Grand Tibet and Yangtze 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)

The highlight today is a visit to the Great Wall, a symbol of the Chinese ancient civilization. After enjoying a delicious lunch at our carefully-selected restaurant, you will visit the Ming Tombs, the burial grounds for the 13 Ming Dynasty emperors.

Day 03 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 overlook of the major Olympic Stadium and the Olympic village.

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.

Day 05 Beijing/Xian (B, L)

After breakfast, drive to visit the Summer Palace, a summer resort for Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Then transfer to the airport and take the flight to Xian. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the local guide and transferred to the Aurum International Hotel. Proceed to visit the famous Shaanxi History Museum. 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 City Wall. Today you will enjoy the authentic Chinese cuisine for lunch.

Day 07 Xian (B, L)

After breakfast, you will visit the only underground museum in China, Yangling Mausoleum. Yangling Mausoleum will bring you to one of the most prosperous dynasty, Han Dynasty in Chinese history. A delicious Sichuan cuisine will be arranged for your lunch today.

Day 08 Xian / Wuhan (B, L, D)

In the morning you will visit majestic Wild Goose Pagoda. Later, you will fly to Wuhan at the junction of the Yangtze and Han Rivers. Arrive in Wuhan at the junction of the Yangtze and Han Rivers. After a visit to the Guiyuan Temple, you will board on 5-star Regal China Yangtze River Cruiser for your departure from shore in the evening.

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

Spend the day passing through one of the finest stretches of river scenery. Welcome banquet on board. Cruise through the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges, a stunning area of its temples, caves and weathered peaks.

Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Cruise to the Upper Yangtze and visit the 230-foot high Gezhouba Dam at Yichang. Here the trip will pass through one of the three massive locks, the three Gorges Dam.

Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

You weave through Wu Gorge, with bewitching Twelve Peaks soaring above. Then continue to Wushan and boats for a trip up the Daning River to the Three Small Gorges, a stunning area of dramatic hillsides, caves and lush bamboo groves.

Day 12 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

You arise early for a spectacular journey through the last of the three Gorges, Qutang Gorge. This breathtaking narrow passage through misty peaks and sheer cliffs is the grandest of them all. Continue upstream, you arrive at Wanxian; you will have a brief city tour to explore the small county along Yangtze River before returning aboard to attend the farewell banquet.

Day 13 Chongqing (B, L)

Your cruise arrives in Chongqing, the mountain city. You will be met by your local guide and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. Greeted and transferred to the Chengdu Jinyu Sunshine Hotel. This evening you will enjoy a visit to one traditional tea house.

Day 14 Chengdu / Lhasa (B)

A morning flight brings you to the highest capital city of the world, Lhasa in Tibet. You are greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Day 15 Lhasa (B L)

Start your tour at the 15th Century Drepung Monastery. Also visit the Norbulinka, once the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama. Today you will enjoy your lunch at our carefully-selected restaurant.

Day 16 Lhasa (B, L)

Morning sightseeing includes the Potala Palace, the traditional home of the Dalai Lama; Proceed to the 1,300 year-old Jokhang Temple which is the holiest place of Tibet for worship. Also visit the fascinating free market in the downtown. Enjoy the authentic Tibetan flavor for lunch today.

Day 17 Lhasa (B, L)

After breakfast, you will drive to visit the Yamdrok Lake, one of the most famous lakes in Lhasa. Yamdrok means the upper pastureland and "Tso" means sea in Tibetan. When overlooking the Yamdrok Tso Lake, it looks like a gigantic sapphire inland in a surrounding of mountains. Lunch will be arranged at one of the most famous local restaurants.

Day 18 Lhasa / Chengdu / Guilin (B)

In the morning you will fly to Chengdu, and then connect the flight to the scenic Guilin. Meet and transfer to Guilin Park Hotel. Enjoy a good rest tonight.

Day 19 Guilin (B, L)

Spend the day aboard a scenic Li River Cruise through the mist-shrouded limestone mountains, passing picturesque farms and fishing villages. Then you will visit the Reed Flute Caves where spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and the mirror lake dazzle visitors.

Day 20 Guilin / Shanghai (B, L)

Enjoy your free time in the morning. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, the commercial center of China, your will be greeted by your guide at the airport. Transfer back to the four-star Shanghai Hotel.

Day 21 Shanghai (B, L)

After breakfast, you will visit the city's major attractions, including the Yu Garden at the Old Quarter. It was built by the Pan family in the Ming Dynasty and now it has been restored and become one of the most popular tourist sights in Shanghai. After lunch, visit the famous waterfront Bund, the historical street comparable to a Chinese Wall Street where tourists can get a taste of the Shanghai high-life. Continue to visit the Nanjing Road at the shopping center.

Day 22 Shanghai (B)

Enjoy your free time today and explore the metropolis on your own.

Day 23 Shanghai (B)

Transfer to the airport and board your departure flight.