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Day 1
ARRIVE BEIJING (3 NIGHTS)
Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, your Travel Director will escort you to your luxurious hotel and will be on hand to greet you and answer any questions you may have about the exciting days ahead.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 2
BEIJING SIGHTSEEING
Begin your visit to one of the world’s great capital cities with a Local Guide with an exploration of the world’s largest public area—Tiananmen Square, home to the National Museum of China, the mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the great Monument to the Peoples’ Heroes. Pass through the south gate to the magnificent Forbidden City, a 250-acre complex of courtyards, palaces, pavilions and gardens, which was the imperial palace for emperors and their households for more than 500 years. Later, embark on a unique tour by rickshaw through the Hutongs, the historic neighbourhoods of Old Beijing. Stop outside a traditional courtyard home where you join a local family for a Be My Guest lunch featuring traditional Chinese cuisine. This evening, enjoy a succulent Peking Duck Welcome Reception dinner with wine—a must during any visit to Beijing.
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Day 3
BEIJING SIGHTSEEING & THE GREAT WALL
Travel outside the city with a Local Guide and look down upon the Chinese countryside from your perch on top of the Great Wall, which is actually a collection of fortifications built and rebuilt from the 5th century B.C. to the 16th century to repulse nomadic invaders like the Mongols. This evening back in Beijing, attend a lively show of acrobatics, kung fu and dance at the Red Theatre.
Day 4
BEIJING SIGHTSEEING - XI'AN (2 NIGHTS)
With a Local Guide, visit the Temple of Heaven (or Altar of Heaven), is a UNESCO- designated site, completed in the 15th century, that symbolised the relationship between heaven and earth—and the emperor’s place within that cosmography. A masterpiece of architectural and landscape design, it influenced architecture throughout China for centuries. This afternoon, bid farewell to Beijing and fly to the city of Xi’an. Arrive at your hotel and get settled in before enjoying a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant featuring traditional dumplings.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 5
XI'AN SIGHTSEEING
One of the most astonishing archaeological finds of the last century, the life-size Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, were made nearly 2,500 years ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. With a Local Guide, visit the museum where some of these 8,000 figures are exhibited, then see the ancient city wall built to protect Xi’an from invaders during a tumultuous era in China’s history. This evening, indulge in a Tang Dynasty Highlight Dinner and cultural performance featuring music, dance, and traditional costumes with a special backstage visit.
Day 6
XI'AN - LHASA (3 NIGHTS)
Bid farewell to Xi’an this morning and fly to Lhasa, the ancient, sky-high cultural and religious centre of Tibet. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel with your Local Guide before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 7
LHASA SIGHTSEEING
With a Local Guide, see the holiest site in Tibet—the gold-domed Jokhang Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains the most revered icon of Tibetan Buddhism, a seventh-century statue of Buddha. Tour the rich collection of prehistoric artifacts, some of which date back 50,000 years, at the Tibet Museum. Visit a Lhasa family’s home for a glimpse of ordinary life, a Local Speciality. Savour a Highlight Dinner accompanied by a traditional folk show.
Day 8
LHASA SIGHTSEEING
Visit the one-time residence of the Dalai Lama and seat of Tibetan government, the exceptionally well-preserved, vast UNESCO-designated Potala Palace with a Local Guide. Wander through its chapels as pilgrims make offerings at thousand-year-old altars and admire the religious paintings called thangkas, which are a unique Tibetan art form. From here, you’ll head off to see Sera Monastery’s colourful murals and mandalas.
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Day 9
LHASA - CHONGQING SIGHTSEEING - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (3 NIGHTS)
Fly from the Tibetan plateau to riverside Chongqing, where you’ll enjoy a stop at the zoo, with a Local Guide, for a look a look at the giant pandas. Then, head to the dock to board your brand new luxurious ship.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 10
CRUISING THE YANGTZE RIVER
Mist-shrouded peaks loom above the winding Yangtze for miles as you cruise through the Three Gorges region. Your ship will stop at the Shibao Pagoda, a 12-story red temple built into the side of a hill that is now surrounded by water. Explore the site with a Local Guide. This evening, enjoy a special Captain’s Welcome Reception before indulging in dinner on board.
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Day 11
CRUISING THE YANGTZE RIVER
You’ll get a close-up view of the beautiful landscape as you board a small boat with a Local Guide and cruise along a tributary to the Yangtze, the extraordinarily beautiful Shennong Stream. Later in the day, your ship will navigate the enormous Three Gorges Dam locks. This evening back on board, celebrate your journey at a Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Day 12
YICHANG - SHANGHAI (2 NIGHTS)
Disembark this morning, but before you leave Yichang, tour the world’s largest hydroelectric project, the Three Gorges Dam, which supplies power to millions of people with a Local Guide. Following your visit, fly to the vibrant city of Shanghai. Upon arrival, settle into your lovely room and relax over dinner.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 13
SHANGHAI SIGHTSEEING
Shanghai, located at the mouth of the Yangtze, has been a trading centre for 400 years. Today, it’s an economic dynamo with one of the busiest ports in the world. With a Local Guide, stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s famed waterfront promenade, with its historic buildings and spectacular view of the high-rises that typify China’s largest city. Savour a Dim Sum Highlight Lunch before taking some time to browse through the shops in the district. In the evening, prepare to be dazzled by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
Day 14
DEPART SHANGHAI
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continue your holiday with one of our popular optional extensions.