Arrive in Beijing (Sunday)
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 deluxe 5 star city center hotel.

Beijing
This morning, we will walk from our hotel to Tiananmen Square across a small park seeing local people doing morning excises like Tai Chi. Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world and the symbolic center for all of China. We will 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. Hutong is an ancient urban alley peculiar to Beijing. Most of them were formed in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and 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. Enjoy the famous Peking Duck Dinner in a very localized restaurant in the evening. [B/L/SD]

Beijing
Today, we will visit Beijing Urban Planning Museum. From here, we will get an overall view on Beijing’s past, present and future. From ancient history to Olympic Gold, Beijing is forever a fascinating city to all travelers around the world. Later, we will visit Summer Palace. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) in the northwestern suburb of Beijing was built in 1750, so far the best-preserved imperial garden in China, and was endorsed by the UNESCO in 1998 as a world cultural heritage site. As a paragon of Chinese gardens, this huge garden includes Longevity Hill, whose beauty is set off by a multitude of halls, kiosks and trees, and Kunming Lake, a vast man-made construction with water filled by a large reservoir north of Beijing. In the afternoon, we will stop at National Stadium (Bird Nest or Water Cube) for photo stop. Then, we will shop at Panjiayuan Flea Market. This evening Chinese Marshal Arts Show is optional if favorable. [B/L/D]

Beijing
Today, we take a full day excursion to the Badaling Great Wall, 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. Later visit the Ming Tombs at Changling along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD). [B/L]

Beijing/Xi'an Flight
After breakfast, we will visit Temple of Heaven. Built in 1420, it was where Ming and Qing emperors prayed Heaven for good harvests. Major structures are hall of Prayer for good Harvest, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Circular Mound Altar, and Abstinence Palace. UNESCO endorsed Temple of Heaven as a world cultural heritage site in December 1998. Late afternoon, we fly to Xi’an. [B/L]

Xi'an
Over a period of more than 2000 years, Xian was the capital for eleven dynasties. Along with Rome and Constantinople, this city was a world leader in culture and trade and played a vital role in bridging the gap between east and west. 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. It is the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century and regarded as “the eighth wonder of the world”. A stroll on the ancient City Wall will draw us back to the Chinese golden ear 1300 years ago. Later visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum, a striking Tang-Dynasty style pavilion, houses a large collection of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shanxi. This evening, we will enjoy a Chinese dumpling dinner followed by spectacular Tang Dynasty Dancing show. [B/L/SD]

Xi’an/Dunhuang                     Flight   
This morning, we will follow our local guide for a walk through colorful Muslim Quarter and visit the Large Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the city, it is said to have been built to house and protect Buddhist scriptures collected by the Chinese monk, Xuan Zang, from India. Afternoon, we fly to Dunhuang. [B/L/D]

Dunhuang/Turpan                   Train
Today we visit the world class wonder – Mogao Grottos and Dunhuang Museum. The grottoes honeycomb a 1600 meters long cliff overlooking a river valley, located 25 km southwest from Dunhuang. It is the world's most important sites of ancient Buddhist Culture. The grottoes, also known as Caves of the Thousands Buddha, preserve nearly a thousand years of Buddhist cave temple architecture, clay sculpture, mural paintings, and manuscripts, dating from the 5th to 14th centuries. Over 426 caves are very enormously in size and contain numberless clay sculptures and more than 45,000 square meters of mural paintings, all are national treasures. Late afternoon, we visit Crescent Moon Lake & Sounding Dune. Overnight soft sleeper train to Turpan. [B/L/D]

Turpan
Turpan is a Uighur town set in a large oasis surrounded by desert and dry mountains. Early morning arrival, we will have breakfast at hotel first. Then, we visit the mysterious Death City Gaochang Ancient City, which reveals traces of a prosperous ancient trading center and military stronghold 1600 years ago, and it used to be the most frontal barrier in the west for centuries. And then we visit the Ancient Karez, underground water supply & irrigation system and Underground Museum at Astana. Tonight, we have dinner with local Uighur family. [B/L/D]

Turpan/Urumqi                                   Overland

Today we drive 2 hours and a half to Urumqi. The capital of Xijiang Uigur Autonomous Region. We drive 70 km southwest to one of the eighth major deep valleys and passage ways along the whole Mountain called NanshanGrassland, where we visit the minority families of Kazakstanian, Uzbekistanian, Kyrgyzatanian. Later, we visit Provincial Museum to view the incredible mummies from over 2,000 years ago, which really tells us mystery history unwritten in the books. [B/L/D]

