Welcome to China! Upon arrival, if you have purchased the airport transfer package, enjoy a transfer to your hotel and the remainder of the evening to rest and relax.

Overnight Hotel: Gehua New Century Hotel (or Similar)

Your exploration of Beijing begins with a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, and then takes in the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City, also known officially as the Imperial Palace Museum, was originally constructed by the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yong Le, where 24 emperors once lived successionally. The palace was built between 1406 and 1420, but was burnt down, rebuilt, sacked and renovated countless times, so most of the architecture you can see today dates from the 1700’s and onwards. Afterwards, visit a Pearl Factory to gain a little knowledge of fresh pearls.

In the afternoon, take the opportunity to join an optional tour ($50) to see Beijing’s 700 year old Hutong's (narrow lanes) area by old fashioned pedicab as well as visit a local family living in a courtyard style home to experience the local customs of old Beijing people and their unique architectural structure. The optional tour also includes a visit to Shichahai, a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes (Qianhai, meaning Front Sea; Houhai, meaning Back Sea and Xihai, meaning West Sea), surrounding places of historic interest and scenic beauty and remnants of old-style local residences, Hutong and Courtyard.

Optional Tour: $50-Hutongs and lunch with local family

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Gehua New Century Hotel (or Similar)

On the way to the Great Wall you will make a stop at a Jade Museum to learn the history of Jade. In Chinese, jade is pronounced as "Yu", and it has a history in China of at least four thousand years. Observe the skilled artisans at work as they create their intricate designs.
Afterwards take a scenic drive through the countryside and mountains to reach China's most renowned monument—the Great Wall. Visit the less-visited and more original Juyong Pass and try to avoid other sections which are the most accessible and consequently the most crowded. The Great Wall meanders through China's northern mountain ranges from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert—a distance of over 3500 miles!
Afterwards, visit traditional Chinese herbal shop to learn about Chinese mystical arts of complementary or alternative medicine and the type of healing properties it offers.

Optional Tour: $50-The Golden Mask Dynasty

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Gehua New Century Hotel (or Similar)

Enjoy a free day in Beijing. Explore the capital of China on your own. Stay overnight in Beijing.
Alternatively, you can join an optional tour of Beijing Temple of Heaven & Beijing Zoo Day Tour

Optional Tour: $60-Beijing Temple of Heaven & Beijing Zoo Day Tour

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Gehua New Century Hotel (or Similar)

Today board a short flight(2.5 hours) to Xi'an-the ancient capital of China, also the starting point of the Silk Road.
Upon arrival you will be greeted at airport and transferred to hotel for rest.

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Grand Noble Hotel (or Similar)

This morning first visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a major tourist site located on the central axis of the Jianfu Temple in south Xi’an. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda in the temple is very delicate in appearance and is completely built of stone. The top three floors have been damaged, and it really adds to the appeal of the pagoda. As a national AAAA scenic spot and a world heritage site, the Buddhist pagoda survives from the Tang Dynasty.
The highlight today is a visit to the Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum to see the life-sized defending army to the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Unearthed near Xi’an, the hundreds of life size sculptures of soldiers, chariots, and horses are considered a world wonder. With different facial expressions and weaponry adorning each soldier, the Terracotta Warriors were intended to convey the Qin Emperor into the afterlife. This site is among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century. You will be definitely amazed by the scale of the Terracotta Warriors Army.
Afterwards visit the Terracotta Warriors Reproduction Factory. At the factory, talented craftsmen make these life-size replicas in the same manner as their counterparts did 2,200 years ago – with just their hands, a few tools, and clay. In addition to learning about the process, you will also have a great opportunity to make your own miniature reproduction of the famous artifact and bring it home.

Optional Tour:$50-Tang Dynasty Show & Dumpling Banquet

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Grand Noble Hotel (or Similar)

Today you will board a short flight toward Chongqing--the “Mountain City” situated on the southwest of China.
It is also the start point of our downstream 4 days 3 nights Yangtze River cruise. We will board the ship in the late afternoon.

