Mystical China
and Yangtze River Cruise
Itinerary (12 days)
Tour is completed - contact us to customize this trip for you.

Day 1 Evening departure from LAX non-stop to China. Dinner and breakfast served in flight.

Day 2 Morning arrival in the historical tropical seaport of Guanzhou where we will transfer to Chongquing, which is on the banks of the Yangtze. We will tour this mountainous city which is divided into three parts by the Daning and Yangtze rivers. Our guides will escort us to Eulin Park, the former estate of a wealthy salt merchant and General Chaing. After dinner we will board our five-star cruise ship. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Sit back, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and lunch, and relax as you watch the languid waters of the world's third-longest river. Disembark in the afternoon for a visit to Shibaozhai, an ancient temple built on cliff, overlooking the Yangtze river. You may also participate in one of the many classes offered every day on board such as Tai Chi or traditional Chinese cooking. (B,L,D)

Day 4 As we wind through the Yangtze, it narrows until sheer cliffs rise on either side of the ship, as we cruise into Qutang George. Mysterious, often shrouded in mists, the gorges of the Yangtze have long served as a backdrop for Chinese paintings and as an inspiration for classical Chinese literature and poetry. As we sail through the Three Gorges, we are among the very last of those fortunate enough to behold a natural wonder often compared to the Grand Canyon. We will transfer to a small motorboat that will transport us up the Shennong River where sheer cliffs and towering mountains abound. (B,L,D)

Day 5After a morning arrival in Yichang, time permitting we will tour the city before flying onto Xi'an, the ancient capital of China. Xi'an is where the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi first unified the seven ancient Chinese Kingdoms. Afternoon check in at our luxury five-star hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Our full-day excursion 20 miles east of Xi'an takes us to the site of Qin Shi Huangdi's underground army of more than 3,000 terracotta soldiers. Each of the life-sized warriors was modeled after a real soldier with mind-boggling precision and detail. Evening includes a grand dumpling dinner and a spectacular Tang Dynasty Stage Show. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Morning flight to Beijing, where our guide will escort us to our deluxe five-star hotel to freshen up before a visit to the Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing. The afternoon culminates with leisurely boat ride across Lake Kunming. (B,L,D)

Day 8 After a morning visit to the Great Wall of China, one of the wonders of the ancient world, we will journey to the Ming Tombs where colossal statues of civil and military dignitaries, lions, horses, camels, and elephants are all lined to protect the emperors' tombs. We will unwind after an adventure-filled day over a specially prepared dinner of world-famous Peking Duck. (B,L,D)

Day 9 As we enter the Forbidden City through Tiananmen Square, site of many historic events, we will tour the largest imperial palace ever built. The Forbidden City served as home to the Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. After a scrumptious lunch, we will accompanied to the Temple of Heaven by an authentic Fengshui Master. Set in a park of more than 670 acres, theTemple of Heaven is an outstanding example of Chinese religious architecture, exemplifying the harmonious principles of Fengshui. Our evening ends with dinner and an exciting Acrobatic Show. (B,L,D)

Day 10 A morning flight will take us to Hong Kong, which serves as the melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures. It is a magical mixture of Chinese traditions, British Colonialism, and the modern world of high finance. Afternoon check-in to our luxurious 5-star hotel which overlooks Victoria harbor. (B)

Day 11 Our day begins with a tour around Hong Kong Island. We will visit scenic Repulse Bay, the site of the largest indigenous settlement when the British arrived and the famous harbor of Aberdeen, home to some of the last boat people in China. Afternoon and evening free to explore and shop for the many bargains available. (B)

Day 12 Enjoy a leisurely morning of sightseeing, shopping, and exploring. Return to the hotel to freshen up before transferring to the airport to board our flight back to the United States. (B)

Legend (Meals symbols):

*B . . . Breakfast
*L . . . Lunch
*D. . . Dinner

Note: A passport valid for at least 6 months prior to date of departure is required. Double entry visa is required for China.