Day 1  |   USA-Beijing       AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Embark on our China and Yangtze River vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Beijing. Due to differing time zones, China is 15 or 16 hours ahead of West Coast time. So spend the night aboard the plane as it traverses the Pacific and crosses the international date line.

Day 2  |   Arrive-Beijing       AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Arrive at Beijing, the capital city of China. Retrieve our bags and clear customs to meet our tour guide in the arrival hall. On the way into town, we note that Beijing was host city to the 2008 Summer Olympics and has undergone an amazing facelift. Check in to our five star accommodations for a good night's rest; a full day of sightseeing awaits tomorrow.

Day 3  |   Beijing      AB,L,DP AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Ming Dynasty emperor Yongle moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing in 1621. Today 13 million inhabitants proudly call Beijing their home. Our city tour today takes us first to visit the Forbidden City, so named because commoners were not allowed through its gates. After spending the morning walking the grounds of this, the world's largest palace complex, we continue across the street to the world's largest public square, the famous Tiananmen Square. Translated to mean "gate of perpetual peace," Tiananmen Square was the site of many historic events. After lunch, we head to the emperor's Summer Palace for a leisurely walk along Lake Kunming. Retire back to the hotel to freshen up before taking part in our evening activities, attending a sumptuous Peking Duck Banquet.

Day 4  |   Beijing      AB,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Perhaps no other symbol more famously represents China than the Great Wall. Winding majestically across 4,000 miles of China's northern regions, the Great Wall is at once an engineering marvel and magnificent cultural treasure. Initial construction was undertaken by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, but was not completed until many dynasties later. The vast expanse of China's northern frontier as seen from atop the Great Wall must be seen to be appreciated. Descend the Wall later to walk along the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb Museum before heading back into town.

Day 5  |   Beijing -Chongqing      AB,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Depart Beijing on a flight bound for Chongqing. Located in the mountainous regions of the Sichuan Province, Chongqing is officially China's largest municipality with a registered population of over 30 million. Chongqing enjoys special provincial treatment, one of just four cities in China that have this privilege. It is also an important center of commerce and home to famously spicy Sichuan cuisine. During WWII, Chiang Kai Shek directed the war from his operations in Chongqing.

Day 6  |   Chongqing -Yangtze River Cruise      AB,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Today we are transferred to the docks where our Victoria Cruise ship awaits to take us on our Yangtze River adventure. The Yangtze is Asia's longest river (3900 miles) and ranks #3 in the world. It is considered the dividing point between Northern and Southern China. Our cruise ship sails for most of the afternoon to arrive at Fengdu, known locally as the "Ghost City." Take an excursion up to Fengdu to observe the over 700 gardens and temples that depict what the ancients envisioned the afterlife to be. Reboard later and continue sailing down the mighty Yangtze.

Day 7  |   Yangtze River Cruise      B,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top The Three Gorges are one of nature's most extraordinary sculptures, and today our ship passes through all three. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles) and narrowest (500 feet) but also is the most dramatic. Wu Gorge is longer at 25 miles and is known for its serene beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates is precipices. The shore excursion today is at Wushan where we board smaller vessels to access the Lesser Gorges (either at Daning River or Shennong Stream). Reboard later as the ship passes through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the three at 41 miles and also the deepest at some 4000 ft.

Day 8  |   Yangtze River Cruise      B,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top In the early morning hours our ship arrives at the Three Gorges Dam Site at Sandouping Village. Take a bus ride to this massive site, the largest project of its kind in the world. Originally envisioned by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the Three Gorges Dam will curb the devastating floodwaters of the Yangtze while also providing hydroelectric power for the people.

Day 9  |   Yangtze River Cruise      B,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Arrival at Wuhan marks the halfway point of our Yangtze River Cruise. Located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han Rivers, Wuhan is an important industrial, commercial and political center of China's Hubei Province. An excursion to the Hubei Provincial Museum is included in the day's sightseeing.

Day 10  |   Yangtze River Cruise      B,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Disembark at Guichi for a full day shore excursion to Mt. Huangshan. Located in the Anhui Province, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is one of China's most famous mountain ranges. Travel from the banks of the Yangtze to this royal retreat through some of the country's most scenic rural areas: emerald green rice paddies, lush tea bushes, and mud-walled villages greet you at every bend. Jiuhuashan may be substituted for Huangshan depending on local conditions.

Day 11  |   Yangtze River Cruise      B,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Today's shore excursion begins when our ship arrives at Nanjing, the old wartime capital of China. Here we tour the Zhongshan Ling (Sun Yat Sen Memorial), a mausoleum built in 1929 for the man considered to be the "Father of Modern China." We also visit a Qing Dynasty style bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple.

