ITINERARY The Heart Of China & Yangtze River Cruise

Day 1: ARRIVE IN BEIJING, CHINA
Welcome to China's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in.

Day 2: BEIJING
Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China's Great Emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening, meet your travelling companions at a special Chinese WELCOME DINNER hosted by your Tour Director, featuring delectable Peking Duck. (B,L,D)

Day 3: BEIJING
The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 6,437 kilometres (4,000 miles) across China's barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP where you will see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colourful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colourful make-up being applied to the performers.(B,L,D)

Day 4: BEIJING-XI'AN
This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing's HUTONGS, the city's ancient alleys. During this visit, you're welcomed into the courtyard of a family's home, a daycare centre, and a retirement community to experience life in this historic neighbourhood. Fly to Xi'an where you spend the next two nights. This evening enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" DINNER SHOW featuring a colourful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D)

Day 5: XI'AN
One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with a visit to the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 A.D. Then learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodle are made by hand. In 1974 the enormous tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (B,L,D)

Day 6: XI'AN - HONGQING - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (EMBARKATION)
This morning, visit the Xi'an's South Gate; you may even see some locals practicing their morning Tai Chi. Visit a LACQUER WORKSHOP before flying to Chongqing, China's capital during World War II. The city is high on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Visit a local ZOO to see pandas before boarding the Victoria Anna for a 3-night CRUISE through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,D)

Day 7: WANXIAN OR SHIBAOZHAI OR FENGDU
Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, "Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province", where you will see an acrobatic show, market and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff side; or Fengdu, where you'll visit the Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D)

Day 8: SHENNONG STREAM OR DANING RIVER
Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges-Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D)

Day 9: THE THREE GORGES DAM SITE - YICHANG (DISEMBARKATION) - SHANGHAI
View tiny villages clinging to hillsides as you proceed toward Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam Site, where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch, say farewell to your ship's crew in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most populous city and centre of trade and industry. (B,L)

Day 10: SHANGHAI
Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks and trade houses. You'll visit a SILK FACTORY and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. This evening, be amazed at a fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L)

Day 11: SHANGHAI - GUILIN
After a morning at leisure, enjoy lunch and visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, one of China's most beautiful areas. Tonight, you may choose to join our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiang fishing method. (B,L)

Day 12: GUILIN
Limestone mountains, their needle peaks hidden in mist, rise from the green plain surrounding Guilin. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that artists have tried to capture for centuries. Savour unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River where you'll enjoy a light lunch. (B,L)

Day 13: GUILIN - HONG KONG
Visit the famous REED FLUTE CAVE to see unusual stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then visit a local TEA FARM for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process followed by a tea ceremony. Later, fly to Hong Kong. (B,L)

Day 14: HONG KONG
This morning's sightseeing begins with a cable car up to VICTORIA PEAK for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Continue to Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, and then to Aberdeen Fishing Village where you will enjoy a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbour. Next stop is STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts and crafts. Tonight, consider an optional sunset cruise on Hong Kong's magnificent harbour. (B)

Day 15: HONG KONG
A full free day to explore this exciting city. You may wish to join one of our optional excursions to view the giant Buddha on the island of Lantau or an excursion to learn about Hong Kong's history before the British colonised the area. Shopping is a highlight of Hong Kong with markets, malls and shops to fit any taste and budget. This evening is the perfect finale to a great adventure as you're hosted at a special FAREWELL DINNER. (B,D)

Day 16: HONG KONG
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
 

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