Day 1: Depart Canada
Your journey begins with the overnight transpacific flight. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 2: Arrive Beijing (D)
Upon arrival in late afternoon, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore this city once known as Peking to Westerns.
Accommodation: Qianmen Jianguo Hotel * * * * (or similar)

Day 3: Beijing (BLD)
Beijing, the capital of China, is the second largest city in terms of population and recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China and once served as the capital for 5 dynasties over 800 years in ancient China. It will also host the 2008 Olympic Games.
Today we visit the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. From there you enter The Forbidden City to see the 250-acre complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens. You are specially arranged with a visit to the Treasure House where stores rare and valuable collection of ancient art works inside the Forbidden City. After lunch we tour Beijing Hutong by rickshaw to see traditional residential courtyards and visit Gongwang Fu (the Gongwang Mansion), one of the largest quadrangles in the world, and one of the best preserved royal palaces which have existed from Qing Dynasty so far. A delicious Peking Duck dinner is arranged to round off a memorable start to your tour.

Day 4: Beijing (BLD)
We drive 70km northwest of the city for a full-day excursion to the Great Wall, the world's longest man-made structure, stretching over 6,352 km (3,948 miles) from Shanhai Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built between 5th century BC and the 17th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties. After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Path - 13 of the 16 Ming emperors have their lavish tombs here. Kung Fu Show in the evening.

Day 5: Beijing (BL)
Morning visit to the Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. After lunch we tour (outside of) the "Bird’s Nest" (Beijing National Stadium) and “Water Cube” (Beijing National Aquatics Center) where hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Afterward free, you are dropped off at Qianmen Street, Silk Alley or Panjiayuan Flea Market.

Day 6: Beijing-Xi'an (BLD)
Morning sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. After lunch, visit Lama Temple. Late afternoon fly to Xi'an.
Night program includes Big Wild-goose Pagoda Square where locates the biggest music fountain in Asia.
Accommodation: Bell Tower Hotel * * * * at very city centre (or similar)

Day 7: Xi'an (BLD)
Known as one of the most important cities in Chinese history, Xi'an is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China because it has been the capital of 13 dynasties. Xi'an is also the eastern end of the Silk Road. Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity.
Today we visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city. Followed by visiting the Shaanxi History Museum. Tonight you enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner and are entertained with the splendid Tang Dynasty Style Music and Dance Show.

Day 8: Xi'an-Guilin (BLD)
Morning city tour includes Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Ancient City Wall and Hui Minority Old Street. Take an afternoon flight to Guilin, a medium-sized city whose name means "forest of sweet osmanthus trees".
Accommodation: Eva Inn * * * * River-view room, by Li River downtown (or similar)

Day 9: Guilin-Yangshuo (BL)
Half day cruise on Lijiang River -- the 83km stretch of the river between Guilin and Yangshuo affords breathtaking scenery as the river snakes through towering karst peaks, gigantic bamboo sprays, and picturesque villages -- sights that have inspired countless poets and painters for generations. After disembark in Yangshuo, you are arranged with a bicycle tour to see the local countryside scenery and the Big Banyan Tree Scenic Area. Dinner on your own at West Street.
Accommodation: New Century Hotel * * * * by West Street (or similar)

Day 10: Yangshuo-Guilin-Chongqing (BLD)
Drive back to Guilin and proceed to visit scenic Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave (stalactites and stalagmites). Late afternoon fly to Chongqing - the largest and most populous of China's four provincial-level municipalities, called as Mountain City that was first found since 3,000 years ago. Chongqing evening scene is hailed as the ferly in China.
Night program includes watching ‘Night view of mountain city’ from Chaotianmen Square where you can also see the muddy, churning Yangtze meets the transparent Jialing River - a view of Joining of Two Rivers.
Accommodation: ChungKing Hotel * * * * Downtown (or similar)

Day 11: Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise (BLD)
Morning city tour includes Chongqing Zoo to see Giant Panda, the Painters' Village in Ci Qi Kou Old Street and Eling Park to see a bird's view of Chongqing and the Three Gorges Museum. We savor a local Hot Pot dinner before boarding for our 3-day downstream Yangtze River Cruise in the evening.
Accommodation on cruise ship: Dragon Boat (Qianlong) * * * * * with private balcony

Day 12: Yangtze River Cruise (BLD)
At 6,380km the Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Nile and the Amazon. The most impressive section of the Yangtze is the Three Gorges. Today's shore excursion features Shibaozhai (Stone Treasure Fortress), an ancient wooden pagoda built against rock cliffs facing the Yangtze.

Day 13: Yangtze River Cruise (BLD)
Admire nature's grandeur while sailing through spectacular Qutang Gorge (8km) and Wu Gorge (44km) today. Later this morning we navigate Shennong Stream on a small vessel. Originating in the southern slopes of Shennongjia Nature Reserve, the crystal clear river twists and turns 60 kilometers through forested mountains before emptying into the mighty Yangtze.

Day 14: Yichang-Suzhou (BLD)
The ship enters the eastern section of Xiling Gorge (66km) in the morning. We tour the site of the Three Gorges Dam. Construction of the dam began in 1992 and is scheduled to be completed by 2009. Estimated to cost over $24 billion, the project upon completion will become the largest hydroelectric dam in the world with a reservoir stretching hundreds of kilometers upstream.
We disembark in Yichang around noon. Fly to Shanghai from Yichang or Wuhan and transfer to Suzhou immediately upon arrival.
Accommodation: Xiangxuehai Hotel * * * * by Panmen Scenic Area (or similar)

Day 15: Suzhou (BLD)
The 25-century-old city is best known for its traditional Chinese gardens, silk industry and well-preserved Grand Canal. Our schedule today includes the Master of the Nets Garden, a short cruise on the Grand Canal, Tiger Hill and a silk spinning mill.
Night program: walk and enjoy the night view of Shantang Street, a new pedestrian street but an old street of around 1500 years, that runs all the way from Tiger Hill into the downtown Stone Road shopping district.

Day 16: Suzhou-Shanghai (BLD)
Morning depart for Shanghai, the largest city of China and the eighth largest in the world, is widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy and the city also serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China.
Today we have a city tour to visit The Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show.
Accommodation: Best Western New Century Hotel Shanghai * * * * (or similar)

Day 17: Shanghai (B)
A free day today. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own is easy and fun. Our recommended to-do list includes a visit to glitzy Pudong New District, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline.

Day 18: Shanghai-Home (B)
Bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.