China Panorama and Yangtze Experience(downstream)

Day 1 ARRIVE IN BEIJING

Upon arrive in Beijing, our tour guide will meet you at the exit of Beijing airport holding a welcome sign board with your name on. Then send you to the hotel and help you check in. The rest of the day is on your own arrangment for Relax or explore the city.

	The Forbidden City

Day 2 BEIJING (AB,L,SD)

The excursion today includes a visit to Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing and the largest public space on earth. Step back in time as you pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace and enter the Forbidden City, home to the Imperial Courts of the Ming and Qing Dynasties for more than 500 years. The Forbidden City is an enormous complex of perfectly preserved palaces, temples, magnificent squares and formal gardens. You’ll stroll cobblestone paths once known only to the Emperor’s most intimate advisors, visit the private apartments of Imperial concubines and see stunning collections of priceless art, furnishings, and jewelry.
After lunch you’ll visit the Summer Palace, a fairyland of pagodas, pavilions and stone bridges on the outskirts of the city.Feast your eyes on the Long Corridor, Longevity Hill, and Kunming Lake.
Your dinner tonight will be served with a delicious Beijing Duck Dinner valued at US$15.00 net per person at the original, century-old restaurant.
Optional program:A lively Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre.

Day 3 BEIJING (AB,L,SD)

The highlight today is a trip to the astonishing Great Wall of China. You will leave the bustle and traffic of Beijing behind and journey through the countryside to see The Great Wall in Mutianyu where you will experience at first hand one of the Wonders of the World(a cable car ride is included). There will be plenty of time to walk along a portion of this 3700-mile long marvel or to simply sit and contemplate the wonders of China’s past. Compared with the other normal tours having lunch at the shopping site restaurant, we specially arrange your lunch served at a local popular Sichuan food restaurant. Later the journey will take you to the Ming Tomb in the peaceful shadow of Longevity Mountain,where you’ll walk along the “Sacred Way”lined with stone statutes of different kinds of animals such as lions, elephants, camels and etc. Then back to Beijing.

Day 4 BEIJING / XI’AN (AB, L, SD)

This morning take a flight to Xian, the ancient capital city for 11 dynasties in Chinese history.Upon arrival in Xi'an airport, you will be met and transported to hotel. You’ll begin the visit with a tour of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures from India. You’ll stroll through Xian’s bustling markets and visit the Provincial Museum of History where you’ll see artifacts from the Paleolithic period, priceless Tang Dynasty bronzes and treasures from the Silk Road caravans.
Tonight you will be served with a delicious dumpling dinner banquet.
Optional program: Enjoy the on-stage performance of Tang Dynasty dance and music in the evening.

Day 5 XI’AN (AB L D)

Today you’ll visit what for many is the high point of their trip to China - the excavation site of the Terra-Cotta Warriors. More than 6000 soldiers, ministers and horses, each individually sculpted from a real life model, stand guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s still unopened tomb. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the site, get a good look at the warriors from various vantage points and visit the excellent museum. You will then take a tour of the well-preserved ancient City Wall and the Bell Tower, the emblem of Xi'an city.

Day 6 XI’AN / CHONGQING (AB,L,D)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the mountainous city of Chongqing. Upon arrival, your city tour will include a visit to the Stilwell Museum where you will see a collection of World War II memorabilia, including exhibits on the Flying Tigers. Time permitting, you will also visit the People’s Congress Hall and the art gallery.

	Yangtze River Cruise

Day 7 CHONGQING / DAZU / YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (AB,L,D)

After breakfast, you will tour to Dazu, famous for its sacred Buddhist rock carving. There are over 10,000 religious sculptures in the area of Baoding Shan and Bei Shan. Return to Chongqing for dinner before boarding Yantze River Cruise Ship and begin your memorable journey on the Yangtze River.

Day 8 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (AB,L,D)

You’ll take a short break from the fabulous natural scenery to visit the most spectacular manmade site along the river, Shibaozhai, the Stone Treasure Fortress. You’ll disembark to explore this 12-story red, wooden pagoda that stands against a sheer rock wall over some 400 years ago.  
**Depending on local river conditions, alternate shore excursion to Wanxian or Ghost City of Fengdu may occur.

