Highlights of the Yangtze River combines tour arrangements in China’s greatest cities with three nights cruise on one of the world’s great rivers: the Yangtze. This carefully designed itinerary shows you all of China’s major cities and best-known sights, in an exciting and evocative overview of a magical nation. Your visit begins in Beijing, a city that embodies the very essence of Imperial China in the palaces of the Ming and Qing courts, the magnificent Forbidden City and the awesome Great Wall and more. The next stop is Xian, the country’s cradle of culture. Here you pay a fascinating archaeological visit to the First Emperor’s terra-cotta bodyguard-estimated at 8,000 soldiers strong. Then its off to Shanghai, rich in a colonial history evident in the Bund’s stately waterfront buildings and continues to lovely Zhujiajiao recalling China’s classical splendors…

Day 1 Home City/Beijing, China

The journey of discovery begins after boarding a flight to Beijing, China.

Day 2 Beijing

Arrive in Beijing where your day is at leisure. The lovely city has undergone a face-lift to its historic monuments, adding stunning buildings, theaters and stadiums by world-renowned architects to its impressive skyline.

Day 3 Beijing

Visit Tiananmen Square, a place that conjures up deep emotions in locals and visitors alike. It is ideally situated near many famous sites and located directly in front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace (tiananmen in Chinese). Pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace into the Forbidden City. Now known as the National Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was once the imperial residence of the emperors and their families from the 1400s until 1911 and housed up to 100,000 people, including servants, soldiers and attendants. After lunch, take a walking tour of the 19th-century Summer Palace and enjoy a cruise on Kunming Lake, its manicured islands designed to evoke landscapes along the Yangtze. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Day 4 Beijing

Travel to the less-visited Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, one of the great wonders of the world. The wall rides the highest point of the mountaintops and provides stunning views of the countryside. Spend the late afternoon browsing through the tiny shops of the bustling Hongqiao Market. In the evening, enjoy a performance of Beijing opera.

Day 5 Beijing/Xian

This morning’s visit is to the Panda Zoo and the Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example of Chinese craftsmanship. With its unique circular shape, blue roof and intricate gold inlay work, the Temple of Heaven has been called the single most outstanding example of ancient Chinese architecture. Later, fly to Xian.

Day 6 Xian

Visit the magnificent site of the Terra Cotta Warriors, over 8,000 life-size military figures said to represent second-century Chinese military might. The site is just a portion of a vast funerary complex that includes the emperor’s tomb and satellite tombs of his extended family. After lunch, continue to the Xian Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which was built in 684 AD in honor of the Tang Dynasty Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi (628-683 AD). After dinner, enjoy a Tang Dynasty Show, undoubtedly the finest such performance in all China.

Day 7 Xian/Chongqing

Explore the Yangling Museum, whose highlight is its two-thousand-year- old mausoleum. Next, visit the Ancient Gate of the City Walls before flying to Chongqing. This afternoon, visit Pipa Hill, Chongqing’s highest point. Later, board your river cruiser to begin your Yangtze adventure.

MS ‘Century Diamond’ (B.L.D)

Days 8 – 9 Cruising the Yangtze River

The appeal of the Yangtze lies not only in the river’s great natural beauty, but in the cultural and historical ties which link nearby communities with the life-giving waters. The cruise takes you to the legendary Three Gorges, an inspiration for Chinese poetry and painting for centuries. Travel through Qutang Gorge, the "Devil’s Gate", renowned for its treacherous currents, precipitous heights and narrow width; Wu or "Witches" Gorge, with its 12 towering peaks; and the rapids, whirlpools and seven small gorges of Xiling Gorge, longest and most exciting of the three. Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Banquet.

MS ‘Century Diamond’ (B.L.D)

Day 10 Yichang/Shanghai

Final port of call is Yichang, in Hubei Province. Visit the Three Gorges Project Exhibition Center to learn about this amazing and controversial project, including its ability to 22,500 megawatts of electrical energy. Then you disembark to connect with a flight to Shanghai.

Day 11 Shanghai/Zhujiajiao/Shanghai

Visit Zhujiajiao, a "water village" threaded with lakes, stone bridges and lush tea gardens – the perfect way to spend your full day in this magnificent country. This evening attend the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 12 Shanghai

Visit the Yu Garden, a 16th-century Ming period private garden/ residence in the heart of Shanghai’s old Chinese Quarter, a neighborhood of twisting lanes, home to wonderful boutiques. The phenomenal garden architecture, built in traditional Chinese style, includes many ponds, dragon-lined walls and bridges separating the unique garden areas and pavilions. Next, explore the Shanghai Museum, considered among the finest museums of Chinese art in the world. and Urban Planning Museum which houses models of Shanghai’s past, present and future. Walk along the Bund, the magnificent waterfront Esplanade along the Huang Pu River. Tonight, bid farewell to your fellow travelers over cocktails and dinner.

Day 13 Shanghai/Home City

Board your homebound flight or travel on to another destination in the Orient. China Holidays can help you plan your own extension, "tailor-made" as you require. (B)

Dates	Days	Priced from	Single Supplement
Mar. 13 - 25, 2012	13/12	$8,150	$3,360
Apr. 10 - 22, 2012	13/12	$8,150	$3,360
May 08- 20, 2012	13/12	$8,150	$3,360
May 22 - Jun. 03, 2012	13/12	$8,150	$3,360
Jun. 05 - 17, 2012	13/12	$8,150	$3,360
July 17 - 29, 2012	13/12	$8,150	$3,360
Aug. 07 - 19, 2012	13/12	$8,550	$3,750
Sep. 04 - 16, 2012	13/12	$8,550	$3,750
Sep. 18 - 30, 2012	13/12	$8,550	$3,750
Oct. 09 - 21, 2012	13/12	$8,550	$3,750
Oct. 16 - 28, 2012	13/12	$8,550	$3,750
Oct. 23 - Nov. 04, 2012	13/12	$8,550	$3,750

Price does not include International airfare from your home city to your destination, but includes internal airfares (economy class) and airport departure taxes. Price per person based on double occupancy. Please check with China Holidays for our special international airfares.

Please complete the form and a representative will be happy to contact you.