China and the Yangtze

Upon arrival, after clearing immigration and customs, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.

The very first stop of your amazing trip in China is the Temple of Heaven, where, as the name indicates, the emperors in Ming (1368 – 1644 AD) %26 Qing (1636 – 1912 AD) Dynasties used to worship heaven and pray for good harvest. Continue on to Tian’anmen Square. This square is of great political significance since the year 1949, when the inauguration ceremony of the founding of People’s Republic of China was held
here. Just across, visit the Forbidden City. The complex comprises over 70 palaces and 9,000 rooms altogether, each of which is uniquely designed and built.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Your attention will be shifted from royal families to those of common people as you ride a pedicab through Hutong, the oldest existing neighborhoods of residential purposes developed during the Ming %26 Qing Dynasties.

This morning, depart for 2-hour journey to the most unrestored section of the Great Wall – Jinshanling. Ascend along the stone steps to the watch towers, from which you can have an uninterrupted view of the surrounding mountains and the wall itself winding through. Take time to walk around and enjoy the views. Return to your hotel and evening at leisure.

Morning at leisure. All group members meet for a lunch and proceed for an afternoon excursion to the Summer
Palace. The garden was initially built to celebrate the 60th birthday of Emperor Qianlong’s mother in 1749.
Centered on Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, the entire complex occupies an area of 2.9 square kilometers. Three
quarters of the area is covered by water. Numerous architectures are dotted around the garden with its respective
function as well. It is acclaimed as ‘a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design’ by UNESCO.

You will be transferred to the railway station to catch a morning departure of high speed train from Beijing to Datong. When you arrive after a 2-hour journey, you will meet a new guide and proceed for a morning excursion to Yungang Grottoes. It is a Buddhism-themed masterpiece finished in the early years of 5th Century, when Datong, named Pingcheng at that time, served as the capital city of Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD), a kingdom
established by a nomadic tribe. The Buddhist statues are all carved out of the sandstone rocks on the slope of a mountain and each cave houses at least one giant statue and numerous miniatures on the inner wall.

Next, a 1-hour drive takes you to another architectural marvel on a cliff – the Hanging Monastery overlooking a valley with 60
meters above the ground, fully embodies the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient Chinese architects. The whole structure is supported by 27 oak crossbeams fitted into holes chiseled into the cliffs but they are skillfully hidden in the bedrock. Therefore, it
looks like that the temple just hangs in the middle of the cliff with no support from afar. The monastery has a history of 1,500 years.
After, you will embark on a 4-hour transfer all the way to Pingyao for an overnight stay.

Having been first recognized and recorded in books as early as 800 BC, Pingyao remains the best preserved ancient town out of those built in Ming (1368 – 1644 AD) & Qing (1636 – 1912 AD) Dynasties with a complete city wall as protection.

Wandering around in this small town, you feel just like you were taken back to hundreds of years ago. There are lots of places to visit and learn about within the town: Confucius Temple, Yamen (government office), Biaoju, Piaohao, just to name a few.

After lunch, head to the railway station for a 4-hour high speed train to Xian. Upon your arrival, a guide is waiting to transfer you to the hotel.

Xi’an, once the capital of Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) is the largest city in Northwest China. The first stop today is the Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses, acclaimed as the biggest archeological find of 20th Century worldwide. Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, ordered the building of his mausoleum to be started
as soon as he ascended the throne in 246 BC, which involved 700,000 workers. The warriors, chariots and horses made of terra cotta was designed, molded and fired to its original sizes, and finally buried with the emperor to protect him in his afterlife. Head back and explore the lively Muslim quarter. The history dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), when Muslim merchants came via the Silk Road. Half of the Muslim population in Xi’an
currently resides here and is one of the busiest places in Xi’an due to numerous food stands lining along the two sides of the roads within the enclave, and the unique culture nurtured by its history.

The inner city of Xi’an is completely walled and the wall stretches over a total length of 14 kilometers in rectangular shape. The wall was first built in the early years of Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) to mainly serve the purposes of military defense and food storage. Along the top of the wall is a walkway paved with stones and bricks offering various views of the city. Bicycle rental service is available on the wall. Your second stop today and the final place to visit in this ancient capital is Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang.

Spend a leisure afternoon at Tangbo Art Museum and browse the traditional folk arts and ancient paintings displayed. Attend a lecture about Chinese calligraphy and create your own masterpiece there. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the airport to catch an afternoon flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your guide is waiting to transfer you to the pier to board the 3-night Yangtze River Cruise. Settle into your cabin as the ship sails downstream to the stunning Three Gorges region.

Start your morning with traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. Then, disembark and enjoy a shore excursion to Shibao Pagoda, where you take in local life on a visit to a village relocated to make way for the Three Gorges Dam Project. Meet with a local family, visit a kindergarten and enjoy a kaleidoscope of sights at the farmers market. This afternoon, learn about Chinese traditional medicine and reflexology and/or do another optional shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City at your own expense.

Early this morning, the ship navigates the Qutang and Wu Gorges before anchoring at Badong, where you board a ferry and travel up the Shennong Stream. Transfer to a ’pea pod’ boats poled by Tujia boatmen to view the scenic Bamboo Gorge. The Tujia are members of a local minority culture famed for their boat-building skills and keen knowledge of the Yangtze. Return to the ship by ferryboat, accompanied by a Tujia boat tracker who shares
insights into his daily life. Tonight, savour a ’Taste of China’ dinner, followed by onboard entertainment.

Arrive at the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Center to learn the history of the world’s largest dam, including the story of the resettlement of the 1.2 million residents of the cities submerged behind the 400-foottall engineering marvel.
Disembark in Yichang around midday, transfer to the train station to catch an afternoon high speed train to Shanghai and transfer onwards to the hotel upon arrival.

As the most developed city around China, Shanghai is also the worldwide icon for fashion and lifestyle. Your exploration in this metropolis begins with a visit to Xintiandi, a masterpiece of functional transformation from old dwelling quarter into a business complex home to many boutique hotels, luxury restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops and etc.

Start exploring of the city’s past with an excursion to Yuyuan Garden. Owned originally by a government official in Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD), the garden has been built with 20 years’ time. The courtyards, houses, ponds, pavilions and etc. are exquisitely laid out to create tiers of sceneries within the garden.
The Bund, an area that runs along the west bank of Huangpu River, with its many historical buildings and financial institutions, is known for the best place for a walk in China. The old buildings on the western bank and the new skyscrapers on the eastern side represent the past and the present Shanghai.

End the day with a scenic drive among the skyscrapers on the other side of Huangpu River. Return to your hotel and evening at leisure.

Today is a full day at leisure to continue exploring on your own.

Your journey comes to an end! You will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred (private car) to the airport.