Depart the U.S. and begin your extension with an overnight flight to China.

Upon your arrival at the airport in Beijing, you will be met by a representative who will assist you with your hotel transfer. The balance of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at leisure. Your Deluxe hotel is in the heart of Beijing’s central business district and offers acclaimed restaurants, and easy access to world-class shopping, entertainment, and other fun activities.

You’ll enjoy breakfast at the hotel before traveling outside the city to experience one of the modern wonders of the world: the UNESCO-listed Great Wall of China, a marvel so vast it has long been rumored to be visible from space. You will see it from a unique vantage point, as we will travel to a lesser-known, “wild” section of the wall that has not been overly restored for tourists. Take an invigorating walk along the paths and ramparts of this more challenging stretch of this ancient fortification, then enjoy lunch at a nearby Badaling restaurant. Another culinary adventure awaits tonight when we enjoy a Welcome Dinner where we’ll savor a signature dish of China: Peking Duck. This dish dates back to roughly 600 years ago, when chefs would cook the dish for the Emperor. The dish became known as a royal delicacy, and over time members of the imperial kitchen took the recipe with them. By the early 20th century, the dish was beloved around the country and has remained a popular dish since.

Included Features:

• Tour a wild section of the Great Wall; The Way of the Spirit

Cultural Discovery:

• Peking Duck dinner

Today you will discover some of Beijing’s most important historic treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First is the 15^th-century Temple of Heaven, the largest of Beijing’s religious building complexes, and a house of worship during the Ming and Qing dynasties, where emperors would pray for good harvests. You’ll join local seniors and participate in their morning activities, including tai chi exercises, singing, and dancing. Afterward, we’ll explore Tiananmen Square and pass through its Gate of Heavenly Peace into the awesome Forbidden City, the largest ancient palace in the world. This maze of sprawling palaces, pavilions, museums, and plazas was constructed in 1420 and served as the imperial palace and winter residence of the emperor during the Ming dynasty. This evening, you’ll enjoy dinner on your own.

Included Features:

• Tour the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City

Cultural Discovery

• Join local seniors for morning activities at the Temple of Heaven

After breakfast, set off on a tour of one of Beijing's charming hutongs, ancient neighborhoods that showcase yet another side of Chinese culture. Laid out hundreds of years ago, these ancient lanes are formed by traditional courtyard compounds lining both sides, crisscrossing each other, and making for a fun walk through Beijing’s past. You'll enjoy a home-hosted lunch and tea at a local residence, giving you a chance to ask questions and learn about daily life in Beijing. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a tour of the famed Summer Palace, a former getaway for Chinese emperors, and the most well-preserved imperial garden in the world. It is as grand as you might expect, considering whom it was built for, and it’s no surprise that it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Included Feature:

• Tour the Summer Palace

Cultural Discovery

• Hutong tour with home-hosted lunch and tea

Take the morning to relax, shop, or explore on your own. This afternoon you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Seoul, South Korea, where you will commence your base program.