Day 1 Home City - Beijing
Fly to Beijing, the political, economic and cultural center of the People's Republic of China.
Day 2 Arrive Beijing
Upon your afternoon arrival at the Beijing Airport your local guide will escort you to the deluxe Best Western Hotel *4-star. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 3 Beijing (B/L/D)
This morning, visit historic Tiananmen Square where Mao Tse Tung first raised the flag of the People's Republic. This is followed by a tour of the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City and its gardens. After lunch, visit the Hutong by pedicab and take a leisurely stroll through the 700-year old narrow winding streets that surround the Forbidden City. After dinner, enjoy the spectacular “Legend of Kung Fu” show.
Day 4 Beijing (B/L/SD)
This morning, visit the Ming Tombs – the beautifully decorated burial place of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty also know as the Underground Palace. After lunch, experience the unforgettable! Visit one of the world's most remarkable sights – the Great Wall of China, built over 2,000 years ago by Emperor Qin. The Great Wall stretches over 6,000 km across the top of China. Upon your return to the city, drive by the Olympic site and see the National Aquatic Centre (the Water Cube) and the National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest). Tonight, enjoy a delectable Peking Duck dinner.
Day 5 Beijing – Xian (B/L/D)
Enjoy the morning at leisure. After lunch, fly to ancient Xian. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to the beautiful Grand New World Hotel *4-star for two nights.
Day 6 Xian (B/L/SD)
Start the day at the incredible Grand Mausoleum of Qin Emperor Shi Huang Di, the first emperor of China. Protecting the Emperor’s Mausoleum are 6,000 life-size Terra Cotta Warriors and horses. Afterwards, set off toward the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built as a Buddhist retreat in the 7th century. Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous Dumpling Banquet followed by a Tang Dynasty show.
Day 7 Xian – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
Start the day visiting the brand new underground Yangling Mausoleum. This afternoon, fly to Chongqing. Upon arrival, board the Orient Royal Cruise – East King *5-star. Enjoy a delicious dinner onboard the ship.
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
Slowly cruise down the Yangtze River and marvel at its natural beauty. Sail past ancient villages and historic sites before reaching your first port of call, Shibaozhai, home to a famous Chinese pagoda.
Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
This morning, your cruise takes you to the legendary Three Gorges. Along the way you will pass through the Qutang Gorge, whose cliffs rise more than 1,000 meters above the river. Then you will pass the Wu Gorge and its 12 towering peaks before entering Xiling Gorge, the longest and most exciting of the three. In Badong, disembark for the Shennon Stream sampan and ferry tour where you will see the amazing hanging coffins and hear Tuja Songs. In the late afternoon, pass through the Three Gorges Dam 5-stage Shiplocks, the largest hydroelectric project in the world.
Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise – Yichang – Wuhan - Shanghai (B/L/D)
The last shore excursion of the cruise is a visit to the Three Gorges Dam Project before drifting into your final port of call - Yichang in Hubei Province. From here, head to Wuhan (approx 5 hrs by motor coach) for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to the Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai * 4-star.
Day 11 Shanghai - Suzhou (B/L/D)
This morning, explore China’s most populous city and commercial capital. Start with a visit to the Bund – known as the “Wall Street” of the former foreign powers. This is followed by a tour of the majestic Garden of Mandarin Yu Yuan, built in 1577 and recently restored to its original splendour, and the old city. In the afternoon, head to Suzhou, known as the “Venice of the East”. In Suzhou, visit the Garden of the Master of Nets (Wangshi Gardein) and the Silk Factory. Tonight, stay at the Holiday Inn Youlian Suzhou *4-star.
Day 12 Suzhou - Hangzhou (B/L/D)
This morning, drive to beautiful Hangzhou. En-route, stop in Wuzhen, a 2,000-year-old water-town full of ancient stone bridges and pathways. In Hangzhou, enjoy a boat ride on the breathtaking beautiful West Lake. Tonight stay at the Ramada Haihua Hotel *4-star.
Day 13 Hangzhou - Guilin (B/L/D)
Start the day at the famous Lin Yin Temple and the Dragon Tea Plantation. In the afternoon, fly to Guilin. Upon arrival you will be escorted to the Hotel Universal Guilin *4-star.
Day 14 Guilin – Yangshuo – Guilin (B/L/D)
Enjoy a full day boat cruise along the Lijiang River. See 30 miles of breathtaking mist-shrouded mountains rising from the riverbanks. Since ancient times, this landscape has been the inspiration for countless poems and paintings. Your cruise ends at the colourful market town of Yangshuo.
Day 15 Guilin - Guangzhou (B/L/D)
Complete your amazing journey to China’s ancient and scenic wonderland with a visit to fabulous Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave. After lunch, fly to Guangzhou where you will stay at the Holiday Inn Shifu Hotel *4-star.
Day 16 Guangzhou (B/L/D)
Highlights of today’s sightseeing includes a visit to Yuexiu Park, the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, the Ancestral Temple of the Chen family and Shangxi Jiu Lu pedestrian street.
Day 17 Guangzhou – Hong Kong – Canada (B)
This morning, travel by coach to Hong Kong for your return flight home. Or, stay in Hong Kong at the Harbour Plaza Hotel *5-star for an extra two nights.
Extension to Hong Kong
Day 18 Hong Kong (B)
Today, enjoy a half day city tour of Hong Kong Island. You will visit Aberdeen; marvel at scenic Repulse Bay and its pristine beaches; take a tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak and enjoy the breathtaking view of Victoria Harbour, the mountains of Kowloon and the islands of the south China Sea. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own and buy fantastic souvenirs.
Day 19 Hong Kong – Home (B)
This morning, head to the airport for your return flight home. Bon voyage!!
B - Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
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