Yangtze River Cruise (Downstream)

Day 1: ARRIVE IN BEIJING

Upon arrival in Beijing; our tour guide will meet you at the customs exit of Beijing airport holding a welcome sign board with your name on it. The guide will assist your transfer to the hotel and help you check in. The rest of the day is on your own and can be used for relaxing or exploring the city.

	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 in the world and the Forbidden City. 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 Dynasty 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 along 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. Following lunch there will be a tour of the Summer Palace, a fairyland of pagodas, pavilions and stone bridges on the outskirts of the city. There you can visit Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake and take a leisurely walk down the Long Corridor. Tonight's special dinner will be Beijing Duck, served at an original century-old restaurant.
Optional program:A lively Peking Opera performance at the Liyuan Theatre.

Day 3: BEIJING(AB, L, SD)

This morning you will leave the bustle and traffic of Beijing behind and journey through the countryside to see the Great Wall in Badaling where you will experience at first hand one of the Wonders of the World. 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 to be 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” passing between pairs of huge stone sculptures. We arrange a special a la carte dinner at a famous restaurant in the Wangfujing area, so bring you a good appetite.

Day 4: BEIJING(AB, L, SD)

This morning you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, one of China’s most photographed attractions. This ornate wooden structure was where the “Sons of Heaven”, as the Chinese Emperors were known, worshipped the gods and prayed for good harvests. It is the largest temple complex in China and the lovely park surrounding the ancient tower is a popular spot for morning Tai Chi. After lunch you’ll forget about the skyscrapers and construction cranes of modern Beijing as you venture into Hutong, where the atmosphere of Old Peking lives on. You’ll bicycle or ride rickshaws down narrow lanes and alleyways, past vegetable markets, traditional medicine shops and wooden teahouses.
Tonight you’ll sample the delicious local cuisine at a neighborhood restaurant.

	Xi'an Bell Tower

Day 5: BEIJING / XI’AN(AB, L, SD)

This morning take a flight to Xi'an, 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 Xi'an’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 a delicious dumpling dinner banquet.
Optional program: Enjoy the on-stage performance of Tang Dynasty dance and music in the evening.

Day 6: XI’AN (AB, L, -)

Today you’ll visit the excavation site of the Terra-Cotta Warriors, which many people consider the high point of their trip to China.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. The remainder of the day will be left free for your leisure.

Day 7: XI’AN / CHONGQING(AB, L, SD)

Take a morning flight to Chongqing where you’ll visit the World War II and Stillwell Museums before boarding your Yangtze River cruiser. At midnight you’ll set sail on the Yangtze, the third longest river in the world, bound for the magnificent, wild scenery of the Three Gorges (Xiling, Wu and Qutang Gorges) and the Yangtze River Dam.

Day 8:YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE / SHIBAOZHAI(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.

	Yangtze River Cruise

Day 9: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE / SHENNONG STREAM (AB, L, D)

This morning you’ll sail through miles of stunning gorges. At noon you’ll arrive at Badong where you’ll disembark for a magical excursion down the Shennong Stream. Local trackers will pull us in wooden sampans through awesome gorges and lush pine forests. Along the way you’ll see the remnants of ancient roads and pass cliff-top grottos that held the coffins of warriors. You’ll see translucent pools, aquatic caves and rainbow fountains. If you are lucky, you’ll glimpse rare animals, such as the golden-haired monkey.

Day10: YICHANG / SHANGHAI (AB, L, D )

Today you’ll visit the Yangtze River Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. You’ll disembark at Yichang at about 1:30 pm and fly to Shanghai, China’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. You’ll be met by an English speaking guide and driven 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.

Day 11: SHANGHAI;(AB, L, -)

Today's excursion you will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, which chronicles Shanghai's past, present and future, then take a stroll through the Yuyuan Garden, one of the best Suzhou-style gardens in southern China, and after get a taste of Shanghai's local life in the Yuyuan Market, then immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the Jade Buddha Temple. In the evening you enjoy a wonderful Acrobatic Show.

Day 12: SHANGHAI / ZHUJIAJIAO;(AB, L, -)

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. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Shop, discover more of the city on your own or revisit your favorite sites.

Day 13: DEPART FROM SHANGHAI

Today you will be transported to the airport for your flight home.   

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