14 Days Beijing, Xian, Tibet, Yangtze River, Shanghai

Destination: Beijing / Xi’an / Lhasa / Chongqing / Yichang / Shanghai
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Day 1 - Arrival in Beijing
You will meet your local guide at airport and transfer to hotel. After checking in at your hotel for a three-night stay, you will have free time for the rest of the day. Our local guide can help you plan your evening activities (optional). You can enjoy Peking Opera shows, or feast a roast duck dinner at famed Quanjude Restaurant. QIANMEN JIANGUO HOTEL.

Day 2 - Beijing
Today, ride to the legendary Great Wall of China and stand on its famous ramparts. A local lunch is included, along with a visit to a jade or cloisonné enamel workshop. Then tour the Chang Tomb which was the first and largest of the Ming Tombs. In late afternoon or evening enjoy shopping or just walk and see the Wangfujing shopping street which is the main shopping area in Beijing (optional). (BL)

Day 3 - Beijing
After breakfast visit the massive Tian'anmen Square, then see the Forbidden City with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens, once open only to nobility. In the afternoon tour the Temple of Heaven where the oriental emperors worshiped the heavens. Then visit the famous Hongqiao Pearl Market. After dinner, you will enjoy an exciting Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theater. (BLD)

Day 4 - Beijing to Xian
Take a short excursion by rickshaw around the Hutongs (narrow alleyways) where you can see the traditional courtyard residences of the city. In the afternoon tour the 700-acre Summer Palace and view the scenery of its lake. Drop off at the Beijing Olympic Green on the way back to hotel. If time permits you can buy entrance tickets on-spot to go inside the stadiums of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. In the evening fly to Xian, China’s legendary home of the Tang Dynasty from 618 to 907 A.D. XIAN GRAND NEW WORLD HOTEL. (BL)

Day 5 - Xian
After breakfast tour Xian’s archaeological wonder: 8,000 life-sized Terracotta Warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, each soldier and horse molded in incredible detail. This afternoon, tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built under the emperor's conduct to collect scriptures, Buddha statues and Buddhist relics taken from India about 1,300 years ago. Then we will visit the Muslim Quarters before returning to the hotel. At night you can enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show (optional). (BL)

Day 6 - Xian to Lhasa
Fly to Lhasa, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a three-night stay. After checking in, relax at the hotel while you acclimatize yourself to the high altitude (3,650 meters above sea level). LHASA DHOOD GU HOTEL. (B)

Day 7 - Lhasa
Today tour the 13-story Potala Palace, winter home of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century. Later, visit 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple and explore the maze-like Barkhor Market in old Lhasa. Then visit a Tibetan souvenir shop. (BL)

Day 8 - Lhasa
See Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s summer palace, and stroll through its parkland. This afternoon visit the Sera Monastery, an active temple with monks in training and the Tibet Museum. (BL)

Day 9 - Lhasa to Chongqing to Yangtze
Fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze. Visit Ciqikou Old Town followed by a transfer to board your Cruise. YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE MV BLUE WHALE. (BD)

Day 10 - Yangtze River
Your ship sails this morning. Cruise the Yangtze River as it meanders through the heartland of China. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river and the facilities onboard. Today’s shore excursion is to Fengdu Ghost City. (BLD)

Day 11 - Yangtze River
Cruise through the dramatic Three Gorges, beneath soaring limestone cliffs rising sheer from the water. Next, embark a small motorboat and journey through the tranquil Daning River and Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream. (BLD)

Day 12 - Yangtze to Yichang to Shanghai
Shore excursion to The Three Gorges Dam Site. Disembark at Yichang at noon. If time permits there will be optional sightseeing programs at Yichang. Transfer to Yichang airport and fly to Shanghai, China’s most modern metropolis. HOWARD JOHNSON CLUB HOTEL. (BL)

Day 13 - Shanghai
View the Shanghai Museum and continue to the Yuyuan Garden, a 16th century Ming period private garden/residence in the heart of Shanghai’s old Chinese quarter. Along the way is the local bazaar and Shanghai Old Street. Visit the Former French Concession District and stroll along the Bund and Nanjing Road to experience the thrills of old and modern Shanghai A visit to silk store is included today. Tonight you can take an optional acrobatics show or enjoy night life at Xintiandi. (BL)

Day 14 - Depart from Shanghai
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)