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

Tour Code: YZUP
Day 1
Arrive in Shanghai (Wednesday)
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 hotel.
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Day 2
Shanghai
We will have a full day city tour in Shanghai. Start the exploration form The Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with a mile-long of European buildings. Later, visit the small yet exquisite Yu Yuan Garden. After lunch, we will visit the marvelous Shanghai Museum. Its galleries contain world-class collections of ancient arts and artifacts. The Bronze Gallery is a must-see section. Enjoy an exciting Acrobatic Show in the evening. [B/L/D]
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Day 3
Zhujiajiao
Take a morning excursion to Zhujiajiao, a typical ancient water town in the south of the Yangtze River. Wander around well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, ancient stone bridges and ancient streets. Later, we will visit Oriental Pearl TV Tower for a bird’s view of Shanghai City. Continue our trip to Jade Buddha Temple, a venerable and famous Buddhist temple, which was built in 1882 to keep two precious jade Buddha statues. Then, we will visit Carpet Factory.  [B/L/D]
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Day 4
Shanghai/Yichang Flight
Today, we fly to Yichang, the embarkation point of fascinating Yangtze River Cruise. If time permits, we will have a brief city tour in Yichang. Embark the 5 Star Boat MV Splendid China. 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. [B/L/D]
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Day 5
Yangtze River Cruise
We set sail at 8:00 am. 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. [B/L/D]
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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 Shennongxi Stream or the Lessor Three Gorges along the Daning River. [B/L/D]
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Day 7
Yangtze River Cruise
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]
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Day 8
Disembarkation in Chongqing/Xi’an Flight
Morning arrival in Chongqing at 9:00 am & disembarkation. Sightseeing in Chongqing, the birthplace of Ba and Yu culture with the history of 3000 years. World War II & Stillwell Museum is housed in the former VIP guest house of the Guomingdang and residence of General Stillwell. Since 1991, the Chongqing Municipal Government has turned it into a museum, housing exhibits on General Stillwell and Americans in Chongqing during World War II. Painter’s Village is an art organization run by professional artists of the Chinese Artist Association, where some of the countries most talented painters are rewarded by the government with a tranquil place to work and live. Afternoon, we fly to Xi'an. [B/L/D]
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Day 9
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” and among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century. Later, we visit ancient Huaqing Hot Spring Palace. Afternoon, we will visit the Ancient Huaqing Hot Spring & 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. Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. [B/L/SD]
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Day 10
Xi'an/Beijing Flight
This morning, we fly to Beijing. Afternoon, 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. [B/L/D]
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Day 11
Beijing
Built in 1420, Temple of Heaven 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. The highest is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. 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. [B/L/D]
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Day 12
Beijing
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). 13 of the 16 Ming emperors have their tombs here. This is an attractive destination as much for the natural scenery of the area as for the tombs themselves. Enjoy the famous Peking Duck farewell dinner & cultural show in the evening. [B/L/SD]
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Day 13
Depart Beijing (Monday)
You will be transferred to airport for your flight to your sweet home. [B]
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Package Price

Arrive Shanghai
Wednesday

Dept Beijing
Monday

Package Rate
Per Person

Single Supplement

Extra Night
Per room in
Beijing

Extra Night
Per room in Shanghai

2008.4. 02

2008.4. 14

$1589

$669

$119

$109

4. 09

4. 21

$1589

$669

$119

$109

4. 16

4. 28

$1589

$669

$119

$109

4. 23

5. 05

$1589

$669

$119

$109

4. 30

5. 12

$1589

$669

$119

$109

5. 07

5. 19

$1589

$669

$119

$109

5. 14

5. 26

$1589

$669

$119

$109

5. 21

6. 02

$1589

$669

$119

$109

5. 28

6. 09

$1589

$669

$119

$109

6. 04

6. 16

$1559

$639

$119

$100

6. 11

6. 23

$1559

$639

$119

$100

6. 18

6. 30

$1559

$639

$119

$100

6. 25

7. 07

$1559

$639

$119

$100

7. 02

7. 14

$1559

$639

$119

$100

7. 09

7. 21

$1559

$639

$119

$100

9. 10

9. 22

$1649

$739

$129

$100

9. 17

9. 29

$1649

$739

$129

$109

9. 24

10. 06

$1649

$739

$129

$109

10. 01

10. 13

$1649

$739

$129

$109

10. 08

10. 20

$1649

$739

$129

$109

10. 15

10. 27

$1649

$739

$129

$109

10. 22

11. 03

$1599

$669

$119

$109

10. 29

11. 10

$1599

$669

$119

$109

11. 05

11. 17

$1559

$629

$100

$109

11. 12

11. 24

$1559

$629

$100

$109

*Price per person in Canadian dollars, minimum 2 passengers traveling together
Includes:
  • 12 nights accommodation based on twin sharing with buffet breakfast:
    • Beijing Plaza Royal or Chang An Grand Hotel or Oriental Bay Hotel (all 5 star)
    • Xi'an King Dynasty Hotel or Aurum International Hotel (4 star)
    • Shanghai Galaxy Hotel or similar (4 star)
    • Yangtze River Cruise: MV Splendid China standard cabin (5 star)
  • Sightseeing tours with lunch & dinner listed in the above itinerary, including
    • Peking Duck Dinner & Cultural Show in Beijing
    • Chinese Dumpling Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in Xian
    • Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
    • Lunch & dinner at local restaurant with one glass of soft drink
    • Special lunch at local restaurant with soft drinks
    • Special dinner at local restaurant with soft drinks & local wine
  • National guide service from Shanghai to Beijing
  • Professional English speaking tour guide service in each city
  • Round trip airport/hotel transfers in each city
  • Domestic airfare Shanghai/Yichang-Chongqing/Xian/Beijing with airport tax and fuel surcharge
  • Baggage handling
Excludes:
  • International flights & airport taxes
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fee
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities to guide, driver & porters