Day 1 U.S.A./Shanghai.
Depart for Shanghai today. Cross the International Date Line and lose one calendar day.
Day 2 Shanghai.
Arrive in the bustling city of Shanghai, one of China's largest and most westernized cities, located at the confluence of the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. HUA TING HOTEL & TOWERS
Day 3 Shanghai.
Spend today exploring this vibrant city. Visit the Bund, the East's most famous street. It's a wide riverside avenue dominated by buildings in the grand European style. Explore the graceful Yu Garden in the oldest part of Shanghai. After an enjoyable dim sum lunch, visit Shanghai Museum where a pageant of Chinese history unfolds as you take in objects as old as the dawn of time. Later this evening enjoy a captivating display of human balance and versatility in an amazing acrobatic show. HUA TING HOTEL & TOWERS (AB, L, D)
Day 4 Shanghai/Yichang.
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to the ancient city of Yichang, located at the eastern end of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before boarding a deluxe Victoria Cruises ship to begin an unforgettable journey on the fabled Yangtze River. (AB, L, D)
DAY 5 Yangtze River Cruise.
Visit the Three Gorges Dam site, the world's largest hydroelectric dam, a monumental set of five giant locks and a tribute to modern engineering. Continue cruising upstream through the stunning Xiling Gorge, longest of the famed Three Gorges. Natural rocks with fanciful profiles, waterfalls and canyons covered in jungle growth make for dramatic sights. (AB, L, D)
Day 6 Yangtze River Cruise.
Early this morning, marvel at Wu Gorge's zigzagging valley. Transfer to a motor launch for a cruise up the Daning River to view the Three Lesser Gorges. Alternately, your excursion may be on the Shennong Stream with its equally impressive small gorges. Life has changed little in these inner canyons over the centuries. People of the Ba Kingdom once lived here over two thousand years ago and entombed their nobles in coffins suspended high in cliff crevices. A spectacular story, a spectacular sight. Upon return to the ship you continue cruising through the dramatic Qutang Gorge, walled by steep mossy cliffs. (AB, L, D)
Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise.
Your cruise continues upstream with a memorable shore excursion to one of the river towns to view the local life and hear and see how the dam project has changed the lifestyle of the local people. (AB, L, D)
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Day 8 Chongqing/Xi'an.
Time permitting, in the 'Mountain City' of Chongqing, there will be a brief sightseeing tour, including a visit to the Joe Stillwell Museum with its collection of World War II memorabilia. Fly to historic Xi'an, a crossroads of ancient cultures that has served as the capital of eleven dynasties. New world hotel XI'AN (AB, L, D)
Day 9 Xi'an.
Visit the famed Wild Goose Pagoda and the South Gate or another of the city's ancient gates. After lunch take an unforgettable excursion to the tomb of the First Emperor of China and revel at the remarkable underground ruins. Visit the archaeological site to view more than 1,000 of the 7,000 life-sized and uniquely detailed figures of the Terracotta Warriors and their horses. This is surely one of the most stunning sights of the trip. This exciting day culminates with a dinner and Tang Dynasty Show. New world hotel XI'AN (AB, L, DS)
Day 10 Xi'an/Beijing.
This morning fly to Beijing, the capital city of the People's Republic of China. In the afternoon experience an exciting rickshaw ride through ancient, narrow streets in the centuries old residential area of Beijing. CAPITAL HOTEL (AB, L, D)
Day 11 Beijing.
Sightseeing begins at the ornately embellished Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming architecture, located in a large park and housing the impressive Hall of Prayer. After lunch, visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world where the chronicles of history have played from ancient times to Mao's raising of the flag of the People's Republic of China. Relive the past as you enter the extraordinary Forbidden City, closed to the public for over 500 years. Here, find China's largest imperial palace and some of the country's best-preserved ancient buildings. CAPITAL HOTEL (AB, L, D)
Day 12 Beijing.
Today's excursion takes you north of Beijing to experience one of the highlights of your visit - China's Great Wall, an extraordinary 4,000-mile-long fortification built over 2,000 years ago to thwart Barbarian invasions. A walk along its undulating and turreted path is spectacular. Then, a short drive to where a tree and statue-lined road takes you to the magnificent Ming Tombs, a series of 13 underground palaces built to hold the lavish wealth of Ming emperors. This evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner while you discuss the day's experiences. CAPITAL HOTEL (AB, L, PD)
Day 13 Beijing/U.S.A.
Today leave Beijing, crossing the International Date Line, arriving the same day to connect with flights home. (AB)
Hotels and itinerary are subject to change.
AB-American Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner, DS- Dinner/Show, PD-Peking Duck Dinner. |
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