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Ezra USA is proud to present
3rd annual trip to China
with 3 day extension to HONG KONG (optional)
September 2012
to get an Early Bird Special Offer
International Journeys with your friends at Ezra USA is always an exciting & relaxing way to see the world & spend the time with your fellow young Jews from North America & other countries. Ezra trips itineraries always include most important landmarks, tourist attractions and sites that have a Jewish history. There are no others trips that are exclusively for young Jewish professionals like you, and we are happy to present you our 3nd annual Shalom China, a 9 day trip to an exotic China done Ezra style.
China – one of the world's oldest and continuous civilizations, consisting of states and cultures dating back more than six millennia. It has the world's longest continuously used written language system and is viewed as the source of many major interventions. With eyes open wide in awe, you will experience the five thousand year old history of this land and its many nationalities. You will look into the millennium of history of Jews, who are known to have lived in China since at least the 7th century (and continuing today) and may have existed there as early as several centuries before the Common Era. Jewish refugees from Europe during the Holocaust were welcomed within China, which today remains one of the only nations in the world that has never persecuted Jews for their faith.
On Shalom China you will experience a unique Shabbat with the Jewish Community in Shanghai together with local Jews, Jewish tourists & businessmen from around the world.
On Shalom China you will also visit non-Jewish sites and experience a vast world of traditional Chinese beauty and history, such as Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Sacred Path of Ming Tombs, The Great Wall, Olympic Sites, The Bund etc in Beijing & Shanghai. For thousands of years, traders, adventurers, and refugees traveled thousands of miles of the Silk Road between the Mediterranean and China or rode ships into Chinese ports. You will be visiting a Silk factory in town of Suzhoe as well as taking a boat tour in famous Grand Canal of China, plus much more. 
"Ezra Shalom China far exceeded my expectations. The accommodations on the trip were very nice, the amount of places we visited was also great.” “China is a country unlike any I have seen before.” “The food from Chabad of Shanghai was outstanding and seeing the history of Jews in Shanghai was very interesting.” Sofia J., San Francisco, CA 2009
“Ezra Shalom China exceeded my expectations, I really had an amazing time!”
“Everything worked out well. Great guides, good itinerary.”
“Our tour guide, the Professor Xu made the trip so much better. He was so helpful and did everything with joy.” Daniel L., Chicago, IL 2009
Ezra Shalom China far exceeded my expectations.” I always wanted to go to China and I knew Ezra groups always have good people, since I traveled with them to Israel, Argentina in the past.”
Train ride from Beijing to Suzhou was a really nice experience and probably one of the best I ever had.” Roman B. Dallas, TX, 2009
“Shalom China is a very interesting trip where you learn about other cultures.” Alex K., Quenns, NY 2009
“Ezra Shalom China far exceeded my expectations.”
“This trip is a great opportunity to meet new people and see a country that’s very interesting and different.”
“China is a country that is really underestimated and needs to be seen.”
“Suzhou is very authentic & beautiful city.” Lillian D., Brooklyn, NY 2009
Itinerary of the trip
DAY 1 Flight New York – Beijing
Starting your tour by taking non-stop international flight to Beijing on Continental Airlines from Newark (EWR) (Terminal C) cross the International Date Line.
DAY 2 Arrival in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China also known as Peking at approx. 3 PM. Upon arrival, you will clear customs and immigration before being transferred by private vehicle to hotel. Beijing served as the capital of 5 dynasties over a period of 800 years with each emperor identified as a dragon sent from the heaven. Free time rest of the day exploring the nearby streets, or resting and catching up on your jetlag. Overnight at Rosedale Hotel & Suites in Beijing.
