21-day China in Depth (2012)

Shanghai - Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Suzhou - Yichang - Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing - Xi'an - Beijing - Tai'an - Qufu - Jinan - Beijing

Scroll down to bottom for departure dates, prices and hotel list

Day 1/Thu: Departing Home City
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Shanghai
Arrive in late afternoon and transfer to hotel upon meeting your guide.  

Day 3/Sat: Shanghai
Paris of China, Pearl of the Orient, city of quick riches, paradise of the adventurers - those were some of the names by which Shanghai was known before the Communists took it over from the Nationalist Government in 1949. After four decades of anemic growth in a state planned economy, Shanghai is roaring back to recapture its position on the world stage. With a population of 23 million and rapid economic expansion in the last 20 years, Shanghai has again become a leading global city with significant influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology and transport.

Our sightseeing today begins with a walk on the Bund, a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style. We then visit Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center and Jade Buddha Temple. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Sun: Shanghai
Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own has never been easier. Our recommended list includes Jinmao Tower, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline. (B)

Day 5/Mon: Shanghai - Hangzhou
We travel to Hangzhou by deluxe motor coach this morning. With a history of 2200 years, scenic Hangzhou has often been referred to as "Paradise on Earth" by Chinese poets and writers. A refreshing cruise on serene West Lake is followed by a visit to the Silk Museum. (B/L)

Day 6/Tue: Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Suzhou
Morning sightseeing includes Six Harmony Pagoda and Longjing Tea Plantation where the much treasured Chinese green tea is made. We drive to Wuzhen (1 hour) after lunch. The 12-century-old water town boasts many well-preserved ancient residential and commercial buildings. Tour the major sites before continuing on to Suzhou (2 hours). (B/L)

Day 7/Wed: Suzhou
The ancient city is best known for its traditional Chinese gardens, silk production and well-preserved canals. Our schedule today takes in Master-of-Nets Garden, a short cruise on the Grand Canal, the Silk Embroidery Research Institute and a silk spinning mill. (B/L)

Day 8/Thu: Suzhou - Yichang
Free morning. After lunch we transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (80km) to fly to Yichang where we set out for a 3-day cruise up the Yangtze River, known as the Long River or Changjiang among the Chinese. Click on image to the right to view deck plan. (B/L/D)

Day 9/Fri: Yangtze Cruise
At 6,380km the Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Nile and the Amazon. The most impressive section of the Yangtze is the Three Gorges.

Morning visit to the site of the Three Gorges Dam. Construction of the dam started on December 14, 1994. It was expected to be fully operational in 2009. Due to additional projects such as the underground power plant with six additional generators, the dam is not expected to become fully operational until 2011. The dam raised the water level the third time to 172.5 metres by the end of 2008. The Chinese government estimated the cost of the construction to be $27 billion while some Chinese scholars and international organizations estimated the actual cost could be as high as over $80 billion. The project upon completion will become the largest hydroelectric dam in the world with a reservoir stretching hundreds of kilometres upstream. (B/L/D)

Day 10/Sat: Yangtze Cruise
This morning we navigate Shennong Stream on a small vessel. Originating in the southern slopes of Shennongjia Nature Reserve, the crystal clear river twists and turns 60 kilometres through forested mountains before emptying into the mighty Yangtze. Admire nature’s grandeur while sailing through spectacular Wu Gorge (44km) and Qutang Gorge (8km) later today. Please note the excursion may be substituted by a motorized sampan ride through equally impressive Lesser Three Gorges of Daning River, another Yangtze tributary. (B/L/D)

Day 11/Sun: Yangtze Cruise
Today’s onshore visit features the necropolis of Fengdu, a historic temple complex modeled after the Chinese Hell in Taoist mythology. Depending on river conditions, the cruise operator may substitute Fengdu with Shibaozhai or Stone Treasure Fortress - an ancient wooden pagoda built against rock cliffs facing the Yangtze. (B/L/D)

Day 12/Mon: Chongqing - Xi'an
Our cruise ends this morning. City tour in Chongqing includes People's Square and General Stilwell's former residence during World War II. We Fly to Xi'an in late afternoon or early evening. (B/L)

Day 13/Tue: Xi'an
Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army. Designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity, the Terra Cotta Army located about 30km east of the city represents one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th Century in the world. After a tour of the excavation site, we return to the city for a stroll on the ancient wall. Tonight we enjoy a spectacular music and dance show reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), a period generally considered a golden era of the Chinese civilization. (B/L/D)

Day 14/Wed: Xi'an - Beijing
Morning flight to Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square and adjacent Forbidden City following lunch. Also known as Palace Museum or Gu Gong in Chinese, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties lived and carried out their administration. (B/L)

Day 15/Thu: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall at Mutianyu, 75km northeast of the city. Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. Construction of the earliest sections of the Wall started in the 7th century B.C. A major renovation started with the founding of the Ming Dynasty in 1368 and took 200 years to complete. The wall we see today in Beijing is almost exactly the result of this effort. (B/L)

Day 16/Fri: Beijing
Today we visit the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and a hutong - traditional alleyway flanked with courtyard residences. We then wrap up the day with a sumptuous Peking Roast Duck dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 17/Sat: Beijing - Tai'an
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Ride China's new bullet train to Tai'an, the city located at the foothill of sacred Mt Tai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The super-comfortable train glides through 500km across the North China Plain in less than 2 hours. We visit the sprawling historic site of Dai Temple after hotel check-in. (B/D)

Day 18/Sun: Tai'an
We dedicate the morning to exploring the historic Mt. Tai or Taishan. The most revered of the five sacred Taoist mountains of China, Mt. Tai has since the dawn of Chinese history been a great source of inspiration for poets, writers and painters. In 1982, the UNESCO designated Mt. Tai a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. We ride the cable car and then walk about an hour to the summit for a rewarding view of the surrounding countryside. The energetic may choose to skip the cable car and conquer the entire 6000 steps on foot. The climb can be hard work but the central route's bewildering catalogue of bridges, trees, towers, statues, inscribed stones, caves, pavilions and temples combine to take your mind off your aching calves. (B/L)

Day 19/Mon: Tai'an - Qufu - Tai'an
Drive to Qufu (100km) after breakfast. Qufu is hometown of Confucius whose philosophy, known as Confucianism, played and continues to play a vital role in the evolution of the Chinese civilization. We visit the mansions inhabited by Confucius' descendants, now a museum, the sage's last resting place at Confucian Forest, and finally the massive Confucius Temple, which features a series of impressive gateways, clusters of twisted pines and cypresses, inscribed steles and tortoise tablets recording ancient events. The mansions, temple and cemetery are all integral parts of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We return to Tai'an for dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 20/Tue: Tai'an - Jinan - Beijing
Drive to Jinan in morning. Jinan is the capital of Shandong Province and best known for its hundreds of gushing springs. The name "Jinan" literally means "south of Ji River" referring to the old river north of the ancient city. The Ji River disappeared in 1852 when the Yellow River changed its course northwards and took over its bed. We visit Baotu Springs Park and the Provincial Museum before returning to Beijing by bullet train. (B/L)

Day 21/Wed: Returning Home
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to the airport to board return flight departing in the afternoon. Cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day. (B) 

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Hotels & Yangtze Cruise Ship
City	Nights	Hotel/Ship	Star Rating
Shanghai	3	Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou
Hangzhou	1	Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel
Suzhou	2	Pan Pacific Suzhou
Yangtze Cruise	4	Victoria Cruises
Xi'an	2	Sheraton Xi'an
Beijing	4	Crowne Plaza U-Town
Tai'an	3	Ramada Plaza Taian

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