My big fat China trip

I`m getting so excited about the upcoming China trip! I thought I would post my itinerary just because... I`M SO EXCITED! I`m going to miss Aidan and Nathan so much though. I left Aidan home for an entire day with Nathan while my parents and I went to Vancouver to pick up our Chinese entry visa and finalize our travel plans with the travel company. I found myself constantly texting Nathan to find out the time Aidan got up in the morning, when he went down for his nap, what he had for lunch and etc. And that was just for ONE day. I don`t know what I`m going to do for 2 whole weeks. I will have my laptop with me and plan on having daily web chats with Aidan and Nathan while I`m away so I hope it won`t be as bad. Not to mention on a 12 hour flight, I`ll go crazy without my laptop. I plan to load it up with movies, games and music for the trip.

Photograph by Gavin Hellier/Getty Images

Day 1 HOME CITY - SHANGHAI
Board your transpacific flight with China Eastern Airline from Vancouver to Shanghai (non-stop flight).

Day 2 SHANGHAI
Arrive at Shanghai, the financial centre of Modern China. Meet with your local guide, and transfer to your hotel.

Day 3 SHANGHAI - The Bund, Yu Garden, Town God's Temple, Nanking Road
After breakfast, visit the Bund, Yu Garden and the Town God's Temple. Take a walk on Nanking Road the Pedestrian Only street in the evening.

Day 4 SHANGHAI - Beijing - Shanghai Museum, World Financial Centre
Visit the Shanghai Museum , Pudong New Area and Orient Pearl TV Tower. Board the Observation floor at World Financial Centre ( the highest building in Shanghai). After dinner, transfer to airport for your flight to Beijing.

Day 5 BEIJING - Forbidden City, Tian-an-men Square, Temple of Heaven
After breakfast, your tour will begin at the Forbidden City, where Chinese Emperors of both Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty called it home. Visit also Tian-an-men Square and the Temple of Heaven. Enjoy an acrobatic show in evening.

Day 6 BEIJING - Great Wall, Ming Tombs
Your will walk on the mighty Great Wall today. Visit also the Ming Tombs tucked away in nearby hills. A delicious Peking Duck is reserved for dinner.

Day 7 BEIJING – Summer Palace, Wu-tong , Wangfujing
Visit the popular Summer Palace in morning. After lunch, take a tour to see the old Beijing Wu-tong. Browse the Wangfujing Commercial Area for your souvenir shopping.

Day 8 BEIJING - XI'AN - City wall, Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
After breakfast, fly to Xi'an, the ancient Capital of China. Visit the City-wall, Bell Tower and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Day 9 XI'AN - Terra Cotta Warriors , Hua-qing Hot Springs
Visit highlight in Xi’an, the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum. After lunch, visit the Huaqing Hot Springs. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty Musical show in evening.

Day 10 GUANGZHOU

Visit the area of Thaishan.

Day 11 GUANGZHOU

Taishan and Hoiping Visiting the villages where my parents grew up.

Day 12 - HONG KONG

Bus trip from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.

Day 13 - HONG KONG

Day spent exploring Hong Kong visiting family and friends.


Day 14 - SHANGHAI

Flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai. Then connect to an afternoon flight from Shanghai home to Vancouver.