DAY 01

USA - Beijing

Anticipation fills the air as we board our international flight bound for China. Our destination is Beijing, China's historic capital city.

DAY 02

Arrive Beijing

Our flight crosses the International Date Line and lands in Beijing in the evening. After touching down, we are met and transferred to our luxuriously-appointed, five-star hotel accommodation to catch up on sleep.

DAY 03

Beijing

A symbol of national pride, Tiananmen Square, or “Gate of Heavenly Peace”, is located in the heart of Beijing. We pass through this, the world’s largest public square, and continue on to the Forbidden City, where, for over 500 years, commoners were forbidden to enter. We also visit the regal Summer Palace, the summer home of the emperor and his royal court. We end our busy day by attending an exciting Chinese Acrobatics Show.

DAY 04

Beijing

Built over 2,000 years ago, the Great Wall embodies the magnificence and resilience of Chinese culture. Spanning thousands of miles across five provinces and two autonomous regions, the Great Wall can even be seen from the moon. We descend the Great Wall to visit the Ming Tomb Museum, home to many anclient relics of porcelain, jade carvings, silk, jewels and other precious items. In the evening, we savor a traditionally prepared Peking Duck Feast.

DAY 05

Beijing

A full day is free for us to explore the city of Beijing on our own. An optional tour to the “Hutongs”of Old Town Beijing is available.

DAY 06

Beijing - Yichang - Yangtze River Cruise

Our flight lands in Yichang, where we are met and transferred to the docks. Our Victoria Cruises ship awaits to transport us along the Yangtze River for the adventure of a lifetime.

DAY 07

The day begins with a morning excursion to the enormous and controversial Three Gorges Dam. Its completion in 2012 will create new sites and sceneries while submerging others. We reboard the ship in the afternoon, sail through the shiplocks and then journey to breathtakingly beautiful Xiling Gorge.

DAY 08

At Wushan, we disembark our ship and board smaller vessels to navigate either Daning River or Shennong Stream for more stunning vistas and a picturesque landscape. In the afternoon, we reboard and pass through the soaring peaks of Qutang Gorge.

DAY 09

Today’s shore excursion leads us to the fabled “Ghost City” of Fengdu or to Wanxian, which is now a part of the Chongqing Municipality, or to Shibaozhai.

DAY 10

Our Yangtze River cruise ends upon our arrival in Chongqing this morning. We head into town for a brief city tour of this “Mountaintain City” revered for its spicy Sichuan cuisine and Panda Zoo. Later, we fly to Xian, China’s ancient capital and the much celebrated starting point of the famed Silk Road. (Chongqing-Xian air ticket given to you in China.)

DAY 11

The highlight of our sightseeing today is the world-famous, life-sized Terra Cotta Army, one of the greatest archeological discoveries, unearthed 2,200 years after being buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Afterwards, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, enjoy a (optional) special dinner and cultural show recreating the music, costumes and dance of the Tang Dynasty. ($135)

DAY 12

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport to board our flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we tour China’s largest and most vibrant city. Experience the modern sophistication and historical charm of Shanghai as we visit Yu Garden, Nanjing Road and the popular waterfront “Bund”.

DAY 13

A full day is free for leisure activities. Spend it resting, shopping or sightseeing. For those who wish, an optional tour to the “Garden City” of Suzhou is available.

DAY 14

The morning is free until we board our homebound international flight and bid a fond farewell to China.