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel:Cruise: President Series with Balcony Cabin (or Similar)

Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Fengdu in the morning.
Two optional shore excursions you could choose：Ghost City in Fengdu and Relocation Village or Folk culture park in Xiao Guan Shan.
The new relocation village in Fengdu is built for families who have moved as a result of the Yangtze’s rising waters brought about by Three Gorges Dam. Fengdu’s “Ghost City” is known for its statues of ghosts and devils on Mingshan Hill.
Then you will Shuanghui mountain - Mt.Shuanggui got its name from two old osmanthus trees on it in the Tang dynasty. Su Dongpo and his father Su Xun and his brother Su Zhe, the great poets and writers, visited Mount Shuanggui and wrote down an essay Xiandu Shanlu, which began the legend that goes like this, “ White deers singing at night predicts the arrival of important people." So Mount Shuanggui is also known as Mount Deer Singing. It is 401 meters high above the sea level, facing the Yangtze river in the front. The tree-covering Mount Shuanggui is a well-known cultural site with old pagodas, towers, pavilions, temples.

Meal(S): Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner

Overnight Hotel:Cruise: President Series with Balcony Cabin (or Similar)

Enter the Three Gorges/“Small Gorges”/Shiplocks Enter the Three Gorges, one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures. Today you will pass through the first two—Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic. The 25-mile long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Shennong Stream. Enter Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles), and the deepest of the Three Gorges. In the evening, sail through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks. Additional optional Shore Excursion to White Emperor City (river conditions permitting), an ancient city overlooking the western end of Qutang Gorge.

Meal(S): Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner

Overnight Hotel:Cruise: President Series with Balcony Cabin (or Similar)

Three Gorges Dam/Yichang - Morning visit to the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping, the largest in the world.
Arrive Yichang in late morning and disembark. Then, take train from Yichang to Shanghai and check into hotel for rest.

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Holiday Inn Shanghai Hongqiao (or Similar)

This morning, visit Shanghai French Concession. Shanghai is popular for many places and reasons, but the French Concession is somewhere on top of that list. Hugely popular and sought after as the preferred residential address among expats, the Former French Concession (FFC) has a lot ofhistory and beauty to its credit. Then, transfer from Shanghai to Suzhou by coach. Suzhou, which dates back to 514 BC, is sometimes called the "Venice of the East". Visit Shan Tang Street, which has always been regarded as the first name of Suzhou ancient streets. It has a long history of about 1,100 years, its layout and architecture are the best to represent the characteristics of Suzhou's old alleys, and it has connections to many ancient Chinese celebrities and anecdotes. Take the opportunity to cruise along the Grand Canal (optional tours) to view life along China’s ancient waterway.

Optional Tour: $30-Grand Canal Cruise

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel:Holiday Inn Taihu Lake (or Similar)

Today visit the famous Lingering Garden. The Lingering Garden is a renowned classical Chinese garden and is recognised with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. China is known for its silk, so of course a visit to the Silk Spinning Factory is in order. Afterwards drive to Hangzhou (approximately 3 hours coach ride).

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Holiday Inn Hangzhou Xiaoshan (or Similar)

This morning start this amazing day with a small boat ride on the West Lake another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which reveals the ethereal beauty of Hangzhou's willow draped islands.
Hangzhou is considered the tea capital of China, so a visit to the city just isn’t complete without a trip to a local tea house. Make a special visit to the Tea House at Meijiawu Tea Village located at the hinterland of West Lake Park which is considered one of the most important Longjing tea productions in China. Enjoy the natural environment and beautiful village scenery while learning more about their special tea culture and how to appreciate the sophisticated taste and aroma of Longjing tea. At the Tea House, learn how to make the Longjing Tea including tea leaves picking, frying and tasting.
​Afterwards drive to Shanghai (approximately 3 hour coach ride) to visit the famous Bund. Shanghai is divided by the Huangpu River into eastern and western sections. Modern mega high rises are seen on the eastern side while traditional European style architecture may be seen on the western side. The Bund is a five-block riverfront promenade with many of Shanghai's banks and trading houses.

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Holiday Inn Shanghai Hongqiao (or Similar)

Enjoy a free day at leisure in Shanghai.

Optional Tour: $50-Chinese Acrobatic Show “ERA: The Intersection of Time”
$50-Huangpu River night cruise

Meal(S): Breakfast

Overnight Hotel: Holiday Inn Shanghai Hongqiao (or Similar)

Today, our service ends. If you have already purchased airport transfer package, you will be transferred to airport for your return flight after breakfast.

Meal(S): Breakfast