LEGENDARY YANGTZE CRUISE

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN SHANGHAI

Transfer to the hotel.

DAY 2: SHANGHAI

This morning take a walk along the famous Bund past the facades of the colonial buildings lining the Huangpu River and look across to the soaring TV tower and fantastic skyscrapers of the Pudong district on the opposite side. Following is a visit to the beautifully maintained Yu Garden, an outstanding example of a classical garden dating from the 16th century. Then comes the renowned Shanghai Museum which is famous for its collection of paintings, sculptures, porcelain, costumes, ancient bronzes and other artifacts. Later take a cruise across the Huangpu River to ascend the Grand Hyatt tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, for an astonishing view over the whole city. (B/L)

DAY 3: SHANGHAI – YICHANG

Fly to Yichang to board your luxurious cruise ship. (B/D)

DAYS 4-6: YANGTZE CRUISE

You cruise the famous Yangtze River as it winds its way through the spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. For many people, to cruise along this famous river is a lifelong dream. At 6300 km, the Yangtze is the third longest river in the world, made famous today by its spectacular Three Gorges and the controversial Three Gorges Dam. The Three Gorges stretch for 193 km, along which are many historic sites such as Baidi City, cliff inscriptions, suspended coffins of the Bai Tribe, tombs of the Han Dynasty (prior to 220 AD), and battlefields of the Three Kingdoms period. Where the river widens, terraced fields spread out up mountain slopes, interspersed with orange orchards and tea gardens. The mist-shrouded landscape of the Yangtze Gorges is as lovely as a traditional Chinese painting. (All meals on board)

DAY 7: CHONGQING – XIAN

Visit Chongqing Zoo to see one of China’s treasures, the Pandas.

After lunch fly to Xian (B/L)

DAY 8: XIAN

This morning you will view the excavated Terracotta Warriors and Horses buried over 2000 years ago to guard the tomb of the first emperor. Tonight you attend a performance of the famed Tang Dynasty Show. (B/L/D)

DAY 9: XIAN – BEIJING

This morning you take a walk along the massive Xian City Wall, one of the best preserved in China. The rectangular old part of Xian remains completely surrounded by this magnificent wall, complete with impressive gates and towers, built during the reign of the first Ming emperor in the late 14th century. Next we visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda situated in the grounds of a temple founded by the Tang emperor Gaozong in 684 AD. It is 45m tall and is picturesquely sited in a walled enclosure filled with trees. After lunch you will fly to Beijing where, as an introduction to this city, you will visit Tiananmen Square, look across the vast space to the Great Hall of the People and stand before the massive Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace) Gate bearing a huge portrait of Mao Zedong, who stood here to proclaim the People’s Republic on 1 October 1949. (B/L)

DAY 10: BEIJING

This morning you will walk through the gates of the fabled Forbidden City to experience its hidden glories and mysteries. Here the marble courtyards and the crimson, gilded halls, temples and pavilions that sheltered the emperors are all open to our gaze. This afternoon you will experience a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s original Hutong District, a fascinating maze of back alleys and hidden courtyards where the people who still work and live here welcome you into their homes (B/L)

DAY 11: BEIJING

You will be taken north today to pace the ramparts of China’s famed Great Wall, originally constructed over 2000 years ago to keep invaders from the north at bay. Returning to the city, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors carried out the most important sacrifices and ceremonies of the year. Set in a huge park planted with conifers, the buildings here represent the epitome of Ming architecture.(B/L)

DAY 12: BEIJING

This morning you will visit the wonderfully preserved and restored Summer Palace, the famed pleasure garden of the Qing Emperors. Beautiful ornamental plantings, languid willows, and painted pavilions surrounding a scenic lake recreate the atmosphere of bygone centuries. In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore more of Beijing. (B/L)

DAY 13: DEPART BEIJING

Transfer to the airport. (B)

The prices of above tour are quoted on the basis of a minimum of 2 persons travelling together.