GROUP TOUR: CLASSIC CHINA WITH YANGZI RIVER CRUISE 15 DAYS

DAY 1 : HOME - SHANGHAI
Our journey begins with a flight to Shanghai.

DAY 2 : SHANGHAI
Arrival into Shanghai and transfer to our deluxe hotel. This afternoon our guide will take you for a walk along the Bund, the exciting waterfront, filled with colourful neo-classical buildings.
Stroll along the Former French Concession Area, lined with unique stone framed houses 'Shikemen'. We'll have a warm welcome dinner in a chic restaurant with superb fusion cuisine. (D)
Accommodation : 2 nights in Huating Hotel & Towers

DAY 3 : SHANGHAI
Today embark on an overview city tour including the Jade Buddha Temple to view its fascinating sitting Buddha, weights as much as 1000 kg, carved from a single chunk of white jade; Shanghai Art Museum; a walk along the Old Town and Yuyuan Garden and sip tea in a delightful tea house where Queen Elizabeth II and President Bill Clinton alike were among its guest list. (B, L)

DAY 4 : SHANGHAI - WUHAN
This morning we'll fly to Wuhan. Enjoy a short city tour of the historic Yellow Crane Tower and Temple of Purity before boarding our cruise where we spend the next five nights.

The Victoria Cruise is one of the best cruise ships sailing on the Yangzi River. Your cabin is equiped with a large picture window to enjoy the beautiful scenery. During the next few days, when not on deck, you may attend lectures on Chinese medicine, calligraphy, history or the Three Gorges Dam project, or enjoy the various amenities onboard including outdoor jacuzzi, fitness center, massage serivce, game room and beauty salon. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 : YANGZI RIVER CRUISE
Cruise set sail in the morning for a five-day journey on the mightly Yangzi River. Our first port of call is at Yueyang, where we'll visit the attractive Yueyang Pavilion, a scared temple complex with a history dating back to the Tang Dynasty in the 8th century. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 : YANGZI RIVER CRUISE
This morning sail through the Three Gorges Dam Site where we take this opportunity to see this greatest water engineering project in man-kind history. Later we'll sail through the magnificent Xiling Gorges and Wu Gorges. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 : YANGZI RIVER CRUISE
This morning enjoy a fantastic ride on sampan along the crystal waters of the Shennong Stream. After lunch onboard, prepare yourself for the stunning scene as we sail through the last gorge - the Qutang Gorge. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 : YANGZI RIVER CRUISE
Continue sailing along the lush mountain range of Sichuan. This afternoon our cruise dock at Fengdu, known as the "City of Devils." Here you see numerous devil-like statues in temples dotted on the lush Mingshan Hill since the Tang Dynasty in 10th-century A.D. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 : CHONGQING - XIAN
After breakfast, disembark cruise at Chongqing where we'll take a short flight to Xian. Upon arrival Xian, transfer to our deluxe hotel. This afternoon enjoy a grand city tour covering the Shaanxi Provincial Museum to view its extensive collection of artifacts from prehistory Stone Age to the contemporary period, Big Goose Pagoda, built to house precious Buddhist scriptures imported from India along the Silk Road, and Forest of Steles with thousands of life-size stone books carved with beautiful calligraphy of infamous scholars and poets. (B, L)
Accommodation : 2 nights in Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel

DAY 10 : XIAN
This morning our guide will take all interested guests to have a walk on the Ancient City Walls, preserved through the ages, the massive Wall encloses today's Xian city center. The South Gate is a lively pedestrian quarter where you'll see locals practising Tai Chi exercises, street artists demonstrating their wonderful skills, and vendors selling their hand-made craftworks. After lunch in a local restaurant with Xian speciality dishes, tour The Terracotta Warriors - one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the 20th century - with thousands of life-size warrior sculptures, each with unique figure, armed with bronze swords, stand guardian to the resting place of the mighty Emperor Qin, who first unified China in the 3rd century B.C.
We conclude our day with a dumping dinner show. (B, L, D)

DAY 11 : XIAN - BEIJING
Morning fly to Beijing, the capital of China, and transfer to our deluxe hotel conveniently located in center of the city - just steps from Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, with a range of fine restaurants nearby. After settling in, embark on an overview city tour covering the to the Tiananmen Square - the politcal center of China, the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao, and the Great Hall of Parliament. Explore the Forbidden City, a massive imperial palace, from which some 13 emperors ruled the nation across five centuries. (B, L)
Accommodation : 4 nights in Tianlun Dynasty Hotel

DAY 12 : BEIJING
This morning we'll tour the Temple of Heaven built in 1420. Its triple-layered marble terrace, dragon-phoenix ceiling and a circular roof painted in deep blue, topped with a large gold knob, is all but a perfect example of Ming architecture. Later, we will be treated with an exclusive imperial banquet lunch set in a glamorous restaurant.
This afternoon visit the Summer Palace, a grand and sensual palace complex set around the beautiful Kunming Lake, is a favorite summer residence of Empress Cixi. Your guide will escort you through the 'Long Corridor' and describe its rich artistic history. You will then have some leisure time to further explore the site. (B, L)

DAY 13 : BEIJING
Today we will travel outside of the city to visit The Great Wall, a symbol of Chinese civilisation, the Wall stretches over 6000 km from the Yellow Sea in the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west. You may walk along or take a cable car ride to the top for a panoramic view of this wonderful structure, which is one of the few sights in the world still able to exceed the expectations of visitors. Weather permitting we will have a picnic lunch on an ancient tower. Later in the afternoon, returns to our hotel for a refreshing shower.
Tonight an acrobatics show has been arranged — enjoy the marvelous acts of juggling, contortionism, chair-stacking, and plate-spinning of the award-winning China Acrobatic Troupe. (B, L)

DAY 14 : BEIJING
This morning our guide will take all interested shoppers to some of the best markets in town — these places are by far the best in China to stock up on fine ceramics, antiques, and other inspiring merchandises. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. We suggest a tea break in one of the traditional tea houses to soak up plenty of atmosphere. You may also want to take a rickshaw ride along the cobblestone lanes of 'Hutong' and stop to pay a visit to the Prince Gong's Mansion, Drum Tower or further explore other cultural sights on your own.
Our farewell dinner will be in one of the finest restaurants in Beijing. (B, D)

DAY 15 : BEIJING - HOME
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight home. End of itinerary. (B)

Optional Extension:   Hong Kong 3 days