Kosherica Cruies | The Glatt Kosher Cruise and Tour Leader

CHINA: SHANGHAI & BEIJING: IMPERIAL PAST & FUTURISTIC PRESENT

With a combined population of over 33 million people, the two largest cities in China are quintessential cultural paradigms of the contrasts between past, present and future. The cosmopolitan culture of Shanghai is palpable in its soaring skyscrapers and lofty towers, and the American, British, French and Jewish influences of its past. Beijing, however, is classically Chinese. China

The appealing ancient architecture of its imperial palaces, shrines and temples stands in contrast to the ultramodern designs of public housing projects and the brand new Olympic village. An exhilarating tug-of-war to maintain tradition while hastening progress.

Itinerary

Day 1, Monday Home - Shanghai

We’ll depart from home for the flight to Shanghai.

Day 2, Tuesday Shanghai

This afternoon we land in Shanghai and witness the "Future Shock:" Soaring skyscrapers, elevated highways, bridges and a level of sophistication seen in very few countries. We will take a panoramic view over the river Hongpu and after dinner drive to our hotel.

Day 3, Wednesday Suzhou

In the morning we will depart to the garden city of Suzhou. We'll be amazed by the canals in this "Venice" of China. Suzhou China We'll visit a silk factory, where we'll view the silk production process: from the silkworm to a fashion show. We'll marvel at one of the local palaces, its architecture and beautiful gardens. In the evening we'll be delighted to invite you to a show about Chinese culture which takes place in a most beautiful palace and garden.

Day 4, Thursday Shanghai

After breakfast we will return to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we'll tour the Jewish Quarter - a fascinating and unique story in itself. We'll continue to the Yu-Yuan neighborhood, Shanghai's "Chinatown" with its bustling shopping center and beautiful gardens. After that we'll make our way to the Shanghai City Planning Museum, where we'll see how this amazing ultramodern city will look in the year 2020. In the evenings we recommend a cruise on the river from where the beauty of Shanghai by Night can be experienced from an entirely different and amazing vantage point, as well as one of China's amazing acrobatic shows.

Day 5, Friday Shanghai - Beijing

This morning we'll fly to Beijing. Upon arrival we'll make our way to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Shabbat services and dinner.

Day 6, Shabbat Beijing

Our hotel is located in the city center, so after Shabbat services and lunch we'll set out for a walking tour. We'll visit Tiananmen Square, the largest and most famous of its kind in the world. This is the central square of Beijing, China's capital. Tiananmen means "Peaceful Heavenly Gate" which is the name of the gate that separates the square from the Forbidden City to its north. The square was built in 1417. At its center stands the Mausoleum of Mao, where his body lies embalmed. Tiananmen Square became renowned for the violent student demonstrations which took place there in 1989. In the evening we'll tour Beijing's night food market.

Day 7, Sunday Beijing: The Forbidden City and Jingshan Park

Today Beijing we'll visit the very heart of Beijing - the Forbidden City. Built in the 16th century, as the palace of China's Ming Dynasty Emperors, it's an impressive example of traditional Chinese architecture. We'll traverse the entire length of the Forbidden City, as we view the many splendid palaces and vast courtyards. Used as the set for the film "The Last Emperor", it was indeed forbidden to the Chinese masses until the onset of the revolution at the beginning of the 20th century. We'll also visit one of the city's parks from where we'll be able to see the Forbidden City from a completely different vantage. In the evening we recommend seeing the spectacular Chinese Acrobatic Show.

Day 8, Monday Beijing: The Great Wall

The Art of Cloisonné and Chinese The Great Wall of China Calligraphy is one of the specialties of this region, and we'll watch how it's made at a factory on our way from Beijing. We'll continue from there to the Great Wall, located some two hours drive northwest of Beijing. This is the most identified site in all of China and tops the list of the man-made wonders of the world. Urban legend holds that it's visible from space.

