DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for China
Depart for China

DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, sprawling capital of modern China, and transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Beijing

DAY 3, Thursday - Forbidden City & Great Wall of China
Begin at Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. View several impressive monuments outlining the Square's perimeter. From here, venture north for a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace). Stop at a local jade shop before arriving 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 admire the unrivaled scenic views of beautiful mountain passes, plateaus and grasslands from this 7th century defensive fortification. Afterward, have lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, followed by dinner
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Friday - Full Day in Beijing
Spend your day at leisure to explore Beijing on your own. Or join the fascinating optional Half Day Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once the place where emperors prayed for peace and a bountiful harvest. Visit a local pearl shop to learn about the popular Chinese pearls. In the afternoon, join the optional Summer Palace and a visit to the Beijing Zoo to see the world-famous pandas. Tonight, savor an optional Peking Duck dinner, the most culturally famous meal in China
Optional: Half Day Temple of Heaven
Optional: Summer Palace and Panda visit at Beijing Zoo with lunch
Optional: Peking Duck Dinner
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Saturday - Flight to Yichang, Cruise Embarkation
Morning optional tour to Beijing's unique Hutong area to absorb the culture and traditions of Old China, including a visit with a local family. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Yichang. Upon arrival, continue to the port for embarkation on your cruise ship. This evening, you'll begin the scenic journey on the fabled Yangtze, the longest river in China and the third longest river in the world. You'll be warmly welcomed aboard by the friendly international staff
Optional: Half Day Hutong Tour (AM)
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Sunday - Xiling Gorge
This afternoon, participate in the optional tour to the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest and most ambitious hydroelectric project ever undertaken by man, nearly six times the size of the Hoover Dam. In addition to producing electricity, the dam was constructed to increase the Yangtze River's shipping capacity and reduce the potential for floods. This project has forever changed the landscape surrounding the Yangtze River and has also forced the relocation of people who once lived along the river. Tour the massive site to see this impressive achievement of engineering. Following the visit, return to the ship as it cruises upstream and enters the dramatic Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest section of the Three Gorges
Optional: Yangtze River Shore Excursion Package - Three Gorges Dam
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Monday - Wu Gorge & Qutang Gorge
Awake this morning to beautiful vistas on the river. Sail through the Wu Gorge, famed for its magnificent Twelve Peaks. Today, your optional tour will take you either on a scenic journey up Shennong Stream, traveling in small boats between rolling hills and rocky cliffs, or on a scenic journey up Shennv Stream. The journey is accompanied by local folk songs and dances. Continue through the Qutang Gorge, the smallest of the three gorges, flanked by lush terraced hillsides
Optional: Yangtze River Shore Excursion Package - Shennv Stream or Shennong Stream
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Tuesday - Cruise to Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture & Mt. Shuanngui
This morning, the ship docks near Fengdu in Chongqing. Today's optional tour* allows for exploration of the Xianguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park with its recreated ancient residential buildings, courtyards, temples, wood carvings and city gates. The park features lively performances like Sichuan opera and acrobatics. Adjacent to the park is Mt. Shuanggui, a national forest park, which offers scenic beauty and a rich history, with cliffs bearing calligraphic writings from the Song Dynasty and pavilions honoring historic figures. It's a captivating blend of nature and culture*Depending on river conditions, this optional tour may be substituted with one that visits the Shibaozhai Temple
Optional: Yangtze River Shore Excursion Package - Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park & Mt. Shuanggui
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Wednesday - Disembarkation, Flight to Shanghai
Disembark the cruise in Chongqing and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, the fastest growing city in Asia, with its dramatic ever-changing skyline. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Thursday - Yuyuan Garden & Bund
Today, visit the classical Yuyuan Garden, built during the Ming Dynasty by the high-ranking government official Pan Yunduan. 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. Make a stop at a local silk carpet and embroidery shop and then 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. Tonight at dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Friday - Depart China
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast