| DAY .1 | Beijing |
|
| Arrive in Beijing today. Met by your guide and transferred to the Hotel. |
| DAY .2 | Beijing Sightseeing Tour |
| | Today we have a full day excursion to the magnificent Great Wall, the only man-made object visible from moon by naked eyes. After a very traditional northern Chinese style lunch served at local restaurant, we return the city via the valley of Ming Tombs. |
| DAY .3 | Beijing Sightseeing Tour |
| | After breakfast, you are off for sightseeing tour of Beijing, the tour includes the vast Tian An Men Square, and Ming treasures adorning the imperial palace in the once Forbidden City. In the afternoon, more Ming extravagances are evident as you tour the exquisite architecture and vivid embellishment of the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. |
| DAY .4 | Beijing/Xian |
| | Explore this exciting city on your own today. Transfer to the train station for your overnight train trip to Xian. |
| DAY .5 | Xian |
| | In 1974, a group of local farmers made "the archaeological discovery of the century" while attempting to dig a well near Xian. Our first priority today is a stop at their find, the First Emperor of China's tomb complex with its army of terra cotta warriors. |
| DAY .6 | Xian - Chongqing |
| | Later this afternoon, we fly to Chongqing. As we settle into our comfortable cabins, our cruise director and staff members are on hand to assist with information about shipboard facilities. |
| DAY .7-8 | Yangtze River
|
| | The appeal of the Yangtze lies not only in the river's great natural beauty, but in the cultural and historical ties which link nearby communities with its life-giving waters. Our cruise takes us through the legendary Three Gorges, an inspiration for Chinese poetry and painting for centuries. We travel through Qutang Gorge, the "Devil's Gate," renowned for its treacherous currents, precipitous heights and narrow width; Wu, or "Witches" Gorge, with its 12 towering peaks; and the rapids, whirlpools and seven small gorges of Xiling Gorge, longest and most exciting of the Three. |
| DAY .9 | Yangtze River - Beijing |
| | We depart for Beijing, capital and cultural heart of both modern and historic China. After settling in at our hotel, an afternoon of sightseeing includes a visit to the magnificent Temple of Heaven, one of the most beautiful architectural structures in all of China. |
| DAY .10-11 | Beijing Sightseeing Tour
|
| | Spend two days exploring the treasures of this fabled city. Later, we visit the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square, site of the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong. We pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace as we venture into the Forbidden City; and visit the breathtaking sight of the Great Wall of China. Other Beijing highlights include the quaint Liu Li Chang district. Our farewell dinner is at the exclusive China Club. |
| DAY .12 | Beijing/Home |
| | Today we board a homebound flight or travel on to another destinatiosn in the Orient. |
