Visiting Beijing(3 nts), Xian(2 nts), Yangtze River Cruise(3 nts), Shanghai(2 nts)
| Day 1 | USA-Beijing |
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| Board an international flight bound for Beijing, eager to discover the treasures of China and the enigmatic Yangtze River. |
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| Day 2 | Arrive-Beijing |
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| Touch down on the second day and meet our tour guide in the arrivals hall; transfer to our hotel. |
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| Day 3 | Beijing AB,L,DP
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| Welcome to Beijing, the nation’s capital and the place over 13 million people call home. Our city tour begins with a visit to the 100-acre Tiananmen Square, passing by Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. Cross the street to the Forbidden City, a massive palace complex and the imperial seat of Ming and Qing emperors until 1912. Our next stop is the emperors’ vacation retreat, the stunning Summer Palace, followed by picture stops to the 2008 Olympics Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. During the evening, enjoy a decadent Peking Duck Banquet. |
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| Day 4 | Beijing AB,L,DH
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| Today we travel to the legendary Great Wall, one of the seven great man-made wonders of the world. Climb its fabled steps and admire sweeping views of China’s northern frontiers, then descend the Wall to visit the Sacred Way. Follow the pathway of this “divine road”, lined with intricately carved stone statues, leading to the 13 Imperial Ming Mausoleums. |
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| Day 5 | Beijing - Xian AB,L,DH
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| Before flying to Xian, visit the sacred Temple of Heaven, frequented by Ming and Qing emperors for annual ceremonies of prayer. The temple was constructed to be three times larger than the Forbidden Palace, because the emperors dared not building their residence larger than a dwelling for Heaven. Later in the day, fly to historic Xian. |
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| Day 6 | Xian AB,L,DS
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| Arrive in the “Eternal City” of Xian, one of the birthplaces of ancient Chinese civilization. Among the myriad of cultural and historical treasures found in the city, the famed Terra Cotta Warriors remains Xian’s star attraction. After admiring the standing army of soldiers, horses and carriages, enjoy an authentic noodle-making demonstration during lunch. Continue on to visit the City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, enjoy an Imperial Dumpling Banquet followed by a Tang Dynasty Show. |
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| Day 7 | Xian - Yangtze River Cruise AB,L,D
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| Take a short flight to Chongqing, a picturesque mountain city located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. After a brief city tour, we board the majestic Victoria Cruise ship and set sail for our Yangtze River voyage. |
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| Day 8 | Yangtze River Cruise B,L,D
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| Arrive at Fengdu, visit either the “Ghost City” or the new relocation village, for our first shore excursion. Dating back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, Fengdu is filled with statues and temples of ghosts and demons, depicting the ancients’ imagination of Hell. Return to the ship for dinner and evening cruising. |
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| Day 9 | Yangtze River Cruise B,L,D
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| Begin cruising through the stunning limestone cliffs known as the Three Gorges. During our journey, we first pass through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three. Enter the 25-mile long Wu Gorge and admire the tranquil beauty of its verdant mountains and sheer cliffs. Then board smaller boats to access the impressive Lesser Gorges. Return aboard the ship and sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges. In the evening, sail through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks. |
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| Day 10 | Yangtze River Cruise - Shanghai B,L,DH
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| Disembark at Sandouping Village for a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, an immense hydroelectric water conservancy project that will forever change the scenery of the Yangtze River. Return aboard and sail on to our final destination, Yichang, where we board a flight to Shanghai. |
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| Day 11 | Shanghai AB,L,DS
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| Explore the city of Shanghai, a dynamic collision of East and West and one of China’s most vital shipping ports. Today we visit Yu Garden, a renowned classical garden with a history of over 400 years, followed by a walk along the elegant waterfront promenade known as the Bund. Drive through local shopping district, Nanjing Road, and return to the hotel for dinner followed by a performance by the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. |
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| Day 12 | Shanghai AB |
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| Bid a fond farewell to China and return to the US. |
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