16 Days Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Wanxian, Yichang, Wuhan, Guilin, Shanghai, Suzhou

Day 1 Thu: Arrive Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, “the Paris of the East”— China’s most westernized and largest city. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to THE WESTIN SHANGHAI. This afternoon is at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities.

Day 2 Fri: Suzhou Excursion
Enjoy a day trip to Suzhou, often called the “Venice of the East” because of its network of waterways and canals, which are graced by 300 bridges that date back to the Ming dynasty, Suzhou is an important city renowned for its historical and cultural heritage. Ride on the Grand Canal, China’s ancient commercial waterway. Visit the garden of Net Master and Panmen Gate to appreciate what is perhaps the finest example of the classical style of the silk-spinning process in China. (BLD)

Day 3 Sat: Shanghai Sightseeing
Your morning 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. Afternoon is at leisure. Evening, enjoy a performance by famous Chinese acrobats. (BLD)

Day 4 Sun: Shanghai / Yichang
Today you will fly to Yichang, where you board the luxurious Orient Royal Cruises YANGZI EXPLORER. Settle into your comfortable outside cabin to begin your memorable cruise upstream along the mighty Yangzi River, the longest river in Asia, and third in the world. It winds through most beautiful landforms in the world, the Yangzi River reaches the edge of the Tibetan plateau, and plunges off the roof of the world through huge gorges. (BLD)

Day 5 Mon: Three Gorges Dam Project / Five Steps Ship Lock
Depart Yichang, sailing through the east Xiling Gorge. Arrive at the Yangjiawan Pier for shore excursion to the three Gorges Dam. Return to the Ship and sail through the five steps ship locks. (BLD)

Day 6 Tue: Xiling Gorge / Shennong Stream / Wu Gorge / Qutang Gorge
Pass through Xiling 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 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 dam site, which is scheduled for completion in 2009, Qutang Gorge finds the river carving its way between sheer precipices of overhanging mountains on both sides. Here one can see the original site of the famous Fenbi
Wall, the ruins of ancient cliff roads and the Mengliang Steps. (BLD)

Day 7 Wed: 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 in Qing Dynasty in 1750 with a height of 56 meters. Shibaozhai is simply a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs, standing on the riverside. A red wooden pagoda, 12 stories high, was built against the rock wall. Visitors can climb to the top by spiral staircase in the pagoda, 160 meters above the river to gain a panoramic view of the winding river, the village and the countryside. (BLD)

Day 8 Thu: Chongqing / Guilin
Disembark in Chongqing, skirted on three sides by rivers and nicknamed the “Capital of the Mist.” Your tour gives you an idea of Chongqing’s rich historical past, including such sites as the General Stilwell Memorial Hall. Also visit the Panda Hall. Later in the afternoon you will proceed to airport in time to connect to your flight to Guilin, one of the most gorgeous areas in China. It is set amidst jagged, vertical limestone mountains and the soft crop-green banks of the Li River. Check in to GUILIN DAEWOO SHERATON HOTEL (Water View Room). (BLD)

Day 9 Fri: Li River Excursion
The beauty of this part of China is most fully appreciated from the decks of a slow-moving boat on the Li River as you glimpse some of the mystery of this ancient region. Visit the village of Yangshuo this afternoon, a quiet and picturesque town in the heart of this scenic beauty. Yangshuo is also home to one of the best antique and craft markets in China. (BLD)

Day 10 Sat: Guilin / Xian
This morning visit the Reed Flute Caves. Afternoon fly to Xian, 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 SOFITEL ON RENMIN SQUARE XIAN (BLD)

Day 11 Sun: 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 been standing guard over the Imperial Tomb for 2,000 years. Also visit Shan’xi Provincial Historical Museum. In the evening, enjoy a Tang dynasty dinner show. (BLD)

Day 12 Mon: 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 RAFFLES BEIJING HOTEL Afternoon is at leisure. (BLD)

Day 13 Tue: Forbidden City with
Tiananmen Square & Summer Palace 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, explore the Summer Palace, the retreat of China’s royal families for over 2,000 years. Tonight you are welcomed to the Middle Kingdom with a Peking Opera show, including a backstage visit. (BLD)

Day 14 Wed: Great Wall Excursion
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. Tonight you will enjoy a traditional Peking Duck dinner. (BLD)

Day 15 Thu: Hutong Tour & Temple of Heaven
You will tour some of Beijing’s thousands of hutongs, or ancient city alleys. The hutongs were built as part of a city building plan that followed the etiquette systems of the Zhou dynasty, which had specific protocols regarding how residential areas should be set up. Visit the Temple of Heaven, possibly the country’s most popular symbol. It was believed to be the closest place to heaven and was where the emperors would communicate with the gods. (BLD)

Day 16 Fri: 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)