Charms of China

Day 1, Monday – Arrive in Beijing
Once you have cleared customs at the airport in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Beijing
 
Day 2, Tuesday – Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Tour 
Breakfast is served at your hotel. In the company of a licensed female Chinese tour manager, one who will accompany you throughout the duration of your trip, enjoy a full-day tour of the Forbidden City and the 15th-century Temple of Heaven. Begin at Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Erected in 1417 at the height of the Ming Dynasty, the square was renovated two centuries later at the onset of the Great Qing Dynasty. View several impressive monuments outlining the Square's perimeter, including the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Square's famed ceremonial gateway. From here, venture north for a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), a construction comparable to the Pyramids in Egypt. Known today as the Palace Museum, the entire site covers 720,000 square meters, encompassing 800 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms. In 1987, UNESCO declared the grounds a World Heritage Site as the "Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties," home to the world's largest preserved collection of ancient wooden architecture. Enjoy lunch at an authentic Chinese restaurant close to the Forbidden City, before a visit to the Temple of Heaven and its white-marbled, circular altar. This evening, enjoy a traditional Peking Duck Dinner
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
 
Day 3, Wednesday – Great Wall of China & Ming Tombs 
Breakfast is served at your hotel.  Who can visit "The East" and not walk the Great Wall? Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Great Wall of China, the longest manmade structure on the planet. Walk along the promenades and behold its unrivaled natural views, spanning over 3,500 miles of China's northern frontier. View beautiful mountainside passes, plateaus and grasslands from this 7th-century, defensive fortification. Place your hands on the serrated overlooks and peer down into the countryside. After this inspiring experience, leave the Great Wall for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Following lunch, continue for a tour of the Ming Tombs and its Sacred Way, before returning to Beijing.
Overnight: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 
 
Day 4, Thursday – Xian Antiquities Tour with Terracotta Warriors 
Breakfast is served at your hotel. This morning, board your flight to Xian. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel, and afterwards, enjoy a tour of Xian's antiquities. Your tour includes a visit to the archaeological site at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 B.C.), where you will view over 8,000 finely sculptured, life-size terracotta soldiers and horses, discovered by local farmers in 1974. The archaeological excavation of the three pits where the Terracotta Army was discovered continues today, more than thirty years since the time of its unearthing. Later, trace the beginnings of Chinese civilization at the Shanxi Provincial Historical Museum. Opened to the public in 1991, the museum houses a wealth of historical artifacts and treasures from the Han and Tang dynasties. This evening, enjoy a social and dinner with a local women's association.
Overnight: Xian
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
 
Day 5, Friday – Big Wild Goose Pagoda & City Wall
Breakfast is served at your hotel. This morning, enjoy a half day tour to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall. Begin in the southern suburb of Xian City where you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Constructed in 652 A.D. at the height of Emperor Gaozong's reign, the Pagoda is a marvel ancient Chinese architecture, and features a twisting interior stairwell with decorative wall reliefs. Afterwards, visit the City Wall, one of the largest and oldest military fortifications built during the Tang Dynasty. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. On arrival, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then transfer to board your ship on the Yangtze River.
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  
Day 6, Saturday – Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise to Fengdu, the "Ghost City," and view the temples at Mingshan Hill. *Alternatively, the cruise may visit Wanxian or Shibaozhai.
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 7, Sunday – Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through Qutang Gorge, the first and smallest of the three Yangtze gorges. Dock at Wushan for an excursion through the Small Three Gorges along the Daning River. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountain passes as you sail along a region famous for its scenery. Continue this afternoon through the 25-mile long Wuxia (Witches) Gorge and see the fabled Twelve Peaks. According to legend, the peaks are believed to be the spirits of 12 fairies, the most famous of them being the Shennu Feng (Goddess) Peak, which is topped by a huge rock resembling a kneeling maiden
Overnight: Yangtze River
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Day 8, Monday – Disembark, Flight to Shanghai
Sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest section of the Three Gorges system, comprising the rapids Xietan, Qintan and Kongling, collectively known as the Three Rapids of Xiling. Visit the Three Gorges Dam near the Sandouping Village. The Dam, which took 13 years to build (1993-2006), is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, nearly six times the size of the Colorado's Hoover Dam. This afternoon, disembark your ship at Yichang to board your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 
Day 9, Tuesday – Shanghai City Tour
Breakfast is served at your hotel. This morning, tour the major attractions of Shanghai. Wander the classical Yuyuan Gardens, built during the Ming Dynasty by a high-ranking government official named Pan Yunduan. The Gardens total area occupies 20,000 square meters (about five acres), and features pavilions, ponds, rockeries, cloisters and six scenic zones including the Sansui Hall and Wanhua Chamber. In existence some 400 years, the Gardens were specifically constructed for Pan's aging parents as a sanctuary in which they could live out their lives. Experience the old world charm of the waterfront Bund, former "Wall Street" of the foreign powers, and its park-like promenade between the Wusong River and Old Town. The afternoon is free at leisure to spend as you wish. This evening, enjoy an appropriate end to this incredible journey at a farewell dinner. Savor authentic Chinese cuisine at one of Shanghai's premier gourmet restaurants, set in an elegant dining room with traditional ornamental designs.
Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
 
Day 10, Wednesday – Depart to the US
Breakfast is served at your hotel. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.
Meals: Breakfast