Summary This route should be first come to your mind when you thinking of China vacation. It includes the country's best-known cities and most famous sites, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Terra-cotta Army, the Bund of Shanghai, and those magical karst limestone hills of Guilin. These are the very things that the first time traveler comes to see. The route gives the traveler a good sampling of what China travel is all about. From this basis, travel agents begin to add excursions to other tourist cities such as Suzhou and Chengdu. Whether you are planning a basic tour to China, or a longer trek through the country, Golden Route is the best to begin your exploration in China. Besides, the Heaven of food and shopping-Hong Kong as your leaving port offering you the best opportunity to relax yourself via top hotels, exquisite food, vibrant nightlife and to take home the fascinating and charming souvenirs. Features Local specialties and night shows listed at the bottom for your delight Fine selected hotels at wide range of choices for your comfort Comprehensive and unique program Knowledgeable guides, experienced drivers and vans in good-condition
Day 01 Arrival, Shanghai (No meals)
Arrive in Shanghai, your gateway city of China tour. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Among the big cities in China, Shanghai maintains the look of a Western metropolis. It is fascinating and sophisticated. The city started out in the 4th century as a fishing village and became a town till the middle of the 13th century. After the Opium War, Shanghai was gradually opened as a 'treaty port' in the mid year of the 19th century when it had been opened to the foreign trade and led to its partition into British, French and later Japanese concessions. From that time on, foreigners began to flood into this paradise for adventurers. Covering out their own sphere of influence, England, France, the US and Japan settled here by seizing their respective concessions which was known as the territory of each country. It was considered as the colonial period with number of the featured buildings and architectures of cosmopolitan by those owners of the concessions which made Shanghai as a fascinating mixture of East and West. After a good rest in a comfortable hotel TCT recommended, you are ready for the incoming exciting tour with full energy.
Day 02 Shanghai (B/L)
Depart from hotel in the morning to have a whole-day trip of Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, the Old Street, Oriental TV Tower and the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade. Traditional Dim-sum Banquet and Acrobatics are available for your optional lunch and night entertainment.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Today you'll find a Buddhism shrine - Jade Buddha Temple, located in a crowd of Shanghai City. It was first built in 1882 in Jiangwan on the southern outskirts of Shanghai. In order to make it convenient for the adherents to visit , it was bodily moved to Shanghai City at the present sire in 1918. It is named for its two bejeweled white jade Buddha. It receives thousands of visitors and worshipers everyday while keeps its sanctity and charming. Carved from a whole piece of white jade, the sitting jade Buddha statue is translucent with a solemn expression, displaying the excellent skill and extraordinary art of Chinese people. Yuyuan Garden has a lot of stories for it was severely damaged in the 19 th century and was restored in 1961. This garden was first built in the 16th century by provincial governor, Pan Yunduan, in honor of his father who was the then government minister. It has many scenic courtyards decorated with baroque rockery, pools, and flora that are all connected by corridors and passageways. The delicate design and exquisite layout of the whole garden reveals a strong impression of 'garden in the garden, whole in the part.' Coming back from the nature, the shopping trip will begin in Nanjing Road which is starts at the Bund and runs westward, with People's Square in the middle. Renown for its bustling and modernization, Nanjing Road earns its reputation as the 'First Commercial Road in China', which is the good shopping heaven for your trip as the same as the Fifth Avenue in New York and Avenue des Champs-Elys¨¦es in Paris. Some of the traditional food and handicrafts of Shanghai can be found here. Then we comes to the Bund, the showcase with the old buildings of colonial-era leftover along Huangpu River. The renowned waterfront district is the city's most famous landmark. The word BUND is of Anglo-India origin meaning embankment on the waterfront. It is also the popular site to enjoy the night view of the city. Standing at Pudong New Area at the east side of Huangpu River, Oriental TV Tower was completed on October 1, 1994. The tower has a height of 468 meters. With multi-functions of sightseeing, catering, shopping, amusement and accommodations, this tower has become the symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction in Shanghai.
