Day 01 : USA - Beijing

Embark on our China and Yangtze River vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Beijing. Due to the time difference, spend the night aboard the plane as it traverses the Pacific and crosses the international date line.
 DAILY MEAL  
 

Day 02 : Arrive Beijing

Arrive at Beijing, China's capital and its political center. Retrieve our bags and clear customs to meet our tour guide in the arrival hall; then transfer to our five star accommodations for a good night's rest.
 DAILY MEAL  
 

Day 03 : Beijing

Beijing is a city in the midst of a face-lift in preparation for its starring role as host city for the 2008 Olympics. Construction abounds in this city which 13 million citizens proudly call their home. Our city tour today takes us first to visit the Forbidden City, so named because commoners were not allowed through its gates. After spending the morning walking the grounds of this, the world's largest palace complex, we continue onwards. Just south of the Forbidden City lies the world's largest public square - Tiananmen Square. Translated to mean "gate of perpetual peace," Tiananmen Square was the site of many historic events. After lunch, we head to the emperor's Summer Palace for a leisurely walk along Lake Kunming. Retire back to the hotel to rest a bit before taking part in our evening activities, attending a sumptuous Peking Duck Banquet.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, DP)
 

Day 04 : Beijing

Perhaps no other symbol more famously represents China than the Great Wall. Winding majestically across 4,000 miles of China's northern regions, it is at once an engineering marvel and cultural treasure. Initial construction was undertaken by China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, but was not finished until many dynasties later. The vast expanse of China's northern frontier as seen from atop the Great Wall must be seen to be appreciated. Descend the wall later to walk along the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb Museum before heading back into town. Dinner is served at the hotel.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, DH)
 

Day 05 : Beijing

Free time has been provided for us to explore Beijing at our own pace; the entire day is free. Spend the day doing some souvenir shopping or walking around town. If we wish, an optional rickshaw tour through the ancient Hutongs of Old Town Beijing is available. Included in the tour is a special cultural home visit to the "siheyuan" of a local resident that lives in the Hutongs.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB)
 

Day 06 : Beijing - Xia

Depart Beijing for Xian by air. On the way to the airport, stop at the solemn Temple of Heaven before leaving Beijing. Dwellers of Xian lay claim to the fact that the city has experienced the full history of China in its entirety. Xian indeed boasts a full resume of achievements: A cradle of ancient Chinese civilization dating back to 4000 BC, capital of empires until the 9th century, and the starting point of the famed Silk Road. Entering the city limits on the way in from Xianyang Airport, our motorcoach drives through the massive City Wall and stops for a visit to the Bell Tower. After check-in, dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, DH)
 

Day 07 : Xian

Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China and is known in history as the "great unifier." Passing into the afterlife in 210 BC, he was entombed with 8000 life-sized Terra Cotta soldiers and horses in formation. Since its serendipitous discovery by farmers in 1974, the Terra Cotta Warriors have been Xian's claim to fame. At present, three excavation pits have been opened to the public as a fourth pit is underway. Evening dining/entertainment is provided as we dine on a delicious Imperial Dumpling Banquet followed by the world famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, DS)
 

Day 08 : Xian - Chongqing

Wave goodbye to Xian as we board a flight to Chongqing. Located in the mountainous regions of the Sichuan Province, Chongqing is officially China's largest municipality with a registered population of over 30 million. It is also an important center of commerce and home to famously spicy Sichuan cuisine. Dependant on time, we begin our sightseeing tour of this mountain city (if not, then tomorrow).
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, D)
 

Day 09 : Chongqing - Yangzte River Cruise

Today we are transferred to the docks where our Victoria Cruise ship awaits to take us on our Yangtze River adventure. The ship sails for most of the afternoon to arrive at Fengdu, known locally as the "Ghost City." Take an excursion up to Fengdu to observe the over 700 gardens and temples that depict what the ancients envisioned the afterlife to be. Reboard later ad continue sailing down the mighty Yangtze.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, D)
 

Day 10 : Yangtze River Cruise

The Three Gorges are one of nature's most extraordinary sculptures, and today our ship passes through all three. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles) and narrowest (500 feet) but also is the most dramatic. Wu Gorge is longer at 25 miles and is known for its serene beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates is precipices. The shore excursion today is at Wushan where we board smaller vessels to access the Lesser Gorges (either at Daning River or Shennong Stream). Reboard later as the ship passes through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the three at 41 miles and also the deepest at some 4000 ft.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, D)
 

Day 11 : Yangtze River Cruise

In the early morning hours our ship arrives at the Three Gorges Dam Site at Sandouping Village. Take a bus ride to this massive site, the largest project of its kind in the world. Originally envisioned by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the Three Gorges Dam will curb the devastating floodwaters of the Yangtze while also providing hydroelectric power for the people.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, D)
 

Day 12 : Yangtze River Cruise

Arrival at Wuhan marks the halfway point of our Yangtze River Cruise. Located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han Rivers, Wuhan is an important industrial, commercial and political center of China's Hubei Province. An excursion to the Hubei Provincial Museum is included in the day's sightseeing.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, D)
 

Day 13 : Yangtze River Cruise

Disembark at Guichi for a full day shore excursion to Mt. Huangshan. Located in the Anhui Province, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is one of China's most famous mountain ranges. Travel from the banks of the Yangtze to this royal retreat through some of the country's most scenic rural areas: emerald green rice paddies, lush tea bushes, and mud-walled villages greet you at every bend. Jiuhuashan may be substituted for Huangshan depending on local condition.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, D)
 

Day 14 : Yangtze River Cruise

Today's shore excursion begins when our ship arrives at Nanjing, the old wartime capital of China. Here we tour the Zhongshan Ling (Sun Yat Sen Memorial), a mausoleum built in 1929 for the man considered to be the "Father of Modern China." We also visit a Qing Dynasty style bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, D)
 

Day 15 : Yangtze Cruise - Shanghai

The ship's morning arrival into the docks at Shanghai signals the end of our Yangtze River adventure. Disembark the ship which has been our home the past six nights and transfer into the city by motorcoach. Dinner is served at our hotel this evening.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, L, DH)
 

Day 16 : Shanghai

The entire morning has been set aside for a visit to the Shanghai Museum. Founded in 1952, it is a museum of Chinese History that houses over 120,000 cultural treasures covering China's entire 5000 year history. The afternoon is free at leisure. If you desire, you may choose either to devote more time to the museum, continue on to Nanjing Road for free time, or head back to the hotel to wash up before attending the farewell banquet. After the banquet, cap off the evening with a Chinese Acrobatics Show. With its origins in Chinese martial arts, the performers of Chinese acrobatics must possess strength, flexibility, and grace.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB, DS)
 

Day 17 : Shanghai - USA

Bid China and the Yangtze a fond farewell as we board our homebound international flight.
 DAILY MEAL   (AB)