DAY 1 USA – Beijing, China

Fly to Beijing, China’s capital and one of the world’s most populous cities.

DAY 2 Arrive in Beijing

Meet your guide at the airport and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

DAY 3 Beijing

Ancient and modern sit side-by-side in China’s remarkable capital in the form of genteel teahouses, stark Mao-era monuments, tiny backstreets and imposing palaces. Today, discover the principal sights of Beijing, including immense Tiananmen Square and the fascinating Forbidden City, a walled maze of palaces, halls and gardens that kept the Ming and Qing emperors hidden from outside world. Also, visit the Summer Palace, whose wonderful gardens circle the serene Kunming Lake, and stop for photos at two of Beijing’s 2008 Olympic stadiums — the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube Aquatic Centre. Enjoy the dinner at hotel.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

DAY 4 Beijing

This morning brings a tour highlight as we travel toward China’s mountainous north and arrive at the Great Wall. Take a walk along a section of this world-famous edifice, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and learn how it was constructed to defend China from Mongol invaders. Next, drive onward to the Sacred Way, a curving road bordered by astonishing marble statues of animals and humans, and once thought to provide a route to heaven for China’s dead emperors. Tonight, indulge in the famous Peking Duck dinner at the local restaurant.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Special Dinner

DAY 5 Beijing-Yichang-Yangtze River Cruise

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Heaven, whose medieval halls, temples and gardens were the scene of animal sacrifices and prayers for successful harvests. Afterward, take a short flight to Yichang. Shuttle from Yichang to the ship in Maoping. Board your Yangtze cruise ship, the Victoria Sabrina. Settle into your Superior cabin for your four-night cruise.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 Yangtze River Cruise

Your river odyssey begins with a visit to the incredible Three Gorges Dam, the world’s biggest hydroelectric dam. Wonder at the magnitude of the dam and the breathtaking Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 Yangtze River Cruise

Depending on the weather today, enjoy a memorable excursion to cruise along the serenely beautiful gorges of the Shennong Stream or the Goddess Stream , two tributaries of the Yangtze. Afterward, rejoin your main ship to glide past the sheer cliffs of mountainous Wu Gorge and navigate the slender Qutang Gorge through its terraced hillsides.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 Yangtze River Cruise

After breakfast, visit Xiaoguanshan in  Fengdu is where the devil lives, according to Chinese legend,

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing - Xian

Disembark your cruise ship this morning at Chongqing. See the rare pandas at Chongqing Zoo and admire the city’s People’s Grand Hall before flying to Xian, once the capital of the Middle Kingdom.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner at hotel

DAY 10 Xian

Best known for its Terracotta Warriors, Xian is a bustling city whose origins go back 3,000 years. Today, begin your explorations with a viewing of the remarkable clay-carved warriors, buried with China’s first Qin emperor in 200 BC. Marvel at the individually sculpted figurines, which include archers, infantrymen and chariots. Later, see Xian’s Big Wild Goose Pagoda and enjoy an exhilarating Tang Dynasty Dinner Show tonight.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner and show

DAY 11 Xian - Guilin

Follow breakfast with trips to Xian’s City Wall and later, fly to Guilin, whose surrounding countryside is described by the Chinese as ‘unmatched under heaven’. Check in at your hotel for two nights and enjoy the rest of the day free.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

DAY 12 Guilin

Admire Guilin’s magical landscapes as you cruise on the Li River today. Pass rice fields, conical-shaped karsts and waters dotted with bamboo fishing rafts — some with fishermen who use cormorants to catch their prey. After lunch on board, disembark at Yangshuo to take in the quintessential Chinese buildings along its main thoroughfare, West Street. Back to Guilin late in the afternoon and dinner is served at the hotel.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

DAY 13 Guilin - Shanghai

Today, travel to the remarkable Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cavern named after the nearby beds of reeds that can be sculpted into melodious flutes. Explore the dramatic caverns and chambers to witness their beautifully illuminated stalagmites, stalactites and other bizarre rock formations. Afterward, fly to Shanghai, China’s largest city.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

DAY 14 Shanghai

Shanghai was once known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, a heritage built on its important trading role in goods such as tea, silk and opium. Today, immerse yourself in this pulsating city, a mass of glass skyscrapers, colonial-era architecture, teahouses and temples. Enjoy a guided tour of the highlights, including the handsome Bund waterfront, busy shopping boulevard of Nanjing Road, City God Temple Bazaar and Shanghai Museum. Tonight, enjoy the farewell dinner with your group members.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Special Dinner

DAY 15 Shanghai

Free at leisure for the whole day. You may enjoy shopping or relaxing or join one day Suzhou excursion tour.

Included: Breakfast at hotel

DAY 16 Shanghai – USA

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Included: Breakfast at hotel