About your tour
A four-day cruise on the legendary
Yangtze, a highlight of this tour, is one of the great river
odysseys through spectacular scenery and timeless history. You'll
see ancient sites and remote rural villages as well as an up-close
look at the world's largest construction project, the Three Gorges
Dam. The scenic highlights of this river journey are many, but most
spectacular are the Three Gorges that lie upstream of the dam site.
Quatang Gorge is dramatic with steep cliffs that guard ancient
sites such as the Meng Liang staircase carved into rock. Wu Gorge
with its twelve peaks and pristine, forest-clad mountains has been
admired for centuries. During one day of your cruise, you will
visit Wanxian where you may visit a silk-weaving factory and the
Three Gorges Museum. This ideal tour combines the splendors of the
Yangtze River with China's historic treasures.
You begin in Shanghai where a full day of sightseeing
introduces you to sites like the Bund, referring to Shanghai's
famous waterfront which today consists of a marvelous promenade,
the perfect platform for strolling along the busy riverway. A visit
to the Jade Buddha Temple and a tour of the tranquil YuYuan Gardens
are other highlights. Following your cruise, you fly to the unique
city of Guilin where you will visit the Chinese Art Institute and
later participate in a private Tai Chi lesson. In Xian, located in
China's interior, you'll marvel at China's greatest archaeological
excavation site, the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors, and enjoy a
special dumpling dinner. Your tour concludes with a 3-night stay in
Beijing, the capital of China. Highlights include Tiananmen Square,
the Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City, which provides a glimpse
of the lives of China's mighty emperors. You'll enjoy a
once-in-a-lifetime rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and
alleys of Beijing's oldest part, share lunch with a family in their
Hutong home, and go kite-flying during an excursion to the Great
Wall.
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Your itinerary
Day 1 & 2: Overnight flight - Arrive
Shanghai, China
Your tour begins in Shanghai, the economic
capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most
fascinating countries in the world.
Prepare to immerse yourself in this land of stunning scenery and
ancient culture.
(D)
Day 3: Shanghai
Today enjoy a sightseeing tour of the
booming city of Shanghai. The tour includes visits to the Old Town,
with its narrow streets and traditional buildings; the Yuyuan
Gardens, an island of tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of the
city; the Bund, the waterfront area that was the centre of 19th
century colonialism; and the Children's Palace, a Chinese-style
fortress where local children play after school.
Tonight you are sure to enjoy the amazing performers at the
Acrobatic Show. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Shanghai - Yichang - Shashi - Board
Cruise
A visit to the most important temple in
Shanghai, the Jade Buddha Temple, brings you to the home of two
white jade statues of Buddha, given to China as a gift from Burma.
Fly to Yichang, the
"Gateway to the Three Gorges", then travel a short distance to
Shashi. En route, visit the famed City
Wall of Jingzhou, the ancient capital of the Chu Kingdom.
Then, board your ship for a 4-night cruise
of the Yangtze River. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Cruising - Gezhou Dam - Xiling
Gorge
Visit the construction site
of the Three Gorges Dam project. The dam is 27 miles upstream
from Yichang City proper, at Sandouping Village, inside the first
of the three gorges. It is planned to be,
by far, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Cruising - Wu Gorge
Your excursion today includes a visit to
the Shennong Stream in pea boats on the Daning River. You will see breathtaking scenery of the Parrot &
Dragon Boat Gorges. You will also pass
through the Wu & Quatang Gorges.
(B, L, D)
Day 7: Cruising - Wanxian
Your morning includes a visit to Wanxian,
guarded by two nine-story pagodas and known as "the gateway to East
Sichuan." You may visit silk-weaving
factories and the Three Gorges Museum.
After lunch, enjoy an exciting acrobatic show and take a leisurely
stroll through the busy local market.
(B, L, D)
Day 8: Chongqing - Disembark Ship -
Guilin
You arrive at the scenic mountain city of
Chongqing. Disembark your ship and if time
permits, visit the Stilwell Museum, Eling Park and Painter's
Village. This afternoon you fly to the
unique city of Guilin.
(B, L, D)
Day 9: Guilin
Cruise along the Li River and behold the
beauty of Guilin's unique scenery, which has been inspiring Chinese
poets for centuries. Enjoy leisure time in
Guilin to visit the markets and bargain with the locals for
souvenirs. Visit the
fascinting Chinese Art Institute in Guilin for an informative
artisan demonstration. This evening's entertainment includes a
Minority Cultural Show. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Guilin - Xian
This morning, participate in one of the
oldest and most revered Chinese traditions - Tai Chi. Experience peace and tranquility as you participate in a
private Tai Chi lesson. Today you will visit the Reed Flute
Caves, with its wonderful underground scenery.
After lunch enjoy a tour of landmark Guilin City and stop
at Elephant Trunk Hill before boarding your flight to Xian, located
in China's interior.
(B, L, D)
Day 11: Xian
Your tour of this former capital of China
begins with visits to its imposing city walls and the classical
Wild Goose Pagoda. Later, a visit to the
excavation site of the Terra-Cotta Warriors will simply astound you
with its vast stone army created to guard one of China's emperors
in the afterlife. After lunch you will
visit the impressive Provincial Museum. Tonight features a special Xian dumpling
dinner. (B, L,
D)
Day 12: Xian - Beijing
This morning you fly to the capital of
China, Beijing. A fascinating sightseeing
tour of Beijing includes visits to imposing Tiananmen Square and
the Forbidden City, the vast 15th century complex of
palaces, courtyards, and gardens that was once home to the emperors
of the Ming and Qing dynasties. A visit is also made to the Temple
of Heaven, an impressive shrine where Chinese emperors worshipped
their gods. Attend a tea ceremony at the Imperial Tea
House. This evening, a
special treat is in store - a Peking duck dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 13: The Great Wall
No visit to China would be complete without
visiting the Great Wall. You will have the
chance to walk along a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. Experience a time-honoured and favourite pastime of the
Chinese when you go kite-flying on the Great Wall! Later travel through the valley
of the Ming Tombs, burial sites of 13 Ming Dynasty
emperors. Your route takes you along a
scenic avenue called the Way of the Spirit.
Tonight, enjoy a special Peking Opera show. (B, L, D)
Day 14: Beijing
This morning you take a once-in-a-lifetime
rickshaw tour through the narrow streets and alleys of the oldest
part of Beijing. With help
from an interpreter, learn about a local
family's history and way of life when you share lunch with them in
their Hutong home.
They will also teach you the art of traditional dumpling
making! Then enjoy a sightseeing tour of
the Summer Palace. Later, join your fellow
travellers for a farewell dinner.
(B, L, D)
Day 15: Beijing - Depart for UK
Today you depart for home. (B)
Day 15: Arrive Home
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