The Real Deal Round-trip airfare, 10 nights' accommodations, 27 meals, airport-hotel transfers, and sightseeing tours, from $1,439 per person—plus an estimated $395 in taxes.

When Nov. 10, 17, Dec. 1, 29, 2008. Add $340 for June 23, Sept. 8, 15, 22, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Dec. 15, 22.

BEIJING IN TRANSITION View our photos of the Chinese capital as it builds ambitious new stadiums, subways, and high-rises for the 2008 Olympics. • Launch the slide show

Gateways L.A. Add $60 for New York City.

The Fine Print Hotel taxes are included. Does not include airport taxes and fees of $395. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $475. U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to China. You can secure one for $130, if you apply in person at a local Chinese embassy or consulate; there is an additional $50 fee if you go through Champion Holidays instead. See our country-by-country visa advice here. If you customize the tour, perhaps by adding extra nights or changing the cities visited, there is a $200 per person surcharge. Hotels are subject to change. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book By No deadline; based on availability.

Contact Champion Holidays, 800/868-7658, china-discovery.com.

Why It's a Deal You'll fly into Beijing and out of Shanghai. In a recent search, Kayak produced a $904 fare on Asiana Airlines for a multicity itinerary (L.A. to Beijing and Shanghai to L.A.) in early November. Essentially, for $930 more, Champion Holidays takes care of 10 nights' accommodations, guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees, most meals, air and ground transfers within China, and all taxes and fees. Furthermore, the Asiana flight between L.A. and Beijing has a layover in Seoul; the Air China flight used in the Champion Holidays package is nonstop.

BT Discount! As a bonus, until June 30, Champion Holidays is offering a special $100 per person discount for Budget Travel readers only, which brings the package price down to $1,734 (including taxes) per person. (Use promo code EBT063008; only applies to September, October, and December departures).

Trip Details The Fragrant Fields tour hits may of China's blockbuster attractions, from Beijing (Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City) to the ancient capitals of Nanjing (tombs of the first two Ming emperors) and Hangzhou (Pagoda of Six Harmonies).

After your overnight flight to Beijing on Air China, with meals and movies included, you'll head to the 360-room OrientalBay International Hotel. It's close to the Olympic Games Village and will be your base for three nights.

You'll spend two full days in the capital of China. As part of an included tour, you'll visit the Palace Museum, Tiananmen Square, and the emperor's Summer Palace, a wonderland of temples, lakes, and gardens. It was built in the 18th century by the royal family as an escape from the heat in the Forbidden City. You'll also see the Great Wall, and the Ming Tombs, the well-preserved cemetery of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Your evenings will include an authentic Peking duck dinner and an acrobatic show.

While in Beijing, be sure to check out its largest and most peaceful temple, found in the northeast corner of Dongcheng. Though it's a monastery now—complete with chanting and incense in the five prayer halls—Lama Temple was once a residence of the royal family, which explains the ornate carvings and tapestries.