13 DAYS Beijing, Yichang, Shibaozhai, Chongqing, X ian, Shanghai, Suzhou

Day 1 Wed: North America / China
Depart today and begin your exploration of several of China’s most fabulous areas.

Day 2 Thu: Arrive Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, “the Paris of the East” and China’s most westernized and largest city. You are welcomed and escorted to the SHANGHAI GALAXY HOTEL. This afternoon your tour of Shanghai includes a visit to Yu Yuan Garden, the Temple of the Jade Buddha and a drive along the famous Bund, the wide, tree-lined avenue along the Huangpo River and the former “Wall Street” of foreign powers. Enjoy a Chinese Acrobats Performance this evening. (LD)

Day 3 Fri: Zhujiajiao
Enjoy a visit this morning to Zhujiajiao. Located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town wellknown throughout the country, with a history of more than 1700 years. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers, the little anshaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. Later this afternoon visit the Oriental Pearl Tower for a birds eye view of Shanghai. (BLD)

Day 4 Sat: Shanghai / Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise
Fly to Yichang this morning. Visit a unique mountain village of the Peoples commune dating back 40 years. All features of the Cultural Revolution are perfectly preserved including the clothes, homes, furniture and the décor. The commune office regulates the daily activity and the entire atmosphere is of being suspended in a 1960’s time capsule. Later board the Presidential Cruise’s MV SPLENDID. (BLD)

Day 5 Sun: Three Gorges Dam Project / Five Steps Ship Lock
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 Mon: 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 Tue: Shibaozhai
Shore excursion to Shibaozhai, literally translated into English as the “Stone Treasure Fortress.” Located in Zhong County at the south bank of the Yangtze River—30 miles away from Wanxian—it was first built during the Qing Dynasty in 1750 with a height of 183 feet. Shibaozhai is simply a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs that stands on the riverside. A twelve-storey red wooden pagoda was built against the rock wall. Visitors can climb to the top by a spiral staircase in the pagoda, which is 525 feet above the river, to gain a panoramic view of the winding river, the village and the countryside. (BLD)
 
Day 8 - Wed: 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. Also visit the Panda Hall, before flying to X ian (once the largest city in the world). Xian was the national capital for eleven Chinese Dynasties and a major link between Asia and Europe. You will be met and transferred to KING DYNASTY HOTEL. (BLD)

Day 9 Thu: 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 than2,000 years. Also visit the ancient Huaqing Hot Spring Palace and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Enjoy a Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show. (BLD)

Day 10 Fri: Xian / Beijing
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 BEIJING GRAND CHANG AN HOTEL. Later explore the Summer Palace, the retreat of China’s royal families for over 2,000 years. (BLD)

Day 11 Sat: Forbidden City with Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven
Visit 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. Also visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Later this afternoon visit the Temple of Heaven, the country’s most popular symbol. (BLD)

Day 12 Sun: Great Wall Excursion
The highlight of your stay in this ancient capital is a visit to the Great Wall at Badaling. 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. Enjoy a Peking Duck farewell dinner and cultural show. (BLD)

Day 13 Mon: 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.