Day 1 - Arrive Shanghai
Arrive this afternoon in Shanghai, 'the Paris of the East'-China's most westernized and largest city. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to the hotel. This afternoon is at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities.
Day 2 - Shanghai Sightseeing
Your full day tour of Shanghai includes a visit to Yu Yuan Garden and a drive along the famous Bund, the wide, tree-lined avenue along the Huangpo River and the former "Wall Street" of foreign powers. Afternoon visit Shanghai Museum, one of best museum's in the world with a huge collection of finest cultural relics. You will get an opportunity to see stone sculptures and carving, bronze-ware, porcelain, calligraphic works & Chinese paintings and ancient furniture. After the Museum we stroll out the North Gate to the People Square, the surroundings are the best collection of modern architecture. Later, enjoy a performance by the famous Chinese acrobats. (BLD)
Day 3 - Zhujiajiao Watertown & Jade Budd
Enjoy your morning visit to Zhujiajiao, a water village on the outskirts of Shanghai, which was formed about 1,700 years ago. Archaeological findings dating back 5,000 years have also been found. 36 stone bridges and numerous rivers line Zhujiajiao, and thousands of ancient buildings still line the riverbanks today. Many centuries-old stone buildings are home to residents today, as they were for many dynasties in the past. This afternoon visit the Jade Buddha Temple. Founded in 1882 with two Jade Buddha statues imported from Myanmar by sea. These were a sitting Buddhaand a smaller reclining Buddha representing Buddha's death. The temple now also contains a much larger reclining Buddha made of marble, donated from Singapore. (BLD)
Day 4 - Shanghai / Yichang - Yangtze Riv
Fly to Yichang this morning and board MV President Prime for a memorable cruise on China's mighty Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world slicing through central China for over 3,700 miles. (BLD)
Day 5 - Three Gorges Dam Project / Five
Depart Yichang around 8 a.m., sailing through the east X iling Gorge. Arrive at the Yangjiawan Pier for a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dams. Return to the ship and sail through the five steps ship lock. (BLD)
Day 6: Xiling Gorge/Shennong Stream/Wu Gorge/Qutang Gorge
Pass through X iling Gorge, famous for its strangely shaped cliff faces and rock formations. Largest of the Three Gorges, it offers the "mountains beyond mountains" scenery of classic China. Take an excursion by boat up Shennong Stream, enjoying the vistas of Parrot Gorge and Dragon Boat Gorge with their breathtaking scenery. Return to the cruise ship and continue through the wondrous Wu Gorge, a meandering landscape of dazzling peaks and rocks forming a whimsical gallery of natural beauty. After visiting the Three Gorges Dam site, which is scheduled for completion in 2009, continueto Qutang Gorge, which the river has carved out between sheer precipices of overhanging mountains. There you can see the original site of the famous Fenbi Wall, the ruins of ancient cliff roads and the Mengliang Steps. (BLD)
Day 7 - Fengdu
Sail this morning through great gorges and the deep mountain valleys. Afternoon, enjoy your shore excursion to the ghost city of Fengdu. With nearly two thousand yearÂ’s history, it combines the cultures of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism with the mystique of ghosts. Fantastic temples of underworld demons and gods, shows the Chinese ghost culture. (BLD)
Day 8 - Chongqing / Xian
Disembark your Cruise in Chongqing, skirted on three sides by rivers and nicknamed the "Capital of the Mist." Your tour gives you an idea of its rich historical past, including such sites as the General Stilwell Memorial hall. Xian was the national capital for eleven Chinese Dynasties and a major link between Asia and Europe. You will be met and transferred to the hotel. (BL)
Day 9 - Terra Cotta Warriors
Xian captured the interest of the world in 1974 with the discovery of the astonishing third-century BC burial sites of the first emperor to unite China, Qin Shi Huangdi. Visit the archaeological site to see thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors, which have stood guard over the Imperial Tomb for more than 2,000 years. Also visit the ceramics and pottery center and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Enjoy Tang Dynasty Show with dinner. (BLD)
Day 10 - Xian / Beijing - Summer Palace
Fly to Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, which is over 3,000 years old. You are welcomed at the airport and escorted to the hotel. Later explore the Summer Palace, the retreat of China's royal families for over 2,000 years. (BLD)
Day 11- Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
Start your tour this morning with visit to the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the Forbidden City, the 250-acre palace containing more than 9,000 rooms. Closed to the common people for centuries, it was only opened to the public in 1949. Later this afternoon visit the Temple of Heaven, the country's most popular symbol. Tonight enjoy Peking Opera and traditional Peking Duck dinner. (BLD)
Day 12 - Great Wall Excursion
Embark on your day excursion to the Great wall, stopping enroute at the iconic Beijing 2008 Olympic Center, the Bird's Nest & Water Cube for photography opportunity. The highlight of your stay in this ancient capital is a visit to the Great Wall. It is easy to see why the Great Wall, built 2,300 years ago and extending 3,750 miles, can be seen by astronauts from space! You will also visit the Ming Tombs, including a nice walk on the Sacred Way, which was regarded as the formal entrance to the Tombs. Also visit the Tomb of Emperor Zhudi, founder of the Forbidden City. (BLD)
Day 13 - Beijing / North America
Leave the Orient behind today and board your flight home, filled with memories of your exciting journey into the many marvelous treasures of ancient China. (B)
