Itinerary Prepared For Distinguished Guests

U L T I M A T E C H I N A

RICHMOND BALLET – CHINA MAY 2015

FOLLOW THE DANCERS – BEIJING, DEZHOU, JINAN, SHANGHAI

Rosemary Hodges at Covington Travel

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When selecting a company to manage your travel needs, we understand thatyou have a number of options available to you and that it can be difficult todistinguish between the services. We strive for the best and below are someaspects that make our company stand out from the others.

Hotels are selected for their facilities, design, spaciousness, service andlocation. Our long-standing relationships with the best hotels andhoteliers result in preferential treatment for our clients in terms ofroom choice, service and amenities.

Hotels

The China Host is part cultural attaché and part traveling concierge.He or she is a Westerner who has been living in China for many yearsand speaks Chinese fluently. This gives you the best of both worlds.Your China Host knows where you are coming from and helps createthe experience you seek in China.

China Host

Covington MomentsOur ambition is to give guests at least one "wow!" experience each day.By developing relationships with a broad range of specialists across thecountry and negotiating private access at prestigious sites, we created arolodex of exclusive experiences.

"Everything seemed to happen without any effort: flight reservations, hotel check-in, sightseeing and time for shopping – everything made to order for us, knowing perfectly to accommodate our different interests and needs. Many thanks to our China Host – who made the difference between Excellence and Perfection.“

“I have to say that the Imperial Tours logistics were first class. Good clean spacious buses, and

WHY COVINGTON TRAVEL

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For most, dining is an integral part of any travel experience. Ourrestaurants are the best available in the destination and can introduce avast array of experiences and flavors. Taking into account any dietarypreferences you cite, we will design the menus throughout your stay tointroduce you to popular dishes and regional styles so that you will getthe most out of each and every meal.

Restaurants

We provide the best available vehicles in each city. Our smallest vehicleis a Buick or Toyota Alphard 7 seat MPV of high quality. UsingChinese and lesser quality vehicles is how other companies can cutcosts, but we feel your comfort and safety should not be compromised.Upgrades to Mercedes, BMW or Rolls Royce vehicles are available.

Private Car Service

Most people traveling to China will be directed to one commissionpaying tourist factory after another. We cannot abide by this practice.Instead, we keep abreast of the newest and most unique designers,showrooms and shops and relay this information to you. Ask yourChina Host for advice.

Shopping

clean spacious buses, and for once someone who understands that you don't cram 7 people in a minibus. Well- chosen rooms, great selections of restaurants.”

"Your attention to detail provided many extra-special moments & gave us a priceless gift: an introduction to China we will always cherish..”

"We have traveled to all seven continents including organized tour requirements to places such as but not limited to Antarctica, Australia, Botswana, Galapagos Islands, Israel, Jordan, South Africa, Turkey & Zambia - it bears repeating, you are the BEST!"2

YOUR QUICK VIEW ITINERARY

Jinan

Beijing

Shanghai

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May 21 Thursday ArriveBeijing

VIP Airport Pickup (1 group)Transfer to Raffles Hotel (1 group)

May 22 Friday Beijing Hutong TourTian’anmen SquareForbidden CityRichmond Ballet Performance

May 23 Saturday Beijing Great Wall with Private Banquet Richmond Ballet Performance

May 24 Sunday Beijing Temple of HeavenSummer Palace [Embassy Event – TBC]

YOUR QUICK VIEW ITINERARY

May 25 Monday BeijingJinan

High Speed Train to JinanTransfer to Melia Hotel

May 26 Tuesday Jinan Jinan highlights (Baotu Spring, Daming Lake)Drive to/from Dezhou for Richmond Ballet Performance

May 27 Wednesday Jinan Day trip to Qufu

May 28 Thursday Jinan Day trip to Tai Shan (Mount Tai)Richmond Ballet Performance

