| Day No. |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| 1 |
Arrive Beijing |
Arrive Beijing
|
|
|
|
|
Arrive in Beijing. You will be met and transferred to the hotel for a 4-night stay.
|
|
| 2 |
Beijing |
Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Enjoy a full day city tour visiting Tian An Men Square, the largest public plaza in the world, the Forbidden City, which was the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Summer Palace. Take a stroll along the 700+ metre 'Long Corridor' and hear tales of Dowager Empress Cixi's many renovations to this imperial retreat. You will see the marble boat, which the Empress sometimes used for dining and the 150 metre long, 17-arch bridge on Kunming Lake.
|
|
| 3 |
Beijing |
Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Chang Tomb
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Your full day tour takes in one of the world's most awesome sights - the Great Wall is over 3,700 miles long and the greatest man made structure in the world. Continue on to the impressive 'Spirit Way', with its sets of enormous stone guardians, which leads to the Ming Tombs. Visit the Chang Tomb before heading back toward the city.
|
|
| 4 |
Beijing |
Temple of Heaven, Hutong, Peking Duck Dinner
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Your first visit this morning is the Temple of Heaven, where you will observe local residents doing Tai-chi and other morning exercises. Continue your visit to the enormous complex of Tiantan (The Temple of Heaven), where Ming and Qing Emperors prayed for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of the best-known symbols of Beijing - a masterpiece of Ming architecture. Next, visit the Museum of Ancient Chinese Architecture. Continue to explore Beijing's ancient alleyways or hutongs in the oldest part of Beijing, near the Forbidden City. Meet some local residents, and visit one of their homes. This evening, enjoy a Peking Duck dinner and cultural show.
|
|
| 5 |
Beijing / Xian |
Wild Goose Pagoda, Provincial History Museum
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight to Xian. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Of all the cities in China, Xian and its history demonstrate the continuity of Chinese civilization. Once the largest city in the world (around 14th century A.D.) and an extreme example of Imperial splendour, Xian served China as the capital for 11 dynasties. Now it is the capital of Shaanxi Province, 900 kms south-west of Beijing. Modern Xian is not a city of architectural beauty, but the history and relics of the past make it a living museum. Later this afternoon, enjoy a city tour, visiting Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Provincial History Museum.
|
|
| 6 |
Xian |
Qin Shi Huang Di Tomb, Tang Dynasty Show
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Today, we will travel out of the city to the Qin Shi Huang Di Tomb, with its Army of Terra-Cotta Soldiers and Bronze Chariots that were accidentally discovered by farmers in 1974. Visiting this almost unbelievable site is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. Enjoy a dumpling dinner tonight, followed by a Tang Dynasty Show.
|
|
| 7 |
Xian / Chongqing |
Stilwell Museum, Board Cruise
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight to Chongqing today. Visit the Stilwell Museum, former residence of General Joseph Warren Stilwell, chief commander of US forces in the China-Burma-India Theatre during World War II. Board the MV Paradise later today, and settle into your cabin.
|
|
| 8 |
Cruise |
Shibaozhai
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Relax on board and enjoy the scenery today, as your ship sails downriver. Enjoy a shore excursion at Shibaozhai - a gem of Chinese architecture. A wood red pavilion 11 stories high was built against a protruding 220-meter rectangular rock with sheer cliffs on the north bank. You can climb up to the top by a spiral staircase in the pavilion.
|
|
| 9 |
Cruise |
Three Gorges, Shennong Stream
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Continue cruising today through the spectacular Three Gorges. Disembark and board a small boat to ride along the Shennong Stream. Re-board the ship and continue sailing through the gorges.
|
|
| 10 |
Cruise / Shanghai |
Three Gorges Dam Site , Disembark from Cruise
|
B |
L |
|
|
This morning, you will arrive at the Three Gorges Dam Site where you will visit the Three Gorges Project, which is the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Disembark and fly to Shanghai this afternoon. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
|
|
| 11 |
Shanghai |
The Bund, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Garden and Bazaar
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Your full day sightseeing in Shanghai will include The Bund, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Garden and Bazaar and a visit to a carpet weaving factory. In the evening, enjoy a performance of Shanghai's famous Acrobats.
|
|
| 12 |
Shanghai |
Zhujiajiao, Shanghai Museum
|
B |
L |
D |
|
This morning, travel out of Shanghai to visit Zhujiajiao, a charming town, which features bridges of every type imaginable, from wood to stone to marble, in differing sizes and unique styles. Returning to Shanghai this afternoon, visit the world-famous Shanghai Museum, with its extensive collections, said to be the best museum in China.
|
|
| 13 |
Shanghai/Depart |
Depart Shanghai
|
B |
|
|
|
Departure transfer to airport for your homeward flight. End of tour.
|
|
