Tripology

Commercial Flight

Depart USA for Beijing, China.

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

Hotel

Stay at hotel.

Sightseeing

Your adventure begins in 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.

Sightseeing

After lunch you’ll visit the Summer Palace, a fairyland of pagodas, pavilions and stone bridges on the outskirts of the city.

Food and Dining

Tonight you’ll sample the delicious local cuisine at a neighborhood 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

Enjoy dinner tonight at a Beijing restaurant. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

This morning 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

After lunch you’ll forget about the skyscrapers and construction cranes of modern Beijing as you venture into Hutong, where the atmosphere of Old Peking lives on. You’ll bicycle or ride rickshaws down narrow lanes and alleyways, past vegetable markets, traditional medicine shops and tiny, wooden teahouses.

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.

Commercial Flight

Take the short, two-hour 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.

Sightseeing

You’ll begin your visit with a tour of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures from India.

Sightseeing

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.

Food and Dining

Lunch and dinner will be at local restaurants. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

Today you’ll visit what for many is the high point of their trip to China - the excavation site of the Terra-Cotta Warriors. 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.

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 Chongquing.

Museums

Visit the World War II and Stillwell Museums.

River or Barge Cruise

Board your Yangtze River cruiser, the M.V. Paradise.

Sightseeing

At midnight 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) and the New Dam construction site. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

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

River or Barge Cruise

This morning you’ll sail through miles of stunning gorges.

Sightseeing

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. 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. B,L,D.

Sightseeing

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. You’ll disembark at Yichang at about 1:30 p.m.

Commercial Flight

Fly to Shanghai, China’s largest and most cosmopolitan city.

Hotel

You’ll be met by an English speaking guide and driven to your hotel.

Shopping

This evening experience Shanghai’s world-famous nightclubs on your own, walk along Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s fabulous shopping street, or simply enjoy the hotel’s amenities and rest up for tomorrow’s adventures. B,L.

Sightseeing

Today 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.

Sightseeing

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. You’ll also tour a carpet factory.

Performing Arts

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

Say “zai jian” (goodbye) to China. You will be escorted to the airport for your flight home. B.