May 29 Friday JinanShanghai

High Speed Train to ShanghaiTransfer to Four Seasons Puxi Hotel

May 30 Saturday Shanghai Shanghai MuseumYu GardensRichmond Ballet Performance

May 31 Sunday Shanghai Transfers to Airport (1/group)

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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Beijing Airport Forbidden City

DAY 1

A R R I V E

B E I J I N G

Upon arrival at Beijing InternationalAirport, you will be met at the gate byairport VIP staff, holding a sign with yourname, who will lead you through

THURSDAY MAY 21

DAY 2

B E I J I N G

We start the day with an intimate tourthrough Beijing’s traditional alleyways (orhutong). This is one of the rare chancesthat you will see Chinese people in their

FRIDAY MAY 22 B / L

RAFFLES HOTEL

Established in 1905, Raffles Beijing Hotel has long stood as an icon of Beijing’s colonial heritage in the heart of the city. The French–inspired colonnade façade looks onto the northern section of the Legation quarter.

COVINGTON AMENITIES

-Buffet breakfast for two

-In-room Wi-Fi internet

access

LOCATION

Within walking distance of Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City.

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name, who will lead you throughimmigration, baggage claim and customs(1/group). Your China Host will then meetyou after you have claimed your luggage andpassed through customs. The China Hostwill accompany you during the remainderof your stay in China (our China Host actsas a personal concierge to you throughoutyour stay in China, allowing you to makechanges as you see fit…this may meanadding a site or taking out a site, changing arestaurant or booking a foot massage!)

Upon transferring to the hotel, you willhave the remainder of the evening at leisure(no other services included this evening).Pricing is based on one transfer per group.Additional transfers will be subject to an extracharge. (Raffles Hotel – Business Room)

B / L / D denotes breakfast, lunch, and dinner

that you will see Chinese people in theireveryday setting. If you wish, you will havethe opportunity to visit the home of aChinese family and ask them questionsabout their way of life.

Whether by force of irony or expediency,China’s government has been located in thesame area continuously for over six hundredyears. You will walk back in time; strollingacross Tian’anmen Square, one of thelargest squares of the modern era, you willpass the Monument to the People’s Heroes -- dedicated to the ravages of the hundredyear long Opium War -- and finally enterthe ancient epicenter of Imperial Power, theForbidden City.

Richmond Ballet performance in theevening (7:30pm: National Centre for thePerforming Arts).

ROOMS

171

www.raffles.com

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Summer Palace Great Wall

DAY 3

B E I J I N G

DAY 4

B E I J I N G

SUNDAY MAY 24 B / L

Today, you will visit the Great Wall ofChina. Built to protect China from theincursions of predatory nomads, theutility and meaning of this fortification

The Temple of Heaven was once thecenter of a square world where the leaderof a Confucianist superpower performedsacred sacrificial rites to a circular heaven.

SATURDAY MAY 23 B / L

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B / L / D denotes breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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utility and meaning of this fortificationhas been contested for centuries. Theunprecedented scale and unexpectedcharm of the Great Wall may inspire you.The section that we most highlyrecommend is the furthest away, about2.5 hours drive, but is generallyconsidered one of the most beautifulsections of the Great Wall.

Once there, you will be treated to aprivate banquet on the Wall itself(weather permitting). Lunch is cateredinside a turret which will be hired outprivately for this group. Lunch itself is awhite linen affair complete with wine,gourmet food and a scrumptiouschocolate cake! After lunch you will begiven some time for a stroll along thismost magnificent of sites.

You will then be transferred back toBeijing in time to get ready for theRichmond Ballet performance in theevening (7:30pm: National Centre for thePerforming Arts).

sacred sacrificial rites to a circular heaven.The “noblest example of religiousarchitecture in the whole of China” wasthe place where the emperor came tomediate in the affairs of God and man.Today the 10 acres of ancient treessurrounding the marble terrace altar serveas a public park, free for pensioners andpopular with amateur Peking Operaperformers.

