_ 13 Days Agri-Tour - Best of Main Land China

Day 1, Arrival
Arrival into Beijing in the evening. Transfer from Airport to Hotel. Dinner.

Day 2, - Beijing
As an introduction to the imperial city of Beijing the tour offers a stroll in Tiananmen Square, the world's largest square, bordered by the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China. This will be followed with a walk to the Forbidden City, the complex of imperial palace, which was home to the Chinese Emperors for over 500 years. Sited on 72 hectares of land with 9000 rooms covering a floor space of 150,000 square meters. Grand halls and courts gradually give way to more intimate domestic quarters, giving an insight into the pampered isolation of the emperors. This afternoon will be one of the highlights of China tour, the climbing of the Great Wall. No visit to China would be complete without seeing the Great Wall. The Great Wall of China was first built in the Warring States period (475-221 BC) as a series of earthworks erected by individual kingdoms as a defense against each other as well as from invasions from the north. Its main objective was to keep out Genghis Khan and the Mongolian hordes. This proved only partially successful. The present day wall was left from the Ming dynasty and it represents one of the wonders of the world. After this excursion, Peking Duck Banquet. Overnight Beijing

Day 3, - Beijing / Xian
Today we drive to suburban district of Beijing, between 50-100km around Beijing to see a large dairy farm, a modern vegetable growing farm, orchid, piggry, arable land and Peking Duck Farm. In each farm we arrange a short time meeting with local experts and agricultural officials for discussion on interesting subjects of both sides. This afternoon, before we leave, we will visit one or two smaller private farms and families. At about 5:00pm, we fly to Xian. Overnight Xian.

Day 4, - Xian
Xian, the capital city of Shaanxi province, is one of the oldest settled regions of China, with remains of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times. It is from here that caravans started on the Silk Road to Europe, changing the Western world forever. As the Wei River, a branch of the Yellow River, cuts across the middle of the province, this fertile land became a center of Chinese civilization. The earliest evidence of human habitation dates back 6000 years to Neolithic times, when the plain was lush and green and primitive Chinese tribes established their villages. This morning we visit some important historical sights including the Ban-Po Primitive Society Museum, one of the earliest places where people cultivated farmland 6000 year ago and fossilized millet and vegetable seeds are displayed in many original pottery jars then later explore the agriculture products markets. Be preparing for some surprises: This afternoon one of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the buried army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. This 2180-year-old terracotta army of more than 800 soldiers was discovered in 1974. On the way, we visit a peasant village where we talk to some farming families about their enterprises, growing grain crops, kiwifruit and pomegranate orchard and visit their homes. See Tang Dynasty show with dinner in the evening. Overnight in Xian

Day 5, - Xian
We drive about two hours to the rural County to see corn, potato farm, cattle, piggeries, orchard farms and irrigation schemes. Technical meeting with local agricultural experts, officials, marketing people and farmers will be arranged after each visit and peasants' villages. Overnight Xian.

Day 6. Xian - Hangzhou
Depart the hotel this morning for the flight to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as one of the finest and most splendid cities in the world. On arrival, transfer to the city for a sightseeing tour including the West Lake, the best-known man-made lake in China, dotted with islands and temples. Also visit Linying temple, with its statues carved into the rock face. Overnight HANGZHOU

Day 7. Hangzhou - Suzhou
Depart this morning to visit the Mountain Villages farming community near Hangzhou. In the afternoon return to the city visit the Dragon Well, Tea farm visitor center and the Six Harmonies Pagoda , a 660 meters high octagonal pagoda named after the six codes of Buddhism. Drive to Suzhou late in the afternoon. Overnight: Suzhou

Day 8. - Suzhou
Considered to be the "Venice of the East" and one of the oldest cities, Suzhou is an attractive city with an extensive network of canals and is well known for its beautiful gardens. We take boat cruising on canal to view people's daily life for one and half-hours. A visit of the Suzhou Silk Institute and learn the ancient art of making Chinese silk products by hand. Also, we will enjoy a silk fashion show and do some shopping. Then visit the Serging Waves Garden, the oldest existing garden in the city and one of the four most famous classical gardens in China built in Song Dynasty 900 years ago. If time allows, we visit local Silkworm farms. Overnight Suzhou

Day 9, - Suzhou / Shanghai
After breakfast we visit a small dairy operation in the center of a modern Agricultural Technology Park (Agriworld). This is a research center involved in evaluating various breeds of cows and species of animals like ostrich, peacock, wild duck and chicken and plants and crops recommending to Chinese peasants. After the visit meet with local agriculture experts. After lunch, we drive for two hours to Shanghai, a city with 16 million people and an important center for trade and industry in China. Then sightseeing including Nanjing Road, one of the busiest and biggest shopping street in China will be arranged. Stroll on the Bund, Shanghai's famous waterfront. We will visit the Yu Garden, which is characteristic of the architectural style of the Ming dynasty. It is a private garden in the southeast of Shanghai, with a history of 400 years. The garden features more than 30 halls and pavilions. Outside the Yu Garden there is very interesting market with every thing that you can think of for sale at low price. If you like we can take an easy walk along the Nanjing Road after dinner. Most shops here open till 10:00 pm, or to enjoy the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show. Overnight Shanghai.

Day 10 - Shanghai/Guilin
Depart this morning for a visit to a State farm, which features orange growing, dairy farming and horticultural production. Return to Shanghai in the afternoon for the flight to Guilin. Overnight: GUILIN

Day 11 - Guilin
There is an old saying in China "the scenery in Guilin is the best under the sky". It has always been famous for its stunning limestone peaks. Because of geography, climate are different from northern part of China, in this province we can enjoy different crops, plants and animal husbandry, such as rice and water buffalo etc¡­ Today we visit a piggery in suburb, it has more then 3000 pigs and afterwards we talk with local experts about agriculture and exchange views with your clients. We visit Reed Flute Cave. Some of the most extraordinary scenery Guilin has to offer is underground. The cave is rather like a set from " Journey the Center of the Earth". One grotto the Crystal Palace of the Dragon King can comfortably hold about 1000 people. Overnight Guilin

Day 12 - Guilin/Guangzhou
This morning we take a cruise on the Li River, another of the highlights of the trip and an opportunity to enjoy different scenery, lunch on the boat. Besides beautiful scenery, you can see countless duck farms along two sides of the riverbank. In the afternoon, we arrive at Yangshuo. This is a tiny county town set amidst pinnacles, and makes a great base from which explore other villages and talk to peasants about their rice production, water buffalo and other enterprises. Then we drive back to Guilin for the flight to Guangzhou. Overnight in Guangzhou

Day 13 - Guangzhou /Hong Kong
Guangzhou is capital city of Guangdong Province and one of the main gateways to the country for centuries. It is known as one of the biggest province to supply the tropical agriculture products both to main land China and export to other foreign countries. We take one-day tour to visit one or two big vegetable farm, Then we see big agricultural products' market and Sightseeing tour including Dr Sun Yat Sen's Memorial Hall. At 4:20pm, take train (Soft seat 2 hours) to Hong Kong. Overnight Hong Kong

Day 14 - Hong Kong
Sightseeing tour of Hong Kong.
Overnight: Hong Kong

Day 15 - Hong Kong / Home
Time at leisure until return flight back home.