Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: West Coast - Beijing. Aboard your transpacific flight to Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing, China's capital, you will be greeted and escorted to the Hotel 4* (or similar).
Day 3: Beijing. After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square and the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City, home of Chinese Emperors for more than 500 years. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, taking a leisure stroll while admiring the thousands of ancient murals along the Long Corridor and a boat ride on the Kunming Lake (weather permitting). Enjoy a fabulous welcome banquet featuring the famous Beijing Duck in the evening.
Day 4: Beijing. The highlight today is an excursion to the Great Wall. Enjoy the dramatic vistas and marvel at the Wall as it climbs and descends steep ridges and narrow valleys. Continue on to visit a cloisonné factory on the way to lunch. After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs starting with a stroll along the Sacred Way guarded by the stone statues; then onto the Chang Ling Exhibition Museum. Drive around the intriguing architecture of the main Olympic venues, the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be hold, and the National Aquatics with the nickname of the Water Cube (H2O3) for its unique out looking.
Day 5: Beijing. Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning, where the emperors came to pray for good harvest and pay his appreciation. Free at leisure in the afternoon. You may take an optional Hutong tour, a pedicab ride through the "Old City" neighborhood of narrow lanes and courtyard gardens hidden behind Beijing's moder facade. Visit Prince Gong's Palace, the Drum Tower, and old-style courtyard houses still inhabited by Beijing residents.
Day 6: Beijing - Xi'an. This morning take a flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will start your tour of the Ancient City Walls, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower. Overnight at the Gloria Hotel 4* (or similar).
Day 7: Xi'an. Today's highlight is a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, home to more than 6,000 life-size army excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. After lunch, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, renowned for its collection of Han and Tang dynasty antiquities. In the evening, enjoy a special dumpling dinner and cultural show recreating the music, costumes and dance of the Tang Dynasty.
Day 8: Xi'an - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise. Transfer to the airport for your flight to the mountainous city of Chongqing. Upon arrival, your city tour will include a visit to the Stillwell Museum where you will see a collection of World War II memorabilia, including exhibits on the Flying Tigers. If time permits, visit the People's Congress Hall and the art gallery. After dinner, board the 5-star Century Star Cruises and begin your memorable journey on the Yangtze River.
Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise: Shibaozhai. Today's shore excursion is to Shibaozhai, famous for its 12-story wooden pagoda built against a sheer cliff on the river bank over some 400 years ago.
* Depending on local river conditions, alternate shore excursion to Wanzhou may occur.
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise: Danning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream. This morning you will cruise through the first two of the famous Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge, the shortest but the most dramatic gorge and Wu Gorge, known for its sheer cliffs and twelve peaks. Your excursion will include boarding a smaller vessel up the Danning River to view the sceneries of the Small Gorges. If weather permits, a sampan ride will take you into the tranquil tributary. Subject to river condition, alternate excursion to Shennong Stream may occur, also with its spectacular views of the Small Gorges. Your cruise continues and passes through the last and longest gorge, Xiling Gorge. Then sail through the double-lane five stages of the Three Gorges ship locks.
Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise: Three Gorges Dam - Yichang - Shanghai. This morning, your cruise arrives Yang Jia Wang where you will enjoy a shore excursion at the Three Gorges Dam site, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Continue onto Yichang where you disembark. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai - "Paris of the Orient". Afternoon sightseeing features the bustling shopping street Nanjing Road, and The Bund, famous promenade along the Huangpu River. Check in to the Vista Holilday Inn Shanghai 4* (or similar).
* If direct flight is not available, transfer by motorcoach to Wuhan for flight to Shanghai.
Day 12: Shanghai. This morning, you will visit the Shanghai Museum, China's most up-to-date museum showcasing the country's ancient glory. In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple, renowned for its huge statue of the Buddha carved from a single piece of white jade; and the Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds, and Old Shanghai Bazaar, with shops filled with all manner of interesting curios.
Day 13: Shanghai. Spend today at leisure to explore this vibrant city on your own. Perhaps take an optional tour to one of the nearby picturesque water towns, known for their winding canals, arched stone bridges and well-preserved architecture from Ming and Qing Dynasty.
Day 14: Shanghai - Next Destination. Farewell to Shanghai. Transfer to the airport. End of services.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- First class hotel accommodation, based on standard room double occupancy
- Courtesy round-trip airport transfer
- English speaking guide
- Sightseeing as listed in itinerary
- All main entrance fees
- Handling one piece of luggage weighing no more than 44 lbs I handled
- China domestic air (SHA/YIH, CKG/XIY, XIY/PEK), coach class
Price Excludes:
- International airfare, air tax/fuel surcharge
- China entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips (suggested: $8 - $10 per day per person)
- Any personal expenses such as excess luggage fee, laundry, postage, communications and beverage, etc
- Meals or services not mentioned in the itinerary
The rate is not valid for the periods of China Labor Day, National Day and Beijing Olympic Games. The rate is good for check payment only.
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Asia
China
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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