Day 12  |   Yangtze River Cruise -Shanghai      AB,L,D AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top The ship's morning arrival into the docks at Shanghai signals the end of our Yangtze River adventure. Disembark the ship which has been our home the past six nights and transfer into the city by motorcoach. Shanghai is China's most dynamic city and also its commercial center. Culturally diverse and full of life, Shanghai stirs the senses. Our tour of China's largest and most cosmopolitan city begins with a visit to the 400 year old Yu Garden in the old part of town; a wealthy businessman built it as an act of filial piety for his aging parents. The motorcoach continues on to the local shopping mecca Nanjing Road and The Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River with 52 historic buildings built in various European styles.

Day 13  |   Shanghai      AB,DS AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top The entire morning has been set aside for a visit to the Shanghai Museum. Founded in 1952 and moved to its current location in 1996, it is a museum of Chinese history that houses over 120,000 cultural treasures covering China's entire 5000 year history. The afternoon is free at leisure. We may choose to either to devote more time to the museum, continue on to Nanjing Road for some shopping, or head back to the hotel to wash up before attending the farewell dinner. Afterwards, cap off the evening with a Chinese Acrobatics Show. With its origins in Chinese martial arts, the performers of Chinese acrobatics must possess strength, flexibility, and grace.

Day 14  |   Shanghai -USA     AB AB: Full American Breakfast L: Lunch D : Dinner at Local Restaurant DH: International Buffet Dinner at Hotel DP: Special Dinner Party DS: Dinner and show B: Breakfast at hotel or on cruise LH: Lunch at hotel Top Bid China and the Yangtze a fond farewell as we board our homebound international flight.

*Government taxes & fees:

$86.00

*Fuel Surcharge: $180.00 Prices listed are for Los Angeles (LAX) departure.For San Francisco (SFO) departure add $50,New York (JFK) add $100 Fuel surcharge and taxes based on Air China

Departure Date

Tour Fare

Fuel Surcharge

Taxes & Fees

Total Price

Single Suppl.

Hotel City: Beijing New Otani Hotel Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong, a five-star international hotel with a distinctive exterior, is located in the heart of Beijing, China. A long history of exceptional service assured by the New Otani Hotel Management of Japan, your Beijing experience begins at the moment you enter the oriental garden designed courtyard adjacent to the lobby. Address: 26, Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing China. 100022 Tel: 86-10-5877-5555

Hotel City: Chongqing JW Marriott Located in the heart of Chongqing’s main shopping and commercial district, JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing brings an unparalled standard of comfort and service to this famous "Mountain City" in the Southwest of China. The hotel boasts luxurious accommodation and numerous dining options ranging from Chinese, Japanese, Western to its very own Steakhouse. It also offers an exclusive Cigar Bar for discerning smokers. The Lobby Lounge and View Lounge are in a class of their own whilst the fitness center and swimming pool are of international standard. To complement these are our exceptional meeting and banquet facilities. Whether it’s business or pleasure that brings you to Chongqing, let JW Marriott Hotel Chongqing exceed your expectation. Address: 77 Qing Nian Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing 40010, China Tel: 86-23-6388-8888

Hotel City: Yangtze River Cruise Victoria Cruises For over a decade, Victoria has been the leader in Yangtze cruising, because of the quality of the fleet, the outstanding service and innovative itineraries. All cabins on the premier ships have private balconies for viewing the spectacular Three Gorges scenery. Address: 57-08 39th Avenue, Woodside, NY 11377, USA Tel: 1-800-348-8084

Hotel City: Shanghai Swissotel Grand The 5-star Swissotel Grand Shanghai is located in Jing An, the leading business district of Shanghai, and is a few steps from the famous Nanjing West Road, home to some of the city's high-end commercial properties and exclusive shopping venues such as Jiu Guang City Plaza, Plaza 66 and CITIC Square. A desirable location, luxurious accommodations, superb service, and unique Swiss hospitality, blended with a Chinese touch, make the Swiss?tel Grand Shanghai the best choice for both tourists and business travellers alike. Address: 1 Yu Yuan Road, Jing An District Shanghai 200040 Tel: 86 21 5355 9898

Price includes

International airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) to Beijing / Shanghai round trip on Air China For San Francisco (SFO) departure add $50 For New York (JFK) departure add $100 Round trip airport transfers 7 days 6 nights Yangtze River Cruise Standard cabin 3 nights hotel accommodation in Beijing 2 nights hotel accommodation in Shanghai 1 nights hotel accommodation in Chongqing Meals as listed in itinerary English speaking local guide Professional driver in each city Post departure travel insurance (P2) if paid in full 60 days prior to departure

Price does not include

Entry visa Personal expenses while on tour Tips to guide or driver JFK departure add $100

Restrictions

Child (2-11) rate with roll-away bed: 90% of adult fare For tours departing 3/11 - 4/08, the hotel used in Beijing will be New Otani For tours departing 4/22 - 6/03, the hotel used in Beijing will be Renaissance Beijing. Minimum 2 passengers to depart Cannot be combined with any discounts

Optional Tours