Itinerary

Day 1 Home City – Beijing

Your journey begins with an overnight transpacific flight across the International Date Line.

Day 2 Arrive Beijing

Meet on arrival and transfer to your luxury accommodation.

Hotel:5* Deluxe Regent Wangfujiang Hotel (4 nights)

Day 3 Beijing (B/L/SD)

Today's tours include Tiananmen Square and the largest Imperial Palace in the world -the Forbidden City of Supreme Harmony & Dignity (UNESCO); the largest imperial garden in the world, the elegant Summer Palace (UNESCO) including cruise on the shimmering waters of Kunming Lake. Tonight we enjoy Peking Duck Dinner. 

Day 4 Beijing (B/L/D)

Today we first visit the "Beijing 2008 Olympic Site" -the Bird's Nest & Water Cube -with spectacular opportunities for photography before heading to the Great Wall to walk along its ramparts for breathtaking views. Later we visit the Ming Dynasty's Imperial Tomb (UNESCO) including a visit to the Sacred Stature Road. Tonight we enjoy a cultural show.

Day 5  Beijing  (B/L)

This morning we visit The Temple of Heaven (UNESCO) including a visit the Imperial Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Imperial Vault, and the Imperial Sacrificial Altar. Then we approach the Confucius Temple. This afternoon we ride the old-fashioned Pedi cabs to the historical sites behind the main street to the narrow alleys to visit a family in their traditional residence. If time is available, we will visit the Beijing City Planning Exhibition. 

Day 6 Beijing / Xian - by air (B/L/SD)

Today we fly to Xian, this ancient capital which during the Tang dynasty was the world's most prosperous city. After check-in at our hotel we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Banpo Neolithic Museum. Tonight we enjoy Xian Cuisine of Dumpling Dinner at the famous Defachang Restaurant.                                             

Hotel:5* Deluxe Xian Sofitel Hotel (2 nights)

Day 7 Xian  (B/L/SD)

A full day of tours today begins with the famous UNESCO site of the First Emperor Qin Tomb of Terra-cotta Warriors & Bronze Chariots. This afternoon we return back to the city to visit the City Wall-the best preserved military wall which surrounding the ancient city. Tonight we enjoy Tang Dynasty Dinner Show.  

Day 8 Xian / Chongqing - by air  (B/L/D)

Today we fly to Chongqing, the largest metropolitan area in Western China. We take in a city tour and visit the Museum of the Yangtze River and The Hall of People before embarking on the new deluxe ship, the MS Yangtze Explorer for a memorable downstream sailing.

Cruise Ship: 6* MS Yangtze Explorer (3 nights)

Day 9  Cruise (B/L/D)

Today we sail through the gorges and the deep mountain valleys in this river system. This afternoon we arrive at the ghost city of Fengdu for a shore excursion. 

Day 10 Cruise (B/L/D)

Our voyage today takes us into the first Qutang Gorge and the second Wu Gorge before sailing under the Twelve Peaks. Upon reaching the famed Shennong Stream, we board a smaller boat to sail deep into the fabled Three Lesser Gorges of 3 hours of exploration. Finally we sail through the huge Three Gorges Dam area and descend 412 feet through five locks.

Day 11 Cruise and disembarkation at Yichang, then fly to Shanghai (B/L)

This morning we disembark at Yichang and then fly to Shanghai. Transfer and check into our luxury hotel.           

Hotel:5* Deluxe Shanghai Skyway Pullman Hotel (3 nights)

Day 12 Shanghai (B/L/D)

This morning we visit Old Downtown and the classical Yu Garden. This afternoon our tour highlights the colonial European past of the city with a visit to The Bund. Later we visit Xintiandi, a very well-known boutique area. Tonight we enjoy Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 13 Shanghai (B/L)

Today's highlight is to visit Shanghai World Exhibition (Shanghai EXPO). The Exhibition covers a large area of over 5.6 km² with 27 master halls built as an example of sustainable and harmonious urban living as indicated by the Expo Theme "Better City. Better Life". (On dates when the Shanghai EXPO is unavailable we will take an excursion to the ancient water-town of Zhujiajiao.) This afternoon we visit the Shanghai Museum, one of best museums in the world featuring over 120,000 cultural relics. After the Museum we stroll out the North Gate to the People Square.

Day 14 Depart Shanghai  (B)