Afterwards, we take a tour of the ImperialSummer Palace, a retreat said to havebeen given to the Empress Dowager Cixiin return for political favors. Whether ornot you believe the popular demonizationof this female leader, she certainly hadtaste. Her enchanting mansion, set on700 acres of land, incorporates stunningtemples, arched bridges, capaciouspavilions and the world’s longest coveredcorridor, all within a landscape craftedaccording to the dictates of fengshui.

National Centre for the Performing Arts

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Jinan Grand Theatre Baotu Spring

DAY 5

B E I J I N G

J I N A N

This morning will be at your leisure.

After lunch, you will be transferred to

MONDAY MAY 25 B / L

DAY 6

J I N A N

This morning we will explore Jinan’shighlights, the Baotu Springs, an artesiankarst spring, and Daming Lake, fed by thearea’s springs and dotted by historical

TUESDAY MAY 26 B / L / D

JINAN MELIA HOTEL

LOCATION

Near West High Speed Railway station;

Near Shenghui Grand Theatre;

Approx. 20 minutes away from the city centre and major tourist attractions

www.melia.com

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After lunch, you will be transferred toBeijing South Train Station in time to boarda High-speed Train** to Jinan (G17; 15:00-16:32). Seats will be in the first class section.

** Clear passport scans will be necessaryto book each passenger’s ticket.

** Please note that the group may be splitamong several carriages. We cannotguarantee that the group will be seatedtogether.

** At train stations, please note thatporters cannot be guaranteed.

You will then be transferred to youraccommodation (no other services today).(Melia Hotel – Guest Room)

area’s springs and dotted by historicalbuildings and pavilions.

We will then drive (approx. 2 hours) toDezhou, in time for the Richmond Balletperformance in the evening (7:30pm:Dezhou Grand Theatre ).

After the performance, you will transferback to your accommodation in Jinan.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Confucius Temple - Qufu Tai Shan

DAY 7

J I N A N

Today we will set off early to drive (approx.

2:30 hours) to Qufu, the hometown of

Kong Zi, known in the West as Confucius.

WEDNESDAY MAY 27 B / L

DAY 8

J I N A N

Today again we will set off early to drive

(approx. 2 hours) to Tai Shan (Mount Tai),

one of the Five Great Mountains, sacred to

THURSDAY MAY 28 B / L

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Kong Zi, known in the West as Confucius.

The city’s numerous historic palaces,

temples and cemeteries are related to the

story of the Kong Family. The three most

famous cultural sites of the city, collectively

known as "The Three Confucian Sites", are

the Temple of Confucius (Confucius

former dwelling), the Cemetery of

Confucius (home to the original tomb

erected in memory of Confucius) and the

Kong Family Mansion, where Confucius’

descendants lived for centuries. These three

sites have been listed as a UNESCO World

Heritage Site since 1994.

(Please note that facilities in this area are

not of international standard. The level of

restaurants and service in Qufu is also not

comparable to what you will experience in

Beijing or Shanghai.)

one of the

both Taoist and Buddhist believers. During

thousands of years of worship, the five

mountains became ingrained in Chinese

culture, both as natural landmarks and as

the ritual sites of imperial worship and

sacrifice by various emperors. (The hike to

the top of the mountain is strenuous and

requires 5-6 hours. We will ascend and

descend by public shuttle bus and cable car.)

(Please note that facilities in this area are

not of international standard. The level of

restaurants and service in Taishan is also not

comparable to what you will experience in

Beijing or Shanghai.)

We will be back in Jinan in time for the

Richmond Ballet performance in the

evening (7:30pm: Shenghui Grand Theatre).

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

The Bund Shanghai Shikumen

DAY 9

J I N A N

S H A N G H A I

Today you will take the high-speed train**to Shanghai (G13; 11:34/14:55). Seats willbe in the first class section. (Packed luncheswill be provided.)

