Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

As you follow the instructions of a Kung Fu teacher in the park, you'll get introduced to an ancient martial art in the land where the demanding discipline of Shaolin Kung Fu was created 1,500 years ago by monks of the Shaolin Buddhist Temple, in the central Henan Province.

See the vast and bare expanse ringed by monuments such as the Gate of Heavenly Peace (which gave the square its name, Tian'anmen), the Great Hall of the People, the Monument of the People's Heroes, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

Enter the walled imperial palace that no one could access or leave without the emperor's permission. It took more than a million workers to build it, back in the early 1400s.

Cross the street that separates the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park, a lovely landscaped area crowned by a hill with five summits, one of which is the highest point in Beijing. Climb up and take in the panoramic view with the Forbidden City in the foreground.

Supposedly visible from space, this wall thousands of miles long is over 2,000 years old in some sections. Qin began it. The Ming Dynasty rebuilt it. Nixon came to see it. Now you will too, at a secluded section where the skies are clear, the mountain scenery dramatic, and the site still free of crowds of tourists.

The Great Wall runs along mountain ranges, twisting its way up and down along crest lines. Exploring on foot is an extraordinary experience: it will take you back in time, leaving you in awe at the magnitude of the enterprise. Enjoy the challenge as the path may be quite steep between the hills and forts spread along the way.

A fast train whisks you away to an ancient city long known as Chang'an. It took Marco Polo much longer to get there! At the time of his visit, Xi'an was one of the world's largest cities. Nowadays, it remains a special destination as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.

Visit the fabulous mausoleum of the ruler who founded the Qin Dynasty, back in 247 BC. He became king at the age of 13, and was the first to unify China and rule as emperor. During his reign, he ordered colossal works, notably a defensive wall, precursor of the Great Wall, designed to protect the northern flank of his empire.

Marvel at the thousands of life-sized terra cotta soldiers, some atop their steeds, which form the imperial bodyguards of the defunct, but still mighty, Qin Shi Huang.

Visit one of the best known landmarks in Xi'an, the pagoda also known as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda as it once counted three more levels. This Buddhist shrine was built in AD 652 to preserve sacred scriptures and figurines of deities brought from India.

Board a flight bound for a small fishing village that has grown into the largest city in China, with over 18 million inhabitants.

Step back in time on a visit to the Garden of Happiness, rightfully celebrated for the beauty of its landscaping. First established in 1559 for a high-ranking official of the Ming Dynasty, it was restored in the 1960s as a National Monument. See pavilions and pagodas, meandering dragon walls, ponds, sculptures, and rockeries, in particular the Exquisite Jade Rock, 12 feet high, which is one of the three most famous rocks in China.

Head to the large public public space off Nanjing Road that's the standard reference for distance measurements within Shanghai or from Shanghai. Landmarks include the seat of the Shanghai Municipal Government, the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theater, and the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

See Nanjing Lu, Shanghai's main shopping street and its busiest thoroughfare, nearly four miles long.

Walk along this famous riverside promenade whose name means "embankment." It lies on the western bank of the Huangpu River, across from the Pudong financial district.

Head to the Luwan and Xuhui Districts, site of the former French Concession. Nowadays, this area is a popular shopping and dining destination for locals and tourists alike with its boutiques, art galleries, and antique stores.

Historic landmarks include the Former Residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, where the first President and Founding Father of the Republic of China resided between 1918 and 1925, and the Longhua Temple, a Buddhist shrine with a long history.

Explore Lujiazui, Pudong's new business district, situated in a bend of the Huangpu River, on the opposite bank from the Bund and Shanghai's historic center. Developed in the 1990s as the city's business center, Pudong has become China's financial hub.