Day 9, Tuesday Beijing: the Summer Palace & the Hutongs

This morning we'll Beijing Summer Palace set out to tour the Summer Palace. We'll view the palaces, gardens and lake where the emperors of China would relax and retreat, among them the Empress Dowager Cixi and her family. Today it's one of the favorite relaxation spots for tourists and local residents, where they can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The gardens are spectacular and the lake is quite breathtaking. Along the lakeshore runs the world's longest passage, built completely of wood and decorated with the most exquisite Chinese art, it runs for over a kilometer. We'll sail on the lake, from where we'll be able to view the Empress' famous Marble Boat. From the Summer Palace we'll continue to tour Beijing's old Hutong neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are slowly being destroyed by the Beijing Municipality as they make way for new, attractive public housing projects. It's worthwhile to see them now as they will soon have disappeared from Bejing's urban scene. In the evening we recommend taking in the astonishing Kung Fu Show.

Day 10, Wednesday Beijing: the Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is the largest spiritual Daoist building in all of China. Here the emperors would communicate with Heaven, Beijing Temple of Heaven pleading for beneficence from the gods, successful crops, forgiveness for the people, and mainly to ensconce the mandate given to the Emperor by the gods. Design of the temple is based up Feng Shui. In the morning we'll join some of the city's elders as they do their Tai Chi in the park. We'll watch (and join with) people who only walk backwards, tree huggers, ballroom dancers, fan and sword exercises and card players. We might even join a Chinese choir! The park was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. It's the most impressive place in all of Beijing. We'll also visit a pearl factory and watch the manufacturing process from the removal from the clam till its final appearance in a piece of jewelry or in cosmetic creams. Of course, we'll leave time for shopping - China has become an attractive and interesting world leader in this field as well. After completing our shopping, in the evening we'll make our way to Beijing International Airport for our flight, via an intermediate stop, back home to Israel.

Day 11, Thursday Beijing - Home

Today we land at home sweet home and look forward to a Shabbat Shalom. We’ve had an unforgettable experience, seen a beautiful and fascinating part of the world, and developed an appetite for more.

Price Includes

International Flights as per the tour plan
Internal flights as per the tour plan
First class hotels
Airport and security taxes
Comfortable touring coach for travelling
Breakfast + Dinner + supplies for making sandwiches for lunch
Professional experienced Israeli guide
Local Guide as required
Entrance to all sites mentioned in the tour plan

Price Excludes

Travel and baggage Insurance
Shows that are not included in the tour plan (approximately $25 per show including transportation)
Chinese Visa: $50
Tips for local service providers: $90
Changes in air fares due to increases in fuel airport tax and security tax surcharges
Tip for Israeli guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day) Shows/Services for payment in the China tours:
Shanghai - River Cruise & Acrobatic Show
Beijing - Kung Fu Show & Acrobatic Show

Important To Know
There may be changes to the schedule and hotel reservations dependent upon international and domestic flights. We will make every effort to visit every place mentioned in the itinerary. In any event of fault relating to flights, cruises, sailings or other mode of transportation, the responsibility lies with the service provider alone.

Insurance
Day of departure and arrival are included in the total days of the tour. Insurance is required for 12 days. We urge all passengers to purchase travel and cancellation insurance immediately upon registration for the tour. This ensures a refund of expenses in case of cancellation due to illness or bereavement.

Date And Prices

Tour code	Start date	End Date	Days	Price	Single supplement	Comments
ECBS0308	08/03/2009	08/13/2009	11	2150 $	560 $
ECBS0911	11/09/2009	11/19/2009	11	TBA	TBA	TBA

Terms

More than 30 working days prior to departure: $47 per passenger registration fee only
14-30 working days prior to departure: $500 + $47 per passenger
7-13 working days prior to departure: $1000 + $47 per passenger
0-6 working days prior to departure: Passenger will be liable for full payment of all expenses connected to the tour (including visas, etc.)
Fridays, Shabbat and Holidays (including Chol Hamoed in Israel), and Sundays and Public Holidays abroad are not considered working days. If flight tickets have already been issued and/or any other services have already been purchased (visas, etc.) their costs will be added to the cancellation penalties mentioned above.
We are obliged to purchase domestic flights ahead of time. These tickets are not refundable and therefore their cost will be added to all cancellation penalties.
Prices are subject to currency fluctuations, flight tariffs and cost of land services.