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19-day Southwest China and Yangtze River Cruise

City: Beijing-Xian-Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Chongqing-Yangtze Cruise-Shanghai

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

Day 2 (Mon): 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 (Tue): Beijing (BLSD)
Beijing, the capital of China, is recognized as the political, educational and cultural center of China.  
Today we first 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. Afternoon we tour the Summer Palace, a royal resort during the Qing Dynasty. A delicious Peking Duck dinner is arranged to round off a memorable start to your tour. 

Day 4 (Wed): Beijing (BLD)
We drive 70km northwest of Beijing to the Great Wall to visit the longest man-made structure in the world, stretching over 6,352 km (3,948 miles). After lunch, visit the Ming Tombs. On the way back we tour the exterior of the "Bird’s Nest" and “Water Cube” where hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Kung Fu Show in the evening.  

Day 5 (Thu): Beijing-Xi'an (BLD)
Early morning sightseeing in the Temple of Heaven where you can see and even join in the local residents’ morning exercise. After lunch we tour Beijing Hutong by rickshaw to see traditional residential courtyards. Late afternoon fly to Xi'an.
Accommodation: Bell Tower Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Sheraton Xi'an * * * * * (or similar)  

Day 6 (Fri): Xi'an (BLSD)
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 are entertained with the splendid Tang Dynasty Style Music and Dance Show and enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner. 

Day 7 (Sat): Xi'an-Kunming (BLD)
Morning city tour includes Gao Family's House, and the Ancient City Wall. Late afternoon fly to Kunming.
Accommodation: Kunming Haihang Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: The Bank Hotel Kunming * * * * * (or similar)  

Day 8 (Sun): Kunming (BLD) 
Kunming is widely known as the "city of eternal spring" due to its temperate climate year-round. Morning excursion to the Stone Forest located 126km southeast of Kunming. 

Day 9 (Mon): Kunming-Dali (BL)
Morning flight to Dali City. Once as the capital of Nanzhao Kingdom, Dali is a charming town built on the shores of Erhai Lake, with a large population of the ethnic Bai nationality.
Today's schedule features the Foreigner Street in Old Town of Dali, and Three Pagodas.
Accommodation: Landscape Hotel * * * * inside the old town (or similar)
Accommodation: Regent Hotel * * * * * (or similar) 

Day 10 (Tue): Dali (BL)
Morning we tour the Erhai and have a cruise on the lake. Afternoon free. 

Day 11 (Wed): Dali-Lijiang (BL)
We drive through mountain scenery to Lijiang City - home to the ethnic Nakhi people whose intriguing Dongba religion and unique customs coupled with the region's enchanting scenery combine to make Lijiang and its vicinity a fascinating place to explore.
Today we visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area (also known as the First Bend of the Yangtze).
Accommodation: Impression old-town Hotel * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Lijiang International Hotel * * * * * (or similar)   

Day 12 (Thu): Lijiang (BLD)
Morning we tour the old town Dayan, a UNESCO-designated World Cultural Heritage Site, then followed by an excursion to Yunshanping (Spruce Meadow), an alpine pasture surrounded by virgin forests at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The evening concert of classical Naxi music is optional if available. 

Day 13 (Fri): Lijiang-Chongqing-Yangtze Cruise (BLD)
Free morning. Fly to Chongqing, have city tour and transfer to board 3-day downstream Yangtze River Cruise in the evening.
Accommodation: President #6 (Paradise Yangtze) * * * *
Accommodation on cruise ship: Victoria Cruise Series * * * * *  

Day 14 (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 15 (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 Shennongxia Nature Reserve, the crystal clear river twists and turns 60 kilometers through forested mountains before emptying into the mighty Yangtze.   

Day 16 (Mon): Yangtze River Cruise- Shanghai (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.
Accommodation: Best Western New Century Hotel Shanghai * * * * (or similar)
Accommodation: Hilton Shanghai Hotel * * * * * (or similar)  

Day 17 (Tue): Shanghai (BLD)
Today's sightseeing includes Yuyuan Garden, the Town-God Temple Bazaar, Shanghai Museum and The Bund - a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style. Evening entertainment is a dazzling Acrobatic Show. 

Day 18 (Wed): 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 19 (Thu): Shanghai-Home City (B)
Free morning. Transfer to airport to board 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.

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