Shanghai offers colorful recreations with rich contents and creative form. Your night may be filled with an interactive old form of art known as the Acrobatics. Those professional performers have been trained of as early as age six or seven so that they can play so well and excellent. It definitely will be an unforgettable night in your memory.
Day 03 Shanghai- -Beijing (B/L)
Leave for Beijing in the morning. Arrive in Beijing and take a half-day Hutong Tour by rickshaw to visit the ancient lanes and alleyways of Beijing for your first impression of the city.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Beijing, China's capital and a well-known tourist city of the world offering sights and cultural relics found no where on earth. The city has its own individuality, that's the flavor of Beijing. The quadrangle, small alley, tricycle, boiled mutton, roasted duck, Peking Opera, arts and crafts you can see, hear and feel them all only when you come to the city yourself. You know this old and new city from its typical building- Hutong. The half-day Hutong Tour reflects the lives of ordinary Chinese and the history of Beijing as a whole. You have dreamed of visiting Beijing¡¯s lanes and experiencing life, history and culture first-hand in this city for a long time. The Hutong Tour makes it come true.
Day 04 Beijing (B/L)
Depart from hotel in the morning to visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square and Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then visit Temple of Heaven in the afternoon. Peking Opera is available for your optional night entertainment.
[ Itinerary Description ]
As the biggest public square in the world, Tian¡¯anmen Square conquers you with its grandeur at the first sight. You are quite glad to begin your first-day tour here. Then you are leaded to Forbidden City. It is the imperial palace for 24 emperors during Ming and Qing Dynasties and the biggest ancient architecture complex in the world. You walk in the museum to see with your eyes, to touch with your hands and fell with your hearts. Thanks to this wonderful visiting, you know how the richest feudal country was and how the top rulers and their concubines lived. After enjoyed a nice Chinese lunch , you continue your trip to Temple of Heaven. Different from the red and golden in the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heave is based on a color of blue, which stands the color of sky. You feel the perfect harmony between the architecture and nature and a circle and peace spirit of Chinese people. You even could imagine the vivid pictures of a great sacrifice to the Heaven for good harvest through the description of local guide.
At night, it is lucky that you'll have an opportunity to enjoy the opera of nation- Peking Opera. Skillful performers convey their exact feelings to you through various facial making-ups and featured musical instruments. The Chinese culture is completely revealed.
Day 05 Beijing (B/L)
In the morning drive 75km to visit the Great Wall (Badaling Section) first and Ming Tombs (Changling Tomb), the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Peking Roasted Duck is available for your optional dinner.
[ Itinerary Description ]
The Great Wall (Badaling Section) is located in the suburb 75km northwest of Beijing. The highway from Beijing to the Great Wall is smooth and comfortable. The Great Wall is the symbol of China and the wisdom of Chinese people. It is very unbelievable that Chinese succeeded in building such a great architecture with simple tools in ancient time. The construction of the Great Wall began in the 5th century BC. The wall has a total length of 6,700km, traveling up and down over numerous mountains and valleys. Starting in the east at Shanhaiguan Pass, it crosses Heibei Province, Beijing, Shanxi Province, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shaanxi Province, and ending up in Jiayuguan at Gansu Province. It is said the Great Wall is the only man-made project which is visible from the moon. Badaling Section is one of the best preserved and most accessible parts with the essence of the whole Great Wall.
The Ming Tombs are located in the northern suburbs of Beijing, consisting of 13 tombs of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty after the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing. Now there are only two tombs, Changling and Dingling, open to the visitors. The Lingsi Palace in Changling Tomb's second yard as really deserves a visit. This is unique as it is the only huge palace made of camphor wood. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor is decorated with gold bricks.
Today's dinner should be a highlight of your tour if you desire to taste the most famous Peking Roasted Duck. From the whole roasted duck to the soup of duck tones, you'll enjoy a banquet of every part of duck. Moreover, the chef shows his skill of cutting the skin of duck on live. Not only your taste is fulfilled but also your eyes are entertained.
