Essence of China with Yangtze River Cruise

Arrive in Beijing the capital of the People’s Republic of China. You are welcomed at the airport and escorted to the hotel.

Start your tour this morning with a visit to the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the Forbidden City, the 250-acre palace containing more than 9,000 rooms. Closed to the common people for centuries.

Visit the Great wall, stopping en route at the Bird’s Nest & Water Cube for a picture stop. The Great Wall, built 2,300 years ago and extending 3,750 miles, can be seen from space!. Afternoon visit Sacred Way and Ming Tomb – Changling Tomb.

In the morning visit the Temple of Heaven, possibly the country’s most popular symbol and the Lama Temple, considered as the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in present day China. Later fly to Xian, once the largest city in the world.

Xian captured the interest of the world in 1974 with the discovery of the astonishing third-century BC burial sites of the first emperor to unite China, Qin Shi Huangdi. Visit the archaeological site to see thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors.

Morning is free until transfer to airport for flight flying to Chongqing. Arrive Chongqing, city tour if time permits. Sichuan flavor dinner at local restaurant, and then transfer to pier to board on the cruise , embark on Victoria Jenna or Sabrina.

Shore excursion to Shibaozhai, literally translated into English as the “Stone Treasure Fortress.” Located in Zhong County at the south bank of the Yangtze River (30 miles away from Wanxian).

Qutang Gorge finds the river carving its way between sheer precipices of overhanging mountains on both sides. Continue through the wondrous Wu Gorge, a meandering landscape of dazzling peaks and rocks, forming a whimsical gallery of natural beauty.

Take a shore excursion to see the massive construction of Three Gorges Dam, the world largest hydroelectric project. Continue sailing down in the second section of Xiling Gorges. Disembark in Yichang and proceed to the airport.

Your morning tour of Shanghai includes a visit to Yuyuan Garden and the Old Town. Afternoon visit the Shanghai Museum and the Bund, a wide, tree-lined avenue along the Huangpu River and Tianzifang Artist area, famous for small craft stores.

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)