Day 1: Depart

En Route

Depart USA on your flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Arrive Beijing

Palace Hotel

Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3: Beijing

Palace Hotel

Begin the day at the heart of Beijing--Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. View priceless treasures of China's past and explore private chambers where emperors resided and common people were forbidden. This 250-acre palace contains more than 9,000 rooms. Lunch in classical Bei Hai Park Gardens at Fangshan. This afternoon enjoy a behind-the-scenes view of Hutong, the old city of Beijing, on traditional three-wheel cycles. Visit the 15th century Drum Tower and its intricate labyrinth. Walk along the ancient alleyways and visit both typical homes and gracious old estates once owned by the wealthy. Visit the Temple of Heaven where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to Heaven. It is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. (BL)

Day 4: Beijing

Palace Hotel

Today visit the Great Wall, built some 2,300 years ago, extending 3,750 miles and the only manmade landmark on earth clearly recognizable to the Apollo astronauts. A cable car ride give you a breathtaking view! Lunch is at the Beijing Golf and Country Club. Return via the Ming Tombs. Travel along the Sacred Way and see the stone animals guarding the route once forbidden to all except the emperor's funeral cortege. Tonight, attend a performance at the famous Peking Opera. (BL)

Day 5: Beijing

Palace Hotel

From the bustling energy of the city move on to the tranquil retreat of the Summer Palace, the rest and recreation area of the Royal Families for more than 1000 years. Visit Suzhou Street with its colorful shops and tea gardens. Visit Lama Temple, known as the Palace of Peace and Harmony. Lunch at Tingliuan. Shop in the Liulichang District. (BL)

Day 6: Beijing/Shanghai

Shanghai Hilton

Fly to Shanghai, China's largest city, combining the legacy of the past with the creative energy of the 21st century. In the afternoon, visit the fabulous new Shanghai Museum and the Children's Palace. Tonight, watch the fabulous Shanghai Acrobats in action! (B)

Day 7: Shanghai

Shanghai Hilton

Today's tour takes you to the Jade Buddha Temple, where China's most famous Buddhas are housed. Stroll the Bund, a popular gathering place where young and old practice their English with foreigners; and the classical Yu Garden. Visit Nanjing Road, the famous shopping street and stop at Dong Tai Street Market. Lunch at the Peace Hotel. (BL)

Day 8: Shanghai/Suzhou/Wuhan

Tainan Hotel

After an early breakfast, take a train to Suzhou, one of China's most charming cities well known for its silk and embroidery. Situated on the Grand Canal near Lake Tai, Suzhou has a network of canals crossed by graceful bridges. Cruise on the 1300-year-old Grand Canal, one of the man-made wonders of the ancient world. Visit Tiger Hill boasting eighteen sites of natural beauty and the Leaning Tower of the East - Yun Yan Si Temple Pagoda. Visit the Master of Nets Garden. Stop at the Embroidery Research Institute. Return to Shanghai. Fly to Wuhan. (BL)

Day 9: Wuhan/Embark Cruise

M/S East King

This morning tour the old port city of Wuhan and visit the Provincial Museum with many relics dating from the Stone Age. Transfer to Yichang and board MS East King (Executive type cabins). (BLD)

Day 10: Yangtze Cruise

M/S East King

Morning cruise on the Yangtze, pondering a view of China that will soon be a thing of the past. Visit the Three Gorges Dam Project site. When the dam is complete it will be the world's largest concrete structure. Pass through the majestic Xiling Gorge. This evening is a picnic ashore at the Shennong Stream. (BLD)

Day 11: Yangtze Cruise

M/S East King

Board small boats for an excursion on the Shennong Stream. Sailing through the gorges with lush pines overhead and translucent water, you see old plank roads, ancient grave sites, caves and rare animals. Return to your ship and cruise through the idyllic Wu Gorge and the roaring waters of the dramatic Qutang Gorge. (BLD)

Day 12: Yangtze Cruise

M/S East King

Morning shore excursion to Shiboazhai, a gem of Chinese architecture or Wanxian to the market street and the city park. (BLD).

Day 13: Chongqing/Xian

Golden Flower Hotel

Morning tour to Chongqing's Stillwell Museum and the Artist's Colony. Afternoon flight to Xian, the largest city in northwest China. As one of China's seven ancient national capitals, it was the capital of twelve dynasties over a thousand years. Tonight's dinner show is at the Tang Dynasty Theater Restaurant. (BLD)

Day 14: Xian/Guilin

Sheraton Guilin Hotel

Today visit the burial place of Emperor Qin Shihuang who unified the country and completed construction of the Great Wall over 2,200 years ago. See the life-like army of terra-cotta warriors and horses that guard the tomb, each with an individually sculpted face. Imax Film and Bronze Chariot included. Visit the New Shaanxi Museum, see the City Walls and the Muslim Quarter. Dine on dumplings for lunch. Afternoon flight to the relaxing and carefree ambiance of Guilin. For centuries, artists have tried to capture the landscape's natural beauty on paintings. This evening, join a Cormorant Fishing Excursion. (BL)

Day 15: Guilin/Hong Kong

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Morning cruise down the winding Lijiang River. See sensational views of Guilin's lush green valleys, mist-covered hills, rock formations, rapids, bamboo groves, and Brocade Mountains. Evening flight to Hong Kong, an Oriental world of teeming lanes, crooked alleyways and ladder streets which strongly contrast with the western-style business center and the elegance of the hill-climbing residential quarters. Transfer to the elegant Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Harbor view rooms). (BL)

Day 16: Hong Kong

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Begin this morning with a drive up to Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the surrounding islands. Visit Repulse Bay and Aberdeen, the well-known floating fishing village. (B)

Day 17: Macau

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Take a full day hydrofoil excursion to Macau--the oldest European settlement in the Orient and the Monte Carlo of the Far East. Visit the Old Fort, Penha Hill, the Bishop's home along the Pria Grande, the ruins of the historic Church of St. Paul and the Macau Grand Prix racecourse. Try your luck at one of the casinos. (BL)

Day 18: Depart Hong Kong

En Route

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Hotel accommodations as detailed above including breakfast.
• Yangtze River Cruise aboard the M.S. East or West King including full board and all shore excursions based on seat-in-coach (shared) basis.
• All transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicles with driver and English-speaking guides.
• Internal flight as required in the itinerary-economy class.
• All entrance fees while sightseeing.
• Meals as indicated by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
• Porterage at airports, hotels and piers.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Items of a personal nature such as telephone/fax, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, incidental expenses at hotels and during the cruise, etc.
• Visas and airport departure taxes in China.
• Gratuities to drivers and guides (at client¹s discretion).