Day 06 Beijing -- Xi'an (B/L)
Leave for Xi'an in the morning. Then you will visit the Shaanxi History Museum and Ancient City Wall, one of the oldest and best-preserved walls in China.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Xi 'an is a city with time-honored history. It is the city can bring you back in time to ancient Chinese civilization. During its 3,100 years development, 13 dynasties have occupied the region. Besides, the city was the start point of the famous Silk Road. You'll find Xi 'an a large city with a much more relaxed atmosphere than that of Beijing. There are lots of cars but without the traffic pace of Shanghai. One of the important reason for no subway in the city is that there is large part of the wealth of ancient treasures buried here.
In the ancient city like Xi 'an, the museum should be an indispensable part of your visit. Shaanxi History Museum is a showcase of the civilization from Emperor Qin Shihuang to the present day. The museum is housed in a striking Tang Dynasty-style pavilion and features an enormous collection of 113,000 historic and cultural relics. You continue the trip to the nearby Ancient City Wall. It is the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
Day 07 Xi'an (B/L)
Ample time will be provided for the visits of those famous spots including the Qin Terror-cotta Army Museum, one of the world's most important archaeological finds with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum. Either Jiaozi Banquet or Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner is available for your optional meal.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Being a capital of 13 dynasties, Xi¡¯an has so much to offer. Today¡¯s attractions are the best of the best. From your hotel, your local guide directs you to the site where local farmers drilling a series of wells in search of water found excavations of Qin Terror-cotta Army Museum by accident in 1974. It has been regarded as the '8th Wonder of the World.' It was created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb that's to protect him in his afterlife in the mind of ancient Chinese. Three excavation pits have been opened to the public with a fourth underway. During his visit to China, US former President Clinton came to visit the dig. The fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation are ancient art treasure and complete illustration of the history of Qin Dynasty.
Then set forth to Banpo Neolithic Village Museum located east Xi'an. It is one of the most important sites of the Neolithic culture that existed 6,000-7,000 years ago. Archeologists have uncovered a residential area, a pottery workshop and a cemetery in an area that covers some 50,000 square meters of ancient ruins.
This evening you could choose Jiaozi Banquet which covers over 10 kinds of Jiaozi in China as your dinner. The shapes of Jiaozi various from one to another, such as rabbit, duck, shrimp, peanuts and so on. Or you can enjoy Tang Dynasty Show with Dinnerthat was made for emperors only in ancient China. You'll enjoy the sumptuous dinner while watching a fabulous dancing and singing performance of Tang Dynasty. This is not only a performance of Chinese traditional dancing and singing but also a recurrence of Chinese ancient society and culture.
Day 08 Xi'an--Guilin (B/L)
Be transferred to Guilin in the morning and visit Reed Flute Cave-the showcase of distinctly-colored stalactities and stalagmities and Elephant Trunk Hill upon arrival.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Guilin is world-famous for its serene landscape, Karsts limestones formations, mist-covered hills and bamboo groves. Meanwhile it is the home to more than ten ethnic groups, such as Han, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Hui and Dong. On the way from airport to your hotel, you see dozens of pretty hills everywhere in the city of Guilin. It is a city of hills and green trees and boasts one of the most photographed areas of China.
After your check-in and lunch, you cannot wait to begin your exploration of Guilin right now. Reed Flute Cave is named after a certain kind of reed grown near the carve gate, which is used for making a flute instrument. There are too many things for your eyes to take in. The natural beauty of a large amount of stalactites and stalagmites, with their endless variety of remarkable scenes in the cave could undoubtedly evoke breathless admiration from you. Thus, the cave is highly praised as the Huge Art Palace of the Nature. Then you return to the city center to your next spot, Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin. Looking from a far distance, you see an elephant-like hill stand majestically at the confluence of the Li River and Yang River. Arching its long trunk into the river, this seeming elephant sucks water ceaselessly, lifelike in shape and full of energy in posture.
