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18-day Imperial of China & Yangtze River Cruise

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

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

Day 2 (Wed): Arrive Beijing
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)
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Beijing * * * * * (or similar) 

Day 3 (Thu): Beijing (BLD)
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. After lunch we tour Beijing Hutong by rickshaw to see traditional residential courtyards. A delicious Peking Duck dinner is arranged to round off a memorable start to your tour.

Day 4 (Fri): 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). After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs. On the way back we tour exterior of the "Bird’s Nest" and “Water Cube” where hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Kung Fu Show in the evening. 

Day 5 (Sat): Beijing (BL)
Morning visit to the Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. Afterward free, you are dropped off at Qianmen Street, Silk Alley or Panjiayuan Flea Market. 

Day 6 (Sun): Beijing-Xi'an (BLD)
Morning sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven. After lunch, visit Lama Temple. Late afternoon fly to Xi'an.
Accommodation: Bell Tower Hotel * * * * at very city centre (or similar)
Accommodation: Sheraton Xi'an * * * * * (or similar) 

Day 7 (Mon): Xi'an (BLD)
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 (Tue): Xi'an-Guilin (BLD)
Morning city tour includes Gao Family's House, and 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: Guilin Park Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Sheraton Guilin * * * * * (or similar)  

Day 9 (Wed): 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. 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. Drive back to Guilin at night. 

Day 10 (Thu): Yangshuo-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.
Accommodation: ChungKing Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Hilton Chongqing * * * * * (or similar) 

Day 11 (Fri): 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: President #6 (Paradise Yangtze) * * * *
Accommodation on cruise ship: Victoria Cruise Series * * * * *  

Day 12 (Sat): 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 (Sun): 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 (Mon): Yichang-Shanghai-Suzhou (BLD)
The ship enters the eastern section of Xiling Gorge (66km) in the morning. We tour the site of the Three Gorges Dam.
We disembark in Yichang around noon. Fly to Shanghai from Yichang or Wuhan and make immediate transfer to Suzhou upon arrival.
Accommodation: Su Yuan Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Sheraton Suzhou * * * * * (or similar)  

Day 15 (Tue): 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.  

Day 16 (Wed): Suzhou-Shanghai (BLD)
Morning depart for Shanghai, the largest city of China and the eighth largest in the world.
Today we 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)
Accommodation: Hilton Shanghai Hotel * * * * * (or similar) 

Day 17 (Thu): 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 (Fri): Shanghai-Home (B)
Bid farewell as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home. 

(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, SD=Special Dinner)

Tour price (in CAD, on basis of double occupancy):
* Departures are guaranteed from 2 adults.

* Land Cost: tour fare in China, all-inclusive as per itinerary, no other hidden fee. 

* Full Package: International Airfare, tax & fuel surcharge inclusive, are subject to change.

*Prices are subject to change without notice.

*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. 

Reservation