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Tour Features
Experience the amazing cultures of the minorities in this trip, Manchu Nationality - who established the Regime in Northeast and then moved to Beijing as the Qing Dynasty in history; Tibetans in Lhasa, Muslim in Xian; Tujia Nationality living in certain sections along the Yangtze River and Zhuang Minority whose population is just next to Han people and, people from all around the world in Shanghai.

Day by Day Itinerary

Departure:

Potola Palace, Lhasa

Day 01: Arrival in Beijing
You'll be picked up upon arrival at the Beijing Capital Airport and transferred to check into the hotel. The left hours of the day is free for  individual activities.

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza  


Day 02: Beijing
You will be thrilled the whole day when you visit the Tiananmen Square - one of the largest and grandest city squares in the world; the Forbidden City of Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Temple of Heaven - once was the royal temple. The Beijing Duck Dinner is served as Welcome Dinner at a well-known restaurant. The cheering Peking Opera (the national opera) is scheduled as evening delight after dinner. (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza


Day 03: Beijing
You will be accompanied by our local professional guide to one of the greatest world heritage sites - the Great Wall, Badaling section. Drive to escape the shopping site tourist restaurants near the Great Wall to have a decent meal -Sichuan food, for lunch. The visits continue to the Ming Tomb and the Summer Palace in the afternoon. You will sample Cantonese cuisine for dinner at a top restaurant in the Wangfujing Street, a la carte style.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza


Day 04: Beijing - Lhasa
Head for Lhasa by morning flight where the altitude is 3,650 meters above sea level. Be met by your local expert tour guide upon arrival at the Gongga Airport. Check into the best hotel in Lhasa. Take time to adapt yourself to the high attitude, no sightseeing arranged in the afternoon. Welcome dinner will be served at a top end local best Sichuan cuisine restaurant, a la carte style. (B+D)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa  


Day 05: Lhasa
Make the most of the day by visiting the magnificent Potala Palace, the Sera Monastery, the Norbulingka Park and a local Tibetan family. Dinner is served at your hotel so the extra drive and energy will be saved for tomorrow. (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa  

Wu Gorge, Yangtze River

Day 06: Lhasa
The escorted tours today will cover some other highlights of Lhasa - the Jokhang Temple, the perfect mixture of Han and Tibetan style both in the architectures and in the rituals of the Religion; the bustling bazaar of the Barkhor Street, the Tibet Museum, the Tibetan Traditional Medicine Hospital and the Carpet Factory. Dinner is served at your hotel.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa  


Day 07: Lhasa - Xian
Head for Xian by flight. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local professional tour guide. Visit the ancient City Wall on the way and then transfer you to check into the well selected hotel, where a luxurious buffet dinner is served.(B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel 


Day 08: Xian
You will have a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum which is said to be the Eighth Wonder of the world. Drive back by highway to downtown to have a decent lunch at a well-known Cantonese cuisine restaurant. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda after lunch and a brief period of rest.  In the evening, we will arrange the marvelous Tang Dynasty Dinner Show at the splendid Tang Dynasty Palace. (Add: No.75, Chang'an Road, Xian) (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel  


Day 09: Xian
Have a visit to the Provincial History Museum. After an a la carte lunch is served at a famous restaurant, Visit the Great Mosque and a local family.   (B+L)

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian Hotel 


Day 10: Xian - Guilin 
Visit the Hanyangling Museum, the Mausoleum of Western Han Emperor Liu Qi on the way to the airport. After lunch, head for Guilin by afternoon flight, your local professional tour guide  will expect you with comfortable airport-hotel transfer service. The evening delight is to enjoy Ethnic Songs and Dances at Lijiang Theatre after dinner. (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel  

Li River scenery, Guilin

Day 11: Guilin - Yangshuo
Travel to Yangshuo by cruising along the magnificent Li River which itself is the highlight of today. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, a brief country-road tour by bicycle will then be arranged. A local family will be somewhere along the road expecting your visit. If you are less skillful of riding a bicycle, you can take our electric car instead. (Tip: Since the lunch on the Li River cruise can hardly meet your expectation, TCG suggests you have enough breakfast at the hotel this morning.) (B+L)

Accommodation: Paradesa Resort  - the local best hotel


Day 12: Yangshuo - Guilin
Morning is free. Return to Guilin, visit the Reed Flute Cave, the Seven Star Park and the Elephant Trunk Hill in the afternoon. (B+L)

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel  


Day 13: Guilin - Chongqing
Head for Chongqing by a morning flight and your local tour guide will expect you with comfortable transfer. After having a rich buffet lunch at 4-star hotel, Holiday Inn Yangtze, visit  the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo, the Residence of General Joseph W. Stilwell and Ci Qi Kou. Check in at the deluxe Century Star cruise ship. As the cruise ship departs from Chongqing at about 23:30, your relaxing Yangtze River cruise begins.(B+L)

Accommodation: Century Star  or Centruy Diamond  


Day 14: Chongqing - Fengdu
The river guide will give a brief introduction of the cruise and the schedule during the process after the breakfast. In the afternoon, you will meet the initial onshore excursion to the Snowy Jade Cave. The Captain's Welcome Party will be held tonight.  (B+L+D)


Day 15: Badong - Xiling Gorge - Sandouping
The essential part of the Yangtze River cruise is coming today. You will appreciate the unique scenery of the Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge, the shortest but the grandest one. Wu Gorge is famous for its lofty peaks and mountains on the both sides. An interesting junk adventure along Shennong Stream will expect you here, which lasts about 3-4 hours. Then sail into the Xiling Gorge and pass the Five Level Ship Lock in the evening. (B+L+D)

Family and community visit in Shanghai

Day 16: Yichang - Shanghai
Disembark for an excursion to the under constructed Three Gorges Dam. Then pack your luggage and complete check-out procedures. After having  lunch at the Yichang city, visit the Yichang Museum if time allows. Head for Shanghai by flight and your local professional tour guide will expect you with comfortable transfer service. (B+L)

Accommodation: Ramada Plaza Shanghai


Day 17: Shanghai
The first stop of Shanghai is to visit the Shanghai Museum which houses large collections of historical items. Then go ahead to the famous Yuyuan Garden. After lunch, take a cruise tour on the Huangpu River. The Farewell Dinner is arranged at Central Hotel as the fitting finale to your discovery of China, the restaurant Wang Bao He in the hotel has a history of over 260 years and is the best place to serve Shanghai Cuisine. You will enjoy an amazing Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre. (B+L+D)

Accommodation: Ramada Plaza Shanghai 


Day 18: Departure from Shanghai
Board your homebound flight. Comfortable private hotel-airport transfer is arranged according to your flight schedule. (B)

More Yangtze Cruise 2009B-- BreakfastL-- LunchD-- Dinner