Urumqi/Kashgar                               Flight
Today, we fly to Kashgar, used to serve as an important hub on the silk road, Kashigar is an exotic and vibrant city at the westernmost of China. We will visit Id Kah Mosque and Abakh Khoja Tomb. [B/L/D]

Kashgar

Today, continue our trip in Kashgar to Three Important Buddhist Caves, the oldest Buddhist caves in west China discovered so far, local market, and an ethnic kindergarten. [B/L/D]

Kashgar/Urumqi/Chongqing                 Flight

Today, we fly to Chongqing, the boarding point of your fascinating Yangtze River Cruise. [B]

Chongqing

Today, we visit Chongqing Zoo to see lovely Chinese Giant Pandas and a local market in old town area and the Urban Planning Museum (the largest in China) to see Chongqing’s past, present and future for the most important city along the Yangtze River. [B/L/D]

Cruise Embarkation

Full day excursion to Dazu County for its magnificent stone carvings. Endorsed on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list, These grottos are formed in Tang Dynasty in 650. They are a great masterpiece of arts for their large scale, profound significance and rich contents. After dinner, board Yangtze River cruiser and start our venture on the Yangtze River. 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. [B/L/D]

Yangtze River Cruise

The cruiser sails downstream. Shore excursion to Shibaozhai temple, which is one of the most spectacular along the Yangtze. This 12-story wooden pagoda was build against the side of a sheer rectangular cliff. Today, this 400- year old temple has one of the best views of Yangtze River. Shibaozhai is ranked as one of the eight strangest architectural structures of the world, and is renowned as the pearl of the Yangtze River. [B/L/D]

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. Afternoon transfer to smaller boats to see the Shennongxi Stream or the Lessor Three Gorges along the Daning River. Then the cruiser will pass the ship-lock of the Three Gorges Dam. [B/L/D]

Yichang/Shanghai                                Flight

The cruiser sails downstream, arriving at Sandouping and 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. At 12:30, disembarkation in Yichang, continue your trip to shanghai, the largest commercial and financial center of China. [B/L]

Shanghai

The cosmopolitan port city of Shanghai is a treat to the senses with its mix of ancient and modern influence. This morning, we tour the marvelous Shanghai Museum. Its galleries contain world-class collections of ancient arts and artifacts. Afternoon tour to Chenghuangmiao, the old township of Shanghai City. Stroll on the Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with a mile-long of European buildings. Shop at elegant stores in Xintiandi. Evening dinner on own in Xintiandi or the Bund area followed by a celebrating Chinese Acrobatic Show. [B/L]

Shanghai
Today is free for your own exploration. Evening farewell dinner at a decent garden restaurant. [B/D]

Depart Shanghai (Saturday)
Departure transfer to airport for flight back home. [B]

*Price per person in US dollars, minimum 2 passengers traveling together *Price excluding domestic airport taxes and fuel surcharge, USD $179.00 per person *Canadian travelers please click here (www.xe.com)  for price in Canadian dollars

Includes:

• 20 nights accommodation at default hotels based on twin sharing
• Meals at listed in itinerary, B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner, SD-special dinner
• Sightseeing tours with lunch & dinner listed in the above itinerary, including
  • Peking Duck Dinner in Beijing
  • Chinese Dumpling Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in Xi'an
  • Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
  • Lunch & dinner at local restaurants with one glass of soft drink or local beer
  • Special dinner at local restaurants with soft drinks or local beer
• Professional English speaking tour guide service in each city
• Admission to sightseeing spots listed in itinerary
• Round trip airport/hotel transfers in each city
• Domestic airfare Beijing/ Xian/Dunhuang-Urumqi/Kashgar/Urumqi/ Chongqing-Yichang/Shanghai
• Fully escorted by a national guide from Beijing to Shanghai if group size is over 10 passenger

Excludes:

• International flights & airport taxes
• Domestic airport taxed and fuel surcharge, USD $179.00 per person
• Travel insurance
• Visa fee
• Cabin upgrade on Yangtze River cruise
• Personal expenses, laundry, telephone, minibar…
• Gratuities to guide, driver & porter