Day : 1
Arrive Beijing (4 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Welcome to Beijing. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and settle in before meeting your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception drink and local appetisers.Welcome Reception
Day : 2
Beijing Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Begin your visit to this great capital city by exploring one of the world's largest public areas, Tiananmen Square, home to the National Museum of China, the mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Great Monument to the People's Heroes. Pass through the south gate to the magnificent Forbidden City, a 180 acre complex of courtyards, palaces, pavilions and gardens. It served as the imperial palace for emperors and their households for more than 500 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch continue to another UNESCO Heritage site - the stunning Temple of Heaven, visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to heaven. This evening, enjoy a succulent Peking Duck Regional Meal - a must during any visit to Beijing. Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Regional Meal
Day : 3
Beijing and the Great Wall
Number of Days : 1
Travel outside the city and look down upon the Chinese countryside from your perch on top of the Great Wall, which is actually a collection of fortifications built and rebuilt from the 5th century B.C. to the 16th century, to defend against nomadic invaders like the Mongols. Walk the Sacred Way to the remnants of the Ming Tombs, the once-lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Both places are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.Buffet Breakfast, Lunch
Day : 4
Free Time - Beijing Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Spend the morning at leisure, before embarking on a unique tour by rickshaw around the ancient alleyways of the courtyard Hutong residences. Stop at the home of a local family for a delicious Be My Guest lunch of traditional Chinese cuisine followed by a visit to a charming tea house, where a Local Specialist prepares and serves tea, while explaining the historic tea making ritual. This afternoon indulge in a relaxing foot massage, a Cultural Insight, at the Foot Reflexology Centre. Buffet Breakfast, Be My Guest Dining
Day : 5
Beijing – Xi’an (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
This morning fly to the city of Xi'an. Later visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the city's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks and one of the Silk Road UNESCO listed sites.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 6
Xi’an Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
During term-time, meet the children and teachers at a local primary school. Perhaps learn a few words of Chinese from the kids who in turn will be happy to practice their English. Afterwards, visit the legendary army of Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Emperor Qin Shi Huang's subterranean tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For lunch enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Chinese noodles and later continue with a visit to a Jade factory.Buffet Breakfast, Lunch
Day : 7
Xi’an – Shanghai (3 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
This morning your choice of activities gives you the chance to participate in a T'ai Chi Class, with a skilled Local Specialist, or take a cycle tour around part of the ancient City Wall of Xi'an. Continue on to a local restaurant for a Cultural Insight; watch a demonstration in the art of making dumplings, and afterwards enjoy sampling these for lunch. There are 21 different kinds of dumplings with a variety of fillings and different ways of cooking them. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. This evening take a relaxing cruise along the Huangpu River and admire Shanghai's illuminated skyline; a great introduction to the city.Buffet Breakfast, Lunch
Day : 8
Shanghai Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
With a Local Specialist, take a stroll along Shanghai's famous 'Bund', the city's renowned waterfront, lined with former colonial buildings and modern sky-scrapers. Learn how marshland was turned into one of the most important trading hubs in the modern world. Continue to Old Shanghai, a little known treasure trove of winding streets and vibrant markets. Despite the rapid pace of development in the rest of the city, the established customs and lifestyle of this area have remained relatively unaltered. Enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping in the Old Town before continuing to visit a silk museum and shop. This evening enjoy a performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.Buffet Breakfast
Day : 9
Shanghai Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Today is yours to explore Shanghai further, do some last minute shopping or take an Optional Experience to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town founded more than 1,700 years ago. In its heyday, Zhujiajiao was a bustling market town well known throughout the country. Today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and even a Qing Dynasty post office can still be found when strolling down the ancient streets and exploring the many bridges that crisscross its canals. In the afternoon enjoy some free time back in Shanghai before joining your travel companions for a Farewell Dinner.Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day : 10
