TourCode_CD13YU

Yangtze River Cruise, upstream
Shanghai, Yichang, Yangtze Cruise, Chongqing, Xi’an & Beijing
13 days/ 12 nights

Tour Code: CD13YU

Day 1

Arrive in Shanghai (Friday)
Welcome to Shanghai- the largest commercial and financial center of China. On arrival, you will be met by your friendly local tour guide and transferred to your impressive 5 star hotel.

Day 2

Shanghai
We will have a full day city tour in Shanghai. Start the exploration from The Bund, the window of Shanghai history and modern changes; Yu Garden, UNESCO site, built 400 years ago, is a famous ancient private garden with architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties; Jade Buddha Temple, a venerable and famous Buddhist temple, which was built in 1882 to keep two precious jade Buddha statues. After Shanghai Dim Sum lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Museum. After that, we visit the Silk Carpet Factory. Enjoy an exciting Acrobatic Show in the evening. Western buffet dinner is served in your hotel followed by the Acrobatic Show. [AB/L/DH]

Day 3

Shanghai
Free day at leisure for fabulous shopping opportunities on your own or go for optional Shanghai Expo. [AB]

Day 4

Shanghai/Yichang/Yangtze River Cruise Flight
Morning is free at leisure. Today, we fly to Yichang, the embarkation point of fascinating Yangtze River Cruise. Embark 5* Century Star Cruiser (Outside cabin with balcony). With a rich Chinese cultural heritage of thousands of years, the Three Gorges is not only a picturesque natural gallery, but also a spectacular treasure house. Overnight on board. [AB/L/D]

Day 5

Yangtze River Cruise
We set sail in the morning. Shore excursion to visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest project of China. One of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in the world, the Three Gorges Project will forever change the face of the Yangtze River as we know today. Possessing comprehensive utilization benefits mainly for flood control, power generation and navigation improvement. It will be vital important and backbone project in harnessing and developing of the Yangtze River. Capitan’s welcome party is scheduled from 6:00pm-7:00pm. *All the times on the schedule are estimated ones which are subject to the weather and navigation condition. [AB/L/D]

Day 6

Yangtze River Cruise
Today the cruiser will sail into the Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Although Qutang Gorge is the smallest among the Three Gorges, it is actually the most powerful one and the water here flows most rapidly at this spot. The Wu Gorge boasts the most immediately beautiful and spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. Flanking the river is a series of green mountains with precipices and peaks where the water zigzags forward and gives way to some attractive scenery. Transfer to smaller boats to see the Lesser Three Gorges along the Shennong Stream. *All the times on the schedule are estimated ones which are subject to the weather and navigationcondition. [AB/L/D]

Day 7

Yangtze River Cruise
Shore excursion to Snowy Jade Cave located in County of Fengdu. Discovered in the mid-1990's, the cave is over 1,022 miles long. At present, it is the youngest cave discovered in China. Because of its uniqueness and beauty, it has become a popular scenic spot along the Yangtze River as well as serving as a research site for the study of caves. *All the times on the schedule are estimated ones which are subject to the weather and navigation condition. Captain’s Farewell dinner banquest is set at 7:30pm-8:30pm. [AB/L/D]

Day 8

Disembarkation in Chongqing/Xi’an Flight
Morning arrival in Chongqing at 8:30am & disembarkation. Sightseeing in Chongqing including Panda Zoo and the Second World War Memorials. Afternoon, we fly to Xi'an. Arrive Xian, meet and transfer to your hotel. Guided walking tour through the Muslim quarter and local market. Western Set Dinner at a nice local restaurant. [AB/L/WD]

Day 9

Xi'an
Today we will visit the spectacular sight of the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang guarded by 8,000 Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses in battle formation. We will see excavated Exhibition 1, 2, 3 and watch the archaeologists are continuing on the fields for further excavation. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and regarded as “the eighth wonder of the world”. Then, we watch the Circle Vision Movie of the historical story. Xian local flavor lunch at a local restaurant. After that, we will visit Art Ceramics & Pottery Centre to learn how to make Terra Cotta replica. Afternoon visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi. Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. [AB/L/DS]

Day 10

Xi'an/Beijing Flight
Morning visit the Hu County Villages, where you will experience the Chinese rural life and take the chance to learn to draw the famous farmer’s paintings! Lunch at local restaurant before transferring to airport for afternoon flight to Beijing. Welcome to Beijing-the capital of China and home to many wonders. On arrival, you will be met by your friendly local tour guide and transferred to your impressive superior first class hotel. Western dinner in your hotel. [AB/L/DH]

