Yangtze River Splendor   Itinerary   Day 1    Arrive at Beijing You arrive at Beijing, China’s capital. Your English-speaking tour guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your deluxe hotel.                                          Day 2     Beijing                                                                                   B, L, SD An exciting day starts with a stroll along the ancient promenades of one of the world’s great wonders, the Great Wall. Built to protect China from invaders, this winding barrier of brick and stone could circle the world with a wall eight feet high. Later, visit the legendary Ming Tombs, resting place of 13 emperors. After lunch you will visit the Summer Palace, a former summer resort for the royal family, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming. This evening you are invited to a “Peking Duck” dinner.                                                                                                                     Day 3     Beijing                                                                                   B, L Today you will ride on a trishaw through the back streets of old Beijing. Enjoy tea with a local family. After lunch, visit impressive Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and the Palace Museum, known as the Forbidden City. The complex of imperial palaces was home to the emperors for over 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties.                           Day 4    Beijing                                                                                   B, L Your sightseeing this morning brings you to the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. It is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. The remainder of the day is at leisure to shop or discover more of the city on your own.    Day 5    Beijing / Xian                                                                         B, L, SD This morning, take a two-hour flight to Xian, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. Upon arrival, meet your tour guide at the airport and be transferred to your 5-star hotel. After a short rest, tour of the Drum Tower. Day 6    Xian                                                                                       B, L, SD This exciting day of sightseeing will include the famous Terra-cotta Army and Bronze Chariots. More than 6,000 pieces of  2,200-year-old  life-size figures – individually sculpted from real-life models – represent soldiers, horses, and ministers who guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb.  Later visit a village at Lintong where former President Clinton enjoyed his visit. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in 652 AD. It contains a large number of Buddhist scriptures obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang. This evening, be our guests at a 12-course Dumpling Dinner.   Day 7    Xian / Chongqing                                                                    B. L, SD Visit Shannxi Provincial Historical Museum before flying to Chongqing. City tour of Erling Park and City Hall. Enjoy Chongqing’s Hot Pot Dinner and the beautiful night view of the city            Day 8    Dazu                                                                                      B, L, D Full-day tour of Dazu where you will marvel at an exceptional series of rock carvings dating from the 9th to the 13th century. These rock carvings are remarkable for their aesthetic quality, their rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period. They provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Transfer back to Chongqing and embark on a cruise along the Yangtze River, the third largest river in the world.   Day 9   Fengdu                                                                                   B, L, D Onboard activities include a lecture on the art of calligraphy and a massage demonstration and daily Tai Chi lesson in the morning. Today’s excursion site is Fengdu. Known as the “Adobe of Devil,” Fengdu and nearby Pingdu Mountain attract tourists with their temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld.   Day 10   Shennong Stream                                                                B, L, D Sail through the spectacular Qutang Gorge, the smallest of the three Yangtze gorges.  After passing through the Qutang Gorges, you will arrive at Badong in the morning. From Badong take a shore excursion to Shennong Stream. During this breathtaking journey, you may see the ancient roads, precipice coffins, and golden-haired monkeys. Return to the Yangtze and pass through Wu Gorge, famous for its lofty Twelve Peaks and then on to the fabled Xiling Gorge. Finally you will sail through the dramatic Three Gorges Ship Lock.                                                             Day 11   Three Gorges Dam, Yichange / Shanghai                             B, L, D             Today you will take an excursion to the widely talked about Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Disembark at Yichang. Your local tour guide will meet you at the pier and assist you for your flight to Shanghai, the most cosmopolitan city in China. Evening tour of Xin Tian Di, the hottest new entertainment district in Shanghai.   Day 12   Shanghai                                                                               B, L, D Today you will stroll along the Bund, a riverside promenade with grand colonial buildings, then visit Yuyuan Garden and the Shanghai Museum which houses a collection of 120,000 cultural relics. Meet students at the Children’s Palace. In the evening, enjoy a thrilling Acrobatic Show.   Day 13          Shanghai / Hangzhou                                                     B, L              Take the soft-seat train to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as the most beautiful city in the world. Tour of Flower Harbor Park.   Day 14   Hangzhou                                                                               B, L, D  Today’s sightseeing begins with a trip on beautiful West Lake, a favorite subject for Chinese artists for more than 1,000 years. After lunch visit Flying Peak and Lingying Monstery, home of the “Laughing Buddha”.  Then sample a cup of Dragon Well green tea at the Tea Orchard.                                                                                          Day 15   Hangzhou / Guilin                                                                   B, L, D Fly to Guilin, a city known for its beautiful landscape, the spectacular pointed mountains, the winding rivers and limestone rock formations. Tour the Reed Flute Cave to view the extraordinary scenery underground and then climb up Fubo Hill for a panoramic view of the city.               Day 16   Guilin                                                                                       B, L, D Take in the lovely vista of the valley’s misty peaks as you cruise down the Li River to the charming country town of Yangshuo. Visit a local market before returning to Guilin.                                           Day 17   Guilin / Hong Kong                                                                  B, L Today you will fly to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.                 Day 18   Hong Kong                                                                              B This dynamic city unfolds in a half-day city tour to Aberdeen, Repulse Bay, Victoria Peak and Stanley Market. Pursue your own interests during the open afternoon.   Day 19   Depart Hong Kong                                                                     B Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or to your next destination.