Wings Over China Spring

Arrive in Beijing, modern China’s dynamic capital city, where you are met and transferred to your luxurious hotel.

Following a morning briefing, participate in a tai chi class taught by a master instructor at the Temple of Heaven, the single most beautiful example of classical Ming Period architecture. After a stop for lunch at a local restaurant, take in the sweep of history in Tiananmen Square, the vast government plaza that has witnessed epic moments of confrontation and courage, and explore the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City, treated to special access to a hall, Chong Hua Gong, usually closed to the public. This evening, gather for cocktails and a welcome dinner at a culinary hot spot in Beijing.

Begin this morning with a visit to the Great Wall of China. Climb or ride a cable car to the top of the wellpreserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, and enjoy the vistas of the surrounding mountains. After experiencing this largest of the New Seven Wonders of the World, return to the city. Then, ride by pedicab through a hutong, a neighborhood of small winding alleyways. Finish with a calligraphy lesson, taking time to appreciate the meditative qualities of this ancient art.

Fly by private charter to ancient Xian, where you begin your visit with lunch at a local restaurant. Then, see the Muslim Quarter with its teeming markets and 14th-century Great Mosque; a blend of classic Chinese temple architecture and central Asian embellishments make it one of the most fascinating sites in Xian. Finish your day with a dumpling-making demonstration followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Today, accompanied by an on-site archaeologist, visit the excavation site of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, the life-size army created to protect China’s first emperor in his afterlife. Thousands of soldiers stand at attention, each bearing a unique face, testifying to the remarkable craftsmanship that went into their creation. Later, visit Xian’s well-preserved City Wall.

After a visit to the Yangling Museum, followed by lunch, board your privately chartered aircraft for a flight to Shanghai, where you settle into your luxurious hotel. Later, set off on a guided walking tour of the Bund, the famous waterfront area where magnificent views of the skyline await. Enjoy dinner at a favored local restaurant.

Visit the 16th-century Yu Garden, with its picturesque pavilions and streams, and stroll in Old Town. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the French Concession Area, popular for its cafés, tree-lined avenues and Tudor houses. Tonight, attend a performance by acrobats, experiencing thrilling feats of strength and extraordinary athleticism from your VIP seats.

Explore the bronze, jade and ceramic collections of the world-renowned Shanghai Museum alongside a museum curator. Then, head to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center to learn about the unique engineering elements of this modern metropolis. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure, free to discover this fascinating city. Tonight, gather for dinner at a superb local restaurant.

Board your private charter flight to Guilin, then travel into the stunning countryside dotted by karst topography as you journey to your resort. This evening, share a Scenic Sundowner with your Resident Tour Director before dinner at your hotel.

Begin the day by boarding a bamboo raft for a cruise along the Li River. Observe the quiet, rural life along the river with towering limestone pinnacles providing a dramatic backdrop. Watch as the locals ply the river, transiting between homes, markets and picturesque rice paddies. Next, stroll Yangshuo’s West Street, with its blend of medieval and modern architecture, and enjoy lunch at your hotel. Later, fly by private charter to Hong Kong, China’s glittering gateway of international trade and finance.

Depart for Sheung Wan, one of the earliest British settlements. Stroll through an herbal medicine market, and stop at Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road for an informative look at a typical Chinese temple. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city, Victoria Harbour and Lamma Island from atop Victoria Peak. Continue to Aberdeen for a leisurely sampan (wooden boat) ride through the floating villages of the Tanka community, observing the ebb and flow of everyday life. Savor dim sum for lunch. Tonight, gather with fellow guests for a cocktail and farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.