Beijing/Xian/Chongqing/Yangtze Cruise/ Wuhan/Shanghai

Brief Introduction
On our fantastic China tour, you will be able to stand on the majestic Great Wall, stare in wonder at the Terracotta Warriors, sail through the amazing natural art gallery that is the Yangtze River, and stroll along the historic Bund. You will have a better understanding of this great country and have a lifetime of unforgettable memories. 

Trip Highlights:

• Explore the arcane secrets of the Forbidden City, which was off limits for over 500 years. Lose yourself in contemplation as you stand in front of the imposing Army of Terra-cotta Warriors
• Cruise along the Yangtze River and view the scenic and cultural treasures.
• Stroll along the Bund, and feel the unique glamour of Shanghai.

Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia and third longest in the world. The headwaters of the Yangtze are situated at an elevation of over 16,000 feet in the Kunlun Mountains in the southwestern section of the Qinghai -Tibet plateau.

It flows generally south through Sichuan into Yunnan then heads northeast and east across central China through Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces to its mouth in the East China Sea north of Shanghai over 3,720 miles away. The river has over 700 tributaries. The climate ranges from 96 degrees in the summer to cold, brisk temperatures in the winter.

Approximately 350 million people inhabit the Yangtze River region. There is plenty of wildlife along the river as well which includes the Tibetan antelopes, Mongolian gazelles, and snow leopards, to name just a few.

The waters of the Yangtze are generally used for rice and wheat irrigation. It also has enormous and inexhaustible hydroelectric resources. In 1994 construction began on the Three Gorges Dam near Yichang and is scheduled for completion in 2009. The Three Gorges (the Qutang, Wuxia, and Xiling Gorge) will also be the largest electricity generating facility in the world. The hydroelectric generators will provide 1/9 of China's total power output.

There are 4 general cruising routes:

• Starting from Chongqing and ending in Yichang: downstream
• Starting from Chongqing and ending in Wuhan: downstream
• Starting from Wuhan and ending in Chongqing: upstream
• Starting from Yichang and ending in Chongqing: upstream

Time length for difference sailing routes:

Sailing Between                           Time Length
Chongqing to Wuhan                      5 days, 4 nights
Chongqing to Yichang                     4 days, 3 nights
Wuhan to Chongqing                      6 days, 5 nights
Yichang to Chongqing                     5 days, 4 nights
Chongqing to Shanghai                   7 days, 6 nights
Shanghai to Chongqing                   9 days, 8 nights

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival / Beijing
Transfer via: International flight .
Upon arrival at China's capitol city of Beijing, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

Day 2 Beijing (B, L)
Historic Beijing has long been China's political and cultural center. Today we will escort you to explore some of Beijing's greatest sights. Your first stop will be to Tiananmen Square, where Chairman Mao declared the founding of People's Republic of China before 3 million onlookers in 1949. Next, stroll through the magnificent Forbidden City, the largest and grandest ancient imperial palace in the world with a history of over 600 years. In the afternoon, you will marvel at another of Beijing's landmarks - the splendid Temple of Heaven built in 15th century.

Day 3 Beijing (B, L)
A full-day excursion will take you to the majestic Great Wall, which was built over 2,000 years ago and stretches over 6,400 kilometers. You will have ample time to linger at this world wonder and contemplate how ancient Chinese people built the wall entirely by hand. Before returning to the city you will visit the Sacred Road.

Day 4 Beijing / Xi'an (B, L)
After breakfast, you will visit the old narrow alleyways and courtyard homes called Hutongs by rickshaw. In the afternoon, fly to Xian, once the largest city in the world and the capital for 11 Chinese dynasties for a period of over 1,180 years.

Day 5 Xi'an (B, L, D)
Start your Xian exploration with a visit to the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors, arranged in battle formation to protect the mausoleum of the first Chinese emperor of China, Emperor QinShihuang for over 2,200 years. In the afternoon, enjoy strolling along the Ancient City Walls, considered as the largest and best-preserved City walls in the world. In the late afternoon you will visit Xian's Bell Tower built in 1582 that stands in the center of the city.

Day 6 Xi'an / Chongqing / Embark Regal China Cruise Ship (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Continue your exploration of Xi'an with visits to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which houses Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the famous monk Xuan-zang in the Tang Dynasty. Later you will fly to Chongqing, where you will be escorted to board Regal China Cruises to begin your cruise down the Yangtze River. Pre-boarding available night before departure beginning at 18:00.

Day 7 Yangtze Cruise (B, L, D)
Enjoy the Yangtze Cruising.
Accommodations: On the ship

Day 8 Yangtze Cruise (B, L, D)
Enjoy the Yangtze Cruising.
Accommodations: On the ship

Day 9 Jingzhou/Wuhan / Shanghai(B, L)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Disembark the ship in Jingzhou, Your private tour guide will meet you and escort you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city.

Day 10 Shanghai (B, L, D)
Enjoy a thrilling day of sightseeing featuring Shanghai's unique charm. Visit the elaborate Yu Garden and bustling Yuyuan Market. Later in the afternoon you will visit the Jade Buddha temple which houses an exquisite milk white jade Buddha brought to China in the 19th century by a Chinese monk. Your thrilling day will be concluded with a wonderful Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre.

Day 11 Shanghai (B, L)
On your second exciting day in Shanghai you will visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the highest TV tower in Asia and the third highest in the world. With a height of 468 meters, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower has become the symbol of new Shanghai. In the afternoon you will visit the Children's palace which is a center for children to carry out their extracurricular activities. Then stroll along the waterfront Bund and crowded Nanjing Road.

Day 12 Shanghai / Departure (B)
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Depart this ancient land with a lifetime of unforgettable memories.