Day 9  YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (AB,L,D)

This morning you will cruise through the first two of the famous Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge, the shortest but the most dramatic gorge and Wu Gorge, known for its sheer cliffs and twelve peaks. Your excursion will include boarding a smaller vessel up the Daning River to view the sceneries of the Small Gorges. If weather permits, a sampan ride will take you into the tranquil tributary. Subject to river condition, alternate excursion to Shennong Stream may occur, also with its spectacular views of the Small Gorges.  Your cruise continues and passes through the last and longest gorge, Xiling Gorge. Then sail through the double-lane five stages of the Three Gorges ship locks.

Day 10 YICHANG / SHANGHAI (AB,L,D)

This morning, your cruise arrives Yang Jia Wang where you will enjoy a shore excursion at the Three Gorges Dam site, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Continue onto Yichang where you disembark. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, your personal guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. This evening experience Shanghai’s world-famous nightclubs on your own, walk along Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s fabulous shopping street, or simply enjoy the hotel’s amenities and rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.
**If direct flight is not available, transfer by motorcoach to Wuhan for flight to Shanghai

Day 11 SHANGHAI(AB, L, SD)

This morning you’ll recall Shanghai’s past as you visit the Bund, the city’s lively waterfront, and see the remains of the banks and other colonial institutions of the 19th century. You’ll visit Yuyuan Garden in the old part of the city and the Jade Buddha Temple with its fine collection of carved jade statues. You’ll also visit the Oriental Pearl Tower for a spectacular 360-degree view of Shanghai.
In the evening you will sample the traditional Dim-sum Banquet, and then you will enjoy a wonderful Acrobatic Show.

Day 12 SHANGHAI (AB,L,D)

This morning you’ll travel by road to Zhujiajao (50 minute drive from Shanghai), a well-preserved, traditional river town with lovely water views, ancient arched stone bridges and elegant gardens. At Zhujiajiao, you will walk through Fangsheng Bridge, Beida Street, and the Xi Family Residence. You will feel as though you have stepped back in time. After lunch, you’ll return to Shanghai and tour the fascinating Shanghai Museum to see artifacts from every period of China’s past. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Shop, discover more of the city on your own or revisit your favorite sites.

Day 13 SHANGHAI / HANGZHOU (AB,L,D)

This morning, you will take a train to scenic Hangzhou. upon arrival, you will start exploring this charming 2,000-year-old city with a boat ride on scenic West Lake. enjoy the fascinating sceneries and view goldfish at Flower Harbor at the West Lake, which is considered one of the top ten scenic attractions of the West Lake.

	Hongkong

Day 14  HANGZHOU / GUILIN (AB,L,D)

Today you will visit Ling Yin Temple (Temple of Soul’s Retreat) and Feilai Peak (the Peak that Flew Here). Continue to the 1,000-year-old Pagoda of Six Harmonies. After that you will enjoy a tea ceremony sipping Dragonwell green tea at the Long Jing Tea Plantation and learn the Chinese tea culture. In late afternoon, take a late flight to Guilin, famous for its picturesque limestone peaks and rivers. 

Day 15  GUILIN / YANGSHUO (AB,L,D)

Today you will take a relaxing cruise on the Li River to Yangshuo. Depart from your hotel in the morning. Be transferred to the Zhujiang Pier(about 40 m. drive) for a 4 hours wonderful cruise. Enjoy the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields ,farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank. Disembark at the one-thousand-year-old town Yangshuo in the afternoon and take a countryside tour by Sightseeing Electric Car. You will visit plantings fields, market and the beautiful villages and a local villager's home to experience the farmer's lifestyle.
Enjoy a grand performance of folklore dance accompanied with a backdrop of limestone peaks and rivers accompanied by light and sound on Li River in the evening before returning to Guilin by car.

Day 16  GUILIN / HONGKONG (AB,L,D)

After breakfast, you will take a tour of the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of the city, and the Reed Flute Cave, a fairy land of limestone known as the “art gallery of nature”, and Fubo Hill’s dramatic rock formation. Transfer to the airport and take a flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrive you will be met and transferred to Hotel.

Day 17 HONGKONG (AB,L,-)

Today’s half day sightseeing tour gives an introduction to Hong Kong Island. Your tour will take you through Repulse Bay, Stanley Market and Aberdeen’s floating community. Then up to Victoria Peak to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 18  HONGKONG (AB)

You will be free on this day until be transported to the airport for your flight home.

Itinerary: AB: American Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner SD: Special Dinner