Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/103673
Inbound (1N) Beijing (3N) Be j 0 0 miles km 400 400 Xian (2N) Yangtze River Cruise (4N) Shanghai (2N) Wuhan a Yichang hang h n Chongqing Guilin (2N) Yangshuo (1N) gshuo Macau H au Hong Kong Air Road Boat Yangshuo wonders of China deluxe- 16-day itinerary Exclusive Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. Travel to the small town of Yangshuo located on the Li River and end your journey in Shanghai, considered to be a global city with cultural, fashion and a technological influence. days 1-2: us to Beijing Depart on your overnight flight from the US to China. Upon arrival in Beijing, China's capital city and cultural hub, meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. day 3: 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. 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 opportunity to mingle with local people undertaking exercises and spiritual activities at this popular site. 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. Visit a local home and enjoy a cup of tea with a local family. This evening's meal includes the local delicacy, Peking Duck. (B, L, D) day 4: 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 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 5: Beijing to xian Fly to Xian, the historical heartland of China. Upon arrival, visit the renowned 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, 16 Wonders of China Deluxe (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner 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 6: xian Today you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Army of Terracotta Warriors, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. The figures were created over 2,000 years ago to accompany Emperor Qin Shihuang into the afterlife. Afterwards, take a leisurely walk on top of Xian's ancient city wall, one of the best preserved in China and later, stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter and explore the Islamic food markets. (B, L) day 7: xian to wuhan - yangtZe river Cruise Fly to Wuhan and transfer to Yichang where you will board the Yangtze River Cruise vessel. (B, L) days 8-10: yangtZe river Cruise Enjoy a tour of the Three Gorges Dam before cruising upstream through some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Over the next three days, we will take a side-trip to the striking Shennong Stream in a peapod boat or visit the Lesser Three Gorges. We also enjoy various shore excursions along the way, including the 'Ghost City' of Fengdu with its captivating temples and statues. (B, L, D) day 11: Chongqing to guilin Disembark from the cruise vessel and visit the Panda House at Chongqing Zoo. Fly to the beautiful city of Guilin. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", named after the large number of fragrant trees located throughout the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery. The evening is yours at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll around the city, observing the many artists and poets who visit Guilin in search of inspiration among the unsurpassed beauty of area's landscape. (B, L) day 12: li river Cruise to yangshuo Cruise the stunning Li River to Yangshuo and enjoy the breathtaking landscape of beautiful limestone hills, tranquil fishing scenes and picturesque villages. Evening at leisure to explore the town or relax in one of the many cafés. (B, L)