Essential China

China's remote, spectacular lands and antiquities, with a Yangtze River cruise

Included Highlights

• All domestic airfares included within China

• Accommodations throughout

• 10 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D or SD-special dinner)

• Gala evening events, including sumptuous Peking Duck dinner, Shanghai Acrobats,

• See the astounding art of the acclaimed Shanghai Museum.

• Full-day Great Wall and Ming Tombs outing

• Pedicab tour of the seldom-visited Hutong quarter of Old Beijing

• Comprehensive sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA
Depart on your odyssey to China aboard your selected airline.

Day 2 Beijing
You are welcomed on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodations, 4 nights:
Deluxe China World Hotel
Superior Presidential Hotel

Day 3 Beijing
Walk in the footsteps of the emperors on a tour of the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and lovely Summer Palace of the Empress Dowager. Lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Day 4 Beijing
Take in the dramatic sight of the Great Wall, ascending to the horizon over the rugged hills of China's northern frontier. Continue to the Ming Tombs and dine tonight on delicious Peking Duck. (B,L,SD) Hawaiian holiday cottage rental & vacation rental accommodations.

Day 5 Beijing
Your Beijing exploration continues with a pedicab tour of th  pre-Revolutionary hutong neighborhoods and an ascent of the 15th century Drum Tower, before an afternoon at leisure. (B,L) лучшие фильмы смотреть онлайн

Day 6 Beijing/Chongqing
Fly to Chongqing to board our Yangtze River Cruise Boat. (B,L,D)

Accommodations, 4 nights:
Deluxe Regal China Cruises
Superior Regal China Cruises

Day 7 Cruise
After lunch, disembark at Fengdu "Ghost City" for excursion. Enjoy Captain's Welcome, Sheena Follies and /or videos tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Cruise
Begin the passage with Qutang Gorge, shortest & most dramatic of the three. Pass poetic Wu Gorge before anchoring for an excursion on the Shennong Stream. After "Little Gorges" trip on "pea-pod" boats, return to ship and sail into the Western Xiling Gorge. Enjoy on-board activities tonight. (B,L,D) Fattamano Deluxe Baby Jacket

Day 9 Cruise
Take a morning tour of the Three Gorges Dam site in Sandouping. Afterwards, we sail the Eastern Xiling and exit the gorges at Yichang City, where we pass through the ship lock of Ghezouba Dam. Sail on towards the JiangHan plains. Learn Majiang this afternoon and enjoy programs for resident artisans. Farewall Follies and videos tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Wuhan/Shanghai
Disembark mid-morning in Wuhan and transfer to the airport for the flight to cosmopolitan Shanghai. (B,L)

Accommodations, 2 nights:
Deluxe JC Mandarin
Superior Hua Ting Hotel

Day 11 Shanghai
Your tour of this city of contrasts features the Yuyuan Gardens, dating to the 15th century, the bustling riverfront Bund, Shanghai Museum, and charming Children's Palace. A thrilling evening at the Shanghai Acrobatics Show completes an exciting day. (B,L)

Day 12 Shanghai/USA
Bid farewell to China as you transfer to the Pudong Airport in Shanghai for your afternoon departure on your selected airline to the United States. (B)

Pricing & Departures

Add $100 to the Land Price if tour package does not include Transpacific airfare.  Land prices are inclusive of domestic airfares within China

Prices listed above are based on departures from Los Angeles, for add-on pricing from other cities within the US please see our Special Add-On Cities.