China: Classical China and Yangtze River Cruise (15 days)

A 5000-year history of civilization helps China be one of the world's most sought after destinations.  Enjoy the classical sites on this 15 day journey of discovery.

Even in the midst of modern innovation, cities like Beijing and Shanghai explode with traditional culture. Enjoy a Yangtze River Cruise, along a river that has cleaved its way through mountains and gorges sided by forest and waterfalls.

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2012 Departure dates & costs

Departures are daily based on 2 persons from Beijing

Tour cost: $1,930  CAD
Single supplement: $315 CAD

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Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing

Arrive Beijing. You will be met and transferred to your hotel for three nights.

Day 2 Beijing (B/L/D)
Today you visit Tiananmen Square, the largest City Square in the world. From Tiananmen Square, visitors enter the gates of the Forbidden City. This massive complex was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With almost 10,000 rooms, this remarkable, well-preserved imperial palace is the largest palace in the world. After lunch, take a tour to the Temple of Heaven, a Ming Temple where the Emperors performed annual rites essential for the well being of their land. Dinner is served at your hotel.

Day 3 Beijing (B/L/SD)
Today you visit the Great Wall of China. This is the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the most amazing man-made structures. After climbing the Great Wall, you then head off to the 2008 Beijing Olympic venues of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube for a photo stop. Then you take trishaw ride to visit the Hutongs, which is an ancient city alley, to experience the life of the local people. Afterward take a traditional Chinese sculled cruise on Houhai Lake, where you enjoy the beautiful scenery while listening to Chinese music played by a local musician (available from April to October). Dinner tonight is the famous Beijing Duck Banquet.

Day 4 Beijing – Yichang (B/L/D)
This morning visit the Summer Palace, which is the largest and best preserved of all the imperial palace gardens, and boasts such delights as the “Marble Boat” and the ornately painted “Long Corridor”. Next you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Yichang where you board your 5 star deluxe river vessel the MV Century Star Cruise. (All off-shore excursions are included except one optional tour to White King Town).

Day 5  Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
Depart from Yichang on your voyage upstream. Passing through the five-stage ship lock system on the north bank, the boat will be lifted through the locks more than 500 feet. Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam site, passing through Xiling Gorge, followed by tonight’s Captains welcome dinner.

Day 6  Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
Today you pass through Wu Gorge in the morning and take a shore excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream. This afternoon pass through the Qutang Gorge. (Optional tour to White King Town or you can relax on board.)

Day 7  Yangtze Cruise (B/L/D)
This morning you take a shore excursion to the Snow Jade Cave or Fengdu Ghost. This afternoon relax onboard. Tonight is a farewell dinner on the cruise.

Day 8 Chongqing – Xian (B/L/D)
After disembarking in Chongqing this morning, to visit Erling Park, where you get a bird’s eye view of this amazing city, then onto Chongqing Zoo to see the Pandas. This afternoon fly to Xian, the former capital of ancient China for 11 dynasties. Two nights in Xian.

Day 9  Xian (B/L/SD)
Today you visit the “Terra-cotta Warriors”. They are found at an archaeological site which so far has yielded some 8000 ancient terra-cotta soldiers and horses, each a unique, finely detailed sculpture. You then visit the famous ancient City Gate, followed by a delicious dumpling banquet and Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 10  Xian – Shanghai – Suzhou (B/L/D)
Take a morning flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you board your coach to Suzhou, referred to as the “Venice of the East” because it is built around a network of canals and bridges which fan out from the Grand Canal. Suzhou is also famous for its charming gardens. Dinner is served at your hotel.

Day 11 Suzhou (B/L/D)
The Suzhou tour will begin with a visit to Tiger Hill with its Cloud Rock Pagoda. The pagoda is the symbol of Suzhou; it leans a bit to one side like the “Leaning Tower of Pisa” in Italy. You also visit the picturesque “Humble Administrator’s Garden”, which is the best-known garden in Suzhou. The next stop will be a silk factory where you can witness, step by step, the production of the finest silk in China.

Day 12 Suzhou – Shanghai (B/L/D)
On the way to Shanghai, you visit the small historical water town of Tongli, where you board a cruise along its zigzag waterways. This afternoon you board the coach to travel to China’s largest city, Shanghai. Spend two nights in Shanghai. After dinner, you head to the theatre to see the amazing display of the Shanghai acrobats.

Day 13 Shanghai (B/L/D)
Today you tour the city of Shanghai visiting Yu Yuan Garden, a classical Ming Dynasty garden with pavilions, towers and terraces, followed by the Chenghuangmiao Bazaar. After lunch, you head to the new district across from the Bund called Pudong to experience the economic boom of China. Afterwards you visit the Bund and Nanjing Road, the longest shopping street in China. You can also do your last minute shopping at the Longhua Market or Taobao Market before you head back to your hotel.

Day 14 Shanghai – Departure (B)
Today is at leisure. A late checkout till 6pm, then your tour guide will accompany you on the Shanghai Maglev, the fastest train in the world, to the airport for your flight home.