Best of China & Yangtze River Cruise
16 days from $2349All Inclusive
Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Chongqing, Dazu Grottos, Yangtze River Cruise, Fengdu Ghost City, Three Gorges, Wuhan, Shanghai
Our program follows the most popular classic itinerary. A lot of foreign deplomats have chosen the same itinerary. Beijing has been the capital for the last 600 years. You can discover the Forbidden city, where the emperors once lived; climb the Great Wall; and explore the largest royal garden of China. Xian was the ancient capital of China for hundreds of years too. Here you can uncover the Eighth Wonder of the World, which is the Terracotta Warriors. Guilin has the reputation of the NO. 1 scenics of China. It has everything you want to see. Yangtze River is the longest river of China. It runs from the west of China to the East China Sea. It cultivated the richest cultures of China. You will see the largest dam of the world, The Three Gorges Dam. Shanghai is right now the most prosperous city of China.
This program is designed for the first time visitors who wants to to know intensively.
Day By Day Itinerary
Day 1. USA / Beijing
Fly to Beijing, the capital of China.
Day 2. Arrive Beijing
You will be met at the airport and escorted to a 4 star hotel.
Day 3. Beijing
Visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public city square in the world. Stroll through the courtyards and palaces of the imposing Forbidden City, once the exclusive enclave of Ming Dynasty Emperors. Explore the landscaped grounds and pavilions of the Summer Palace. Stop to take pictures of the stunning 2008 Olympic venues before returning to hotel. Dinner is served with a Peking Duck Banquet. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch,Special Dinner]
Day 4. Beijing
Experience the thrill of walking on the Great Wall. After lunch, tour Beijing�s old Hutong (�narrow lanes�) area by old- fashioned pedicab. Climb up the Dum Tower. Visit a local family living in a courtyard-style home known as Siheyuans. Followed by a walk along the World Trade Street and enjoy the �Legend of Kungfu� show. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 5. Beijing / Xian
Emperor prayed for harvest in Ming and Qing dynasty. Then fly to Xian, which is the starting point of the historic Silk Road. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 6. Xian
The Terra Cotta Warriors is China�s most important archaeo-logical site, thousands oflife-sized terra cotta warriors and horses buried 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of an emperor. Visit the excavation site and tour the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum to learn more about their fascinating history. Visit the Ancient City Wall and Bell Tower in the afternoon. Enjoy an Imperial Dumpling Banquet and the world famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show tonight. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner]
Day 7. Xian / Guilin
Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Then fly to Guilin, enjoy a minority singing & dancing show at night. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 8. Guilin - Yangshuo
Marvel at the lovely, dream-like landscapes on your Li River cruise. Walk through scenic rice paddies to a local farm and stop by the lively Yangshuo Bazaar before strolling Xijie Street. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 9. Guilin / Chongqing
Back to Guilin, visit the Fobo Hill Park, which offers a panoramic view of the city. Then fly to Chongqing in the afternoon. Chongqing is called the �mountain city�, which was the capital of China during World War II. Drive over to the zoo to see the pandas. with just an estimated 1,000 surviving in the wild, Pandas remain one of the world�s most endangered species. Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10. Chongqing - Dazu Grottos - Yangtze River
Visit the Stilwell Museum dedicated to �Vinegar Joe� Stilwell, commander of American forces in China, Burma, and India during World War II. Then drive to Dazu. Originally started in the first year of Emperor Yonghui of the Tan Dynasty (618-907), the Dazu Grottos had been enlarged and rebuilt up through the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). More than 50,000 mainly Buddhist figures have been carved out of the rock. The carvings were carved out of the cliff face using only primitive tools and man-power. In 1999 they were added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List. Later in the day, head to the docks where Regal China cruise ship awaits to take us on our highly anticipated Majestic Yangtze adventure. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 11. Cruise the Yangtze - Ghost City
The cruise set sail from Chongqing in the mor- ning, the first shore excursion will be �Ghost City� Fengdu, which contains numerous statues of devils and ghosts that roam the after-world. Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12. Cruise the Yangtze - Three Gorges
Sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic one of the Three Gorges. Then sail through Wu Gorge, which is famous for its quiet beauty. Disembark at Wushan and board small riverboat for a leisurely ride through Shennong Stream, which offers clear running waters, picturesque rock formations, and even monkeysand goats along its banks. The ship sails through Xiling Gorge, the longest one of the Three Gorges, and will pass through the shiplock of the new Three Gorges Dam. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
D13. Cruise the Yangtze - Three Gorges Dam
The cruise stops at Taipingxi (or Sandouping), visit the massive Three Gorges Dam Project, which is the world's largest dam, measuring 606 feet high and 6,500 feet long. In 1997, the cofferdam was completed and the main structure begun. The dam has two five-stage locks to raise and lower ships to the different river levels. Each lock in the five stages is 65 feet high and 910 feet long. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 14. Wuhan / Shanghai
Cruise down the Yangtze ends this morning in Wuhan. Visit Huangheloiu and East Lake. Then fly to Shanghai in the afternoon and hop aboard a cruise of the Huangpu River, take in the magni- ficent twinkling night scenery of Shanghai. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 15. Shanghai
Your sightseeing begins with a walk along the Bund, Shanghai�s graceful and historic water- front boulevard. Then visit the Old City Bazaar and the tranquil Yu Yuan Garden, established in the 16th century. Enjoy a traditional Mongolian BBQ Buffet lunch. After which we will visit Shanghai Museum. [Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch]
Day 16. Shanghai / US
Fly back to the US. [Meals: American Breakfast]