<CCYD> YANGTZE ESSENCE 15 Days (DOWNSTREAM)
View: Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo, Yangtze River Cruise, Shanghai
< Check with 6KissTravel for Detail>
DAY 1 USA – Beijing
Our vacation begins as we board an international jetliner heading for Beijing, the capital of China.
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
We arrive at Beijing. After clearing customs and retrieving our baggages, we meet our guide and head to our five-star accommodations.
DAY 3 Beijing
A full-day tour of Beijing keeps us busy today. Our tour starts with Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and the site of many famous assemblies. Proceed to the Forbidden City. This “city-within-a-city” was the imperial court of Ming and Qing emperors. We next visit the Summer Palace, a place of rest and recreation for the emperor and his royal family. For dinner tonight, we indulge our plates with the local specialty cuisines. After dinner, we are treated to the stage performance of the “Legend of Kungfu”.
DAY 4 Beijing
The Great Wall is the destination for today’s morning excursion. After lunch, our sightseeing tour includes stops at the National Grand Theater, the “Water Cube” Aquatics Centre, and the Qianmen Street. If permitted, an inside visit to the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium will be arranged. In the evening, we taste traditionally prepared Peking Duck Banquet.
DAY 5 Beijing – Xian
After breakfast, we visit the Temple of Heaven, the site where emperors prayed to the heaven for a bountiful harvest. We then board a flight to Xian, the historic starting point of the famed Silk Road. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel. On our way to the hotel, we drive by the Bell Tower and the massive 40-feet City Wall. A local hot pot cuisine will be served for dinner tonight.
DAY 6 Xian
Full day tour of Xian shows us the Terra-Cotta Warriors of Qinshihuang and the Hua Qin Hot Spring. In the evening, we are treated to the Imperial Dumpling Banquet and then entertained by the Stage Show of Tang Dynasty.
DAY 7 Xian – Guilin
Complete our city tour of Xian with a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda before heading to the airport. Then we fly to Guilin. Karst limestone formations imbue Guilin’s landscape with a mystical quality. Upon arrival, we explore the Reed Flute Cave where fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations impress us as magical and otherworldly. Elephant Trunk Hill is also visited. Dinner at hotel tonight.
DAY 8 Guilin – Yangshuo
A meandering river cruise down the Li River is a delightful way to appreciate the serene, fairytale landscape of Southern China. We may even catch the fascinating sights of fisherman with cormorant birds! The cruise ends as we arrive at Yangshou. In the evening, we enjoy the fantastic Minority Musical Stage Performance on Li River - “Yingxiang Liusanjie”. The show is directed by Chinese famous director Yimou Zhang. (The admission will be fully refunded if the show is canceled due to any nature elements)
DAY 9 Yangshuo – Guilin
Our city tour of Yangshuo includes visits to the terraced fields, the Big Banyan, the Moon Hill, and the ancient “West Street”. Later today we head back to Guilin by bus. Tonight, we are treated to a local specialty rice noodle cuisine dinner followed by a colorful minority folklore dance show.
DAY 10 Guilin - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise
Take a morning flight to Chongqing, the famous “Mountain City”. After a tour of the zoo and a delicious local hot pot cuisine dinner, we board our five-star Victoria Cruises vessel and begin our exciting Yangtze River adventure.
DAY 11 Yangtze River Cruise (Fengdu or W anzhou)
Our first shore excursion occurs at the legendary “Ghost City” of Fengdu where we will visit the “Ghost City” with its statues of ghosts and devils, or the new relocation village. Depending on river conditions, Fengdu may be substituted with Wanzhou. Return to the ship later and continue down the river.
DAY 12 Yangtze River Cruise ( Qutang Gorge - Wu Gorge –
Daning River or Shenong Stream )
We enter the portion of the Yangtze that contains the Three Gorges. We navigate the narrow waterway of Qutang Gorge to arrive at Wushan, where we board smaller vessels to access the Three Lesser Gorges. As we ply through the shallow waters of either Daning River or Shennong Stream, we enjoy the spectacular scenery.
DAY 13 Yangtze River Cruise ( Xiling Gorge - Three Gorges Dam) - Yichang – Shanghai
We sail through Xiling Gorge and visit the Three Gorges Dam Site, the largest of its type in the world. Our cruise adventure ends as we arrive at Yichang. Upon arrival, we go to the airport and board a short flight to Shanghai, the largest city in China. Dinner at local restaurant.
DAY 14 Shanghai
We start our full day city tour at the Nanjing Road, ground zero for shoppers and entertainment seekers. Move on to the splendid Yu Garden, then continue on to the famous waterfront Bund, a mile long stretch along the Huangpu River. We are entertained by the exciting Chinese Acrobatics Show in the evening after a Shanghai cuisine dinner.
DAY 15 Shanghai – USA
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our homebound flight.
***** Peony *****