Day 09 Guilin--Yangshuo--Guilin (B/L)
Depart from hotel in the morning and be transferred to the Pier for Li River Cruise(about 4 hours and the lunch will be served on board). Savor the fairy-tale scenery when sail down the meandering river to Yangshuo. Be transferred back to Guilin in the late afternoon. Optional Banquet of Rice Noodle and Longji Minority Show are available.
[ Itinerary Description ]
Depart from your hotel in the morning and be transferred to Zhujiang Pier for your Li River Cruise today. A double-decker river boat is waiting for your coming in the pier.
The landscape from Guilin to Yangshuo is the masterpiece of nature. The crystal water, picturesque mountains, peaceful farm field, hard-working fishmen and wondering water buffalos compose a poem of Guilin scenery and life. Under the blue sky, your river boat is floating on the river, making you in an unreal dream. After about four and a half hours of sailing, the one-thousand-year-old Yangshuo Town comes into your sight. You disembark and browse around this small oriental but Western-influenced town. The West Street earns its name since almost every one in West Street can speak fluent English and every restaurant or bar offers menus in several languages. You feel no boarder and distance here and fall in love with the town at the first sight. Moreover, it is flanked by small shops and vendor stands selling different kinds of souvenirs, which are the best gifts for your friends and relatives. The West Street becomes more charming when it comes to night. Countless bars, caf¨¦s and bistros open till midnight with night time music and live band. You really have a good fun with your friends. Return to Guilin in the late afternoon.
Guilin Rice Noodles, which can be either in the shape of round or flat, are the most popular snack in Guilin. If you want to know Guilin's culture deeply, you are recommended to choose Banquet of Rice Noodle as your optional dinner. The thing that sets one dish apart from another is the soup, which is made of pork, steak, Lo Han Kuo, and other seasonings. Depending on different kinds of ingredients used in the soup, rice noodles can be divided into vegetable, three-fresh, original soup, spicy and sour, beef, and horse meat ones.
Tonight you could choose Longji Minority Show as your optional night show. By taking Longji Terraced Rice Paddies as the cultural background, This grand show of minority nationality songs and dances is made with all great efforts. Combined harmoniously with the minority folk lifestyle and customs from the Miao, Yao, Dong and Zhuang nationalities, the show will be all-side unfolded before your eyes.
Day 10 Guilin -- Hong Kong (B/L)
Visit Seven Star Park, the biggest park in Guilin in the morning in the morning. Be transferred to Hong Kong in the afternoon.
[ Itinerary Description ]
How time flies! You cannot believe it is your last half day in Guilin. It is lucky that you still have one more spot to enrich your memory- Seven Star Park, which is another good example of Karsts features. The park takes its name from Seven Star Hill consists of seven peaks which are supposed to resemble the star pettern of Ursa Major. What really makes you surprise is not only the scenery but also one lovely panda couple in the zoo! In the exhibition room, you can have a close observation through the glass. The newly Guilin Panda Base equipped with Panda Physical Examine Room, Panda specimen Exhibition Room, Panda Club, 24-hour supervisory control system and professional breeders provides pandas a best environment. Have a nice local lunch and it is time for you to leave for Hong Kong.
Day 11 Departure, Hong Kong(B)
Your Golden Route of China is over all too soon as you drive to the airport and board the homebound International flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.
