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Hong Kong – The
Regent (2 nights), Condé Nast Traveler Gold List ’99
Exceptional service, meticulous attention to
detail and superb facilities are the perfect
complement to a supremely convenient location poised at the
edge of magnificient Victoria Harbor. It is recognized as one of
the world’s best hotels
Guilin – Sheraton Guilin Hotel (2)
Nestled on the banks of the Li River amid lush, tree-lined avenues, the
Sheraton Guilin Hotel offers high standards of service, fine cuisine, and
excellent facilities to travelers visiting this fascinating city. It is
just moments away from the lively and colorful evening market.
Shanghai – Garden Hotel Shanghai (3),
Leading Hotels of the World ’05
The 33-story hotel combines its contemporary design with the elegance
of the historical 1926 "French Club", and incorporates a
seven-acre tranquil private garden. Personalized service make the hotel
the address of choice for discerning travelers.
Yangtze River cruise – ‘M/S East King’ (3)
Enjoy an exterior cabin (180 sq.ft.) with all the amenities one can
expect from a state-of-the-art ship.
Xi’an – Hyatt Regency Xi’an (2)
A remarkable setting within Xian’s ancient city walls, close to the
business and shopping districts, and convenient to popular landmarks.
Beijing – The Palace (4),
Condé Nast Traveler Gold List ’05
Within easy walking distance of the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen
Square, and the Museum of Chinese History, this hotel is in the very
center of Beijing, between the main shopping districts of Wangfujing and
Dongdan. There is a wonderful selection of dining options including
Cantonese, Italian, Bavarian, and International cuisine.
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Day
1 USA – Hong
Kong
Depart the USA on your flight bound for
Hong Kong.
Day 2 Hong Kong
Flying westward across the international
dateline, you arrive in Hong Kong in the early evening; upon arrival at
the city’s new airport, you travel by private car to your hotel, the
Regent, overlooking Victoria Harbor.
It is located in the city’s best location
– directly on the waterfront promenade, where the world watched The
Britannia depart that 1997 evening with the last English governor and
Prince Charles aboard. The lights of the city are visible through the
three-story glass wall in the polished rose granite lobby decorated with
priceless Asian art.
Unwind from your long flight by relaxing in
the mezzanine lounge, with its dramatic view, or in the privacy of your
own room, which has a similar view of the city lights. Your sleeping
accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows, Japanese wallpaper, Tai
Ping carpets, Thai silk spreads and cushions, and marble baths with large
sunken tubs.
Day 3 Hong Kong
 This
glamorous city is a fascinating mixture of peoples and styles. Although it
is certainly one of the world’s most modern cities, it still has
neighborhoods that have maintained old ways. After breakfast, you set out
to explore the various districts. Crossing the harbor on the Star Ferry to
the northern tip of Hong Kong Island, you take a Peak Tram ride up to
Victoria Peak for a breathtaking view of the Harbor and the South China
Sea.
Then, you drive to Stanley, one of Hong
Kong’s oldest settlements. Along the traffic-free lanes of Stanley
market, cottages and shops have been converted into well-stocked boutiques
selling a wide range of clothing, porcelain, rattan ware and other crafts.
After lunch, along the beach at Repulse Bay (named after a British ship),
you continue on to the ancient fishing port of Aberdeen. Here, brightly
decorated trawlers double as floating homes for local families.
This evening, join your travel companions
for dinner at Lai Ching Heen, featuring the best
Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong, and a favorite restaurant of master chef
Alain Ducasse. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Hong Kong –
Guilin
This morning is yours to relax or shop.
Tsimshatsui remains the most popular shopping district, the stores here
cover the full spectrum of quality and value. The complex at Ocean
Terminal also offers a huge selection of retailers.
In the afternoon, you fly to Guilin; the
name means "cassia tree forest" named for the local trees of the
same name. From the air, you can see the agricultural plains (rice is the
main crop) adjacent to hills and periodic clumps of bamboo. Guilin itself
is a relatively new city; the entire city was razed by the Japanese army
in World War II. But it is the intriguing scenery that draws people here
– Chinese citizens have recently declared Guilin second among China’s
ten most scenic spots. The stunning scenery here is the result of
geological disruptions several hundred million years ago. Limestone forms
were pushed up through an ancient sea bed; rain and wind eroded the hills
to create shapes that make a surreal landscape.
You check into the Sheraton Guilin Hotel,
facing the Li River near the town’s center. Relax by the pool or in the
garden courtyard before dinner. Your à la carte dinner selections are
made at the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, offering fine food and live
traditional music. (B,L,D)
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