DAY 3 Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace, Temple of Heaven etc
This morning depart your hotel for magnificent Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, where Mao's picture hangs over the rostrum at the entrance of the Imperial Forbidden City. Walk in the steps of ancient emperors as you tour the powerful Forbidden City, hidden from public view for over 500 years. This is where Chinese emperors resided and ruled the country for 700 years until the year of 1911. This complex, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace ever built in the world, features more than 800 buildings with 9999 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls. The Imperial Palace provides outstanding examples of the greatest palatial architectural ensembles in China. They illustrate the grandeur of the imperial institution from the Qing Dynasty to the earlier Ming and Yuan dynasties, as well as Manchu traditions, and present evidence on the evolution of this architecture in the 17th and 18th centuries. Continue to the masterpiece Temple of Heaven (known as Altar of Heaven) an embodiment of grace and harmony. This is a complex of Taoist buildings that was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest it is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. This stunning architecture realizes the great Chinese desire to incarnate heaven in material form, and represents the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry of the time. Continue to Summer Palace, where you will have a short boat ride. The Summer Palace, formerly known as an imperial garden and palace for the Qing emperors. Overnight at Rosedale Hotel & Suites.
DAY 4 Great Wall, Sacred Path of Ming Tombs, Olympic Village etc
The highlight of today is a trip to the astonishing Great Wall at Juyongguan Path. The Great Wall is the most famous image of China throughout the world. It is the only man made object visible from the moon, and as one of the Eight Wonders of the world. It is a symbol of Chinese traditional culture and the pride of the Chinese nation. Later visit the Sacred Path of Ming Tombs, 13 of the 16 Ming emperors has their tombs here. This is an attractive destination as much for the natural scenery of the area as for the tombs themselves. Visit Hua Du Area, where besides shopping you can see various Russian shops & cafes, and meet Russian speaking people. The we visit the Olympic Village to marvel at the new stadiums made famous by the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Herzog & de Meuron designed the National Stadium–the “Bird’s Nest;” and the firm PTW designed the National Swimming Center–the “Water Cube.” In the evening departure to Zuzhou by night train.
DAY 5 Lingering Garden & the Grand Canal of China in Suzhou
Early arrival to the city of Suzhou, which is often referred to as the “Venice of the East” for its myriad canals and delightful ambience. It is also the heart of south China’s traditional garden culture. The elegance and sophistication associated with Chinese design finds its realization in the many gardens here. Upon arrival, visit the Lingering Garden, Suzhou’s most famous garden, with its eccentric architecture and winding paths leading to unexpected views. Then we make our way the silk embroidery factory , where we'll view the silk production process: from the silkworm to a fashion show. Then we’ll be amazed by the view of The Grand Canal of China, the longest ancient canal or artificial river in the world where you will have a short boat ride. Stay overnight in Suzhou at the Conference Center Hotel
DAY 6 Suzhou-Zhouzhuang- Shanghai
On your way to Shanghai, you will take a tour of Zhouzhuang, a village of more than one thousand years history near Suzhou, where you will experience the serene country lifestyle of the local residents, and enjoy the “old world” architecture and the local customs that have been so well. Then we arrive to Shanghai, an architect’s playground. Colonial and Art-Deco architecture grace one side of the Huangpu River – Shanghai’s very own Mississippi – while the world’s tallest hotel, the Grand Hyatt, casts a late afternoon shadow over the opposite bank in Pudong. Pudong, nicknamed “East Shanghai,” is a steel city of monuments to materialism, and is home to China’s largest financial district and would-be Wall Street. Check-in in Cypress Garden Hotel . Traditional services (optional) and Shabbat evening at Chabad Center (which is short walk from hotel) run by Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries Rabbi Shalom and Dina Greenberg. Evening at your leisure.
DAY 7 Free Day in Shanghai
Today will be your own free activity. Enjoy the rest at the hotel, or explore Shanghai on your own. After Shabbat get ready for a tour of Night Shanghai, including Xintiendi, the car-free shopping, eating and entertainment district of Shanghai and it is composed of an area of restored traditional shikumen ("stone gate") houses on narrow alleys, some adjoining houses which now serve as book stores, cafes and restaurants, and shopping malls. Then you will be taken for night views of Nanjing Road and Shanghai lovers’ lane colonial Bund (Wai Tan), the waterfront area, a sweeping area along the Huangpu River, where used to be foreign concessions and now is the symbol of modern Shanghai. It is a tree-lined promenade along the Huangpu River. The major firms of the Far East had their headquarters in the buildings facing the river. Here is the best place to capture the western influence of the old days.