Day 11

Beijing
Today we will walk across Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the symbolic center for all of China. We will then visit the magnificent Forbidden City. This complex, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace ever built in the world, features more than 800 buildings with 9999 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls. Afternoon, we will take a tour to Hutong including a visit to local family. Hutong is an ancient urban alley peculiar to Beijing. The ancient city has several thousands of hutong around the Forbidden City. Most of them were formed in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Most hutongs in Beijng are mainly located in the area near Shichahai, the most beautiful place in old Beijing, with the oldest water areas, the mansions of the former princes, temples, famous personages’ former residences. [AB/L]

Day 12

Beijing
This morning we start tours first to iconic ”Beijing 2008 Olympic Center”-the Bird’s Nest & Water Cube, where hosts to many spectacular events. We stroll around the outside for photography. Then, we continue to the Mutianyu Great Wall including round trip cable car up and down, one of the most amazing feats of human labor. The Great Wall is the most famous image of China throughout the world. It is the only man made object visible from the moon, and as one of the Eight Wonders of the world. It is a symbol of Chinese traditional culture and the pride of the Chinese nation. Afternoon return to town for last minute shopping. Farewell Peking Duck Dinner in the hotel including one glass of wine, or local beer, or soft drink, and free flow of Chinese tea. [AB/L/DH]

Day 13

Depart Beijing (Wednesday)
You will be transferred to airport for your flight to your sweet home. [AB]

Package Price

Arrive Shanghai Friday	Depart Beijing Wednesday	Package Rate Per Person	Single Supplement	Extra Night Per room in Beijing	Extra Night Per room in Shanghai
2010.3.05	2010.3.17	USD $1529	USD $639	USD $99	USD $79
3.19	3.31	USD $1529	USD $639	USD $99	USD $79
4.09	4.21	USD $1529	USD $639	USD $99	USD $79
4.23	5.05	USD $1529	USD $639	USD $99	USD $79
5.07	5.19	USD $1639	USD $729	USD $99	USD $119
5.21	6.02	USD $1639	USD $729	USD $99	USD $119
6.04	6.16	USD $1519	USD $629	USD $89	USD $99
6.18	6.30	USD $1519	USD $629	USD $89	USD $99
7.02	7.14	USD $1519	USD $629	USD $89	USD $99
7.16	7.28	USD $1519	USD $629	USD $89	USD $99
7.30	8.11	USD $1519	USD $629	USD $89	USD $99
8.13	8.25	USD $1519	USD $629	USD $89	USD $99
9.03	9.15	USD $1669	USD $759	USD $119	USD $119
9.10	9.22	USD $1669	USD $759	USD $119	USD $119
9.17	9.29	USD $1669	USD $759	USD $119	USD $119
9.24	10.06	USD $1669	USD $759	USD $119	USD $119
10.08	10.20	USD $1669	USD $759	USD $119	USD $119
10.15	10.27	USD $1669	USD $759	USD $119	USD $119
10.22	11.03	USD $1669	USD $759	USD $119	USD $119
10.29	11.10	USD $1549	USD $689	USD $99	USD $119
11.05	11.17	USD $1549	USD $689	USD $99	USD $119
11.12	11.24	USD $1509	USD $629	USD $89	USD $79

*Price per person in US dollars, minimum 2 passengers traveling together
*Canadian travelers please click here (www.xe.com) for price in Canadian dollars

Includes:

Superior First Class Hotel accommodations with daily breakfast as listed in the itinerary
- Beijing Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (5*) or similar
- Xi’an Mercure on Renmin Square Xian (4*) or similar
- Yangtze Century Star Cruiser (5*) outside cabin with balcony
- Shanghai Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel (5* standard) or similar
Round trip airport/hotel/airport transfers
Sightseeing tours as specified in the itinerary with TOP English-speaking local guides
Meals included as specified in the itinerary
- AB: American Buffet Breakfast
- LH: Lunch in the hotel
- DH: Dinner in the hotel
- WD: Western set dinner
- DS: Dinner and show
- L: Regular Chinese Lunch in selected local restaurant
- D: Regular Chinese Dinner in selected local restaurant
Evening shows
- Tang Dynasty Show in Xi’an
- Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
Domestic air fare Shanghai/Yichang-Chongqing/Xi’an/Beijing in economy class with taxes and fuel surcharge
Fully escorted by National Guide if the departure is final at 10 passengers and up

Excludes:

International flights with taxes (Please ask us for good fares)
Domestic flight fuel surcharge is based on government published price in August 2009, if any increase afterwards, we keep right to adjust it accordingly
Travel insurance
Visa fee
Gratuities to guides, drivers and porters
Personal expenses
Optional Shanghai Expo day tour with round trip transfers and admission USD $69.00/person