Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/103673
Beijing (3N) Be j 0 0 miles km 400 400 Inbound (1N) nbound d Xian (2N) Nanjing Shanghai (2N) Yichang Wuhan M t. Huang ng ng Fengdu d Yangtze River Chongqing hongqing Cruise (8N) Chengdu (1N) C e Macau Yangtze River grand yangtZe deluxe - 18-day itinerary Hong Kong H Air Road Boat (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner The Yangtze River is China's largest and longest river. This amazing waterway forms the backbone of this wonderful tour and over eight nights you will cruise upstream from Shanghai with the American-owned Victoria Cruises, a leader in Yangtze River cruising.The highlight for many will be viewing the stunning landscapes, dramatic gorges, majestic peaks and ancient temples. Shore excursions will take you to sites such as Nanjing, Mt. Huang (Yellow Mountain) and Wuhan.This special journey also goes beyond the Yangtze River. You will be captivated by the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. Visit the adorable Giant Pandas in Chengdu and see the ancient sites of Xian. Your tour concludes in Beijing with an opportunity to enjoy its historical wonders and reflect on your unforgettable and truly diverse Chinese experience. days 1-2: us to shanghai Depart the US on your overnight flight to Shanghai for a two night stay. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Shanghai is a city of history, style and vibrancy, and was a major administrative, shipping and trading town for centuries. Today, Shanghai is the perfect example of the booming economy of mainland China. day 3: shanghai Tour the exciting city of Shanghai, starting with a visit to the Yu Gardens and the Old Town. You will view the antiques and fine arts at the Shanghai Museum and explore the Xintiandi area. Stroll along the famous Bund to see its collection of neo-classical buildings. This evening enjoy a cruise along the stunning Huangpu River and dine at the Meilongzhen Restaurant, a favorite of locals and Shanghai's elite. (B, L, D) day 4: shanghai – emBark yangtZe river Cruise This afternoon, board your Victoria Cruises vessel where you will spend the next eight nights on board cruising to Chongqing on one of the Yangtze River's deluxe ships, the Victoria Sophia. (B, D) day 5: nanjing Enjoy a full-day shore excursion to the ancient capital of Nanjing which lies on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. It has a long and colorful cultural heritage dating back to the Wu, Yue and Chu Kingdoms. Walk the grand steps of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Mausoleum, the father of modern China. (B, L, D) day 6: mt. huang Travel to the base of Mt. Huang (Yellow Mountain), one of China's most famous mountains. Over the years it has greatly influenced traditional Chinese landscape paintings. Take a cable car to the summit and explore the area, taking in the spectacular rock formations and thousand-year-old pine trees. (B, L, D) 20 Grand Yangtze Deluxe days 7-8: wuhan – Cruising Continue cruising to Wuhan, which spans both banks of the Yangtze. You will visit the Guqin Terrace built in honor of the legend of friendship of Yu Boya, an expert heptacord player, and his friend Zhong Ziqi, a woodcutter. Surrounded by water on three sides, the terrace is set among beautiful scenery and is a poignant tribute to life-long friendship. (B, L, D) Tomorrow will be a relaxing day on board the ship as you continue cruising upstream. (B, L, D) day 9: yiChang The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydroelectric project and it has changed the landscape along the shores of the Yangtze River. You will have the opportunity to visit the Three Gorges Dam site to see this engineering wonder before cruising along the most scenic section of the Yangtze, the Three Gorges. As you enter the Three Gorges, you will leave the modern world behind and become captivated by the picturesque landscape reminiscent of traditional Chinese paintings and folk tales. (B, L, D) day 10: daning river small gorges Explore the splendid landscapes up close as you board a small boat and cruise along a small tributary of the Yangtze, passing local villages, mysterious caves, monkeys and emerald waters. (B, L, D) day 11: fengdu Early this morning you will explore Fengdu, a truly fascinating ancient 'Ghost City' which gained its reputation during the Eastern Han Dynasty. You will see images of demons representing the Chinese people's imaginings of Hell. (B, L, D) day 12: Chongqing to Chengdu Disembark your cruise in Chongqing this morning and drive to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Enjoy a sumptuous banquet of traditional Sichuan cuisine. (B, L, D)