Cave. Afterwards we'll go to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
Shabbat services and evening meal.
Day 15, Shabbat 7/11, Guilin
After morning prayers and breakfast, we'll depart on a walking tour of the city. In the evening we'll invite you to enjoy a show by local Cormorant fishermen.
Day 16, Sunday 8/11, Guilin – Guangzhou
In the morning we'll take a cable car ride for a spectacular view of Guilin (if the weather is nice). Continue to the airport for a flight to Guangzhou (Canton)
Day 17, Monday 9/11, Guangzhou – Hong Kong
Guangzhou, the South Gate of China, is a prosperous metropolis full of vigor. We'll visit a wooden house, Cheng family museum, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. After the visit we will take a cruise on pearl river to Hong kong.
Day 18, Tuesday 10/11, Hong Kong
This morning we'll depart for a tour of this skyscraper-filled city. We'll view the city from Victoria Peak (weather permitting), and drive along its beaches, sail in Aberdeen Harbor among the floating homes and junks, and head out to shop for electronics, cameras, optics and more. We will also visit "Ohel lea" synagogue.
Day 19, Wednesday 11/11, Hong Kong – Tel aviv
After completing our shopping today, we'll make our way to Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong's International Airport for our flight, back home to Israel.
| Tour code | Start date | End date | Days | Price | Single supplement | Comments |
| ECHN2410 | 24/10/2009 | 11/11/2009 | 19 days | $4,190 | $830 | GUIDE: BILHA RESHEF |
Price Includes
International Flights
Internal flights as per the tour plan
First class hotels
Airport and security taxes
Comfortable touring coach for traveling
Breakfast + Dinner + supplies for making sandwiches for lunch
Professional experienced Israeli guide
Local Guide as required
Entrance to all sites mentioned in the tour plan
Price excludes
Travel and baggage Insurance
Shows that are not included in the tour plan (approximately $25 per show including transportation)
Chinese Visa: $50
Tips for local service providers: $150
Changes in air fares due to increases in fuel airport tax and security tax surcharges
Tip for Israeli guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)
Important to know
There may be changes to the schedule and hotel reservations dependent upon internal flights. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary.
Day of departure and arrival are included in the total days of the tour. Insurance is required for the full 19 days. Insurance: We urge all passengers to purchase travel and cancellation insurance immediately upon registration for the tour. This ensures a refund of expenses in case of cancellation due to emergency, illness or bereavement.
Terms
More than 30 working days prior to departure: $47 per passenger registration fee only, 7-30 working days prior to departure: $500 + $47 per passenger,
Less than 6 working days prior to departure: Passenger will be liable for full payment of all expenses connected to the tour (including visas etc.),
Fridays Shabbat and Holidays (including Chol Hamoed in Israel), and Sundays and Public Holidays abroad are not considered working days. If flight tickets have already been issued and/or any other services have already been purchased (visas etc.) their costs will be added to the cancellation penalties mentioned above.
