Day 1 USA - Beijing

Board an international flight bound for China. Cross the International Date Line.

Day 2 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the luxury hotel for rest and relaxation.

Day 3 Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, it served as the capital for 5 dynasties over a period of 800 years with each emperor identified as a dragon sent from heaven. Tour Tiananmen Square (the Gate of Heavenly Peace) , the largest square in the world, and also known as a witness for many historical and contemporary events. Visit the Palace Museum, more commonly known as the Forbidden City, until recently opened only to the emperor's family. This complex, the largest imperial palace ever built in the world, features more than 800 buildings with over 9,000 rooms, resplendent golden- glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls. See the high-walled "Inner City" with its government buildings. After lunch, we tour the Summer Palace, built in classical Chinese style in 1750 as a royal recreational resort. Among its famous features are the 700-meter-long corridor with its wonderful Painted Gallery, the Marble Barge, and several magnificently painted pavilions and pagodas. On our way back to the city, we’ll make a photo stop at the National Grand Theatre- “Dome” and Qianmen Street. Enjoy roast Beijing duck in dinner. After dinner, you will enjoy an acrobatics performance.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Beijing

Have an excursion to the Great Wall. This wonder of the world was built 2600 years ago. Built to protect its people from northern marauders, the Great Wall snakes its way thousands of miles across Northern China and is one of the few objects on the earth visible from the space. This morning we spend time walking atop this man-made wonder of the world and appreciate its imposing wonder. After that, our next destination is the Temple of Heaven where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed to heaven for a good harvest. At last, we go to Olympic Park, we will make a stop at the new landmarks of Beijing - the Olympics sites including "Bird's Nest"-National Stadium and the amazing "Water Cube"-Olympic Swimming Pool.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Beijing - Xian

Take the high speed train to Xian, the cradle of Chinese civilization, was the state capital of 73 emperors spanning 11 dynasties during 1100 years dating from 4,000 B.C. In the afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the Bell Tower, the ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Xian

Visit another wonder of the ancient world the Terra-Cotta Warriors, concealed under earth, those thousands of life-sized clay warriors, horses and chariots, as one part of the tomb of Emperor Qinshihuang, were accidentally discovered by a farmer while he was digging out a well. You would also see some archaeologists still working on site to uncover the rest part of the vast tomb complex of Emperor Qinshihuang, the first emperor in Chinese history, and also the initiator of the Great Wall. After viewing the fine troops, we head to the nearby Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang. This evening after an Imperial Dumpling Banquet Dinner, you will see a wonderful stage opera show of the Tang Dynasty, the one as being a “must see” in Xian.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Xian - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise

After breakfast, we fly to Chongqing, the China's largest municipality with a population of well over 30 million. Upon arrival, we have a city tour. View the city at night after enjoying the local spicy Sichuan cuisine. Then transfer to the pier and board our five-star Victoria Cruise vessel and begin our exciting Yangtze River adventure. Our hearts fill with excitement and anticipation as the ship departs in the night to sail up this mighty and mysterious river.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Three Gorges Cruise

Victoria Cruises is the only American cruise line currently sailing China's Yangtze River. After breakfast, we embark on our Three Gorges adventure. Depending on the river conditions, our first shore excursion takes us to either Fengdu or Shibaozhai (Please note: All shore excursions are at your own expense). The “Ghost City” Fengdu is known for its statues of ghosts and devils on Mingshan Hill. Shibaozhai’s attraction lays with its 12-story tall wooden pagoda, amazingly built 400 years ago without use of a single nail. After returning safely to our ship we again set sail. Onboard, we are free to enjoy shipboard entertainment such as feature films, live performances,well as demonstrations of traditional Chinese arts.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Three Gorges Cruise

This morning, our ship first passes the mighty Qutang Gorge, sailing through its towering cliffs. Then our ship passes through the rushing waters and jagged turns of Wu Gorge. We arrive at Wushan to board small motorized sampans which afford us access to the Shennong Stream via the Daning River. Reboard later in the afternoon as our ship passes through the Xiling Gorge (western section), the longest of the famed Three Gorges. Stretching over 60 miles, Xiling Gorge is famous for its odd rock formations and tricky, treacherous currents.

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10Three Gorges Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai

After breakfast, we disembark to board motor coaches which take us to the Three Gorges Dam Project, currently the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Our Three Gorges adventure ends upon our noontime arrival at Yichang. Upon arrival, we are transferred to the airport and board a short flight to Shanghai, the largest city in China. 

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Shanghai

Shanghai, the largest commercial and financial center of China. Tour Yu Garden, a finely designed maze of elegant pavilions and ponds in the old part of this city. Then stroll along the Bund, China's most famous waterfront stretching about one mile along the Huangpu River. From there you may take a photo of the Tower of the East Pearl (Asia's tallest TV tower) in the newly developed Pudong District. Tonight, you will enjoy a local flavor dinner. 

• Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Shanghai - USA

After breakfast, you are transferred to airport for your return flight back to your home. You will be in the United States the same day. End of tour.

• Includes Breakfast