Day
1
| USA - Beijing, China
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Our voyage through China and the mysterious Yangtze River begins as we board our international flight to Beijing.
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Day
2
| Arrive in Beijing
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Arrive on the second day, where a Ritz Tours guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Relax for the remainder of the day or spend some time exploring the city.
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Day
3
| Beijing
(AB ,L ,DH )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Soak up the city’s incredible history on a city tour beginning with a walk through Tiananmen Square, named after its Gate of Heavenly Peace. Walk past Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall and arrive at the Forbidden City, an enormous palace complex and the former imperial seat until 1912. Continue to visit the ethereal Summer Palace and get your camera ready for photo-stops at the 2008 Olympics sites, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. This evening we enjoy a relaxing dinner at hotel.
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Day
4
| Beijing
(AB ,L )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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After breakfast we journey to the Seventh Wonder of the World -The Great Wall of China. Retrace the steps of ancient warriors as you walk along this manmade marvel, which runs more than 5,500 miles across China’s northern borders. Continue to visit the Sacred Way, a “divine road” lined with intricately carved stone statues which leads us to the Ming Dynasty Tombs Museum.
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Day
5
| Beijing - Xian
(AB ,DH )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We make our final sightseeing stop in Beijing at the Temple of Heaven, a massive temple complex visited by emperors for annual ceremonies of prayer. The temple was constructed to be three times larger than the Forbidden Palace, since the emperors dared not build their residence larger than a dwelling for Heaven. Later in the day we board a short flight to the “Eternal City” of Xian, one of the birthplaces of ancient Chinese civilization and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road.
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Day
6
| Xian
(AB ,L ,DS )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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In the walled city of Xian, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses remain the city’s star attraction and one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in recent years. Stare face to face with thousands of terra-cotta warriors hand-crafted by artisans at the order of China’s First Emperor over 2,200 years ago. After lunch we continue on to visit the Ming Dynasty City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening we gather for a delicious Imperial Dumpling Dinner followed by a Tang Dynasty Show.
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Day
7
| Xian - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise
(AB ,L ,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Board a flight to Chongqing where our Yangtze River Cruise begins. Located in the midst of granite mountain ranges, Chongqing has a population of over 30 million and is famous for its spicy cuisine and adorable pandas. Upon arrival we visit the panda enclosure at the Chongqing Zoo where we can get an up close look at the pandas. Later we are transferred to the docks to board our cruise ship and begin our amazing journey along China’s longest river. Enjoy the exclusive amenities and services on the Executive Deck onboard Victoria Cruises.
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Day
8
| Yangtze River Cruise (Fengdu or Shibaozai)
(B ,L ,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Cruise downstream towards the ghost city of Fengdu for a shore excursion. Built over 1,800 years ago, this city is filled with ominous temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld. An alternate shore excursion to Shibaozai may be substituted depending on river conditions. Shibaozai’s attractions lays with its 12-story tall wooden pagoda. Amazingly, it was built 400 years ago without use of a single nail.
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Day
9
| Yangtze River Cruise (Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream, Xiling Gorge, Shiplocks)
(B ,L ,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Today we arrive at the focal point of our cruise – the magnificent Three Gorges. Cruise through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest, yet most dramatic of the three, followed by the 25-mile long Wu Gorge. Admire the serene beauty of its mountains and sheer limestone cliffs, and then disembark to ride a smaller boat for an excursion to the impressive Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream (depending on river conditions). Re-board the ship and enter Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges. In the evening sail through Three Gorges Dam shiplocks.
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Day
10
| Yangtze River Cruise (Three Gorges Dam Site) - Yichang - Shanghai
(B ,L )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Disembark the ship to see a spectacular feat of engineering -The Three Gorges Dam. The largest hydroelectric project ever undertaken has forever changed the landscapes surrounding the Yangtze River. Re-board and cruise to our final destination of Yichang, where we disembark and board a flight to the Pearl of the Orient, Shanghai. Upon arrival at Shanghai we are transferred to our 5-star hotel.
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Day
11
| Shanghai
(AB ,DS )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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The futuristic city of Shanghai possesses a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western influences. Sightseeing today starts with a walk along the elegant waterfront boulevard known as The Bund, followed by a tour to the peaceful Yu Garden, a classical garden right in the center of the bustling city. A stay in Shanghai would not be complete without a visit to the famous shopping boulevard Nanjing Road. This evening we watch as acrobats soar at an exciting Chinese Acrobatics Show after dinner.
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Day
12
| Shanghai - Hong Kong
(AB )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Transfer to the airport and board a short flight to Hong Kong, a vibrant and diverse destination with a myriad of attractions within its compact area. Upon arrival, take a shuttle to the hotel and spend the rest of the day free at leisure.
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Day
13
| Hong Kong
(AB )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We begin our half-day city tour with a tram to the top of Victoria Peak for panoramic views of Hong Kong Island and the harbor. Drive by the picturesque Repulse Bay and then visit Stanley Market and Aberdeen Fishing Village, for a glimpse of Hong Kong’s junk-dwelling floating community. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon free at leisure to explore the city.
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Day
14
| Hong Kong - USA
(AB )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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All too soon our journey through China, Yangtze River and Hong Kong draws to an end. Board our international flight back to the USA, transit at Beijing.
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