DAY 8 Shanghai Ghetto & other Jewish Cites, The Bund, Childrens Palace etc
After breakfast, again stroll the Nanjing Road and The Bund and then continue to the Jewish Cites, that dates back to the beginning of the century, but virtually disappeared following World War II. Today, believe or not, there is an active Jewish community in Shanghai, China. We will visit the Shanghai ghetto in Hongkew District, which sheltered 30,000 Jews during the Holocaust and the newly-restored Ohel Rachel Synagogue and the Ohel Moishe Synagogue which is the memorial hall for the Jewish refugees in Shanghai. Also visit Huoshan Park where stands a Monument which is also for the memory of the Jewish Refugees. Stroll along the # 818 lane on Tangshan Road for a visit to the largest Jewish Community in Shanghai, and Zhoushan Road where you can see Jewish-style buildings. Then we visit Childrens Palace (the Kadoorie Mansion) , as well known as Marble Hall. It was the home to one of Shanghai's wealthiest families, the Kadoories, Sephardie Jews, originally from Baghdad. There will be an hour free time with an optional visit to Oriental Pearl TV tower, the tallest completed tower in Asia and the third tallest tower in the world after the CN Tower in Toronto and the Ostankono in Moscow. You will get a chance to see beautiful Yuyuan Garden, located in the center of the Old City, and is considered one of the most lavish and finest Chinese Gardens in the region. Enjoy a famous Chinese acrobatic circus show in the evening. Overnight at the Cypress Garden Hotel.
DAY 9 Flight Home to New York
Tour guide will transfer you to the airport in the flight to to New York or Hong Kong.
Pre-register Now!
Price includes:
Round-trip economy class group fare from New York incl. taxes and fuel charges*
4 star hotels, double occupancy. (single occupancy is extra fee)
Buffet breakfast daily at hotel (non kosher from hotel)
Friday Night Kosher Dinner at Jewish Center in Shanghai
Transfers and sightseeing with English speaking guide.
Entrance fees scheduled attractions, boat rides & to an Acrobatic circus show.
Excursion to Suzhou and Zhongzhuan (by bus).
Local overnight train ride from Beijing to Suzhou.
Hotel taxes and service charges.
Subject to change until ticket issued
Price does not include:
Chinese visa
Daily lunches & dinners
Travel/medical insurance madatory for all travelers
Cell phone plan
Tips
Occasional taxi rides
Non scheduled attractions
Changes in air fares due to increases in fuel
Airport tax and security tax surcharges
Purchases from in room minibars at hotel; items of a personal nature, phone/fax/internet charges; laundry and dry cleaning etc.
For more information please contact Shulamit at shulamit@ezraus.org or at (718) 701-1527
Price inclusion:
* The flight Shanghai - Hong Kong
*Hotel Accommodation for 3 nights in Hong Kong.
*Private transfer with local English speaking guide and deluxe air-conditioned bus.
*Entrance fee as mentioned in the program.
Price exclusion:
*Tips and personal consumption.
Price Per Person (based on minimum of 10)
Single Supplement is additional fee
Please be aware that this trip is on a first come first serve basis. To secure a place for yourself, send your deposit in the amount of $ 1099 for land China only, or $ 1499 for full package or only China with air (has to be either a check or cash, no paypal or credit cards payments) in order to get an early bird price.
Ezra USA 311 Sea Breeze Ave. Brooklyn NY 11224.
Please write China in memo section of the check. This deposit, less $99 p.p. handling charge, is refundable until June 30, 2012 (after June 30,2012 the deposits are not refundable but will be applied to the final payment for the trip when you pay the remaining balance).
Please hurry up, spaces are extremely limited.
Please write China in memo section of the check. This deposit, less $99 p.p. handling charge, is refundable until June 30, 2012 (after June 30,2012 the deposits are not refundable but will be applied to the final payment for the trip when you pay the remaining balance).
This trip will become one of the highlights of your traveling experience, so register today!
Pre-register Now!
3 Day Optional Extension to Hong Kong
(including hotel, local flights & guided tour)
Day 9
Arrival Hong Kong by flight from Shanghai, transfer to the hotel for the rest.
Day 10
Half day city tour: The victoria Peak, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen.
Day 11
FREE DAY (suggested tour of Macau).
Day 12
Transfer to the airport for exit.