13 Days Shanghai, Yichang, Shibaozhai, Chongqing, Xian, Beijing

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

Day 2 Thu: Shanghai Sightseeing
Enjoy your sightseeing tour of Shanghai. Stroll along the Bund, a riverside promenade with grand colonial buildings. Then explore the classical Yuyuan Garden, a classic Chinese garden with traditional red walls, upturned tiles roofs and beautiful pavilions. Discover the Jade Buddha Temple, famous for its two Buddha statues made of white jade. Following lunch, visit Children’s Palace, a comprehensive after-school educational facility where children develop their talents by learning special skills such as music and dance, Chinese calligraphy and painting, computer and martial arts. Later, enjoy a performance by famous Chinese Acrobats. (BLD)

Day 3 Fri: Zhujiajiao
Travel to the lakeside water town of Zhujiajiao, which preserves the buildings and customs of old China. Explore its meandering streets, famous canals, and its historic buildings, including the Daqing Youju, a post office dating from the Qing Dynasty. Afternoon return to Shanghai to visit the impressive Shanghai Museum, which houses 110,000 historical objects and 430,000 reference pieces. (BL)

Day 4 Sat: Shanghai / Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise
Fly to Yichang this morning and board the Presidential Cruise’s MV SPLENDID for a memorable cruise on China’s mighty Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world slicing through central China for over 3,700 miles. (BLD)

Day 5 Sun: Three Gorges Dam Project / Five Steps Ship Lock
Depart Yichang around 8 a.m., sailing through the east Xiling 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 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 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 XIAN AURUM INTERNATIONAL HOTEL. (BL)

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. Evening enjoy the famous Peking Opera (B)

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. 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. (B)