Tripology

Commercial Flight

Depart USA for Shanghai, China.

Your tour of one of the most fascinating countries in the world begins in Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city and the most dynamic city in Asia. An English-speaking guide will meet your flight, drive you to your hotel and help you check in.

Hotel

Stay at Galaxy Hotel (4 star) or similar hotels.

Sightseeing

This morning you’ll recall Shanghai’s past as you visit the Bund, the city’s lively waterfront, and see the remains of the banks and other colonial institutions of the 19th century. You’ll visit Yuyuan Garden in the old part of the city and the Jade Buddha Temple with its fine collection of carved jade statues.

Sightseeing

You’ll also tour a carpet factory and visit the Oriental Pearl Tower for a spectacular 360-degree view of Shanghai.

Performing Arts

After dinner, you’ll attend a thrilling acrobatic show.

Hotel

Later, experience Shanghai’s world-famous nightclubs on your own or enjoy the hotel’s amenities and rest up for tomorrow’s adventures. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

This morning you’ll travel by road to Zhujiajao, a well-preserved, traditional river town with lovely water views, ancient arched stone bridges and elegant gardens.

Museums

After lunch, you’ll return to Shanghai and tour the fascinating Shanghai Museum to see artifacts from every period of China’s past. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Shopping

Shop, discover more of the city on your own or revisit your favorite sites.

Food and Dining

Dinner will be at a local restaurant. B,L,D.

Commercial Flight

Fly to Yichang.

River or Barge Cruise

Board your Yangtze River cruiser, the M.V. Princess Sissi. B,L,D.

River or Barge Cruise

At 8:00am you’ll set sail on the Yangtze, the third longest river in the world, bound for the magnificent, wild scenery of the Three Gorges (Xiling, Wu and Qutang Gorges).

Sightseeing

Later today you’ll visit the Yangtze River Dam construction site. When the project is completed, it will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. B,L,D.

River or Barge Cruise

This morning you’ll sail through miles of stunning gorges. At noon you’ll arrive at Badong where you’ll disembark for a magical excursion down the Shennong Stream. Local trackers will pull us in wooden sampans through awesome gorges and lush pine forests.

Sightseeing

Along the way you’ll see the remnants of ancient roads and pass cliff-top grottos that held the coffins of warriors. You’ll see translucent pools, aquatic caves and rainbow fountains. If you are lucky, you’ll glimpse rare animals, such as the golden-haired monkey.

River or Barge Cruise

Afterwards continue cruising the Yangtze River. B,L,D.

River or Barge Cruise

You’ll take a short break from the fabulous natural scenery to visit the most spectacular manmade site along the river, Shibaozhai, the Stone Treasure Fortress.

Sightseeing

You’ll disembark to explore this 12-story red, wooden pagoda that stands against a sheer rock wall. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

Your boat will arrive at Chongquing at approximately 9:00am. You’ll disembark after breakfast and visit the World War II and Stillwell Museums.

Commercial Flight

You’ll also stop at the Painters’ Village on your way to the airport for your flight to Xian, Imperial Capital of the Tang Dynasty and eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road, a city with a long tradition of welcoming foreign visitors.

Hotel

You’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Food and Dining

Dinner will be in a local restaurant. B,L,D.

Hotel

Stay at Aurum International Hotel (4 star) or similar hotel.

Sightseeing

Today you’ll visit the excavation site of the Terra-Cotta Warriors, for many the high point of their trip to China. More than 6000 soldiers, ministers and horses, each individually sculpted from a real life model, stand guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s still unopened tomb. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the site, get a good look at the warriors from various vantage points and visit the excellent museum.

Sightseeing

You’ll also visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures from India. You’ll stroll through Xian’s bustling markets and visit the Provincial History Museum where you’ll see artifacts from the Paleolithic period, priceless Tang Dynasty bronzes and treasures from the Silk Road caravans.

Performing Arts

Tonight you’ll celebrate Xian’s rich history with dinner and entertainment at the Tang Dynasty show. B,L,SD.

Commercial Flight

Take a morning flight to Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China.

Sightseeing

An English-speaking guide will meet your flight and take you to visit the Summer Palace, a fairyland of pagodas, pavilions and stone bridges on the outskirts of the city.

Food and Dining

Lunch will be in a local restaurant and we’ll assist you with hotel check in.

Food and Dining

Tonight you’ll sample the delicious local cuisine at a neighborhood restaurant. B,L,D.

Hotel

Stay at Chang An Grand Hotel or similar (5 star).

Sightseeing

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven, one of China’s most photographed attractions. This ornate wooden structure was where the “Sons of Heaven”, as the Chinese Emperors were known, worshipped the gods and prayed for good harvests. It is the largest temple complex in China and the lovely park surrounding the ancient tower is a popular spot for morning Tai Chi.

Sightseeing

You’ll also visit Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing and the largest public space on earth. Step back in time as you pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace and enter the Forbidden City, home to the Imperial Courts of the Ming and Qing Dynasties for more than 500 years. The Forbidden City is an enormous complex of perfectly preserved palaces, temples, magnificent squares and formal gardens.

Sightseeing

You’ll stroll cobblestone paths once known only to the Emperor’s most intimate advisors, visit the private apartments of Imperial concubines and see stunning collections of priceless art, furnishings, and jewelry.

Food and Dining

Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

Leave the bustle and traffic of Beijing behind and journey through the countryside to see one of the Wonders of the World – The Great Wall. There will be plenty of time to walk along a portion of this 3700-mile long marvel or to simply sit and contemplate the wonders of China’s past.

Sightseeing

After lunch you’ll visit the massive tomb complex of the Ming Emperors where you’ll walk along the “Sacred Way” passing between pairs of huge stone sculptures.

Food and Dining

This evening you’ll enjoy the capital’s most famous dining experience - a Peking Duck Dinner Party – then attend a special cultural performance. B,L,SD.

Bid farewell to Beijing. You will be driven to the airport for your return flight. B.