25-day Splendid China Tour (2012)

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

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

Day 1/Sun: Departing for Hong Kong
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Mon: Arrival in Hong Kong
Meet your guide upon arrival in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. If you need a quick bite before going to bed, you may order room service at your own expense or visit one of the nice restaurants in the hotel or in the neighbourhood. You only need to walk two or three minutes to find a decent, reasonably priced eateries.

Day 3/Tue: 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/Wed: Hong Kong - Guilin
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 one-hour evening flight to Guilin. Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel. (B)

Day 5/Thu: Guilin
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 after lunch and drive back to Guilin. (B/L)

Day 6/Fri: Guilin - Shanghai
Morning schedule features scenic Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave. Created by an underground river more than half a million years ago, this highly accessible karst cavern of stalactites and stalagmites served as an air raid shelter during World War II. Resembling the set of a science fiction movie, the Reed Flute Cave is bathed in purple-blue light. Late afternoon flight to Shanghai. (B/L)

Day 7/Sat: Shanghai
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 8/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 9/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 10/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 11/Wed: Suzhou
The ancient city is best known for its traditional Chinese gardens, silk production and well-preserved canals. Our schedule today takes Master-of-Nets Garden, a short cruise on the Grand Canal, the Silk Embroidery Research Institute and a silk spinning mill. (B/L)

Day 12/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 13/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 14/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 15/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 16/Mon: Chongqing - Xi'an
Our cruise ends this morning. City tour in Chongqing includes the zoo and General Still's former Residence during World War II. We Fly to Xi'an in late afternoon or early evening. (B/L)

Day 17/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 18/Wed: Xi'an - Tai'an
Morning sightseeing takes in the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The modern, well-organized museum completed in 1992 traces the history of Xi'an from prehistory to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The extensive galleries and exhibitions offer the visitor an excellent introduction to the area that greatly improves understanding of the numerous historical sites in and around the city. We fly to Jinan in the afternoon and transfer to Tai'an (80km) upon arrival. (B/L/D)

Day 19/Thu: 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 20/Fri: Tai'an - Qufu - Jinan
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. We return to Jinan later in the day and arrive around dinnertime. (B/L/D)

Day 21/Sat: Jinan
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 exploring the city on our own. (B/L)

Day 22/Sun: Jinan - Beijing
We travel to Beijing by rail this morning. The high-speed train leaves Jinan at 8:10 and arrives in Bejing in less than 2 hours after covering 450km. The ride is smooth and quiet. Please note that since porter service is not available at either end clients are required to carry their luggage themselves to and from the train. Afternoon sightseeing in Beijing consists of Tian'anmen Square and adjacent Forbidden City. (B/L)

Day 23/Mon: 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 24/Tue: Beijing
This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven. Situated in southeastern Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is China's largest extant sacrificial temple where, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the emperors conducted the elaborate and most exalted sacrifices addressed to "the Supreme Ruler of the Universe." Afternoon sightseeing includes Summer Palace (a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty) and a hutong - traditional alleyway flanked with courtyard residences. We wrap up the day with a sumptuous Peking Roast Duck dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 25/Wed: Beijing - 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
Hong Kong	2	Harbour Grand Kowloon
Guilin	2	Sheraton Guilin
Shanghai	3	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong
Hangzhou	1	Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel
Suzhou	2	Pan Pacific Suzhou
Yangtze Cruise	4	Victoria Cruises
Xi'an	2	Sheraton Xi'an
Tai'an	2	Ramada Plaza Taian
Jinan	2	Sofitel Silver Plaza Jinan
Beijing	3	The Great Wall Sheraton Beijing

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