Land of Emperors

Days 1-2

Your group will take an overnight flight to Beijing where your Joshua Expeditions guide will meet you at the airport. You will have a chance to freshen up and enjoy dinner before an orientation and discussion time concludes the evening.

Day 3

Today your introduction to China’s capital begins with a tour to awesome Tian'anmen Square before moving over to the Forbidden City. Your group will be able to visit the Imperial Palace, where you will gain admission to the living quarters, museum and jewelry sections of the palace, and you will marvel at the extravagance of the Ming Dynasty. In the afternoon, your group will visit the pandas at the famed Beijing Zoo then visit the Summer Palace where you will enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kunming (weather permitting). Group discussion will follow dinner in the evening to wrap up this first day of sightseeing.

Day 4

This morning the group will visit the stupendous Great Wall at Badaling and walk along its ancient ramparts. Later, you will stroll along the Sacred Way, guarded by stone statues of warriors and mythical beasts, on the way to the Ming Tombs. Your group will later visit the Chang Ling Exhibition Hall, then enjoy a traditional Peking duck dinner in the evening. A time of discussion will round out the day.

Day 5

Your group will visit the Temple of Heaven this morning before transferring to the airport for a flight to Xi'an. There, you will enjoy a city tour that includes the Bell Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda, and the City Wall. The day will close with dinner and group discussion.

Day 6

Today you will experience a full day excursion to the First Qin Emperor’s Tomb and its famed legion of Terracotta warriors, as well as Circle Vision movie and Bronze Chariot and Horses. You will also enjoy a noodle making demonstration during lunch, then spend the afternoon visiting the celebrated Xi'an History Museum. In the evening the group will see a local Xi'an folk show, then close the day with dinner and discussion.

Day 7

During the morning your group will fly to Shanghai, China’s center of commerce. Once there, you will tour emporium-lined Nanjing Road or Huai Hai Road and then see the colonial era Bund. Dinner in the evening will be followed by a time of discussion.

Day 8

Today's tour will introduce you to the glories of ancient China at the Shanghai Museum and the Jade Buddha Temple. In the evening you will enjoy an acrobatic show at the Portman Theater before rounding out the day with dinner and group discussion on this final evening in China.

Day 9

Following breakfast the group will transfer to the airport for the return flight to the States. During the flight, you will cross the International Date Line to arrive home on the same day as your departure.


Your group may want to extend the trip to 12 days with an excursion to Hong Kong!
During the additional days your group will tour this unique and beautiful island, making stops at places like Stanley Market, where you can stroll through the seaside village bazaar, and the Aberdeen Fishing Village, home of “Boat People” whose lifestyle has not changed much since their earliest days. (An optional Sampan ride is available at your own expense.) En route you will be able to view the most popular beach in town – the Repulse Bay Beach. You will also visit an exquisite jewelry factory where the world’s famous jewelry-setting art is carried out, and you will complete your tour with a panoramic ride that brings you up to Victoria Peak where the harbor and the city sprawl in front of you. (Another option is a visit to Lantau Island, the largest island in Hong Kong. Extra fees will apply.) At the end of your tour, the group will transfer to the airport for the flight home.