DAY 1, Sunday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA to China. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey |
DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Beijing |
DAY 3,Tuesday - Forbidden City & Summer Palace Tour
Enjoy a full day tour of the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Begin at Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Erected in 1417 at the height of the Ming Dynasty, the square was renovated and renamed two centuries later at the onset of the Great Qing Dynasty. View several impressive monuments outlining the Square's perimeter, including the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Square's famed ceremonial gateway. From here, venture north for a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), a construction comparable to the Pyramids in Egypt. Known today as the Palace Museum, the entire site is comprised of 800 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms. Enjoy lunch at an authentic Chinese Restaurant close to the Forbidden City, before a visit to the Summer Palace
Optional: Peking Duck Dinner
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 4, Wednesday - Great Wall of China
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Great Wall of China, the longest man-made structure on Earth, spanning nearly 4,000 miles of China's northern frontier. Walk along the promenades and enjoy the unrivaled scenic views of beautiful mountain passes, plateaus and grasslands from this 7th-century defensive fortification. Afterwards, depart for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Following lunch, continue for a tour of the Ming Tombs and a visit to a local jade factory before returning to Beijing
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 5, Thursday - Temple of Heaven Tour, Flight to Xian
This morning enjoy a tour to the 15th century Temple of Heaven, where the Emperor, once considered the "Son of Heaven," displayed his respect to the heavens through ceremonial prayer. The Temple is the grandest of the four great temples located in Beijing and is famous for its white-marbled, circular altar. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian, and transfer to your hotel upon arrival
Overnight: Xian
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 6, Friday - Xian Antiquities Tour with Terracotta Army
This morning enjoy a tour of Xian's antiquities. Your tour includes the archaeological site at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 B.C.), where more than 8,000 finely sculpted, life-size terracotta soldiers and horses were discovered by local farmers in 1974. The archaeological excavation of the three pits where the Terracotta Army was found continues today, more than thirty years since the time of its unearthing. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to a porcelain and terracotta factory before returning to your hotel
Optional: Xian Dumpling Dinner
Overnight: Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 7, Saturday - Xian Sightseeing, Flight to Chongqing
This morning, enjoy a half day sightseeing of the City Wall. Xian's City Wall is one of the largest and oldest military fortifications built during the Tang Dynasty. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then transfer to board your ship on the Yangtze River
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
DAY 8, Sunday - Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise to Fengdu, the "Ghost City," and view the temples at Mingshan Hill. (Alternatively, the cruise may visit Wanxian or Shibaozhai)
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
DAY 9, Monday - Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through Qutang Gorge, the smallest of the three Yangtze gorges, and dock at Wushan for an excursion through the Small Three Gorges along the Daning River. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountain passes as you sail through the 25-mile long Wuxia (Witches) Gorge, famous for its fabled Twelve Peaks. According to legend, the peaks are believed to be the spirits of 12 fairies, the most famous of them being the Shennu Feng (Goddess) Peak, which is topped by a huge rock resembling a kneeling maiden
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
DAY 10, Tuesday - Yangtze River Cruise, Flight to Shanghai
Sail downstream through Xiling Gorge. The longest section of the Three Gorges system, it comprises the Xietan, Qintan, and Kongling rapids in what is known as the Three Rapids of Xiling. Visit the Three Gorges Dam near Sandouping Village. The dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, nearly six times the size of the Hoover Dam. This afternoon, disembark at Yichang to board your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch |
DAY 11, Wednesday - Shanghai City Tour
This morning, tour the major attractions of Shanghai. Wander the classical Yuyuan Garden, built during the Ming Dynasty by the high-ranking government official Pan Yunduan. The Gardens' total area occupies approximately five acres, and features pavilions, ponds, rockeries, cloisters, and streams all within six scenic zones, including the Sansui Hall and Wanhua Chamber. In existence for 400 years, the Gardens were specifically constructed for Pan's aging parents as a sanctuary in which to live out their lives. Next, experience the old world charm of the Bund, the former "Wall Street" of the foreign powers. Walk along its park-like waterfront promenade between the Wusong River and Old Town. Later today, enjoy a stop at a local silk factory. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure
Optional: Acrobatic Show
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast |
DAY 12, Thursday - Depart for the USA
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast |
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