MEALS

American breakfast daily (B), 10 lunches (L), 8 dinners (D), including a Peking Duck welcome dinner in Beijing and a farewell dinner in Hong Kong

SUPERIOR HOTELS

Beijing Westin Beijing (D), Xi'an Golden Flower (SF), Victoria Cruises Victoria Anna or Victoria Jenna, Shanghai Westin Shanghai (D), Guilin Sheraton Guilin Hotel (F), Hong Kong Harbour Plaza (harbor-view rooms) (D)

INSIDE VISITS

Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

Itinerary

Day 1

Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2 Arrive in Beijing, China

Welcome to China's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3 Beijing

Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China's great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening, meet your traveling companions at a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Beijing

The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China's barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Beijing-Xi'an

This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing's HUTONGS, the city's ancient alleys. Experience life in this historic neighborhood as you are invited into a daycare center and into the courtyard of a family's home for a tea ceremony. Later, fly to Xi'an. This evening, enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" DINNER SHOW featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D)

Day 6 Xi'an-Chongqing (Embarkation)-Yangtze River Cruise

One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. In 1974, the enormous tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Next, board a flight to Chongqing, China's capital during World War II. Visit a local ZOO to see pandas before boarding the Victoria Anna for a 3-night CRUISE through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Cruising: Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu

Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, "Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province," where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff side; or Fengdu, where you'll visit Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Cruising: Shennong Stream or Daning River

Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges-Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Cruising: Three Gorges Dam Site-Yichang (Disembarkation)-Shanghai

View tiny villages clinging to hillsides as you proceed toward Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch, say farewell to your ship's crew in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most populous city and center of trade and industry. (B,L)

Day 10 Shanghai

Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings housing banks and trade houses. You'll visit a SILK FACTORY and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. This evening, be amazed at a fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Shanghai

Enjoy a full day at leisure to pursue your own discoveries. Perhaps join an optional trip to a nearby ancient watertown or shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road and the famous Friendship Store on the Bund. (B)

Day 12 Shanghai-Guilin

After a morning at leisure, enjoy lunch and visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, one of China's most beautiful areas. Tonight, you may choose to join our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiang fishing method. (B,L)

Day 13 Guilin

Limestone mountains, their needle peaks hidden in mist, rise from the green plain surrounding Guilin. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that artists have tried to capture for centuries. Savor unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River and enjoy a light lunch. (B,L)

Day 14 Guilin-Hong Kong

Visit the famous REED FLUTE CAVE to see unusual stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then, visit a local TEA FARM for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process followed by a tea ceremony. Later, fly to Hong Kong. (B,L)

Day 15 Hong Kong

This morning's sightseeing begins with a cable car ride up to VICTORIA PEAK for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Continue to Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, then to the Aberdeen fishing village for a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbor. Next stop is STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts, and crafts. Tonight, consider an optional sunset cruise on Hong Kong's magnificent harbor. (B)

Day 16 Hong Kong

A full free day to explore this exciting city. You may wish to join one of our optional excursions to view the giant Buddha on the island of Lantau or to learn about Hong Kong's history before the British colonized the area. Shopping is a highlight of Hong Kong with markets, malls, and shops to fit any taste and budget. This evening is the perfect finale to a great adventure as you're hosted at a special farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 17

Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers may be included when you make your flight arrangements.