Beijing-Xi’an-Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise-Wuhan-Shanghai
Day 1. Arrive Beijing
Arriving at Beijing airport our China representative will be at the airport
to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Today tour begins with a visit
the favourite haunt of the Empress Dowager, the Summer Palace. Walking in
this veritable museum of classical Chinese garden architecture, where the
royal family could relax away from the formal ceremony of the court, is a
pleasant experience. There are a number of pavilions as well as the Long
Corridor, now a popular place for people to spend the day. (L)
Day 2. Beijing
Today we will visit some of the contrasting sights of Beijing,
our capital city. Our first stop will be at Tian’anmen Square,
the largest public square in the world. Dominating the north side
of the square is the massive red Tian’anmen Gate through which we
will pass into the fabled Forbidden City and another age,
where we will see the home of the members of the royal
family and their court during China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties.
After lunch we will visit the imposing Temple of Heaven where
the Emperor came each year to intercede with the Gods for a good
and plentiful harvest. To round off a memorable start to your tour,
we will enjoy a Beijing Duck Dinner at the famous, century-old
Quan Ju De restaurant followed by a fascinating performance of Peking Opera. (B+L+D)
Day 3. Beijing
Today we will visit the Great Wall where you will have the opportunity
to not only see one of the most impressive sections of the Great
Wall of China but also take a walk along it.
After lunch you will travel some 50 km northwest
of Beijing to the Sacred Way with its fabulous stone animals.
The way leads to the Ming Tombs in the shadow of Longevity Mountain.
A visit to the Underground Palace of Dingling will allow you to see
imperial coffins, burial artifacts and treasures.(B+L)
Day 4: Beijing-Xi’an
This morning free at leisure. We will take an afternoon flight to the ancient
former capital city of Xi’an, and visit the ancient Xi’an City Wall (14th century)
one of the most important city walls in China. Afterwards, we will transfer
to your hotel. To celebrate your arrival in Xi’an you will enjoy a local
speciality, the Dumpling Dinner, a popular meal often taken to celebrate
the Chinese Lunar New Year. (B+D)
Day 5: Xi’an
Following breakfast in the hotel, we will set out for another
highlight of your tour, the Terracotta Warriors Museum. The thousands
of life size soldiers and horses were created to guard the tomb of Qin
Shi Huangdi, the first Emperor to unite China under his firm rule. The
royal tomb itself has yet to be opened but the rank upon rank of
Warriors is a sight that is unrivalled anywhere in the world. After
lunch, we will visit the Provincial History Museum which has the richest
tcollection of artifacts in China. For the last visit of the afternoon
we will go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The square, seven-storey pagoda
was built in 652 AD and is a fine example of Tang Dynasty Buddhist
architecture. Tonight, dinner will be at the famous Tang Dynasty Palace for
the deluxe Tang Dynasty Dinner Show where fine food and
spectacular entertainment bring another outstanding day to a close. (B+L+D)
Day 6: Xi’an-Chongqing-Cruise day 1.
To start your day before breakfast, you will have a unique
chance to experience the mysterious and ancient art of Tai Chi Chuan,
a 300-year old traditional Chinese martial art, also known as shadow boxing.
After breakfast, we will visit the Forest of Stone Steles Museum.
The museum, which is housed in the Temple of Confucius,
has the largest collection of its kind in China with over
3,000 inscribed stones steles. Next comes the Great Mosque built in 742 during
the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The traditional Chinese-style architecture makes
this mosque quite distinct from its Arabic counterparts. After lunch, take an afternoon flight to
Chongqing and visit Ciqikou ancient town. Afterwards we will
transfer to the pier to join our deluxe 5-star cruise
ship to start our cruise. (B+L)
Day 7: Cruise day 2: Fengdu and onward.
This morning we will make a stop for a visit to the Ghost City of Fengdu, famous
for its temple dedicated to the King of the Underworld,
an association dating back to the Han Dynasty. Fengdu is where the devil lives, according
to Chinese legend. They say that spirits go to heaven, and evil goes to Fengdu. The town is
overlooked by Ming Shan Hill, home of Tianzi, the King of the Dead.
The whole place has an eerie feel to it with deserted streets, empty shops and banks.
(B+L+D)
Day 8: Cruise day 3: Lesser Three Gorges
Today will stop off for an excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges which are
the three separate valleys of the Daning River: Dragon Gate Gorge, Misty Gorge
and Emerald Gorge. These lie on the lower reaches of the Daning, which flows
into the Yangtze. The gorges are truly spectacular. Sheer cliffs soar up
towards the sky from the brown-green water. Mountain tops hover above the
ribbon of mist, disconnected from their roots. Its "subtle mountains,
clear waters, pretty rocks, dangerous rapids, sharp turns, fantastic caves,
and stalactites in various shapes" create the timeless beauty that you see
in Chinese landscape paintings. Monkeys, mandarin ducks and other water birds
can be seen loitering on big boulders in this area. In addition to the
wonderful natural scenery there are a number of historical places of interest
along the way, such as a suspended coffin, boat coffin, and remains of ancient
plank walkway. (B+L+D)
Day 9: Cruise day 4: Three Gorges Dam - Yichiang - Shanghai
Today we arrive at the Three Gorges Dam site and take a shore excursion to see this
marvel of engineering. It is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by
man and it has been a dream for several generations of Chinese people. The construction
of the dam formally began in 1994. The body of the dam was completed in 2003, and the
whole construction will be competed in 2009. After lunch onboard we will arrive in Yichang at about 1330.
After disembarking the cruise, your guide will meet you and transfer you the airport
for your flight to Shanghai. On arrival at Shanghai, transfer to hotel.(B+L)
Day 10: Shanghai
Shanghai is a city that must be seen to be appreciated. You will see
something of its history at the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square
with its fine collection of cultural relics. Then we will visit the Yuyuan
Garden. Laid out in the 16th century by a Ming official, this small (2 hectares)
garden is a delight of pools, pavilions and rock gardens.Strolling
through the bazaar surrounding the garden, you will find lines of
stores that sell traditional Chinese arts and crafts. Next comes The Bund,
one of the most famous thoroughfares in China and here you will see a
collection of buildings dating from the 1930’s displaying their western
influence and fulfilling the role of the commercial heart of Shanghai.
Leaving the ancient for the modern you visit the TV Tower of the Oriental
Pearl situated in the thriving Pudong area of the city dominated by the
88-storey Jin Mao building. This evening you will mark the end of your
tour with a Farewell Dinner at the famous Seagull Palace, which allows
you to enjoy gourmet food while appreciating the fascinating view of
both the old Bund and the new Shanghai.(B+L+D)
Day 11: Shanghai
Free at leisure to explore Shanghai or shop (B)
Day 12: Shanghai - Departure
Transfer to airport for your return flight or to your next destination.
Please note that, whilst every effort will
be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be necessary.
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