Service Ends
TCT Optional Local Specialties & Night Shows:
City
Local Specialties
Nights Shows
Shanghai
Traditional Dim-sum Banquet
Chinese Acrobatic
Beijing
Peking Roasted Duck
Peking Opera
Xi'an
Jiaozi Banquet
Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner
Guilin
Banquet of Rice-noodle
Longji Minority Dance
TCT Recommended Hotels:
City
Standard Hotels
First Class Hotels
Deluxe Hotels
Shanghai
Pacific Luck Hotel
Golden River View Hotel
Howard Johnson Shanghai
Beijing
Dongfang Hotel
Holiday Inn Central Plaza
Crowne Plaza
Xi''an
New Henderson Hotel
Aurum International Hotel
Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza
Guilin
Universal Hotel Guilin
Bravo Hotel Guilin
Sheraton Hotel Guilin
Hong Kong
Eaton Hotel
Grand Stanford InterContinental Hotel
Kowloon Shangrila Hotel
Price Details (per person in US$) :
Standard hotels
First Class hotels
Deluxe hotels
Standard Class Hotels
Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1655
218
1756
293
1800
336
6-9 pax
2039
273
2086
320
2124
357
2-5 pax
2415
273
2462
320
2500
357
1 pax
3386
3481
3556
First Class Hotels
Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1761
324
1883
419
1966
502
6-9 pax
2206
439
2271
505
2324
558
2-5 pax
2581
439
2647
505
2700
558
1 pax
3720
3850
3956
Deluxe Class Hotels
Low Season
Standard Season
High Season
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Twin
S.Supp
Above 10 pax
1920
483
2107
643
2381
917
6-9 pax
2501
734
2557
791
2760
994
2-5 pax
2876
734
2933
791
3136
994
1 pax
4309
4422
4828
* High season: April, May, Sep, Oct, & 1-15 Nov; Shoulder Season: Jun & Jul; Low Season: Jan, Feb, Mar, 16-30 Nov & Dec
* S.Supp: Single Supplement
TCT Member Price :
Remarks:
All the "0" in the above form indicate that the prices to be advised, and S.Supp(Single Supplement)means one client occupying one standard room.
Prices in USD are based on two sharing one twin-bed standard room,exclusive of the price for ONE passenger occupying one twin-bed room of his own.
The prices quoted here are only valid in 2008, period of 2008 Beijing Olympic excepted.
The availabilities of rooms, flights and so on are subject to change until the actual booking is being made. TCT reserves the right to adjust the prices of any portion of the tour due to the reasons beyond our control.
Prices are based on the current exchange rate and are subject to change without prior notice. For the most up to date prices, please contact with the sales.
Children under 12 have discount from above prices. Please advise all details about kids concerned with bookings.
Price includes:
Mentioned domestic air transportation in economy class with airport tax and fuel surcharge. The tax and surcharge are subject to change at any time.
Private transfers between airports/railway stations, hotels and all sightseeing spots. Separate arrivals and departures will incur extra charges.
Hotel or cruiser accommodation based on two adults sharing one standard twin-bed room/cabin; a client who travels alone or desires is required to pay a single supplement rate. A single room is subject to availability based on prior request at an additional cost; if the recommended hotel is not available, it will be substituted by a similar one.
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included in the cruise fee as well as the cruise shore excursion in groups and daily activities. The arrangements are subject to the different cruiser companies and subject to change without prior notice.
One driver and one English-speaking guide on normal sightseeing activities in each destination.
All entrance fees to scenic spots as shown in the itinerary. The final arrangement will be determined by local tour guides based on the local circumstances which are beyond the control of TopChinaTravel. TCT will adhere to the original itinerary as accurately as possible.
Tibet Travel Permit application fee in the packages related to Tibet.
Price excludes:
Round International airfare or train tickets.
Visa fee, passport application or renewal fee.
Tips for guides, escort, drives, bellman, etc.
Personal expenses such as excess luggage fees, laundry, postage, communications and beverages.
Travel insurance.
Optional meals and shows mentioned in the itinerary, which will be added up if the clients desire to take the activities.
Applicable taxes or government fees.
Any other changes caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority orders, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or injury caused by accident beyond the control of TopChinaTravel and that has incurred due to the tourist action violating the laws.
