China Tour & Legendary Yangtze River
China Comfort
From Shanghai's modern skyline to the Forbidden City's regal profile, this independent journey introduces you to China's history, culture and architecture at your own pace. At each destination, visit the must-sees, including the Yu Garden and the Bund in Shanghai, the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian and the Great Wall in Beijing. Top off this epic adventure with a four-night cruise through the Three Gorges.
DAY01-02: Arrive Shanghai
Depart on an overnight flight to Shanghai, where you are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Shanghai is China`s economic heart, a vibrant city with a rich history and an eletric, mordern skyline.
DAY03: Shanghai
This morning, gain an in-depth perspective on Shanghai during an insider`s tour led by our expert guide. Start with a stroll through Yu Garden, a magnificent private garden and residence from the 16th century. Next, meander through the surrounding winding lanes and alleys of Old Town, the original site of Shanghai. Then visit the Shanghai Museum to view its stellar collection of Chinese art. In the evening, attend a Shanghai Arobatic performance.
DAY04: Shanghai-Zhujiajiao-Shanghai
Travel to charming Zhujiaojiao, a "water village" crisscrossed by stone bridges. Admire the town`s ancient buildings, many dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. After returning to Shanghai for lunch, walk along the Bund, enjoying the view across the water of Pudong ditrict. This waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River used to be the site of the American and British settlements, and to this day it boasts some of the most stately architecture in Shanghai. Travel through the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel for a light show and display of Shanghai life. Then ascend to the pbservatory of the World Financial Center, the highest structure on mainland China at 1,555 feet, for panoramic view of the city.
DAY05: Shanghai/Yichang
After a morning at leisure, fly to Yichang to board your cruiser for a four-night voyage through the Three Gorges.
DAY06-08: Cruising the Yangzi River
Cruise the mighty Yangzi, enjoying its splendor with stops at the Three Gorges. The Yangzi traverses much of China`s countryside, providing the perfect opportunity to witness a traditional way of life. Experience Chinese culture firsthand when you stop at a market and meet a rural family that still lives much the way their relocated to a modern home during the contraction of the Three Gorges Dam Project.
DAY09: Chongqing/Xian
Disembark and explore the stilwell Museum and Huguang Guild Hall. Fly to Xian, one of China`s ancient capitals and formly the eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road. On your first day in this culturally significant city, visit the subterranean Yangling Museum, which houses recent discoveries from the Han Dynasty tombs, going behind the scenes of its restoration lab for a closer look at these ancient treasures.
DAY10: Xian
Tour the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuangdi and its Terra Cotta Warriors, constructed to safeguard the emperor`s passage into the afterlife. After a lunch of regional specialties, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and the Xian Museum, home to more than 120,000 relics of bronze, ceramic and pottery, as well as the world`s best collection of Tang Dynasty sculptures.
DAY11: Xian/Beijing
This morning, cycle along an ancient gate of Xian`s City Wall. Afterward, explore markets and the winding lanes of the old city quarter, with stops to appreciate the exquisite beauty at the Great Mosque. Later this afternoon, fly to Beijing.
DAY12-13: Beijing
Spend two days exploring this legendary city`s site. Follow in the footsteps of emperors in the Forbidden City and wander Tiananmen Square. Walk the ramparts of the Great Wall at Mutianyu (its less-visited portion) and embark on a cruise on Lake Kunming, set amid the beauty of the Imperial Gardens of the Summer Palace. Sample Beijing`s cuisine, visit the Temple of Heaven and walk the lanes of a local market.
DAY14: Depart Beijing
Transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight.
Lufthansa City Center