Yangtze River Essence Tour

Day 01 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. You will be greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the first class Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Day 02 Beijing (B, L)

Morning program takes you to Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years. Enjoy the famous Sichuan cuisine at our carefully-selected restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing features the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. On the way back to the hotel, you will have an outlook of the major Olympic Stadium and the Olympic village.

Day 03 Beijing (B, L)

Travel to the Badaling Great Wall, one of the eight ancient wonders of between 6000- 6500 km long built over several centuries to keep out the invading northern tribes. After a hike along a portion of the Wall, you visit the Ming Tombs (Changling), a secluded valley housing 14 imperial burial mounds. Then proceed to the Cloisonné factory to appreciate the marvelous Chinese traditional handicrafts.

Day 04 Beijing (B, L)

Today you will visit the Gongwangfu Garden, the largest private mansion house in the Qing Dynasty. After that, you will have a special tour to the 700-year-old narrow streets, Hutongs, to visit the old quadrangles by the old fashioned rickshaw and learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing residents. Today you will enjoy one of the famous cuisines in China, Huaiyang cuisine for lunch. This afternoon visit 798 factory, it is a new rising, avant-garde and trendy space that hosts high-level cultural, artistic and commercial activities.

Day 05 Beijing / Xian (B, D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take the flight to Xian. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the local guide and check in the Aurum International Hotel. After refresh, you will visit Shanxi History Museum. The museum's permanent exhibition primarily displays Shaanxi's ancient history. The collection from the Han through the Tang (618 A.D.-907 A.D.) and Song (960 A.D.-1279 A.D.) dynasties shows the changes of art and craftsmanship. Then you will continue to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening you will enjoy the local flavor at our carefully-selected restaurant.

Day 06 Xian (B, L)

A full day tour recalls the glories of ancient Xian as you visit the burial site of the incredible army of 8000 lifelike Terra-cotta soldiers and the Ancient City Wall. Then you will visit the famous cultural street---Shuyuanmen Cultural Street. Today you will enjoy the authentic Chinese cuisine for lunch.

Day 07 Xian/ Chongqing (B, L)

After breakfast fly to Chongqing, the mountain city. After a short visit to the ancient town of Ciqikou and the Eling Park, you will board your Victoria Yangtze River Cruiser.

Day 08 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Have an early get-up to enjoy a spectacular journey on the mighty Yangtze River. After lunch, you will disembark at the ancient Fengdu and enjoy a visit to the legendary city of ghost. Before return to the cruise for the welcome banquet, you will explore the city of ghost by visiting the local temples.

Day 09 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Today's highlight is the cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge framed by steep mossy cliffs Wu Gorge, celebrated for its 12 peaks and Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. You will have a memorable experience of the shore excursion of Shennong Stream with a sampan tour through the treacherous gorges.

Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai (B)

Today you will have a stop at Sandouping to view the historic Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. After the shore excursion of Three Gorges Dam, you will disembark at Yichang in the afternoon. Upon arrival, transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai, the financial and commercial center of China. You are greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the four-star Shanghai Greenland Jiulong Hotel.

Day 11 Shanghai (B, L)

Have full day sightseeing to the major attractions of the city including the Yu Garden at the Old Quarter, the French concession, the Shanghai Museum, the famous shopping street Nanjing Road and the famous waterfront Bund. You will have the authentic Chinese cuisine for lunch at our carefully-selected restaurant.

Day 12 Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai (B, L)

In the morning, you will drive to Suzhou. Visit the Lingering Garden, Fishing Net Garden and Suzhou Silk Embroidery Factory. Enjoy the local flavor for lunch today. Drive back to Shanghai in the late afternoon

Day 13 Shanghai (B)

Free at your leisure to explore the city in depth. You can do some shopping at the famous Nanjing Road area.

Day 14 Shanghai (B)

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. The whole tour ends with a memorable experience.