Shanghai – Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise (4 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Today leave Shanghai behind as you transfer to the airport for your flight to Yichang. On arrival have dinner in a local restaurant before transferring to the port to embark on your Yangtze River cruise.Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day : 11
Yangtze River Cruise
Number of Days : 1
Start your morning with a leisurely cruise towards the world's largest hydroelectric project, the Three Gorges Dam. Disembark for a tour around the colossal dam, which is designed to both generate power to fuel China's economic growth and to control flooding on the Yangtze. Later observe this amazing feat of modern engineering, as you pass through its' five level double lock system from the comfort of your ship. Witness the beautiful scenery passing on both shores as you sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest and the deepest of the Three Gorges.Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day : 12
Yangtze River Cruise
Number of Days : 1
After breakfast board a sampan to see a tributary of the Yangtze River, the Shennv Stream, up close and personal. Return to the ship for lunch and for the long awaited breathtaking scenery of the most revered part of the Yangtze River - the 120km. known as the Three Gorges. Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day : 13
Yangtze River Cruise
Number of Days : 1
This morning take a shore excursion to visit Shibaozhai with its wooden temple on the top of a 200 metre tall cliff. Take the opportunity to have a bit of exercise by climbing up to the temple via the red pavilion which leans against the cliff and serves as a pathway. Return to the ship to continue enjoying the stunning scenery and your last day on board. Spend a peaceful night docked at Chongqing where the cruise finishes, ready for an early disembarkation the next day.Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day : 14
Chongqing - Chengdu (3 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
After breakfast disembark the cruise in Chongqing and take the high speed bullet train to Chengdu - the hometown of the giant panda and a city famous in China for its leisurely pace of living. Later visit People's Park (also known as Renmin Park) for a stroll around and some people watching, a Cultural Insight. See how the locals spend their leisure time playing mahjong, dancing, napping in a tea-house, practicing calligraphy with water on the pavement, enjoying a neck massage and even having their ears cleaned. The park features several Chinese gardens, a beautiful lake, the Railway Protection Movement Monument, and local tea houses. This evening perhaps choose to take part in an Optional Experience. Buffet Breakfast
Day : 15
Chengdu Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
This morning join your Local Specialist for a visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding; a non-profit research and breeding facility for giant pandas and other rare animals which was established in 1987. It's mission is to rescue and protect the endangered giant panda species which currently have a population of less than 2000. After lunch return to the city centre and visit the Wide and Narrow Alleys; two parallel pedestrian streets with 45 courtyards along them. One of Chengdu's historical and cultural areas which dates from the Qing Dynasty, and is today a beautifully restored upscale entertainment and nightlife area with restaurants, teahouses, and stores selling local handicrafts and other keepsakes. Later continue to Jinli Old Street to be immersed in the lively local atmosphere. The buildings are modeled on the architectural style of a traditional old town in western Sichuan Province and exhibit an ancient charm. Stroll along the narrow street to find old-world stores, each with their own unique style, selling Shu Embroidery, lacquer products, handicrafts, calligraphies and paintings of celebrities. Buffet Breakfast, Lunch
Day : 16
Chengdu Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Today visit the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine and learn about traditional Sichuan cooking practices for a Cultural Insight. Have a go at crushing chilies into powder using a Qing Dynasty pestle and mortar, view ancient kitchenware, books and manuscripts faithfully recording the history of Sichuan culinary cultures dating back more than 3,000 years. Visit Restaurant Alley to catch a glimpse into the dining experiences of the past. Also see the shrine of the Kitchen God to perhaps leave an offering before trying your hand at cooking a few of the dishes under the guidance of the chef. Enjoy eating your creations for lunch before returning to your centrally located hotel. The afternoon is yours to relax, explore further or do some last minute shopping. Buffet Breakfast, Lunch
Day : 17
Depart Chengdu
Number of Days : 1
Transfer to Chengdu Airport for your onward flight.Buffet Breakfast
