Forever Young Travel’s BEST OF CHINA tour is extended to include the famous Three Gorges Dam. You cruise for four glorious days along the 600km-long Yangtze river in five-star river ship luxury, with a private balcony to view the exquisite gorge scenery.  Included are shore excursions which enhance the story of the construction of the dam...a project that took 17 years from an idea first mooted more than 50 years ago. The dam wall and a 5-step ship lock are among the many highlights of what is an unforgettable scenic extravaganza. 

 

Day 1

Upon arrival at  Beijing Capital International Airport your professional local English speaking guide will meet you in the Arrival Hall. On your way to the hotel  enjoy the views of Beijing CBD & the SOHO Business Street. After checking-in and freshening up, your guide will take you for a stroll of the area around your hotel - the famous Wanfujing Street. Visit the Snack street off Wanfujing street where where you can sample local delicacies before returning to your hotel.

 

Day 2

Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Show)

Today enjoy a full day tour of Beijing visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  Drive along Chang an Avenue  - and your guide will point out the National Grand Theatre and ancient City Walls. After seeing how the nobility lived, partake of Jiaozi (steamed dumplings) for lunch in the company of a Chinese family. Later, enjoy a pedi-cab tour of the ancient courtyard houses called the Hutongs and the popular Houhai Lake Bar Street. After dinner, enjoy the exciting and dramatic Kung-fu show before returning to the hotel.

 

Day 3

Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, special Dinner)

This morning you  journey to the the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Stroll along this incredible wonder and enjoy the breathtaking view. After a late lunch at a good Chinese restaurant, return to Beijing to visit the tranquil Imperial gardens of the Summer Palace. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Peking Roasted Duck returning to your hotel.

 

Day 4

Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning visit the holiest temple in Beijing - Temple of Heaven, and then on to  the Buddhist Lama Temple. After lunch at a good Chinese restaurant, drive through "Chinese Wall Street"- Beijing Bank Street to get to the famous Xiushui market where you will put your bargaining skills to work at the. In the evening, transfer back to your hotel.

 

Day 5

Beijing - Xi'an (Breakfast, special Dinner)

After breakfast, have some free time in the morning before saying goodbye to your Beijing guide as you will be transferred to the train station. Enjoy the scenery en-route on your High Speed train journey from Beijing to the ancient city of Xi'an. Upon arrival, your local Xi'an guide will meet you at the airport and take you to visit the Ancient City walls that surrounds this old city. If you are interested, you could even rent a bike on the wall and ride the entire wall in an hour and a half. visit the Big Goose Pagoda where you will be able to climb to the top of the pagoda for a bird's view of Xi'an. In the evening, enjoy a Dumpling banquet before returning to your hotel.

 

Day 6

Xi'an (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum; here, you will learn about China's history and have a better understanding before your visit to the warriors. After some Hand-pulled noodles for lunch, you will visit the thousands of life size Terracotta Warriors and Horses about an hour and a half from Xi'an. Your visit includes a Circlorama 360 film presentation of the history of the warriors..thus enhancing your visit. In the afternoon, you return to Xi'an to visit the Grand Mosque with Muslim Quarter. Stroll on Muslim street and see how Chinese Muslims live. Your guide will show you the famous local snacks available here. After an exciting day, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Optional extra - if you like extravagant costumes, elaborate staging and Chinese dances, ask your guide to take you to the Tang Dynasty dinner and show.

 

Day 7

Xi'an - Chongqing (Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast, hop over to Shu Yuan Men for some unique shopping experience. It is time to say goodbye to your Xian guide as you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Domestic Flight (included in quote) from Xi'an to Chongqing. Upon arrival, your local Chongqing guide will meet you at the airport and take you for a half day city tour including a visit to see the National treasure of China ¡V the Giant pandas and Er Ling Park for a view of the city. After a famous hot pot dinner, board your cruise ship in the evening for a relaxing journey down the mighty Yangtze River.

 

Day 8

Yangtze Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Continue on your cruise on the mighty Yangtze River with its vertical limestone cliffs. If water levels cooperate, stop at Shibaozai, a magnificent wooden pavilion constructed without nails, perched dramatically against a sheer rectangular cliff; or shore excursion to the Fengdu - Known as Ghost City. Locals gather here to pray for a good afterlife and re-incarnation in their next life. Tonight, dress smart for the Captain's welcome dinner.

 

Day 9

Yangtze cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today you will pass through the magnificent Qutang Gorge and the beautiful Wu Gorge. A shore excursion to Baidi City (optional tour) and Lesser Three Gorges, transfer to a small sampan to cruise the Shennong Stream. Experience the trackers of ancient China and see the Hanging coffins of the Ba minority. Tonight, enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner.

 

Day 10

Yangtze cruise - Yichang - Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Your wonderful cruise has come to an end. Disembark and visit the Three Gorges Dam. After lunch at Yichang, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Domestic Flight (included in quote) from Yichang to the modern city of Shanghai. Upon arrival, your local Shanghai guide will meet you at the airport and take you to enjoy some dinner before transferring you to the hotel.

 

Day 11

Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch, Show)

After breakfast, your guide will take you to visit the Oriental Pearl TV tower, for a bird's-eye view of this modern city. Then on to Shanghai's landmark - the historic Bund. After lunch, viist the incredible Shanghai Urban Planning Museum on the People's Square for a taste of Shanghai's past , present and future. This evening enjoy the feel of old Shanghai at Xintandi, where a plethora of restaurants will attract you for drinks and dinner. Later, enjoy a cruise on the Huangpu River for the night view of Shanghai.

 

Day 12

Shanghai (Breakfast, special Lunch, Dinner, Show)

Today visit the classic Yuyuan Gardens and the bustling Yu Bazaar nearby, where you can pick up some souvenirs. Lunch is at a Mongolian Barbecue, which is as much a show as it is an exotic eating experience. Later, enjoy a walk along the adjoining Shanghai Old Street, with its endless streams of pedestrians, traditional shops, tea houses and theatres. Later on have time for shopping in famous Nanjing Road. After dinner, be amazed by the heart stopping performance of the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show before returning to your hotel.

 

Day 13

Shanghai

After breakfast, you will have a free day in Shanghai until your evening transfer to the station for the ride of your life. TheMaglev bullet train will take you 431km/hr to the airport for your flight

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