FRIDAY MAY 29 B / L

DAY 10

S H A N G H A I

Today we take you to visit the ShanghaiMuseum, one of the most modern in thecountry. Arranged by category rather thanaccording to a chronology, its collection

SATURDAY MAY 30 B / L

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

(PUXI)Conveniently located in the city's Puxi district, in the centre of the Shanghai's business, shopping, entertainment and cultural areas.

COVINGTON AMENITIES

-Buffet breakfast for two

-In-room internet access

LOCATION

Within walking distance of the shopping areas of Nanjing Road and French Concession.

ROOMS

402

www.fourseasons.com

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will be provided.)

** Clear passport scans will be necessaryto book each passenger’s ticket.

** Please note that the group may be splitamong several carriages. We cannotguarantee that the group will be seatedtogether.

** At train stations, please note thatporters cannot be guaranteed.

Shanghai will take your breath away. Sincethe early 80’s this city has been growing likeno other, the Pudong waterfront becomingas emblematic of economic prowess as thatof Manhattan or Hong Kong. (FourSeasons Hotel (Puxi) – Deluxe Room)

according to a chronology, its collectionintroduces and elucidates the gamut ofChinese arts from ceramics to jade and ivorycarvings to paintings.

We will then visit the Yu Gardens, one ofthe best examples of traditional Chinesegarden design in the country. Afterwards,you will have some time to stroll throughShanghai’s Old Quarter.

Richmond Ballet performance in theevening (7:30pm: Shanghai Art Theatre).

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Shanghai Museum Pudong Skyline

DAY 11

D E P A R T

S H A N G H A I

This morning, you will be transferred to theairport in time for your international flighthome. Pricing has been priced based onone transfer per group. (Additional transfers

SUNDAY MAY 31 B

D E P A R T

S H A N G H A I

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one transfer per group. (Additional transferswill be subject to an extra charge.)

Please note that the China Host will eat with you during lunches and dinners throughout the trip. This is to ensure that you are receiving the best possible service.

TOUR INFORMATION

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE

- 10 nights accommodation in outstanding five star hotels

- 10 breakfasts (buffet breakfast), 9 lunches and 1 dinner (including local mineral water, soft drinks and local beer)

-Services of 1 Western bilingual China Hosts travelling with the group throughout China and 1 local tour guide in each city

- High-speed train in First Class (Yi Deng) (Beijing/Jinan, Jinan/Shanghai)

- All land transportation (as listed on the itinerary). Except on international arrival and departure days, vehicles are available until 10 pm each evening for transfers from the performances and/or group dinners (except on the Jinan/Dezhou night, vehicle available as listed on the itinerary).

- Entrance fees to all tourist sites (as listed on the itinerary)

- China Host, local guide and driver gratuities

- City and hotel taxes

Please note that, where available, porterage for luggage throughout the trip has been included. Likewise, tips to bellboys at all hotels have been included so no need to look for loose change. Please note, though, that at train stations porters cannot be guaranteed.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE

-International airfare to/from China, visa processing fees, travel insurance

*Please note that this non-RMB price uses the exchange rate of August 18, 2014. Since foreign exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, the price in your home currency will be determined by the exchange rate on the day of payment, using the official exchange rate supplied by www.xe.com/ucc/. Please note that all credit cards will be charged in U.S. dollars (USD). We accept checks drawn on bank accounts in the United States. Wire transfer payments may be made in your home currency.

B / L / D denotes breakfast, lunch, and

Please note that touring on most days starts at 9 am and ends at around 4:30-5 pm. This will give you time to rest and freshen up prior to the evening’s events.

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-International airfare to/from China, visa processing fees, travel insurance

-Dinners (except on May 26, night of the Dezhou performance)

- Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, imported mineral waters, excess

luggage fees, telephone charges, room service and laundry charges

Please note that no arrangements have been made and are not guaranteed until Imperial Tours receives a deposit.

B / L / D denotes breakfast, lunch, and dinner

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