Day 1 - Welcome to Beijing
You’ll be met on arrival and escorted to the luxurious Fairmont Beijing Hotel.
Day 2 - In + around Beijing with your Trip Leader
Marvel at Tiananmen Square and tour the Forbidden City, once the exclusive enclave of emperors. At a local market, help your guide select produce for your hosts, a family you’ll join for lunch during your rickshaw tour through a hutong. This evening, enjoy a Peking Duck Banquet with wine. (B+L+D)
Day 3 Great Wall + Summer Palace
Travel to Juyong Pass to explore atop one of the most scenic and historic sections of the Great Wall, the site of many ancient battles! Then tour the Summer Palace, erstwhile seasonal retreat of China’s royalty. (B+L)
Day 4 - Fly to Yichang to begin your cruise
Tour the Temple of Heaven whe re you’ll also enjoy a private class with a Tai Chi Master. Fly to Yichang and transfer to the pier to board the MS Yangzi Explorer, China’s finest ship. Settle in to your balcony stateroom before an elegant dinner with wine. (B+L+D)
Day 5 - Three Gorges Dam
Early risers can start the day with Tai Chi on deck. Visit the massive Three Gorges Dam and cruise through Xiling Gorge. (B+L+D)
Day 6 - Up Shennong Stream and through the Yangtze Gorges
Journey by sampan up Shennong Stream and then return to ship to navigate through the dramatic Wu and Qutang Gorges. (B+L+D)
Day 7 - Ashore in Fengdu
Learn how life in a river town has changed since the completion of the Three Gorges Dam as you explore Fengdu’s New City. (B+L+D)
Day 8 - Fly to Xian
Visit the Pandas in Chongqing Zoo and fly to Xian, where you’ll explore a local market with a native resident. Savor traditional dumplings and retreat to the 5-star Hilton Hotel. (B+D)
Day 9 - Discover the Terra Cotta Army
A meeting with an archaeologist is a great introduction to your tour of the Terra Cotta Army . Today’s lunch is enlivened by a noodle-making demonstration. (B+L+D)
Day 10 - Onward to Shanghai
Fly to Shanghai where you’ll be escorted to the landmark Fairmont Peace Hotel overlooking the historic Bund. Tonight you’ll thrill to a performance of the Shanghai Acrobats. (B)
Day 11 - Shanghai sightseeing
Walk along the elegant waterfront Bund, delight in the lovely Yu Yuan Garden and tour the highly regarded Shanghai Museum. Sit down to lunch at Xiangyue Villa and meet with the chef to learn about his fascinating life which included time working at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. (B+L+D)
Day 12 - Farewell to Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your flight. (B)
Attentive Trip Leaders, 5-star hotels in the heart of China's most important cities, extensive sightseeing and the finest ship on the Yangtze make this trip unforgettable.
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All-inclusive 4-night cruise in a balcony stateroom aboard the deluxe ms Yangzi Explorer with guided shore excursions daily, onboard enrichment program, entertainment, and fine dining with free-flowing wine at lunch and dinner
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Extensive private car sightseeing in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai including all entry fees
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27 meals featuring international and Chinese cuisine: 11 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
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All on-tour transportation including private airport transfers and all 3 internal flights
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Luggage handling, hotel taxes, port charges, and fees for all included flights
Beijing: Fairmont Beijing
Cruising: Cabin onboard MS Yangzi Explorer
Xian: Hilton Hotel
Shanghai: Fairmont Peace Hotel
Be a Hong Kong Insider!
4-Day Small Group Extension from $1,299
Experience facets of Hong Kong which few visitors ever glimpse. We include your flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong, 3 nights at the 5-star Kowloon Shangri-La, daily breakfast, lunch at Jimmy’s Kitchen and our exclusive Be a Hong Kong Insider full-day tour.
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The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.