Day
1
| Arrive-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 accommodations and prepare for the day of excitement that lies ahead.
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Day
2
| Beijing
(AB,L,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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Spend the day exploring Beijing s imperial monuments, beginning with a walk through the world-famous Tiananmen Square, the site of many important events in modern Chinese history. Pass by Chairman Mao s Memorial and arrive at the doors of the massive Forbidden City. The former seat of Ming and Qing emperors, this massive palace complex is home to some of the finest imperial architecture in the country. Browse the collection of royal treasures in the Palace Museum and drive 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. This evening we gather for an elegant Peking duck banquet at a popular restaurant.
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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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Experience the incredible heritage of China s Great Wall as we trek 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. Return back to the city for dinner at the hotel.
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Day
4
| Beijing
(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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Spend the full day free at leisure to explore the city own our own or take an optional pedicab (rickshaw) tour of Beijing s hutongs (alleyways). Step into a world far removed from the bustle of city life as we wind through the labyrinth of alleys and traditional neighborhoods. Enjoy the untainted charm of Old Beijing and arrive at a courtyard home of a local family, where we are invited to a lunch of local delights.
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Day
5
| Beijing-Yichang-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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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, the majestic Victoria Jenna, and settle in to our luxury cabin as the ship sets in the evening for our Yangtze River adventure.
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Day
6
| 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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This morning we arrive at Sandouping and disembark to visit the Three Gorges Dam site. Meet an engineer from the Three Gorges Dam project and learn about the construction of the world s largest hydroelectric dam. Originally envisioned by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in 1919, this massive project aims to provide a new source of power for China. 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 (41 miles) and deepest of the three.
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Day
7
| 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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Disembark and board a smaller boat to traverse up a narrow tributary sailing through the dramatic Lesser 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 (5 miles) but most impressive of the three.
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Day
8
| 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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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. Return aboard the ship for dinner and evening cruising.
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Day
9
| Yangtze River Cruise-Chongqing-Xian
(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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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 board a flight to Xian, the capital of Shaanxi Province in central China.
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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 Terra-Cotta Warriors, which are regarded as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Walk through the underground pits and admire the life-size funereal honor guard, then enjoy an authentic noodle-making demonstration during lunch. Continue on to visit the Ming Dynasty City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Later this evening we enjoy a delectable Imperial Dumpling Banquet followed by a Tang Dynasty performance.
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Day
11
| Xian-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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Take a southbound flight to Guilin, a strikingly beautiful city with scenery "unmatched under Heaven." Upon arrival we visit 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.
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Day
12
| Guilin-Yangshuo-Guilin
(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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From Guilin, we take a cruise along the emerald green waters of the Li River and marvel at the timeless riverside landscapes of mist-shrouded mountains, fishermen and unearthly karst formations. Arrive in Yangshuo, where we disembark and board our motorcoach back to Guilin.
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Day
13
| Guilin-Shanghai
(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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Fly to cosmopolitan Shanghai, known in the 1930 s as the "Pearl of the Orient." Drive past the shopping district, Nanjing Road. Time permitting, 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 (Embankment), Shanghai s famed waterfront boulevard, and admire the futuristic skyline of Pudong. If time does not permit, we will visit these sights tomorrow.
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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 the spectacular Shanghai Museum, which boasts the world s finest showcase of ancient Chinese art and antiquities. Browse some of the 120,000 cultural relics and spend the remainder of the day free at leisure to continue exploring the museum or venture to the city on our own. Later this evening we enjoy an exciting Chinese Acrobatics Performance following dinner.
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Day
15
| Shanghai
(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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