Day 1: Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Beijing.
Day 2: Beijing
After breakfast, begin your tour of Beijing with a walk through Tiananmen Square and the intriguing Forbidden City, home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. After lunch, spend your afternoon marveling at the Temple of Heaven, one of the best examples of Ming Dynasty architecture in China. Overnight in Beijing. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3: Beijing
After breakfast visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall where you can climb a portion of this 3,700-mile vista. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the city, shop, or rest. Spend your evening relaxing over a Peking Duck dinner. Overnight in Bejing. (All meals)
Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an
After breakfast, take a Pedi cab tour through the narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens of Beijing’s hidden hutongs. Visit Prince Gong's Palace, the Drum Tower, and old-style courtyard houses still inhabited by Beijing residents. After lunch, fly to the ancient Chinese capital of Xi'an.
Overnight in Xi'an. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5: Xi'an
Spend the morning exploring Xi'an’s Archaeological Museum, home to the Terra-Cotta Warriors excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. After lunch, visit the Shannxi Provincial Museum and in the evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner show. Overnight in Xi'an. (All meals)
Day 6: Xi'an to Chongqing and Yangtze River
In the morning, visit the ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Get a sense for Xi'an’s Muslim population with a visit to the Grand Mosque and a walk through the local Muslim neighborhoods. After lunch, fly to Chongqing. Enjoy a city tour in Chongqing if time permits, then board the Yangtze River Cruise after dinner. Overnight on cruise ship. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 7: Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise down the mighty Yangtze River. Relax on deck or in the lounge, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the magnificent Three Gorges. Take a shore excursion in the afternoon to admire the architecture of Shibaozhai, the “Precious Stone Fortress.” Overnight on cruise ship. (All meals)
Day 8: Yangtze River Cruise
Spend your morning cruising through the first two of the famous Three Gorges: Qutang Gyorge and Wu Gorges. Enjoy an excursion at Shennong stream, where you will board smaller boats to explore this tranquil tributary. In the afternoon, wind your way through the Xiling Gorge. Overnight on cruise ship. (All meals)
Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise/Yichang to Shanghai
Take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam site, where you will have a bird's eye view of this awesome engineering feat. Disembark in Yichang, where you will be transferred to the airport and board your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Shanghai. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 10: Shanghai
Your first day of sightseeing in Shanghai will start with the Bund, a walkway along the river offering beautiful views of the river and the 19th Century European-Style buildings that once housed the colonial powers. Then visit the Children’s Palace, an ornate fortress where the local children come to learn various arts including calligraphy, piano and dance. End your full-day sightseeing tour with a stop at the Jade Buddha Temple. In the evening enjoy an amazing contortion and acrobatic show. Overnight in Shanghai. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 11: Shanghai to Guilin
Take a morning flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and then take a tour to explore the natural wonders around Guilin. Venture into the brilliant Reed Flute Cave, admire the odd shape of Elephant Trunk Hill, and discover the myths and legends of Fubo Hill. Overnight in Guilin. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 12: Guilin to Hong Kong for Departure
In the morning, enjoy an excursion cruise along the beautiful Li River. Witness the magical beauty of the limestone rock formations and serene farmland commonly seen in Chinese landscape paintings. Disembark at the charming village of Yangshuo, which has one of the best antique and craft markets in China. Spend time browsing the market, then board a return coach to Guilin airport for your flight to Hong Kong where you will be connected to your flight home. (Breakfast, Lunch)
