DAY 1: USA - CHINA
Overnight flight to China. Services as per airline policy.
DAY 2: SHANGHAI
On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight. Due to various flight arrivals, meals are on your own.
DAY 3: SHANGHAI
Your morning panorama tour of this magnificent and growing city will include new and old highlights such as the Bund and the Yu Yuan Gardens. Return to your hotel for lunch (on own) and a short rest. This evening depart for a special welcome banquet at a local restaurant followed by a performance of the fabulous Chinese Acrobats! (B, SD)
DAY 4: SHANGHAI
EMBARKATION
Morning tour of the Children's Palace where talented children of all ages are taught the arts. Return to the hotel for check-out. Continue for a Mongolian style BBQ lunch followed by a visit to a local art center or Silk Factory. Enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant before transferring to the dock to board your luxurious floating hotel. (B, SL, D)
DAY 5: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE-NANJING
Sightseeing of this former war capital of China. On your included shore excursion you will visit Dr. Sun Yat Sen's (Father of China) Mausoleum and a Qing Dynasty bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple. Return to the ship and sail on. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE-HUANGSHAN
Today, a full day excursion will take you to the legendary Mt. Huangshan, famous for its natural beauty and as a fixture in Chinese lore. Continue sailing once back on board. Evening Crew Revue performance. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE-WUHAN
A merger of 3 cities, Wuhan lies on the confluence of two great rivers - the Yangtze and the Yellow River. Your city tour of this bustling capital will include a visit to the Hubei Provincial Museum. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE-FULL DAY AT SAIL
A wonderful day to enjoy your sailing experience to the fullest! Watch the magnificent passing scenery or participate in one of the many on board activities arranged by your crew including lectures, tea ceremonies, cooking lessons and similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 9: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE-YICHANG-THREE GORGES DAM
Today is an exciting day as you first sail through the old Gezhouba Dam and then visit the new gigantic 3 Gorges Dam set into operation in 2003. Return to the ship and then marvel at human ingenuity as you sail through 4 of the gigantic locks which will lift your ship up 70 meters and whose gigantic steel doors are 90 meters high and 2 meters thick! Then pass through the first of the three gorges - the wide and languid Xilling Gorge. Evening entertainment provided by your wonderful crew! (B, L, D)
DAY 10: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE-LESSER GORGES
First sail through the peaceful and mysterious Wu Gorge before arriving to the Danning River. Here you will take a smaller steamer ship into this Yangtze tributary where you will see unique wildlife, wild monkeys as well as the famous 'hanging coffins' of the ancient Ba people - etched into the cliff sides over 1000 years ago! Then you will board smaller sampan boats which will take you even further into the winding tributaries and streams, to view channels previously not accessible by any other means. Float back down in silence marveling at nature's tranquil beauty. Return to your ship via steamer. Tonight the crew will perform a classic Chinese Fashion show featuring authentic Chinese dress through the millennium. (B, L, D)
DAY 11: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE-FENGDU
Today brings you to Fengdu, China's fabled 'Ghost City'. The Chinese believe that when they die, their souls must first come to Fengdu and based on their life are either sent to heaven or hell! A colorful Temple reached by a ski lift sits on top of a 210 meter hill - and here is where you will have to pass the tests and see where your soul will be headed to! On your return to the ship, prepare for your final, fancy Captain's Farewell dinner, followed by our popular Talent Show! (B, L, D)
DAY 12: YANGTZE GRAND CRUISE - CHONQING - BEIJING
DISEMBARKATION
As all great things must end, so does your magnificent journey from the mouth of the China Sea to the heart of China's inland - Chongqing, the World's largest municipality with over 37 million people! Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. On arrival, dinner will be held at a local restaurant prior to reaching your hotel. (B, D)
DAY 13: BEIJING
Your morning tour will encompass the giant Tianamen Square followed by a tour of the Imperial ('Forbidden') Palace. Then it's on to the old part of the town - the Hutongs - where families still live in a communal setting. Here you will meet a local family who will invite you into their home and cook a home made lunch for you! This delightful day will end with an exciting cyclo ride through the narrow maze of the Hutong streets. Return to your hotel and if you can eat any more - the meal is on you! (B, L)
DAY 14: BEIJING
This morning take the excursion to the Great China Wall. Here you will have time to walk the ramparts and wonder in amazement how a structure of such size was ever built. After the tour, you will head back towards Beijing and stop at a local Jade and Silk factory where you will have lunch and enjoy some time for shopping. Return to your hotel for a short rest before heading out for your farewell dinner featuring - what else - the famous Peking Duck! (B, L, SD)
DAY 15: BEIJING - HOME
Pack your memories away as you transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) |
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