Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/103673
Hong Kong Beijing (3N) Be j 0 0 miles km 400 400 Inbound (1N) nd n Xian (2N) Shanghai (2N) Wuhan an Yangtze River Cruise (4N) Yichang hang h n Chongqing Guilin (2N) Yangshuo (1N) shuo Macau au Hong Kong (3N) Air Road Boat Cities of the orient - 19-day itinerary (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner This tour will leave you in awe; with a mix of urban cities, ancient history and tranquil landscapes this tour is great for the first-time visitor who wants 'that little bit more'. Be amazed at sites such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing. An exciting walk on the Great Wall is an experience that you will cherish. In the ancient city of Xian you will visit the life-size Terracotta Warriors. Explore the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai which you will find equally as captivating! Cruise up the Yangtze River taking in the stunning landscape of dramatic gorges and majestic peaks. Travel to Guilin, one of China's greatest areas of natural beauty. End your journey in the amazing city of Hong Kong. The city offers a sprawling skyline and a beautiful natural harbor, it is a powerhouse of Chinese commercial activity where the shopping is not to be missed. days 1-2: fly to shanghai Depart on your overnight flight from the US to China. Upon arrival in Shanghai, the beating heart of modern China also known as the 'Paris of the East,' meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. day 3: shanghai Start the day with a tour through the Old Town to the Yu Gardens, a well-preserved example of a traditional Chinese garden. Here you will see how the trees, buildings and water features are designed to blend in perfect harmony. Walk along the picturesque waterfront of the colonial Bund, the original 'Wall Street' of Shanghai. Enjoy a meal of traditional Shanghai cuisine. (B, L, D) day 4: shanghai to Beijing Visit the superb antiquities and fine arts of the Shanghai Museum, which houses over 120,000 pieces of bronze, coins, jade, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy. Wander around neighboring People's Square. Fly to Beijing, China's capital and cultural hub. This evening's meal includes the local delicacy, Peking Duck. (B, L, D) day 5: Beijing Travel back in time as you tour the bustling Tiananmen Square before entering the Forbidden City. Marvel at the incredible royal treasures, ancient relics and historic art while lingering over the ornate opulence of the ancient court. A visit to the historic Hutong district of Beijing will show you the older side of this intriguing city. Enjoy a ride on a traditional cyclo-rickshaw to explore the maze of alleyways. On to the unique Temple of Heaven, originally constructed in the fifteenth century. The circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is constructed from wood without the use of a single nail. You will have the opportunity to mingle with local people undertaking exercises and spiritual activities at this popular site. (B, L, D) day 6: Beijing Today you will see the most famous sight in China, The Great Wall. Built to defend China from the Mongols, construction first started over 34 Cities Of The Orient 2,000 years ago and ultimately the wall reached nearly 4,000 miles in length from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west. This afternoon, visit the beautiful Summer Palace. The palace was famously commissioned by the last empress who diverted so much money to building the site that she bankrupted the Navy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Take in the natural landscape of hills and Kunming Lake as well as the wealth of pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges. The evening entertainment is a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show. (B, L, D) day 7: Beijing to xian Begin with a visit to the Shaanxi Museum which is home to thousands of priceless relics. Enjoy a unique Shui Jiao dinner featuring multiple courses of Xian's famous dumplings, created with many different fillings and corresponding shapes. The entertainment this evening is a dazzling Tang Dynasty Dance performance. Its early folk roots began as a ritual of prayer for a good harvest, evolving over thousands of years, reaching its peak during the Tang Dynasty. Open to outside influences, the Tang combined poetry, music, singing and dancing with stunning costumes to create a distinct style. (B, L, D) day 8: xian Today you will visit the Army of the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The figures were created over 2,000 years ago to accompany Emperor Qin Shihuang into the afterlife. Take a leisurely walk on top of Xian's ancient city wall, one of the best preserved in China. We also walk through the lively Muslim Quarter to explore the Islamic food markets. (B, L, D) day 9: wuhan Fly to Wuhan. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by coach to board your cruise for the next four nights. (B, L, D)