… and not borrowed from your parents! Consider this: 10-days to devour the highlights of Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Suzhou for an amazing $1,399 (plus tax), saving more than $1000 if booked independently. This big bargain price includes round-trip non-stop air from San Francisco, 4-star hotels, many meals including daily American breakfasts; evening shows, and in-depth sightseeing with professional guides—which add up to one fabulous deal.

While in Beijing, explore the 100-acre Tiananmen Square; the 999-room Forbidden City palace; ride a rickshaw through Old Beijing’s hutongs (traditional neighborhoods of alleys and courtyards); and lunch with a dumpling-maker in a family home. A wow-welcome Beijing Duck dinner. A full-day excursion to the Ming Tombs. Visit the awesome Great Wall of China, the gorgeous Temple of Heaven, and the former royal Summer Palace.

Fly to the ancient capital of Xian for the famous 2,200 year old Terra Cotta Warriors, a dim sum banquet, and Tang Dynasty stage show.

In Shanghai, China’s cutting-edge financial center, sightseeing takes in the skyscraping Pudong, symbol of modern China, and the Bund, the still-throbbing heart of colonial Shanghai. After dinner: the Shanghai Acrobats.

A full-day excursion to the canals and classical gardens of Suzhou, the “Venice of the East”, and Tongli, a pretty little water town. And, finally, believe it or not, a day at leisure with free time for shopping and snooping in Shanghai.

This remarkable high-value/low cost trip is brought to you by Washington-based China Spree. Departures this November 2011, and also in January, February and March 2012. For add-on airfares from your gateway city, tax, single supplements, click: chinaspree.com then “China Tours”, then “Winter Specials”; or phone 866-652-5656.