Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter China.

From futuristic cities to old world customs and architectural wonders, this tour through the three great cities of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai will introduce you to a culture that is as intricate and layered as it is vibrant and modern. As you walk along one of the Ancient Wonders of the World one day and past a towering skyscraper the next, you will truly experience all the wonders China has to offer—all at a fantastic value. 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to China

Board your overnight flight to China.

Day 2 - Beijing

Welcome to Beijing! A Go Ahead representative greets you after you clear customs and accompanies you to your hotel.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight)

Day 3 - Beijing

Begin your China adventure with a guided sightseeing tour of Beijing, which includes a stop at Tian’anmen Square, the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City. This afternoon, participate in a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony. Meet your fellow travelers at this evening’s Welcome Dinner. After dinner, opt to see our kung fu show, the Legend of Kung Fu.  
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: Tian’amen Square, The Summer Palace, The Forbidden City

$45 CAD

Kung Fu Show This exciting theatrical performance, The Legend of Kung Fu, tells a story of a young boy who dreams of becoming a kung fu master one day.  The show’s performers, a collection of some of the country’s best kung fu artists, put on a spectacular display that will leave you mesmerized.

Day 4 - Beijing

Continue your guided sightseeing tour of Beijing, with a stop at a Jade factory to see how Chinese artisans transform raw jade into gorgeous green harbingers of luck and prosperity. Next, climb the steps of the Great Wall of China, one of the ancient Wonders of the World, with time to explore the Wall on your own. Tonight, you might enjoy indulging in one of China’s culinary delights during an optional Peking Duck Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Jade factory, The Great Wall

$59 CAD

Peking Duck Dinner While in Beijing, originally called Peking, trying the city’s signature dish is a must. Savor every bite as you dine on duck and side dishes and enjoy an authentic Chinese experience you’ll never forget.

Day 5 - Xi'an

Today, continue your discovery of Beijing during a tour of the Taiji Training Course at the Temple of Heaven, a Taoist temple. Enjoy lunch with your group before boarding your flight to Xi’an. After checking in to your hotel, join your group for an included dinner of local delicacies.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner  
Included entrances: Temple of Heaven

Day 6 - Xi'an

On today’s guided tour of Xi’an, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, an underground battle formation of 8,099 life-sized pottery warriors buried with Emperor Quin shi Huang. Next, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum, the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and the Temple of Great Goodwill. After an included lunch, try your hand at the ancient Chinese art of calligraphy during this afternoon’s lesson. This evening, opt to enjoy a Tang Dynasty Show and dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum, the Great Wild Goose Pagoda

$75 CAD

Tang Dynasty Evening After a Chinese dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy a colorful performance of the famous Tang Dynasty’s period of rule over Xi’an portrayed through traditional Chinese dances, music and costumes. Regarded as the best Tang Dynasty performance in Xi’an, this event is sure to please.

Day 7 - Shanghai

Continue to explore Xi'an this morning, visiting the city wall and the Islamic quarter. After lunch with your group, board a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, check in and settle into your hotel. Tonight, enjoy an optional dinner followed by a Chinese acrobat show.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch

$55 CAD

Dinner & Acrobatic Show Enjoy a combination of delicious food and talented performers like you’ve never experienced before. After dinner, thrill your senses with a show that can only be likened to the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil in terms of its amazing music, creative stage props and incredible acrobatics among other impressive acts and stunts.

Day 8 - Shanghai

Shanghai’s unique history comes alive on today’s tour. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s waterfront promenade, and Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden. Visit an active Buddhist temple, home to 70 monks. Take an optional cruise along the Huangpu River this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple 

$45 CAD

Huangpu River cruise Take a cruise down the Huangpu River this evening and take in Shanghai past and future. Between the stately colonial buildings along the Bund, the glittering skyscrapers lining the eastern shore of Pudong and the unceasing river traffic, there is plenty to delight you.

Day 9 - Shanghai

Enjoy a free day in Shanghai or opt for an excursion to Suzhou, where you will see the Lingering Gardens, the Grand Canal, Tiger Hill, a silk factory and enjoy lunch with the group. Tonight, join your group for a farewell dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

$85 CAD

Suzhou Leave the bustle of Shanghai behind as you head to Suzhou, a city located on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Lake Taihu.

Day 10 - Fly to United States

Continue to explore China on our 3-night Hong Kong extension, or board your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast (In the case if early morning departures, breakfast may not be included.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 CAD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 CAD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 CAD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 CAD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

Passport Information:
In order to enter China, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. Your passport must also have at least two blank pages remaining.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Chinese Consulate (or Hong Kong Consulate for extension) for your specific entry requirements.

Visa Information:
A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter China. You must obtain an individual visa prior to departure. Our recommended provider, Zierer Visa Service, can be reached either by calling 1-866-788-1100 or visiting www.zvs.com/tourkits. (If you get to a page requiring a log in, please use code 73041 to access Go Ahead's visa kits).

If you opt to apply for your visa directly with the Chinese consulate and require additional assistance and/or documentation from Go Ahead Tours, a special arrangements fee of $95 per person may be charged.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the relevant embassies as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There is some risk of the following diseases in China, mostly concentrated in rural areas: dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever. Travelers should make sure to wear protective clothing and insect repellent when outside, particularly in forested or rural areas. Sun protection is also highly advisable. No vaccinations are required for entry. However, it’s advisable to check with your health-care provider at least eight weeks prior to departure for recommendations and updates on requirements.

For updated information on travel in this area, call the Centers for Disease Control and Protection at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or visit its website at www.cdc.gov/travel and view the sections on East Asia.

Important Health Tips
In order for you to stay healthy throughout your tour, we recommend the following:

• Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
• Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Beijing and depart from Shanghai. Internal flights from Beijing to Xi’an and Xi’an to Shanghai are also included. All other included transportation is by private motorcoach or river boat.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Please note that, depending upon the season, China’s climate can change drastically as you change destinations. Due to the varying climates, we advise you pack in layers. Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring sights is essential for your tour. A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is also recommended for shore excursions and exploring cities. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and rainwear are advised.

Also, remember it is preferable not to visit religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

Chinese money is called Renminbi (RMB), which means “People’s Currency.” The popular unit of RMB is yuan. Better rates of exchange are available in China, because exchange rates are fixed throughout China. In Hong Kong, the currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$).

We advise you take a combination of bank/ATM cards and credit cards, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/ CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.