Contact us : sales@topchinatravel.com
Tel: (86)773-2885326 , 2828304 , 2825759 , Fax: (86)773-2805303
Copyright 2004 All Rights Reserved. Top China Travel
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Day-by-day Itinerary-m.jpg)
-Beijing (B/L)-m.jpg)
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As the biggest public square in the world, Tian¡¯anmen Square conquers you with its grandeur at the first sight. You are quite glad to begin your first-day tour here. Then you are leaded to Forbidden City. It is the imperial palace for 24 emperors during Ming and Qing Dynasties and the biggest ancient architecture complex in the world. You walk in the museum to see with your eyes, to touch with your hands and fell with your hearts. Thanks to this wonderful visiting, you know how the richest feudal country was and how the top rulers and their concubines lived. After enjoyed a nice Chinese lunch , you continue your trip to Temple of Heaven. Different from the red and golden in the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heave is based on a color of blue, which stands the color of sky. You feel the perfect harmony between the architecture and nature and a circle and peace spirit of Chinese people. You even could imagine the vivid pictures of a great sacrifice to the Heaven for good harvest through the description of local guide.-m.JPG)
The Great Wall (Badaling Section) is located in the suburb 75km northwest of Beijing. The highway from Beijing to the Great Wall is smooth and comfortable. The Great Wall is the symbol of China and the wisdom of Chinese people. It is very unbelievable that Chinese succeeded in building such a great architecture with simple tools in ancient time. The construction of the Great Wall began in the 5th century BC. The wall has a total length of 6,700km, traveling up and down over numerous mountains and valleys. Starting in the east at Shanhaiguan Pass, it crosses Heibei Province, Beijing, Shanxi Province, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shaanxi Province, and ending up in Jiayuguan at Gansu Province. It is said the Great Wall is the only man-made project which is visible from the moon. Badaling Section is one of the best preserved and most accessible parts with the essence of the whole Great Wall.-m.jpg)
Xi 'an is a city with time-honored history. It is the city can bring you back in time to ancient Chinese civilization. During its 3,100 years development, 13 dynasties have occupied the region. Besides, the city was the start point of the famous Silk Road. You'll find Xi 'an a large city with a much more relaxed atmosphere than that of Beijing. There are lots of cars but without the traffic pace of Shanghai. One of the important reason for no subway in the city is that there is large part of the wealth of ancient treasures buried here.-m.jpg)
Being a capital of 13 dynasties, Xi¡¯an has so much to offer. Today¡¯s attractions are the best of the best. From your hotel, your local guide directs you to the site where local farmers drilling a series of wells in search of water found excavations of Qin Terror-cotta Army Museum by accident in 1974. It has been regarded as the '8th Wonder of the World.' It was created to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb that's to protect him in his afterlife in the mind of ancient Chinese. Three excavation pits have been opened to the public with a fourth underway. During his visit to China, US former President Clinton came to visit the dig. The fine troops, horses and carriages in battle formation are ancient art treasure and complete illustration of the history of Qin Dynasty.-m.jpg)
Guilin is world-famous for its serene landscape, Karsts limestones formations, mist-covered hills and bamboo groves. Meanwhile it is the home to more than ten ethnic groups, such as Han, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Hui and Dong. On the way from airport to your hotel, you see dozens of pretty hills everywhere in the city of Guilin. It is a city of hills and green trees and boasts one of the most photographed areas of China.
-Yangshuo-
-Guilin (B/L)-m.jpg)
Depart from your hotel in the morning and be transferred to Zhujiang Pier for your Li River Cruise today. A double-decker river boat is waiting for your coming in the pier. -m.jpg)
How time flies! You cannot believe it is your last half day in Guilin. It is lucky that you still have one more spot to enrich your memory- Seven Star Park, which is another good example of Karsts features. The park takes its name from Seven Star Hill consists of seven peaks which are supposed to resemble the star pettern of Ursa Major. What really makes you surprise is not only the scenery but also one lovely panda couple in the zoo! In the exhibition room, you can have a close observation through the glass. The newly Guilin Panda Base equipped with Panda Physical Examine Room, Panda specimen Exhibition Room, Panda Club, 24-hour supervisory control system and professional breeders provides pandas a best environment. Have a nice local lunch and it is time for you to leave for Hong Kong.