Highlights of China and the Yangtze

Sightseeing Highlights

• Beijing Visit Tiananmen Square, tour the Forbidden City and explore the Summer Palace, the most striking example of imperial garden design in China.
• Travel the Sacred Way, home to the remnants of the Ming Tombs.
• Experience an evening at the Beijing Opera.
• Enjoy a traditional Chinese tea service.
• See the 2008 Beijing Olympics sites.
• Explore the hutongs by rickshaw.
• Get a glimpse into local life during a visit to a family's home.
• Great Wall Walk this wonder of both the ancient and new world.
• Xi'an Explore the excavations of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.
• View the famous City Wall. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
• Attend a Tang Dynasty cultural show.
• Chongqing Visit the Chongqing Zoo and view the rare and precious giant pandas.
• Yangtze River Cruise Sail along the Yangtze through the Three Gorges.
• Visit either the 'Ghost City' of Fengdu or the twelve-story wooden pagoda of Shibaozhai or Wanzhou.
• Voyage down one of the Lesser Gorges aboard a small riverboat. Visit the site of the Three Gorges Dam.
• Shanghai Stroll the famed Bund waterfront promenade.
• Visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
• Explore the Old Shanghai Museum. Tour Old Town.
• Attend a performance of the Shanghai Acrobats.

DAY 1 IRELAND - BEIJING

DAY 2 ARRIVE BEIJING
Welcome to Beijing! On arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, you will be met by a Trafalgar representative and escorted to your hotel. Hotel: The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel or similar

DAY 3 BEIJING SIGHTSEEING 
Start your day in Tiananmen Square - the heart of Beijing - before visiting the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Then continue on to the Summer Palace, the best-preserved imperial garden in China. Admire the enchanting natural elements and the graceful design of the temples, pavilions, halls, palaces and bridges. Top off your fabulous day with an authentic Peking Duck Dinner. (BB L HD) 

DAY 4 BEIJING SIGHTSEEING & THE GREAT WALL 
Visit the sites of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then walk along China's Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly one of the man-made wonders of the world. On your way back to Beijing, walk along the tree-lined Sacred Way, flanked on both sides by giant statues of animals guarding the entrances to the Ming Tombs. End your day with a performance at the magnificent Beijing Opera. While attending the opera, be treated to a traditional Chinese tea service. (BB L D)

DAY 5 BEIJING SIGHTSEEING - XI'AN 
Ride in a traditional rickshaw for a behind-the-scenes tour of the hutongs, the ancient alleyways of the old residential area of Beijing, and enjoy a Chinese Home-Hosted Highlight Lunch with a local family. Then fly to Xi'an and be greeted with a traditional dumpling dinner. (BB HL HD) Hotel: Sheraton Xi'an Hotel

DAY 6 XI'AN SIGHTSEEING
Xi'an is the site of one of the 20th-century's greatest archaeological discoveries - the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. During your visit, you will be amazed by these masterpieces of realism, each soldier with a different figure, alongside horses, chariots and weapons. Next, you'll visit Xi'an's ancient City Wall, one of bestpreserved fortification walls in China. In the evening, indulge in a Tang Dynasty Dinner and cultural show. (BB L HD)

DAY 7 XI'AN SIGHTSEEING - CHONGQING SIGHTSEEING - YANGTZE RIVERCRUISE 
Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an ancient holy place for Buddhists. Then fly to Chongqing, where you'll visit the giant pandas at the zoo before boarding your Victoria Cruises ship for the spectacular journey down the Yangtze River. (BB L D)

DAY 8 CRUISING THE YANGTZE RIVER 
Sail down the Yangtze River. Depending on river conditions, visit either the 'Ghost City' of Fengdu, or Shibaozhai, home to a twelve-story wooden pagoda, or the new relocation village for families which were displaced as a result of the Three Gorges Dam. This evening, join the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party. (BB L D) 

DAY 9 CRUISING THE YANGTZE RIVER
Sail through the Three Gorges, starting with Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest, but also the most dramatic. Board a small riverboat and explore one of the enchanting Lesser Gorges of either the Daning River or Shennong Stream. Back on board the ship, continue through the splendid scenery of the Wu Gorge, framed by the Twelve Peaks of the Wushan Mountains. Later, sail through the Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest with cliff walls rising to 4000 feet. Finally, sail through the amazing Three Gorges Dam ship locks and this evening attend the Captain's Farewell Dinner. (BB L HD) 

DAY 10 YICHANG - SHANGHAI 
Visit the monumental work of civil engineering of the Three Gorges Dam: a 17-year, 70 billion project, involving the transportation of more than 350 billion cubic feet of rock and earth and the displacement of over 1 million people from the 150,000 acres of land which will gradually be flooded by the resulting 397-mile long reservoir. Then disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai. (BB L D) Hotel: Regal International East Asia Hotel 

DAY 11 SHANGHAI SIGHTSEEING 
Embark on a Shanghai city tour featuring visits to Old Town, the Bund promenade, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for superb city views and the Old Shanghai Museum. Also included as part of your tour is a delicious Traditional Dim Sum Highlight Lunch at a local restaurant. This evening, be awed by a performance of the amazing Shanghai Acrobats. (BB HL D) 

DAY 12 SHANGHAI - HONG KONG
You will be transfered to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for your flight to Hong Kong for a 3 night / 4 day extension. Experience the excitement and sophistication of Hong Kong, reputed for its excellent shopping, great restaurants and scenic beauty. Spend time discovering the traditions of this dynamic city which offers a vibrant and exhilarating blend of Eastern and Western cultures. Explore Hong Kong Island: drive up to Victoria Peak for a panoramic view of the city and harbour and shop at Stanley Market, a mecca for bargain hunters.

Included in your 4-day/3-night extension:
3 nights at the Deluxe Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers (or similar)