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20-day Imperial of China & Yangtze River Cruise

City: Beijing-Xi'an-Guilin-Yangshuo-Chongqing-Yangtze Cruise-Yichang-Suzhou-Zhujiajiao-Shanghai

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: Doubletree by Hilton Beijing * * * * * (or similar)

Day 03 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 explore 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. 
*Free Foot Massage is specially arranged to relieve your tiredness from this long day travel.
(*Free Foot Massage only available for group of 10+)

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. Kung Fu show in the evening.

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: Sheraton Xi'an * * * * * (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 an Old Street of Xi'an. Take afternoon flight to Guilin, a medium-sized city whose name means "forest of sweet osmanthus trees".
Accommodation: Sheraton Guilin * * * * * (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 (best available, or similar)

Day 10: Yangshuo-Guilin (BL)
Half day excursion to Xingping - a time-honored ancient township, dating back to the Three Kingdom Period, which is located 25 km north of Yangshuo on the opposite riverbank, and is a good starting point for hiking and cycling in the limestone mountains . Free afternoon: you may choose to rent a bike to tour around the Yulong River or Moon Hill scenic areas on your own. Drive back to Guilin after dinner.

Day 11: Guilin-Chongqing (BLD) 
Morning 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: Hilton Chongqing * * * * * (or similar)

Day 12: Chongqing-Yangtze Cruise (BLD)
Today’s city tour includes Chongqing Zoo to see Giant Panda, the Painters' Village in Ci Qi Kou old street People’s Square, 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: Victoria Cruise Series * * * * *  

Day 13: Yangtze 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 14: Yangtze 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 15: 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: Sheraton Suzhou * * * * * (or similar)

Day 16: 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 Suzhou Silk Mill.
Night program: walk and enjoy the night view of Shantang Street, a new pedestrian street but an old street of around 1500 years, which runs all the way from Tiger Hill into the downtown Stone Road shopping district in Suzhou.

Day 17: Suzhou-Shanghai (BLD)
Late morning leave for Tongli - a beautiful water town for half day excursion, then drive back to Shanghai - the largest city of China, is widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy and serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China.
Evening entertainment is acrobatic show.
Accommodation: Salvo Hotel Shanghai * * * * * deluxe room (or similar)

Day 18: Shanghai (BLD)
Today we visit The Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style, Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden and the Town-God Temple bazaar.

Day 19: Shanghai (B)
A free day today. 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 20: Shanghai
Board return flight arriving home the same day.

Tour cost (in CAD, on basis of double occupancy):
* Departures are guaranteed.
* Full Package includes International Airfare, tax & fuel surcharge, subject to change.
* Land Cost includes China internal tax and fuel surcharge.

*Single Supplement does not cover single cabin on Yangtze River Cruise. Share with others. Extra cost will apply if single cabin needed. Please call or e-mail for detailed quote.
**Please call or e-mail to check availability of direct flight from Toronto.

 The price includes

The price excludes

• International round-trip airfare, airport taxes and fuel surcharge (apply to Land Cost Package);
• Travel insurance;
• Tips for tour guides, drivers, porters, staff on cruise and tour leader;
• China Visa fee;
• Personal natures such as laundry, alcoholic beverages and telephone call;
• Excess baggage.

Remarks:

• Full package may change along with the adjustment of international airfare, airport tax and fuel surcharge;
• For traveling with Air Canada, once seat availability is confirmed, clients must have their tickets issued before the deadline set by the airline;
• Child Rate (2-11 yrs): 80% of the adult fare sharing room with 2 adults, no extra bed.