ITINERARY
DAY 1: Depart on your scheduled flight to Shanghai
DAY 2: On arrival you will be met by a local Chinese guide and transferred to your hotel for 3 nights. In the afternoon you will have an introductory city tour.Evening free to relax in your hotel. Overnight: Shanghai
DAY 3: Shanghai with it's ancient Wu Xing Teahouse and the Yu Yuan Gardens.You will also visit the beautiful Jade Buddha Temple,stroll along the Bund,the city's famous riverside boulevard, visit the traditional Old Town and the busy Nanjing Road. In the evening there is an incliuded Arcrobatic Show. Overnight: Shanghai
DAY 4: An included full day tour by train to Suzhou,situated on China's historic Grand Canal.Highlights include the Lingering Garden and/or the Humble Adminsistrators Garden plus a canal cruise. Return to Shanghai by train and enjoy the evening taking in the sights and lights of the city. Overnight: Shanghai:
DAY 5: Shanghai-Xian. Transfer to the airport for the 2 hour flight to Xian.On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in time for dinner. In the evening free for you to explore the surroundings.. Overnight: Xian
DAY 6: Xian was once the capital of China and the most important city in Asia. The highlight today is a comprehensive visit to the site of the Terracotta Army outside the city of Xian in Yintong county and Li Shan mountain. In the evening an included Tang Dynasty music and dance show. Overnight: Xian
DAY 7: Further sightseeing in and around Xian,including the Wild Goose Pagoda and the city wall. En route to the airport for the flight to Chengdu and brief stop will be made at the Han Yang tombs. After the brief flight to Chengdu a short sightseeing tour before transferring to your hotel for 2 nights. Overnight: Chengdu.
DAY 8: After a leisurely breakfast a visit to the Giant Panda Research centre to see,at first hand,the work being carried out to preserve these animals in asociation with the World Wild Life fund. Return to Chengdu in the afternoon and explore Juni street and visit a traditional tea house and silk workshops. Overnight: Chengdu
DAY 9: Transfer from your hotel to the railway station for the short journey to Chongqing. You will then be transferred to the port and board your Yangste cruise ship for a 3 night cruise downstream. Full board daily. Overrnight on Cruise ship
DAYS 10 & 11: Yangste River Cruise. Proceed downsteam through Xiling Gorge,Wuxia & Qutang Gorges with shore excursions en-route. A stop will also be made for a side trip to visit Shennong Steam and/or Daning River. After passing through the Three Gorges Dam and visit wil also be made to the Dam and surrounding site.
DAY 12: Morning arrival in Yichang and then transfer to the airport for the flight to Beijing. On arrival an introductory tour and you will see Chang-an Avenue and the temple of Heaven before transfering to your hotel for a 3 night stay. Overnight: Beijing
DAY 13: Beijing is an extraordinary city.The most modern architecture can be seen with the iconic Olympic buildings.These include the National Aquatics Centre,better known as the Water Cube and the National Stadium,better known as the Bird's nest. Today we include a visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.After lunch a visit to the 800 year old Summer Palace on the outskirts of the city. Overnight: Beijing
DAY 14: Today is a highlight when we travel 40 miles north of Beijing to Badaling to visit a section of the GREAT WALL. After having some time to walk and enjoy this area we continue to see the Ming Tombs area and the Sacred Way (Avenue of the stone statues) return back to Beijing. In the evening a traditional Peking Duck dinner.
DAY 15: Check-out and transfer to the airport for your return flight to London. As you will be travelling westwards your arrival will be later the same day.
Yangste Cruise in association with VICTORIA CRUISES INC.
