Day 1 Shanghai (D)
Arrive in Shanghai, the cosmopolitan port city near where the Yangtze spills into the East China Sea.
Day 2 Shanghai ( B L D)
The sights and contrasts of China's most vibrant city fill your day. Stroll the riverfront Bund with its European-style buildings; retreat to the green oasis of the 500-year-old Yuyuan Garden; meet local school kids at the Children's Palace after-school program; and gain new appreciation for Chinese art at the magnificent new Shanghai Museum.
Day 3 Shanghai / Wuxi ( B L D)
Embark on a coach to Wuxi, a large city of Jiangsu Province, as well as "hometown of fish and rice" by the the lake of Tai. Your sightseeing includes a boat ride on the lake.
Day 4 Wuxi / Suzhou ( B L D)
Embark on a Grand Canal cruise, still a vibrant trade route after 1300 years of use. Arrive in Suzhou for a special evening at the Garden of the Master of Nets. Walk the lantern-lit paths with surprises at every turn, accompanied by live classical music.
Day 5 Suzhou / Yichang (B L D)
Packed with gardens, pagodas, temples, lively shops and street scenes, Suzhou is a pleasure to explore, as you'll do on this morning's tour. Step into small, harmonious gardens designed with rock, water, trees and showy vegetation, then ship for local artisans' prized silks at the Embroidery Institute. After your tour, transfer to Shanghai and fly to Yichang and board your Yangtze cruise ship. Settle into your stateroom and enjoy dinner on board.
Day 6 Yangtze River Cruise (B £Ì D)
A thrilling day features a tour of the Three Gorges Dam site, now under construction; and passage through rushing Xiling Gorge and the Twelve Peaks of Wu Gorge, enshrouded in Chinese lore. Tonight the captain hosts a welcome dinner on board.
Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise (B £Ì D)
Experience the lush unspoiled nature of the Daning River on today's excursion aboard small boats. Re-aboard ship and sail the most scenic of the great Three Gorges, Qutang. |
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise (B £Ì D)
You will enjoy a land excursion today which includes a smaller cruise to the smaller Three Gorges. Pass through Qutang Gorge in the afternoon.
Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise (B £ÌD)
Your final day of cruising is marked by pastoral scenes and a visit of the "Ghost City" of Fengdu.
Day 10 Chongqing / Xi'an (B £ÌD)
Arrive in Chongqing this morning. Meet / transfer for some city tour following disembarkation and drive to airport to catch the flight to Xi'an, a vital center of history, culture and archaeology.
Day 11 Xi'an (B L D)
It is impossible to overstate Xi'an's importance in China's history. Here began the fabled Silk Road, here a string of dynasties made their capital, here a Neolithic culture built a village 6000 years ago, and here lies a highlight of your trip: the excavation site of 8000 terra cotta soldiers, buried around the tomb of Emperor Qin, builder of the Great Wall and other massive endeavors. Round out your tour with stops at the old City gate, Provincial Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Day 12 Xi'an / Guilin (B L D)
Fly to the watercolor landscapes of Guilin and settle in at your plush hotel on the stunning Li River. This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of the city, and a visit to Reed Flute Cave.
Day 13 Guilin (B £ÌD)
Few could fail to be enraptured by the beauty of the Li River, with its delicate karst formations, beautiful rural scenery, and lush green hillsides with bizarre rock formations and caves. Centuries of poets and artists have immortalized the very scenes you'll savor on a full-day air-conditioned cruise along this unique and tranquil waterway.
Day 14 Guilin (B L D)
With new insights and found memories of China, you embark on your homebound journey aboard your select airline.
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