DAY 1 USA – Beijing, China

Fly to Beijing, China’s extraordinary capital.

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

Today enjoy an introductory tour of Beijing, whose origins extend back 3,000 years. The seat of the Ming and Qing emperors until the early 20th century, China’s capital fuses gleaming temples with austere public monuments built by Chairman Mao. Ogle Tiananmen Square, the world’s biggest public square, and visit the Forbidden City, the secret-steeped residence of 24 emperors. This UNESCO World Heritage site is girded by 10-metre high walls and consists of more than 8,000 rooms, all exuding imperial mystique. Later, visit the gorgeous UNESCO-protected Summer Palace. Walk around this entrancing park, a vision of Chinese landscaping, to view the elaborate bridges, temples and pagodas that flank Kunming Lake.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

DAY 4 Beijing

After breakfast at your hotel, travel to the Great Wall or ‘Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li’ as it’s named in old Chinese. Built over 2,000 years ago to stave off nomadic invasions from the north, the gargantuan wall trails for over 5,500 miles across China like an imperial dragon. Stride along the battlements and behold the views over the mountains and valleys stretching into the distance. Next, continue to visit Temple of Heaven, a fascinating complex of imperial cult buildings centered on a sacrificial altar pavilion. Constructed in the early 15th century, the temple compound was used by China’s emperors to perform animal sacrifices that they believed would secure bountiful harvests. Dinner on your own or join the optional tour to taste the famous Peking Duck.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

DAY 5 Beijing – Xian by high speed train

In the morning board the high speed train to Xian. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and visit Xian’s ancient City Wall. Dinner at the hotel.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner at hotel

DAY 6 Xian

Once China’s capital and eastern terminus of the Silk Road, the vibrant city of Xian dates back 3,000 years and is best known as the home of the Terracotta Warriors. Unwittingly unearthed by farm workers in 1974, this 6,00o-strong mass of carved life-size soldiers and horses represent the real army that guarded China’s first emperor, Qin Shih Huang, and were interred with his tomb in 200 BC. After viewing the ranks of warriors, neatly arranged in the battle order of the time, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, visit  the ornate Big Wild Goose Pagoda . Enjoy the Tang Dynasty dinner show at night.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner and show

DAY 7 Xian – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise

After breakfast, board the flight to Chongqing. See the rare pandas at Chongqing Zoo and Hongya Cave, a multi-function complex consisting of restaurants, food market and retail stores. It is built into the hillside along the southern bank of the Jialing River, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Enjoy the world-known Sichuan cuisine for dinner before boarding the Yangtze River Cruise ship.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 Yangtze River Cruise

After breakfast, enjoy the shore excursion to Mountain Shuanggui near Fengdu. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted with Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 Yangtze River Cruise

Enter the Three Gorges, one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures. Today pass through the first two—Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Shennong Stream. Enter Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai

Disembark the cruise, visit the incredible Three Gorges Dam, the world’s biggest hydroelectric dam. Spend some time in Yichang with visits to the local market, Riverside Park before taking the flight to Shanghai.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 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 , Yu Garden and the teeming shopping avenue of Nanjing Road . 

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

DAY 12 Shanghai

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

Included: Breakfast at hotel

DAY 13 Shanghai - USA

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Included: Breakfast at hotel