AAA Hoosier - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

There is no better way to experience Asian cuisine than in its native setting, and there is no better inspiration than Master Chef Martin Yan to guide you through your culinary and cultural journey. Along with his team of experts, Yan, an award-winning author of more than 30 cookbooks and the host of the acclaimed PBS series, Yan Can Cook, brings the ultimate Chinese culinary experience to both gourmet enthusiasts and adventurous travelers alike.

Pair intimate culinary experiences with grand cultural landmarks on this exciting tour that includes five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Chef Yan and his team at Yan Can Cook have pre-selected the restaurants and organized the meals, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the sights as you savor one delicious meal after another.

Asian dishIn Beijing, tuck into Peking duck and take in the imperial landmarks of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the Great Wall. See the famous Terra Cotta Army in Xian then watch a cooking demonstration of over 60 varieties of dumplings at an unforgettable banquet. In Shanghai, take a scenic ride to Wuzhen, charming city of canals and gardens. And in Hong Kong, feast on a seafood dinner at a fishing village followed by a cruise of the harbor.

Like all AAA Sojourns tours, you’ll enjoy hands-on experiences such as a noodle-making class in Beijing. Get behind-the-scenes access to cooking demonstrations in restaurant kitchens. And revel in the many regional sights and tastes of this ancient culture as you sample meals both traditional and gourmet.

Price includes:
• Round-trip airfare from San Francisco
• Internal flights from Beijing to Xian, Xian to Shanghai, and Hangzhou to Hong Kong
• 12 nights hotel accommodations: 4 nights Beijing and 2 nights each in Xian, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong
• Daily breakfast, 11 lunches and 11 dinners
• Round-trip transfers and porterage (1 suitcase per person)
• Visits to: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs in Beijing; Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian; Shanghai Museum and Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai; West Lake and Longjing Tea Farm in Hangzhou; Victoria Peak, Stanley Market and Lantau Island in Hong Kong

Day 1 - Depart for Beijing
Embark on your journey with a direct flight from San Francisco to Beijing.

Day 2 - Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing in the evening where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. A Beijing style hot pot dinner is included.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott - 4 nights

Day 3 - Beijing Sightseeing
Begin the day with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Take a leisurely boat ride on Lake Kunming followed by time for shopping along Liulifang antiques street. Lunch includes a noodle making class or demonstration. Attend a welcome banquet featuring Peking duck along with a master chef demonstration.

Day 4 - Great Wall
Visit the Great Wall of China and the sacred Ming Tombs. Walk through the Olympic venues. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the Great Wall, and a spectacular Imperial banquet this evening.

Day 5 - Beijing
This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven and a traditional arts and crafts center at Baigong Fang Workshop. Stroll through the Hutong district, the old Beijing neighborhood, and visit the Drum and Bell Towers. Enjoy lunch at a local family’s home, and for dinner experience a Mongolian style dinner and performance.

Day 6 - Beijing / Xian
Fly to Xian this morning and discover the ancient city wall and museum. Lunch features a cooking demonstration of over 60 varieties of dumplings followed by a dumpling banquet. Finish the day at the Muslim Quarters inside the ancient walls of Xian. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: New World Hotel - 2 nights

Day 7 - Xian
In the morning visit the Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors. Later visit a farmer's printing village and store. This evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner and performance. The Tang Dynasty Song and Dance troupe performs Chang’an music and dances that originated more than a thousand years ago.

Day 8 - Xian / Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai and visit the old Shanghai shopping district followed by a tour of Yu Garden. Experience local Shanghai dumplings and traditional Shanghainese cuisine. Visit the Xintiade district where the contrast of old and modern Shanghai meet.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel - 2 nights

Day 9 - Shanghai
View China's extensive art collection at the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai White Jade Buddha Temple. Visit Nanjing Road and the old Shanghai district. Enjoy an evening performance of acrobats and dinner at the Bundside restaurant.

Day 10 - Shanghai / Wuzhen / Hangzhou
From Shanghai take a scenic ride to Wuzhen, charming city of canals filled and gardens. Visit the Wuzhen old town waterway, a wine factory and a bean paste factory. Continue to Hangzhou.
Accommodation: Ramada Plaza Hotel Haihua - 2 nights

Day 11 - Hangzhou
Visit West Lake and have lunch onboard a floating restaurant where you’ll sample the famous West Lake Vinegar Fish and Longjing Tea Shrimp. Tour the Longjing Tea Farm which produces green tea and enjoy the view at the foot of Shi Feng Mountain.

Day 12 - Hangzhou / Hong Kong
Morning flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong. Arrive in Hong Kong around noon. This evening feast on a seafood dinner at a fishing village followed by harbor cruise and a tram ride to Victoria Peak for panoramic views of Victoria Harbor.
Accommodation: Royal Garden Hotel - 2 nights

Day 13 - Hong Kong
Take a stroll along the wholesale fish market, shop at Stanley Market, and take a sampan boat ride around Aberdeen harbor. Tour Lantau Island and see the Guangyi Buddha statue and enjoy a vegetarian lunch at Po Lin Monastery. Free time for shopping and dinner on your own.

Day 14 - Depart Hong Kong
The morning is free to do last minute shopping, or to relax before departing for San Francisco in the afternoon.