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 to China and the mysterious Yangtze River begins as we board the 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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Beijing is China’s capital city and its center for all things political. Check in to our luxury hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.
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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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Spend the day exploring Beijing’s imperial monuments, beginning with a walk through the world-famous Tiananmen Square. Arrive at the Forbidden City, a massive palace renowned for its resplendent imperial architecture. Continue to the Summer Palace, a peaceful imperial retreat surrounded by graceful bridges, pagodas and a glistening lake. On the way to the hotel, we stop for photos at the 2008 Olympic sites, Bird’s Nest and Water Cube.
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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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Experience the incredible heritage of China’s Great Wall as we walk across its ancient steps. Created piecemeal over a period of 2,000 years, the wall was built as a defense from the marauding tribes of the north. From atop the wall, enjoy the sweeping vistas of China’s rugged mountains and valleys, then descend the wall and visit the Sacred Way. Follow this “divine way”, lined with ethereal willows and intricate stone statues, and arrive at the Ming Tombs Museum.
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Day
5
| Beijing - Yichang - Yangtze River Cruise
(AB ,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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Arrive at the Temple of Heaven, a massive complex constructed in the 15th century where emperors performed religious ceremonies. Board a short flight to Yichang, the cultural and economic center of the western Hubei Province. Upon arrival we board our cruise ship and settle in to the executive deck as the ship sets sail for our Yangtze River adventure.
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Day
6
| Yangtze River Cruise
(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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This morning we disembark to visit the Three Gorges Dam site and learn about the construction of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Return aboard the ship and sail through the intricate locks system. Today, we approach the spectacular Three Gorges and begin sailing through Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the three.
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Day
7
| Yangtze River Cruise
(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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Disembark and board a smaller boat to traverse a narrow tributary to the dramatic Small Gorges. Return aboard the cruise ship and arrive at the elegant Wu Gorge, renowned for its vertical cliffs and 12 mist-shrouded mountains. Enter the final gorge, Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most impressive of the three.
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Day
8
| Yangtze River Cruise
(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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Disembark at the “ghost city” of Fengdu for a shore excursion. Explore this fascinating river town, decorated with temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld. Alternate optional shore excursion to Shibaozhai may be substituted depending on river conditions. Return aboard the ship for dinner and evening cruising.
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Day
9
| Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing - Xian
(B ,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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Our Yangtze River journey comes to an end as we dock in Chongqing, a scenic cliff-side city that overlooks the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. After a brief city tour we visit the Chongqing Zoo to see the famous pandas. Transfer to the airport and board a flight to Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province.
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Day
10
| 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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Deeply ingrained in history as the political and cultural capital of China for more than 1,000 years, Xian also marks the starting point of the Silk Road. Today, we visit one of China’s supreme treasures, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Walk through the underground pits and then continue to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening we attend a Tang Dynasty Performance following an Imperial Dumpling Banquet.
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Day
11
| Xian - Guilin
(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 at hotel we visit the Old City Wall and then transfer to the airport for a flight bound to Guilin, a strikingly beautiful city with scenery “unmatched under Heaven.” Upon arrival in Guilin we are transferred to our 5-star hotel to relax and be at own leisure.
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Day
12
| Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin
(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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From Guilin, we take a cruise along the emerald green Li River and marvel at the timeless
landscape of mist-shrouded mountains, fishermen and unearthly karst formations.
Arrive in Yangshuo, where we disembark and board our coach back to Guilin.
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Day
13
| Guilin - Shanghai
(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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Our day begins with a visit to Elephant Trunk Hill, a unique rock formation and long-time symbol of Guilin, then continue on to visit Reed Flute Cave. Walk through the cave and marvel at the magnificent rock formations illuminated in colored lights, which create an otherworldly atmosphere. Fly to cosmopolitan Shanghai, known in the 1930’s as the “Pearl of the Orient.”
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Day
14
| 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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This morning we visit Yu Garden, a renowned classical garden from the Ming Dynasty complete with ornate pavilions, glittering pools and exotic flora. Continue on to stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s famed waterfront boulevard, and admire the futuristic skyline of Pudong. Drive past the premiere shopping district, Nanjing Road, and arrive at the spectacular Shanghai Museum, where we browse some of the 120,000 cultural relics. This evening we enjoy an exciting Chinese Acrobatics Show following dinner.
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Day
15
| Shanghai
(AB ,DP )
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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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Enjoy the full day free at leisure or take an optional excursion to Suzhou. Known as the Venice of the East, Suzhou is renowned for its tranquil natural beauty. The city tour begins at the Humble Administrator’s Garden, which enjoys special designation as one of China’s four most important gardens. Then take a cruise along the 2000 year-old Grand Canal, the world’s longest man-made waterway. Complete our tour with a visit to a silk factory to learn more about the history and process of creating this delicate fabric. We gather again in the evening for a farewell dinner party.
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Day
16
| Shanghai - 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 scenic Yangtze adventure has drawn to a close. If we desire, we can choose to continue on our voyage by adding on an optional extension to Hong Kong.
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