TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Contrast Shanghai’s futuristic Pudong skyline with the storied waterfront Bund.
- Cruise Suzhou’s Grand Canal and stroll the refined Lingering Garden.
- Witness the Terracotta Warriors, one of archaeology’s most extraordinary discoveries.
- Experience Xi’an’s Tang Dynasty dinner show and vibrant Muslim Quarter.
- Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.
- Walk the legendary Great Wall across Beijing’s mountain ridges.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Roundtrip Japan Airlines flights from Honolulu, plus two domestic China flights.
- Five-star deluxe hotel accommodations throughout Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing.
- Admissions to all scheduled attractions and sightseeing experiences.
- Stated meals, including dumpling banquet, Peking duck dinner and hotel buffet.
- Gratuities for local tour guides and drivers.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1–2 | APR 15–APR 16 | HONOLULU–HANEDA–SHANGHAI | ARRIVE IN SHANGHAI
Begin your vacation by boarding Japan Airlines in Honolulu for Shanghai via Haneda. Meals and snacks are served in flight. On Day 2, continue from Haneda to Shanghai, China’s dynamic commercial center. Upon arrival, meet an Air & Sea Travel representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Settle into The Kunlun Hua Ting Hotel & Towers or similar and enjoy time to rest after the journey.
DAY 3 | APR 17 | SHANGHAI | PUDONG, THE BUND & CITY GOD TEMPLE (B/L)
Begin in Pudong, Shanghai’s modern financial district, and walk along the east bank of the Huangpu River for memorable views across to the historic Bund. Continue to the City God Temple Bazaar, where souvenir stalls and food shops invite leisurely browsing. After lunch, return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore Shanghai independently at your own pace.
DAY 4 | APR 18 | SHANGHAI–SUZHOU–SHANGHAI | CLASSICAL GARDEN & GRAND CANAL (B/D)
After breakfast, depart on a day trip to Suzhou, a city with more than 2,500 years of history. Visit the elegant Lingering Garden, then board a boat to experience the ancient Grand Canal. Later, learn about Suzhou’s celebrated silk and embroidery traditions during a silk-factory visit. Return to Shanghai and enjoy dinner before settling in at the hotel for the evening.
DAY 5 | APR 19 | SHANGHAI–XI’AN | TANG DYNASTY DINNER SHOW (B/D)
After breakfast, fly from Shanghai to Xi’an, one of China’s great ancient capitals. The city once anchored several influential dynasties and remains a gateway to China’s imperial past. Upon arrival, transfer to The Westin Xi’an or similar for check-in and time to rest. Tonight, enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show, a five-part production of live music and dance inspired by Empress Wu Zetian and the splendor of the Tang court.
DAY 6 | APR 20 | XI’AN | TERRACOTTA WARRIORS & CITY WALL (B/D)
Begin with the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors, the vast funerary army created for China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Continue to Huimin Street in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter, known for its lively food stalls and traditional crafts, with lunch on your own. Later, take a guided orientation tour and visit the ancient City Wall, one of China’s few surviving historic city defenses. Return to the hotel for a buffet dinner.
DAY 7 | APR 21 | XI’AN | LITTLE WILD GOOSE PAGODA & XI’AN MUSEUM (B/L)
After breakfast, visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda, part of the UNESCO-listed Silk Roads network, followed by Xi’an Museum for an introduction to the city’s long history. Lunch features local dumplings, or jiaozi. This afternoon, return to the hotel and enjoy free time around Datang Everbright City, a lively district for shopping, dining and entertainment. Dinner is on your own.
DAY 8 | APR 22 | XI’AN–BEIJING | ARRIVE IN THE CAPITAL (B/D)
After breakfast, fly to Beijing, China’s capital and an ancient city with a history spanning nearly three millennia. Its layered heritage creates a fitting setting for the final chapter of the tour. Upon arrival, transfer to The Westin Beijing Financial District or similar, check in and enjoy time to rest. Dinner is included this evening, followed by an overnight stay in Beijing.
DAY 9 | APR 23 | BEIJING | FORBIDDEN CITY & TEMPLE OF HEAVEN (B/D)
Begin with a drive past Tiananmen Square before entering the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City, the immense imperial palace that served as China’s center of power for centuries. Continue to the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for bountiful harvests amid architecture expressing the traditional relationship between heaven and earth. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner featuring Beijing’s celebrated Peking duck before returning to the hotel.
DAY 10 | APR 24 | BEIJING | THE GREAT WALL (B/L)
Today’s highlight is the UNESCO-listed Great Wall, where ancient fortifications follow the mountain ridges outside Beijing. Take time to absorb the scale of this landmark and walk at a comfortable pace. After lunch, visit a jade workshop to learn about the cultural importance of jade in China. Return to the hotel, with time for shopping and dinner on your own nearby.
DAY 11 | APR 25 | BEIJING–HANEDA–HONOLULU | RETURN HOME (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flights from Beijing to Honolulu via Haneda. As the journey concludes, take home lasting memories of Shanghai’s energy, Suzhou’s classical beauty, Xi’an’s imperial heritage and Beijing’s monumental landmarks.
PHYSICAL RATING: LEVEL 2 -4 | MODERATE TO DEMANDING
Most city days involve one to two hours of walking through riverside promenades, markets, gardens, museums, palace grounds and historic sites. The Great Wall may require steep steps, uneven surfaces and sustained climbing, making that day potentially demanding.