Classic Yangtze River Tour

Day 01 Shanghai

Arrive in Shanghai, the financial and commercial center of China. You are greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the Shanghai Greenland Jiulong Hotel. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Day 02 Shanghai (B, L)

Have full day sightseeing to the major attractions of the city including the Temple of Jade Museum, Yu Garden at the Old Quarter, the Shanghai Museum, the famous waterfront Bund and Nanjing Road at the shopping center. You will taste the authentic Chinese cuisine for lunch at a carefully-selected restaurant.

Day 03 Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai (B, L)

In the morning, you will drive to Suzhou. Visit the Lingering Garden and the Fishing Net Garden.Suzhou has been the silk trade center of China for centuries, one must visit the Silk Embroidery Research Institute and Silk factory to see how silk is produced and dyed. Enjoy the local flavor for lunch today. Drive back to Shanghai in the late afternoon.

Day 04 Shanghai / Yichang (B)

Fly from Shanghai to Yichang. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our local guide and transferred to the first class Victoria Yangtze River Cruise, where you will begin your memorable cruise upstream.

Day 05 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Today the cruise will stop at San Duo Ping and sail through the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the famed Three Gorges. After lunch, you will enjoy a shore excursion at the splendid Three Gorges Dam Project.

Day 06 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

This morning, you will pass through the west part of Xiling Gorges. After a shore excursion at Shennong Stream, you will pass through the Wu Gorge and visit the fascinating peaks and rocks along the Wu Mountains. Then pass through Qutang Gorge, which is framed by steep cliffs, with overhanging mountains on the two sides.

Day 07 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Today's highlight is a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, the magnificent 12-story wooden pagoda which was built against a protruding 220-meter rectangular rock with sheer cliffs on the north bank.

Day 08 Chongqing / Beijing (B)

Morning cruise will bring you to the mountain city of Chongqing where you will disembark. Transfer to the airport and take the flight to Beijing, the capital of China. You will be greeted by your guide at the airport and transferred to the first class Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel.

Day 09 Beijing (B, L)

Morning program takes you to Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years. Enjoy the famous Sichuan cuisine at a carefully-selected restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing features the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests. On the way back to the hotel, you will have an overlook of the major Olympic Stadium and the Olympic village.

Day 10 Beijing (B, L)

Today you will visit the Gongwangfu Garden, the largest private mansion house in the Qing Dynasty. After that, you will have a special tour to the 700-year-old narrow streets, Hutongs, to visit the old quadrangles by the old fashioned rickshaw and learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing residents. Today you will try one of the famous cuisines in China, Huaiyang cuisine for lunch. This afternoon visit 798 factory, it is a new rising, avant-garde and trendy space that hosts high-level cultural, artistic and commercial activities.

Day 11 Beijing (B, L)

Travel to the Badaling Great Wall, one of the eight ancient wonders of between 6000- 6500 km long built over several centuries to keep out the invading northern tribes. After a hike along a portion of the Wall, you visit the Ming Tombs (Changling), a secluded valley housing 14 imperial burial mounds.

Day 12 Beijing (B)

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. The whole tour ends with a memorable experience.