Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai and check into your hotel. The city looks spectacular at night, especially along the Huangpu River and the Bund with its colonial buildings. Dinner is included, and there's an optional Huangpu River cruise available this evening if you want to see the illuminated skyline.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Huangpu River cruise by night - see Yangpu and Nanpu Bridges, Monument to the People's Heroes, the Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Wu Song ancient gun fort relics, and Pudong Business District skyline
Landmarks Huangpu River The Bund Oriental Pearl TV Tower Pudong Business District Yangpu Bridge Nanpu Bridge Monument to the People's Heroes 
- Day 2
Shanghai
This morning you'll take a guided tour of Shanghai. You'll walk through Nanjing Road (the world's longest shopping street), see the detailed miniature gardens at Yuyuan, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, and stroll along the Bund to see the colonial architecture. After that, the rest of your evening is free to wander around and find your own dinner spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Shanghai city tour including Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Gardens, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Bund
Landmarks Nanjing Road Yuyuan Gardens Jade Buddha Temple The Bund - Day 3
Shanghai to Yichang
You'll catch the high-speed train from Shanghai to Yichang this morning, watching China's midlands roll past. Once you arrive, you'll head straight to the pier to board your Yangtze River cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- High-speed train journey to Yichang
Landmarks Yangtze River 
- Day 4
Three Gorges Cruise
The cruise takes you through the Three Gorges region. You'll have a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric facility. Later, you'll see Xiling Gorge, the deepest and longest of the three at 41 miles. The captain's welcome dinner and entertainment happen onboard this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Captain's welcome dinner and entertainment onboard the ship)
Included Activities
- Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam
- Cruise through Xiling Gorge
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to the world's largest ship lock with ship lift (available to book on the ship)
- Optional 'Tribe of the Three Gorges' excursion (if river conditions permit) - learn about traditions and culture of the region
Landmarks Three Gorges Dam Xiling Gorge - Day 5
Three Gorges Cruise
Start the morning with an optional tai chi lesson on deck. You'll transfer to another boat and sail through Goddess Stream, then into Wu Gorge with its forest-covered mountains and sheer cliffs. Next comes Qutang Gorge, the smallest but most dramatic of the three at just 500 feet wide and five miles long. Dinner is included this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Goddess Stream
- Cruise through Wu Gorge
- Cruise through Qutang Gorge
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi lesson on board the ship
- Optional excursion to White Emperor City (subject to river conditions) - ancient temple on top of a mountain with spectacular views
Landmarks Goddess Stream Wu Gorge Qutang Gorge White Emperor City - Day 6
Three Gorges Cruise
This is your last day on the Yangtze. You can choose to visit Fengdu Ghost City with its shrines, temples, statues, and monasteries that all relate to the afterlife. Later this evening, you'll join the captain for a farewell dinner onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner with captain)
Optional Activities
- Visit Fengdu Ghost City - shrines, temples, statues and monasteries dedicated to the afterlife
Landmarks Fengdu Ghost City - Day 7
Chongqing to Chengdu
You'll disembark in Chongqing and explore Ciqikou Old Town, which has over 1,700 years of history. The Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings here are made from bamboo and timber. You can watch embroidery workshops, have tea at one of the 100 plus tea bars, and check out the Guild Hall complex. By evening, you'll take the high-speed train to Chengdu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ciqikou Old Town - explore Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, embroidery workshops, and the Guild Hall
- High-speed train journey to Chengdu
Landmarks Ciqikou Old Town Guild Hall 
- Day 8
Chengdu
Your morning is spent at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see these endangered animals. In the afternoon, you'll walk along Jinli Street with its tea houses, silk workshops, and local restaurants. Tonight, there's an optional Face Changing Show (opera, music, comedy, fire-breathing, puppetry) in a traditional tea house with dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Excursion to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Stroll along Jinli Street - tea houses, silk workshops, local restaurants and snack vendors
Optional Activities
- Face Changing Show in traditional tea house - opera, music, comedy, fire-breathing, puppetry, and face-changing act (dinner included)
Landmarks Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Jinli Street - Day 9
Chengdu to Xi'an
You'll travel by high-speed train to Xi'an, known as the 'City of Eternal Peace.' When you arrive, you'll visit the Hangyangling Museum to see small clay figures and warriors, then explore the ancient City Wall. After an authentic dumpling dinner, you'll see Xi'an at night, visiting the illuminated Bell Tower and Drum Tower, checking out the west gate of the City Walls, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda with its dancing fountain, and exploring the Muslim Market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Special and authentic Dumpling dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Hangyangling Museum (tomb of Emperor Jingdi)
- Visit ancient City Wall
- Xi'an by night excursion - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, west gate of City Walls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Market
Landmarks Hangyangling Museum Xi'an City Wall Bell Tower Drum Tower Big Wild Goose Pagoda Muslim Market - Day 10
Xi'an
You'll visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum at Li Shan Mountain. You'll see at least 6,000 life-size terracotta figures that were buried around 200 BC with the first Qin emperor. The warriors are arranged in battle order as an Imperial Guard, some on chariots with spears, swords, and crossbows. After lunch you'll return to Xi'an for a relaxed afternoon. Tonight is free, or you can catch the Tang Dynasty show performed by the Shaanxi Song and Dance Troupe.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum at Li Shan Mountain
Optional Activities
- Tang Dynasty show performed by Shaanxi Song and Dance Troupe (listed as one of top 10 things to do in Xi'an)
Landmarks Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum Li Shan Mountain - Day 11
Xi'an to Beijing
You'll take the bullet train to Beijing, China's capital city known for its street markets, temples, palaces, and grand buildings. After arriving, you'll head to the Summer Palace. If weather cooperates, you'll take a boat ride on Kunming Lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Summer Palace
- Boat ride on Kunming Lake (if weather conditions favourable)
Landmarks Summer Palace Kunming Lake 
- Day 12
Beijing
Today covers another major highlight: Tiananmen Square with the Qianmen Gate, the Great Hall of the People, and the Gate of Heavenly Peace bordering it. You'll go through the Gate of Heavenly Peace into the Forbidden City to see the buildings that once housed the Imperial Palace. This afternoon, you'll take a rickshaw through the narrow streets of Hutong, stopping to visit local families and see how people live traditionally. Tonight is free, or there's an optional acrobatic show with dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square and surrounding gates
- Visit Forbidden City and Imperial Palace buildings
- Hutong tour by rickshaw - visit local families in traditional residences
Optional Activities
- Beijing acrobatic show with dinner
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Qianmen Gate Gate of Heavenly Peace Great Hall of the People Forbidden City - Day 13
Beijing
Your tour ends here in Beijing today. You'll say goodbye to your traveling companions and head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
