Best of China & Yangtze River
Day 1: Fly to Beijing.
Day 2:
Arrive in Beijing and check-in to the Westin Financial Street Hotel *5-star. Tour Beijing at your leisure.
Day 3:
Begin your tour of historic Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, followed by a tour of the Forbidden City and its gardens. After lunch, take a pedicab ride through the 700-year-old winding streets of Beijing and visit the Hutong. Enjoy the spectacular ‘Legend of Kung Fu’ show.
Day 4:
This morning, visit one of the world's most remarkable sights - the Great Wall of China, built over 2,000 years ago by Emperor Qin. After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs, the beautifully decorated burial place of the Ming Dynasty emperors. Later, drive by the Olympic site and see the National Aquatic Center (the Water Cube) and the National Stadium (the Bird's Nest). Tonight, enjoy a delectable Peking Duck Dinner.
Day 5:
This morning visit the Temple of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer. After lunch, fly to the ancient city of Xian where you will stay at the Shangri-La Hotel 5-star. Visit the Tang Paradise and enjoy a water show. Later drive by the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Day 6:
Spend the day exploring Xian’s ancient monuments including the site of the 2,000-year-old Terra Cotta Warriors. Next, enjoy a sumptuous Dumpling Banquet lunch. This is followed by a visit to Great Mosque and a walk through the Muslim Quarter. In the evening, step back in time as you experience special Tang Dynasty dinner and dance shows. Later, see the sparkling City Wall that’s lit up at night.
Day 7:
This morning, visit brand-new underground Yangling Museum that houses relics dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. Fly to Chongqing after lunch, where you will stay at the InterContinental Hotel *4-star.
Day 8:
Your full day of sightseeing includes stops at the Museum of the Three Gorges and the Zoo where you will see adorable pandas. After lunch, visit the Memorial Hall of General Stillwell and the Painter Village. This afternoon, you will board the MS East King.
Day 9:
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 10:
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 ferry and sampan tour where you will see the amazing hanging coffins and hear Tuja Songs.
Day 11:
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 hours away by motor coach) and stay at deluxe Renaissance Hotel *4-star.
Day 12:
This morning, fly to Hangzhou and stay at the Sofitel West Lake *5-star. After lunch, enjoy a boat ride on the breathtakingly beautiful West Lake, followed by a visit to the famous Lin Yin Temple.
Day 13:
This morning, visit the Museum of Chinese Herbal Medicine and the Temple of Yue Fei. In the afternoon, travel to Suzhou by train and stay at the Holiday Inn *4-star.
Day 14:
Start the day with a visit to Tiger Hill and the Garden of the Master of Nets. After lunch, visit the Pan Men Old City Gate and the Silk Embroidery Research Institute. In the afternoon, head to Shanghai. Tonight stay at the Le Royal Meridien Hotel *5-star.
Day 15:
Sightseeing of dynamic Shanghai begins with a visit to the Bund, often referred to as the "Wall Street" of China. Also visit the Garden of Mandarin Yu Yuan, built in 1577. After lunch, visit the Jade Buddha Temple and the Shanghai Museum. Tonight, marvel at an amazing Chinese acrobatic show.
Day 16:
Today, head to airport for your flight home.
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