| Date |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| Oct 12 |
Arrive Beijing |
Arrive Beijing
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Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for 4 nights' accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own.
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| Oct 13 |
Beijing |
Tian An Men Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace
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B |
L |
D |
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Today's full day sightseeing tour includes a visit to Tian An Men Square, the largest public plaza in the world; the Forbidden City which was the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasty and the lavish 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.
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| Oct 14 |
Beijing |
Great Wall, Beijing Opera
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B |
L |
D |
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After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. You will take a cable car ride up to the wall which is one of the world's most awesome sights - over 3,700 miles long and the greatest man made structure in the world. If available, there will be an opportunity to attend a Beijing Opera performance tonight.
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| Oct 15 |
Beijing |
Temple of Heaven, Hutongs, Peking Duck Dinner
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B |
L |
D |
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This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Qing emperors prayed for good harvests, followed by a visit to Liulichang, Beijing's Cultural Street. This afternoon, 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. Tonight, enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner at the famous Sick Duck Restaurant.
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| Oct 16 |
Beijing / Xian |
City Wall, Bell Tower, Grand Mosque, Dumpling Dinner
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B |
L |
D |
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Enjoy some free time this morning, before transferring to the airport for departure to Xian. On arrival, transfer to the Sofitel Hotel for 2 nights' accommodation. Later in the day visit the City Wall, Bell Tower and Grand Mosque. Enjoy a dumpling dinner tonight at Defachang - Xian's oldest dumpling restaurant.
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| Oct 17 |
Xian |
Terracotta Army
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B |
L |
D |
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Once the largest city in the world, Xian is an extreme example of imperial splendour and served China as its capital for 11 dynasties. Today, your sightseeing will include visits to the Qin Shi Huang Di Tomb, with its Army of Terra-Cotta Soldiers and Bronze Chariots.
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| Oct 18 |
Xian / Chongqing |
Shaanxi History Museum, board Yangtze Cruise
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B |
L |
D |
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This morning visit the Shaanxi History Museum and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the afternoon depart by air for Chongqing. On arrival, enjoy a short city tour (if time permits) before dinner. After dinner, board your cruise ship, MV East King.
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| Oct 19 |
Yangtze River Cruise |
Fengdu or Shibaozhai or Wanzhou
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B |
L |
D |
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Todays shore excursion may visit either Fengdu; with over 700 temples constructed on Mingshan Hill, many containing statues of ghosts and devils, it is easy to see how Fengdu acquired the name "Ghost City"; or 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; or Wanzhou, where you have a chance to visit the town and local market.
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| Oct 20 |
Yangtze River Cruise |
Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Small Gorges Excursion
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B |
L |
D |
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Head downstream this morning through Qutang Gorge, the first of the three gorges. Next proceed through Wu Gorge. Later this morning, disembark and board a boat to ride along the Shennong Stream or Danning River. Re-board the ship and proceed through the passage cruising through Xiling, the longest and the last of the three gorges. Arriving at the Three Gorges Dam Site, continue sailing downstream through the Three Gorges Dam Shiplocks.
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| Oct 21 |
Yichang / Shanghai |
Three Gorges Dam Site
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B |
L |
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This morning, visit the Three Gorges Project, which is the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Disembark after lunch, and transfer to the airport for departure to Shanghai. On arrival, transfer to the Salvo Hotel for a 3-night stay. Evening at leisure.
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| Oct 22 |
Shanghai |
Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Garden, Acrobats
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B |
L |
D |
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Your full day sightseeing in Shanghai will include the Shanghai Museum, The Bund, The Jade Buddha Temple and the Yu Yuan Garden and Bazaar. In the evening, enjoy a performance of Shanghai's famous Acrobats.
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| Oct 23 |
Shanghai |
Suzhou: Gardens & Grand Canal
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B |
L |
D |
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Today you will travel by train to Suzhou for a full day tour including a cruise on the Grand Canal and a visit to some of the beautiful Gardens such as Humble Administrator's Garden; Surging Wave Pavilion and Garden of Harmony. A visit to a silk factory operating only with silk worm threads will be another highlight of Suzhou. Return to Shanghai by train.
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| Oct 24 |
Depart Shanghai |
Depart - OR - Extend your stay to Guilin & Hong Kong
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B |
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Transfer to the airport today for departure.
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| Oct 24 |
Shanghai / Guilin |
Optional Extension: Fly to Guilin
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B |
L |
D |
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Transfer to the airport this morning for departure to Guilin. Guilin is the most fabled city of China having a reputation for the most beautiful scenery in the country. On arrival, transfer to the Lijiang Waterfall Hotel.
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| Oct 25 |
Guilin |
Li River Cruise
|
B |
L |
D |
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Today you will enjoy a Li River cruise to Yangshuo, passing through China's most famous landscape. The tall pointed hills and rice paddies are familiar from many Chinese paintings. Lunch onboard, then time for browsing Yangshuo's antiques and crafts stalls before driving back to Guilin. This evening, take in the dazzling lights in downtown Guilin with a cruise through the city centre on a series of interconnected lakes.
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| Oct 26 |
Guilin / Hong Kong |
Leisure
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B |
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Enjoy a day of leisure in Guilin for strolling, shopping or relaxing. This evening, depart by air for Hong Kong. On arrival, check into the Miramar Hotel.
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| Oct 27 |
Hong Kong |
Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Repulse Bay
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B |
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This morning, take a half-day tour of Hong Kong Island which will include a ride up to the Victoria Peak with its magnificent view of the city and its famous harbour. A visit to the fishing community at Aberdeen and Repulse Bay will conclude this morning's sightseeing. Afternoon at leisure.
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| Oct 28 |
Depart Hong Kong |
Depart
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B |
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Transfer to the airport today for departure.
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