The origin and history of the Jews in China is a fascinating story. Archaeological evidence suggests that a Jewish presence in China was evident as early as the 7th or 8th century. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, Jewish immigrants from Bombay, Baghdad, Russia and Europe made their way to this historic land once again dispersing, settling and establishing communities that once flourished. Travelers can expect to experience some of the major sites in China, with a focus on Jewish history and culture along the way.
Transfers to and from the airport
Ground transportation on private air conditioned motor coach
Local flights – economy class service between Beijing/Xi’an; Xi’an/Guilin and Guilin/Shanghai.
English speaking tour guide
Hotel Accommodation
Meals as specified (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)
Entrance fees to points of interest specified
Local special features – Beijing – Chinese Acrobatic Show; Kung Fu Show; Peking Duck Dinner; Xi’an – Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Banquet; Shanghai – Jewish tour and Night Cruise on the Huangpu River. Tax and standard service charges
Airfare, Gratuities, Taxes and Insurance
Government taxes/Great wall of China certificate
Chinese Visa – Single entry Chinese Visa fees for Canadian Passport Holders is currently at $50.00 CDN per person plus a handling fee of $20.00 CDN per person. US Passport holders currently assessed at $140.00 CDN per person plus handling fee of $20.00 CDN per person. The visa is valid for 3 months for a 30 day stay.
Sample itinerary
Beijing , Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai
Day 1 ARRIVAL BEIJING D
Upon arrival in Beijing you will be met by your English speaking guide who will assist with the transfer to your hotel. An orientation tour (no interior visits) en route from the airport will provide you with an overview of the city. Check-in to your hotel. Enjoy some free time before dinner.
Day 2 BEIJING B/L/D
Leave Beijing for scenic drive through the countryside arriving at the 7 km long Sacred Way, the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Ming Tombs, and a stop at the Ding Ling Underground Palace. Time permitting we will visit a local village to take part in a discussion on the principles of Feng Shui. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Juyongguan section of the famous Great Wall of China. After dinner participants are invited to attend an incredible Chinese Acrobatic show.
Day 3 BEIJING B/L/D
Head out to the Olympic Village for a chance to see the National Aquatics Centre, the first building of its kind in China and the venue of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The Beijing Zoo is next. Enjoy lunch at the exquisite Imperial Summer Palace, a monument to classical Chinese architecture. Next we stop at a local pharmacy or traditional herbal medicinal clinic for a lecture on traditional Chinese medicine. After dinner, sit back and enjoy an exciting Kung Fu Show featuring many of China’s best Kung Fu practitioners, directors and designers.
Day 4 BEIJING B/L/D
Visit a traditional Chinese tea house to learn about the Chinese tradition of tea. Next is Scenery Hill (also known as Coal Hill). Walk through the beautiful park and climb to the top to view the rooftops of the Forbidden City. After lunch head to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world separating Tiananmen Gate from the Forbidden City. After the tour we return to the hotel to prepare for Kabbalat Shabbat with Kehillat Beijing or Chabad of Beijing, followed by dinner.
Day 5 BEIJING (SHABBAT) B/L/D
Depart for the Pearl Market (Hongqiao Market) located at Tiantan Donglu opposite Tiantan Park, and then view a masterpiece of Ming architecture, The Temple of Heaven. After lunch see one of China’s most breathtaking temples, the Tibetan Lama Temple, also known as Yonghe Gong. Later, enjoy a Pedi cab ride that will give you a chance to rest your feet after your sightseeing tour. Tonight enjoy a Peking duck dinner–a visit to Beijing would not be complete without trying this tasty dish.
Day 6 BEIJING/XI’AN B/D
Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to the eternal city of Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi Province and one of the ancient capitals of China. Visits include the ancient Muslim District and The Great Mosque of Xi’an located near the Drum Tower. After the tour, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty Show and Traditional Dumpling (Won Ton) Banquet.
Day 7 XI’AN B/L/D
Begin touring with a visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors, the most significant archaeological excavation of the 20th century and considered the 8thWonder of the World. After a Buddhist vegetarian lunch we head to a local village carved right into the caves to see the homes of people who have lived there for centuries. Time permitting we can stop at a local herb market. In the evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8 XI’AN/GUILIN B/L/D
Head to the Ming Dynasty City and the Large Wild Goose Pagoda. Following lunch transfer to the airport for a 3 hour flight to Guilin whose mystical landscape has been the inspiration for artists and philosophers. Transfer to hotel for check-in and some free time before dinner.
Day 9 GUILIN B/D
Tour the highlights of the city beginning at Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbishan) located on the western bank of the Li River. Continue to the Panda House at the Seven Star Park. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 10 GUILIN B/D
We head to Yangshuo and the Yulong River to board a bamboo raft and experience the picturesque valley. Afterwards stop in Moon Village just south of Yangshuo to view the spectacular geological formations, with time later to explore and shop before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 11 GUILIN/SHANGHAI B/D
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Shanghai located on the Yangtze River Delta in Eastern China. On arrival we transfer from the airport to begin a tour of the Old City. See the Yu Mandarin Garden located beside the City God Temple. Transfer to the hotel in the afternoon to prepare for Shabbat. Afterwards we go to the Jewish Center of Shanghai to attend Kabbalat Shabbat followed by dinner with Shanghai’s Chabad Jewish community.
Day 12 SHANGHAI (SHABBAT) B
We begin the day with a visit to the Hongkou Ghetto where 20,000 Jewish refugees were re-located after fleeing German occupied Europe. See the Ohel-Moishe Synagogue built by the Russian Ashkenazi Jewish Community in 1927. Continue through the French Concession where many of Shanghai’s Jewish estates were once located. Visit the Arts and Crafts Institute. Next is the Sir Elie Kadoorie Mansion, home of one of Shanghai’s most famous Sephardi Jewish families. In the evening enjoy a cruise on the Huangpu River.
Day 13 SHANGHAI B/L/D
We start with a walk along the Nanjing Pedestrian Walk. Next are the Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Museum, an outstanding museum of Chinese art and artifacts located on People’s Square, and the Shanghai Xintiandi, an affluent car-free shopping district. After lunch we head to the Buddhist Jade Buddha Temple. Following dinner we walk along the spectacular waterfront area known as The Bund.
Day 14 SHANGHAI B/L/D
We take the underground Huangpu River Tourist Tunnel to Shanghai’s newest financial district known as Pudong, with a stop at the Oriental Pearl Tower Park to observe the tallest building in the world. After lunch continue to the newly opened Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 15 SHANGHAI AIRPORT B
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Tours are based on a minimum of 20 participants and are guaranteed outside 14 days of departure. Bookings made within 14 days of departure are on a request basis.
We can also custom-design tours of any size according to your individual requests.
Meals as specified (B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)