CHINA
On our tour of China we will visit Beijing, Xian, Cruise the Yangtze River, Chongqing, Chengdu and Hong Kong.
Beijing
Your tour in Beijing includes The Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, a Carpet Factory, a Cloisone Factory, The Heavenly Tower Area, The Hutong Area, a visit with a local family and the Ti Chee Club.
THE FORBIDDEN CITY or Gugong, a 9,000-room maze of courtyards, palaces, and ceremonial halls, where 24 emperors ("the Sons of Heaven") and two dynasties ruled the Middle Kingdom. Protected by 30-foot-high walls and a 160- foot-wide moat, the Forbidden city was indeed a forbidden place; commoners were kept out for nearly 500 years. The greatest achievement of the visionary Emperor Yongle, this architectural triumph was completed in a mere 14 years by 200,000 workers. Behind its Gate of Supreme Harmony, which is flanked by bronze lions, you'll find classic buildings with stunning interiors featuring marble floors and ceilings with grand murals. we view the exterior of the Hall of supreme Harmony, the tallest and largest of the six main palace buildings, and stroll through an open-air exhibition detailing the history and preservation of this famous structure. We will also view two other main halls, the Hall of central Harmony, or Zhonghe Dian, and Hall of Preserving Harmony, known locally as Baohe Dian. Tour the Forbidden City by clicking on THUMBNAILS and/or SLIDE SHOW

TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE: Like the old Chinese puzzles of "boxes within boxes," Beijing was originally laid out in a series of concentric circles. At 100 acres, Tian'anmen Square it is the largest public square in the world, capable of holding more than a million people. Each of the cobbles is numbered so that parade units can line up in their assigned spots. But as you explore, you may remember a more somber event: the tragic student demonstrations that took place here in 1989. Lined with official buildings, Tiananmen is presided over by the giant portrait of chairman Mao, which hangs above the Gate of Heavenly Peace and seems to stare down at the leader's own memorial Hall. Mao is entombed in the Hall in a crystal sarcophagus, his body draped in the red flag of the People's Republic that he founded in 1949. Tiananmen is always filled with people, from kite-flying children to hordes of visitors. Here you'll see legendary landmarks, including the Great Hall of the People and the towering Monument to the People's Heroes, a 125-foot granite obelisk honoring those who died in the Communist Revolution. Tour Tian'anmen Square by clicking on THUMBNAILS and /or SLIDE SHOW

THE WILD GREAT WALL, the most authentic sections of the Great Wall, which haven't been rebuilt for tourism is next on our tour. China's Great Wall easily qualifies as the world's greatest civil engineering feat. The massive ramparts were begun in separate strategic sections between 403-221 BC. During the reign of China's first Qin emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, some 300,000 men were put to work connecting the segments into one huge, snaking fortification. Archaeologists estimate that the wall once ran for 6,200 miles through an expanse that now covers 16 provinces. Today, the wall is still impressive at 3,750 miles in length, stretching from the Bohai sea to the Gobi Desert. Contrary to common belief, the Great wall was more than just a barrier. Indeed, it served as an elevated highway linking the defensive forces along China's rugged northern frontier. The roadway atop the wall provided a means of rapid communication and deployment of troops, arms, and food. Tour the wild section of the Great Wall by clicking on THUMBNAILS and/or SLIDE SHOW
THE BEIJING CARPET FACTORY produces carpets of all sizes, all shapes and many differnt materials. The silk carpets are magnificent pieces and are very expensive. Tour the carpet factory by clicking on THUMBNAILS and/or SLIDE SHOW  

THE BEIJING CLOISONE FACTORY produces beautiful enamel artwork that predates the Ming Dynasty and is known for its colorful glazes and patterns. The first stage of its creation begins by making rough casts of vases, dishes, jars, and boxes with red copper. Then, intricate flower patterns are fashioned with copper wire, and welded onto the roughcasts. The resulting designs are inlaid with enamel and glazes, then placed in a special oven to cure. The nearly finished pieces are then polished several times to bring out their characteristic brightness and luster. Tour the Cloisone Factory by clicking on THUMBNAILS and/or SLIDE SHOW

THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN was built in 1420 during a time when many other important structures were constructed in Beijing. Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties visited the Temple of Heaven to worship heaven and pray for an abundant harvest. This temple was for imperial use only, however, it is a public park today. The park spans 1,700 meters from east to west, 1,600 meters from north to south, and covers about 273 hectares. It is one of the largest parks in Beijing. All day long, you can see a lot of local folks in the park doing exercises, singing, dancing or something like that. Tour the Temple of Heaven by clicking on THUMBNAILS and/or SLIDE SHOW

THE BEIJING'S HUTONG AREA is where you can get a glimpse of the old Chinese residential neighborhoods consisting of acres of low, flat-roofed buildings crisscrossed by narrow lanes. You find everyday life proceeding unconcerned with the great events of nations. Children playing ... the sounds and smells of food being prepared ... merchants setting up shop-all will help you appreciate China's humanity, which is all too often overshadowed by the grandiose monuments that dominate the experiences of most tourists. There is no better way to experience Chinese hospitality and courtesy toward guests, ancient cornerstones of the culture. Tour the Hutong Area by clicking on THUMBNAILS and/or SLIDE SHOW
LUNCH AT THE HOME OF A LOCAL CHINESE FAMILY. Join us at lunch with the family by clicking on THUMBNAILS and /or SLIDE SHOW
THE TI CHEE CLUB is a Kung Fu school for young chinese boys and girls. You can see part of the program that was presented to us by clicking on THUMBNAILS and/or SLIDE SHOW
The tour of Beijing is completed. We will now travel by train to Xian, China. To continue the tour click on

XIAN,CHINA
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