17-day Essence of China Tour - from Hong Kong to Beijing (2010)

Hong Kong - Shanghai - Yichang - Yangtze Cruise - Chongqing - Guilin - Xi'an - Beijing

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

Day 1/Sat: Departing from North America
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Sun: Arrival in Hong Kong
Arrive in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel on your own. The Airport Hotelink Limousine and the free Airport Express Shuttle Bus Service both have a stop at our hotel. The former costs $130 Hong Kong dollars (16 CAD or USD) per passenger. (B)

Day 3/Mon: Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China, along with Macau. Comprising more than 260 islands, the territory is located on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong Province in the north and facing the South China Sea in the east, west and south. Hong Kong was a dependent territory of the United Kingdom from 1842 until the transfer of sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997. The Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Hong Kong stipulate that Hong Kong operate with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2047, fifty years after the transfer. Under the policy of "one country, two systems", the Central People's Government is responsible for the territory's defense and foreign affairs while Hong Kong maintains its own legal system based on English common law, police force, monetary system, customs policy, immigration policy, and delegates to international organizations and events. 

Our half-day Hong Kong Island tour includes Aberdeen Village, Repulse Bay and Victoria Peak. Free afternoon to explore the former British colony on your own. Hong Kong is an extremely tourist-friendly city where English is widely spoken and the public transit convenient. (B)

Day 4/Tue: Hong Kong - Shanghai
You may spend the morning relaxing or continuing your self-guided exploration of the dynamic city. Transfer to the airport on your own to board the two-hour evening flight to Shanghai. Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel. (B)

Day 5/Wed: 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 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 18 years.

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 and the bazaar at the Temple of Town God. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 6/Thu: Shanghai - Yichang
Free morning to explore on your own. Transfer to the airport in the afternoon to fly to Yichang where we set out for a 4-night Yangtze cruise. (B/D)

Day 7/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.

This morning we tour 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. (B/L/D)

Day 8/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 9/Sun: Yangtze Cruise
Today’s onshore visit features Shibaozhai or Stone Treasure Fortress, an ancient wooden pagoda built against rock cliffs facing the Yangtze. For the captain-hosted farewell dinner tonight we advise smart casual dress. (B/L/D)

Day 10/Mon: Chongqing - Guilin
Our cruise ends this morning. City tour in Chongqing includes the local zoo (giant pandas) and General Joseph Stilwell’s former residence, location of the US Forces’ headquarters in China during World War II. Fly to Guilin in late afternoon. (B/L) 

Day 11/Tue: Guilin
A medium-sized city by Chinese standard, Guilin has long been renowned for its unique scenery. The name Guilin literally means "forest of sweet osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees in the city.

Day cruise on Li River. The 83km stretch of the river between Guilin and Yangshuo affords breathtaking scenery as the river snakes through tall karst mountains, gigantic bamboo sprays, and picturesque villages -- sights that have inspired countless poets and painters for generations. Disembark in Yangshuo and drive back to Guilin. (B/L)

Day 12/Wed: Guilin - Xi'an
Enjoy some free time before visiting Reed Flute Cave and historic Fubo Hill. We fly to Xi'an in late afternoon or early evening depending on flight availability. (B/L/D)

Day 13/Thu: 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. Visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city. A stroll on the ancient city wall before dinner is also on our schedule. 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/Fri: 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/Sat: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall, 70km 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. (B/L)

Day 16/Sun: 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/Mon: Beijing - North America
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to the airport to board return flight in the afternoon and arrive home the same day after crossing the International Date Line. (B)

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Hotels & Yangtze Cruise Ship
City	Nights	Hotel/Ship	Star Rating
Hong Kong	2	Harbour Grand Kowloon
Shanghai	2	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong
Yangtze Cruise	4	Victoria Cruises
Guilin	2	Sheraton Guilin
Xi'an	2	Sheraton Xi'an
Beijing	3	The Great Wall Sheraton Beijing

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Strikethrough indicates sold-out but you may ask to be added to the waiting list in case of last-minute cancellation. Statistics shows nearly 5% of our customers end up canceling their trips due to various unexpected reasons.

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