2011 itinerary
(post-Beijing itinerary at bottom of page)
May 17 (Tu) - Depart U.S. for United Airlines flight to Beijing.
May 18 (We) - Arrive in Beijing. Transfer to the Renaissance Hotel. This evening you will enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
May 19 (Th) - We travel to the Great Wall for a mandatory inspection of the on-Wall route. Both runners and spectators will visit the Great Wall and all race details will be given at this time. All runners must walk the 3.5 km of the wall that is part of the Great Wall Marathon course, as it is very important to familiarize oneself with that specific section in order to take proper precautions and incorporate that part into the race strategy. Non-runners are also welcome to participate in this walk (good physical condition is required for this strenuous walk). Lunch is included. This evening we enjoy the world famous Chinese Acrobatic Dinner Show.
May 20 (Fr) - After breakfast we start the day by motorcoach to Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world. We will walk through the square from south the north, passing Chairman Maos Mausoleum. We will then entter the Imperial Palace, one of China's architectual masterpieces which were forbidden to the common people until the early 1900's. After a Chinese-style luncheon, early return back to the hotel and an early pasta dinner is reserved for you,
May 21 (Sa) - RACE DAY. Early morning departure for the Great Wall International Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K and 5K. Time to experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of running on the world famous Great Wall of China. A boxed lunch will be provided after the race and massage is available as well.
May 22 (Su) - This morning you will enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of Hutong, the old city of Beijing. You will travel the ancient alleyways via 3-wheeled bicycle rickshaws. Next stop will take us to the vast and beautiful Summer Palace, used by the royal families of the Forbiden City in summer to escape the city. Lunch will be provided with a local restaurant. Optional afternoon visit to the Panda Garden at the Beijing Zoo. Our last night in Beijing will feature a gala post-race dinner and awards ceremony with all the other competitors from around the world together again for one last time, organized by the race committee.
May 23 (Mo) - Our first stop to the Temple of Heaven where the emperors of the Ming and Ching dynasties prayed to heaven for a good harvest and good luck. The visit is about 90 minutes followed by a visit to a visit to a tea house where you will experience a tradtional, Chinese tea ceremony. Lunch is to follow. We then drive to the extraordinary shopping bargains at the silk market for the afternoon. We will conclude our evening with a hosted Peking Duck Dinner banquet for our farewell dinner.
May 24 (Tu) Transfer to the airport for return flights to the US where you will arrive the same day as you left China.
Or commencement of the extended 3-city and Yangtze River cruise tour or post -Beijing trip to Xian.
May 24 (Tu) - After breakfast this morning we check out of the hotel and board our 90 minute flight to Xian. Upon arrival into Xian we are met by our local guide. We will visit the famous life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors who have been guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi for 2,000 years and the Horse Museum. Check in at the luxury Sofitel Xian before we meet for a local dinner.
May 25 (We) - After breakfast we will take a full day excursion to a rural, ancient Chinese village to view the cave dwellers. You will learn about many kinds of Chinese folk arts such as paper cutting and Chinese New Years Paintings. This afternoon we will be entertained by a troop of waist drum performers. A local lunch is served in the village. We return back to Xian in the late afternoon. This evening we have a dinner theater show.
May 26 (Th) - After breakfast this morning we will check out of the hotel. Today we will tour Xian, including visits to the 1200 year old Geese Pagoda, as well as the most complete and best preserved ancient Chinese city wall. (Post Xian concludes: return back to the US via Beijing on an early afternoon flight).
We travel by air to Chongqing to continue our journey on the Yangtze. Upon arrival in Chongqing we are met and transfered to the city. Our guide will brief us on the city's history with brief stops in certain sightseeing spots. An optional Sichuan flavored dinner is served before boarding the luxury river cruise boat - Victoria Anna.
May 27 (Fr) - Today you will have a shore excursion at Fengdu, the Ghost City known for its gardens, temples and statues of ghosts and devils. Lunch and dinner are included today. *Alternate shore excursion may visit Shibaozhai or Wanzhou
May 28 (Sa) - Enjoy the Yangtze River as you cruise through the first two of the fabled Three Gorges: the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet) and most dramatic. The 25-mile long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Next travel through the Daning River Small Gorges, which are narrower than the Three Gorges but still impressive. Later in the day we enter Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles) and the deepest of the Three Gorges. In the evening we sail through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks. Lunch and dinner are included today.
May 29 (Su) - Your last day on the river will bring a visit to the Three Gorges Dam site at Sandouping, the largest project of its kind in the world. After lunch you will disembark and continue on to Yichang at the pier to transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival transfer to deluxe Portman Ritz-Carlton in the heart of Shanghai. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
May 30 (Mo) - Today tour Shanghai City as you see: The Bund, the exhibits at the Shanghai Museum, Nanjing Road or Huai Hai Road shopping streets, the modern Xintiandi, and the renowned Shanghai silk factory. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Dinner will be on your own.
May 31 (Tu) - Today is free or you can take an optional full-day excursion to the ancient town of Suzhou where you will see some sophisticated Chinese garden styled homes. You will visit two of Suzhou's most famous gardens, "Lingering Garden" & "Garden of the Master Nets". After lunch at a nice local restaurant you will cruise the ancient Grand Canal as the emperors once did. Return back to Shanghai where a special farewell dinner is included at the famous Shanghai Uncle Restaurant.
Jun 1 (We) - Transfer to the airport for return flights returning to the U.S.
Or commencement of the Hong Kong extension.
Jun 1 (We) - Departure to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. Transfer to your hotel the Shangri-La Kowloon Hotel. The remainder day is free to relax or wander around Kowloon. Lunch and dinner on your own.
Jun 2 (Th) - After breakfast in the hotel your half day tour of Hong Kong Island tour passes through Stanley Market, Repulse Bay and Aberdeens floating community. Then drive up to Victoria Peak to obtain spectacular panoramic views of the city and its splendid harbor. Lunch and dinner on your own.
Jun 3 (Fr) - Today you have your final full day in China to more fully explore the wonders of Hong Kong.
Jun 4 (Sa) - Transfer to the airport for return flights back to the U.S. on the same day as you left China.
Pre-Beijing trip to Shanghai
May 14 (Sa) - Depart U.S. for United Airlines flight to Shanghai
May 15 (Su) - Arrive in Shanghai. Transfer to the five-star Portmand Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Dinner will be on your own this evening.
May 16 (Mo) - After breakfast we will visit the Shanghai Museum, the Yu Garden, Nanjing Road for shopping, and finishing our evening with a beautiful cruise on the Huangpu River. Lunch and dinner are included.
May 17 (Tu) - Free day on your own to explore and shop.
Optional Tour: Full Day Suzhou Tour - Visit the Lingering Garden, Suzhou Museum, and the Embroidery Research Institute. Enjoy a Chinese lunch. After lunch enjoy a cruise along the ancients Grand Canal, as the emperors once did. Transfer back to Shanghai. Dinner on your own.
May 18 (We) - This afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival transfer to the Renaissance Hotel where you will enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
