TourCode_YZUP

Yangtze River Cruise, upstream
Shanghai, Yichang, Yangtze Cruise, Chongqing, Xi’an & Beijing
13 days/ 12 nights, with eight UNESCO sites and Shanghai EXPO

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.

Day 2

Shanghai
We will have a full day city tour in Shanghai. Start the exploration The Bund-the window of Shanghai history and modern fast changes. Then we visit Old Downtown and classical Yu Garden. The Yu Garden, built 400 years ago, is a famous ancient private garden with architectures of Ming and Qing dynasties. After lunch, we will visit the marvelous Shanghai Museum. Its galleries contain world-class collections of ancient arts and artifacts. After that, we stroll to the People Square. The surroundings are the best collection of modern architecture. If time permits, we visit the Carpet Factory. Enjoy an exciting Acrobatic Show in the evening. [B/L/D]

Day 3

Shanghai
Today’s highlight is to visit Shanghai World Exhibition (Shanghai EXPO). The Exhibition covers a large area of over 5.6 Square KM with 27 master halls. The theme is to show all new creational hopes, concepts, designs, technologies, and present to the world a full potential of urban life in the 21st century as a significant one for urban evolution, a New Approaches of Human Habitat, Beautiful Lifestyle. (Shanghai EXPO is on May 01 – Oct.31, but on Feb.1-Apr.29, Nov.1-Dec31 are pre & post exhibition also available for visit). If Shanghai EXPO is unavailable before and after exhibition, we take tour excursion to a well-preserved historical site, the ancient water-town of Zhujiajiao to see another unchanged face of Shanghai. Wander around well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, ancient stone bridges and streets. Then we return back to the city and visit the Jade Buddha Temple, a venerable and famous Buddhist temple, which was built in 1882 to keep two precious jade Buddha statues. [B/L]

Day 4

Shanghai/Yichang/Yangtze River Cruise 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 MV Splendid China Yangtze River cruise. 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]

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]

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. [B/L/D]

Day 7

Yangtze River Cruise
Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai. By the legend, Fengdu was a ghost city and the entrance of heaven or hell for passing through the Celestial Being’s Judgment here. It reveals ancient Chinese religion and believing with their imaged constructions and the ghost statures for people lucky praying. It is subject to visit Shibaozhai Pagoda on the cliff which has been always regarded a pearl along the river for praying for good luck in the ancient. [B/L/D]

Day 8

Disembarkation in Chongqing/Xi’an Flight
Morning arrival in Chongqing at 9:00 am & disembarkation. Sightseeing in Chongqing. Afternoon, we fly to Xi'an. [B/L/D]

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. We will see all excavated Exhibition 1, 2, 3, 4, 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. After that, we will visit a Ceramics & Pottery Centre & Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the landmark of Xi’an. It was built in 1100 years ago during the glorious dynasties and was a holy place for pilgrimages. Enjoy the Dumpling Banquet Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in the evening. [B/L/SD]

Day 10

Xi'an/Beijing Flight
This morning, we fly to Beijing. Afternoon, we will visit Summer Palace including cruise on the shimmering waters of Kunming Lake (subject to weather and water condition). 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. Tonight, we enjoy cultural show. [B/L/D]

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. Then, we approach to the Pandas Garden in Beijing Zoo. It has been breeding the largest numbers of pandas as an institution away from the original habitat areas and it constitutes with other Panda Sanctuaries for being the UNESCO site. 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. If time permits, we will visit Pearl workshop. [B/L/D]

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 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 along the Sacred Stature Road with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD). This is an attractive destination as much for the natural scenery of the area as for the tombs themselves. If time permits, we will visit a Jade stone carving factory en route and observe the skilled artisans at work as they create intricate designs. Enjoy the famous Peking Duck farewell dinner in the evening. [B/L/SD]

Day 13

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

Package Price

Arrive Shanghai Wednesday	Depart Beijing Monday	Package Rate Per Person	Single Supplement	Extra Night Per room in Beijing	Extra Night Per room in Shanghai
2010. 4. 07	2010. 4. 19	USD $1549	USD $579	USD $99	USD $85
4. 14	4. 26	USD $1549	USD $579	USD $99	USD $85
4. 21	5. 03	USD $1549	USD $579	USD $99	USD $85
4. 28	5. 10	USD $1549	USD $579	USD $99	USD $85
5. 05	5. 17	USD $1549	USD $579	USD $99	USD $85
5. 12	5. 24	USD $1549	USD $579	USD $99	USD $85
5 .19	5. 31	USD $1549	USD $579	USD $99	USD $85
5. 26	6. 07	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
6. 02	6. 14	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
6. 09	6. 21	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
6. 16	6. 28	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
6. 23	7. 05	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
6. 30	7. 12	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
7. 07	7. 19	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
7. 14	7. 26	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
7. 21	8. 02	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
7. 28	8. 09	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
8. 04	8. 16	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
8. 11	8. 23	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
8. 18	8. 30	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $85	USD $85
8. 25	9. 06	USD $1539	USD $579	USD $85	USD $99
9. 01	9. 13	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
9. 08	9. 20	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
9. 15	9. 27	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
9. 22	10. 04	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
9. 29	10. 11	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
10. 06	10. 18	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
10. 13	10. 25	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
10. 20	11. 01	USD $1569	USD $609	USD $99	USD $99
10. 27	11. 08	USD $1539	USD $579	USD $99	USD $75
11. 03	11. 15	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $99	USD $75
11. 10	11. 24	USD $1499	USD $529	USD $99	USD $75

*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:

12 nights accommodation based on twin sharing with buffet breakfast:
- Shanghai Galaxy Hotel or similar (First Class)
- Yangtze River Cruise: MV Splendid China standard cabin
- Xi'an Aurum International Hotel or similar (First Class)
- Beijing Chang An Grand (Superior first Class)
Sightseeing tours with lunch & dinner listed in the above itinerary, including
- Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
- Chinese Dumpling Dinner & Tang Dynasty Show in Xian
- Peking Duck Dinner & Cultural Show in Beijing
- B: Full board western buffet breakfast at hotel
- L/D: Lunch & dinner in selected restaurants with one glass of soft drinks
- SD: Chinese special dinner in selected restaurants with soft drinks & local wine
- SL: Chinese special cuisine lunch with one glass of soft drinks
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 Shanghai/Yichang-Chongqing/Xian/Beijing with airport tax and fuel surcharge

Excludes:

International flights & airport taxes
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
Cabin upgrade on Yangtze River cruise
Personal expenses, e.g. laundry, telephone, minibar…
Gratuities to guide, driver & porter