Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/103673
Inbound (1N) Beijing (4N) Be j 0 0 miles km 400 400 Xian (2N) Yangtze River Chengdu (2N) Cruise (4N) hengdu Leshan Suzhou (1N) (1 Shanghai (3N) Wuhan an Yichang hang n Chongqing Guilin (2N) Yangshuo (1N) gshuo Macau H au Hong Kong Xian magnifiCent China - 21-day itinerary Air Road Boat (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner Take an in-depth look at the best of China on one of our most popular tours. All the famous sights are covered along with some special treats. Gaze in awe at the Grand Buddha in Leshan, visit the traditional gardens of Suzhou and admire the magnificent Giant Pandas in Chengdu. days 1-2: us to Beijing Fly overnight to Beijing - China's capital city. Meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. day 3: Beijing Sightseeing today includes a stroll through Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao's Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City. Also take a rickshaw ride through the traditional Hutong areas. Evening meal includes the local delicacy, Peking Duck. (B, L, D) days 4-5: Beijing Walk on the Great Wall and visit the unique Temple of Heaven. On day five, indulge in some shopping at the bustling markets, tour the exquisite Summer Palace and enjoy a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show in the evening. (B, L, D) day 6: Beijing to xian Fly to Xian, the former ancient capital and visit the Shaanxi Museum which is home to thousands of priceless relics. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. (B, L, D) day 7: xian Visit one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, The Terracotta Warriors, and walk along the Ancient City Wall. Then stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter to explore the Islamic food markets. (B, L, D) day 8: xian to yangtZe river Cruise Visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Fly to Wuhan and transfer to Yichang to board the Yangtze River Cruise vessel. (B, L, D) days 9-11: yangtZe river Cruise Tour the Three Gorges Dam before cruising upstream through some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Over the next three days, take a side-trip to the striking Shennong Stream in a peapod boat or visit the Lesser Three Gorges and enjoy various shore excursions along the way. (B, L, D) day 12: Chongqing to Chengdu Disembark from the cruise vessel and transfer to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. (B, L, D) 36 Magnificent China day 13: Chengdu to leshan to Chengdu Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha, the world's largest stonecarved Buddhist statue. Take a short boat trip to view the statue from the river. Return to Chengdu, visiting the old town of Huanglongxi en-route. Enjoy a delicious Sichuan meal in the evening. (B, L, D) day 14: Chengdu to guilin Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see these adorable animals reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat before flying to the beautiful city of Guilin. (B, L, D) days 15-16: guilin to yangshuo to guilin Cruise the stunning Li River to Yangshuo and enjoy the breathtaking landscape of beautiful limestone hills, tranquil fishing scenes and picturesque villages. The next day, return to Guilin and visit the colorful stalagmites and stalactites of Reed Flute Caves and Mt. Diecai. Take in an evening display of traditional cormorant fishing. (B, L, D) day 17: guilin to suZhou Fly to cosmopolitan Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East' and transfer to the charming city of Suzhou, known as the 'Venice of the East.' (B, L, D) day 18: suZhou to shanghai Visit two of the finest oriental gardens - the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden, a local silk mill still in operation today and enjoy a cruise on the ancient Grand Canal. Return to Shanghai, and in the evening, enjoy traditional Shanghai cuisine. (B, L, D) days 19-20: shanghai Stroll through the beautiful Yu Gardens and the Old Town as well as a visit to the Shanghai Museum. Walk along the famous Bund with its colonial architecture. The next day, visit the modern Pudong area. In the evening, enjoy a cruise on the panoramic Huangpu River. (B, L, D) day 21: shanghai to us Fly to the US, arriving home the same day or the following morning depending on flight schedules. (B) Consult your American Express travel counselor for more details.