Day 01 Nov10 West Coast – Beijing

Aboard your transpacific flight to Beijing

Day 02 Nov11 Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing, China’s capital, you will be greeted and escorted to the Capital Hotel 5*(or similar).

Day 03 Nov12 Beijing (AB,L,SD)

After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square and the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City, home of Chinese Emperors for more than 500 years. After lunch, visit Summer Place, taking a leisure stroll while admiring the thousands of ancient murals along the Long Corridor and a boat ride on the Kunming Lake (weather permitting). Enjoy a fabulous welcome banquet featuring the famous Beijing Duck in the evening.

Day 04 Nov13 Beijing (AB, L, D)

The highlight today is an excursion to the Great Wall. Enjoy the dramatic vistas and marvel at the Wall as it climbs and descends steep ridges and narrow valleys. A scenic cable car ride enhances your visit through the steep hills. Continue on to visit a cloisonné factory on the way to lunch. After lunch, en route back to city, drive around the intriguing architecture of the main Olympic venues, the National Stadium which is nicknamed the “Bird’s Nest” because of the unique design and the National Aquatics with the nickname of “the Water Cube (H2O3). Continue toward the Beijing Sport University, where we can visit the Garden of Champions, as more than 50 students graduated from this university have won world championship titles, and more than 60 have won Asian championship titles; visiting indoor training gyms and outdoor sports fields and courts, museum etc.

Day 05 Nov14 Beijing / Xian (AB,L,D)

This morning, the tour will take you to the Hutong with a pedicab ride through the “old city” neighborhood of narrow lanes and courtyard gardens hidden Beijing’ s modern façade. Visit Prince Gong’s Palace, the Drum Tower, and old-style courtyard houses still inhabited by Beijing residents. Transfer to airport for flight to the ancient city of Xian. Upon arrival, check into the Grand New World Hotel 4* (or similar).

Day 06 Nov15 Xian (AB,L SD)

Today’s highlight is a visit to the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, home to more than 6,000 life-size army excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. After lunch, visit the Shaanxi Museum, renowned for its collection of Han and Tang dynasty antiquities. In the evening, enjoy a special dumpling dinner and cultural show recreating the music, costumes and dance of the Tang Dynasty.

Day 07 Nov16 Xian / Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise (AB, L, D)

After breakfast visit the Grand Mosque and explore the quaint neighborhood surrounding. Transfer to airport for your flight to 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. If time permit, visit the People’s Congress Hall and the art gallery. After dinner, board the 5-star Orient Royal Cruises (East King) and begin your memorable journey on the Yangtze River.

Day 08 Nov17 Yangtze River Cruise: Shibaozhai (AB,L,D)

Today’s shore excursion is to Shibaozhai, famous for its 12-story wooden pagoda built against a sheer cliff on the river bank over some 400 years ago. ** Depending on local river conditions, alternate shore excursion to Wanzhou may occur.

Day 09 Nov18 Yangtze River Cruise: Shennong Stream (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. You excursion will include boarding a smaller vessel up the Shennong Stream 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 Nov19 Yangtze River Cruise: Three Gorges Dam – 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 – “Paris of the Orient”. Afternoon sightseeing features the bustling shopping street Nanjing Road, and The Bund, famous promenade along the Huangpu River. Check into the Central Hotel Shanghai (or similar). ** If direct flight is not available, transfer by motor coach to Wuhan for flight to Shanghai.

Day 11 Nov20 Shanghai (AB,L)

This morning, you will visit the Shanghai Museum, China’s most op-to-date museum showcasing the country’s ancient glory. In the afternoon, visit Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds, and Old Shanghai Bazaar, with shops filled with all manner of interesting curios.

Day 12 Nov21 Shanghai – West Coast (AB)

Farewell to Shanghai. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA