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Beijing - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai

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

Day 1/Wed: Departing Home City
The journey begins with our transpacific flight departing the west coast in early afternoon. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Thu: Arrival in Beijing
Meet our guide upon arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 3/Fri: Beijing
Beijing, capital of China, is the country's second largest city in terms of population. Following a brief orientation we visit Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and an old hutong - alleyway flanked with traditional residential courtyards. Welcome dinner features delicious Beijing roast duck, a local delicacy. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Sat: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall, 90km northwest 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. On the way back to the city in the afternoon we stop by at the Spirit Way at Ming Tombs. The Spirit Way, serving at the entrance to the Ming Tombs, is lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. (B/L)

Day 5/Sun: Beijing - Chongqing
Morning sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. Built for emperors to worship Heaven, the Temple of Heaven is China's largest existing complex of ancient sacrificial buildings occupying an area of 273 hectares and three times the area of the Forbidden City. Late afternoon flight to Chongqing. (B/L)

Day 6/Mon: Chongqing
Enjoy some free time in the morning. Afternoon sightseeing takes in the zoo (giant pandas), People's Square, and General Joseph Stilwell’s former residence - location of the US Forces’ headquarters in China during World War II. After a sumptuous hot pot dinner we board the Yangtze cruise ship to start our 3-day downstream journey. (B/L/D)

Day 7/Tue: 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. Today’s shore excursion features Shibaozhai or Stone Treasure Fortress, an ancient wooden pagoda built against rock cliffs facing the Yangtze. (B/L/D)

Day 8/Wed: Yangtze Cruise
Admire nature’s grandeur while sailing through spectacular Wu Gorge (44km) and Qutang Gorge (8km) later today. Later 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.  (B/L/D)

Day 9/Thu: Yichang - Shanghai
Morning visit to the site of the Three Gorges Dam. Construction of the dam began in 1992 and is scheduled to be completed by 2009. Estimated to cost over $24 billion, the project upon completion will become the largest hydroelectric dam in the world with a reservoir stretching hundreds of kilometres upstream. We disembark in Yichang around noon and fly to Shanghai. (B/L/D)

Day 10/Fri: 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. Like of the rest of the country Shanghai is currently undergoing one of the fastest economic expansions the world has ever seen, having experienced 19% GDP growth per year for the past 16 years. Our sightseeing in Shanghai begins with a stroll on the Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, followed by Shanghai Museum and Yu Garden. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 11/Sat: Shanghai
Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own has never been easier. Our recommended list includes a visit to glitzy Pudong New District, 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 12/Sun: Shanghai - Home City
Free morning to pack and relax. Transfer to airport to board return flight. Arrive home the same day. (B)

Hotels & yangtze Cruise Ship
City	Nights	Hotel/Ship	Star Rating
Beijing	3	Sheraton Beijing
Chongqing	1	Hilton Chongqing
Yangtze Cruise	3	Victoria Cruises
Shanghai	3	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong

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