Note: Passengers departing from the west coast will check in for their flights a day before.

Passengers departing from Toronto and Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York will meet our Escort in Beijing.

Day 2. Arrive Beijing. You are met by local representative and transferred to your hotel. You will meet with the rest of the group for introductions in a hotel suite while enjoying cocktails and hors d’eourves. The remainder of the evening is free to relax or stroll through downtown Beijing.

Intercontinental Financial Street Beijing - Beijing (3 nights)

Day 3. Beijing. Today visit the Forbidden City, whose acres of splendid 15th Century halls and pavilions are graced with Imperial treasures and Tian An Men Square, the largest plaza in the world. Enjoy a special lunch within the walls of the Forbidden City. Later, enjoy a visit to the Hutong, the old and traditional area of Beijing, with a pedicab ride through narrow streets. There will also be a Fungshui expert to explain the layout of the Hutong. Tonight enjoy a delicious Chinese dumpling dinner. BLD

Day 4. Beijing. You will never forget your visit to the Great Wall at Badaling, the only man-made structure visible from outer space. Stay here and explore then it's time for lunch at an exclusive golf club. Later on, the group will proceed to the National Stadium (The Birds Nest) and the National Aquatic Centre (The Water Cube) and entrance to both sites will be subject to each venue being accessible. Tonight enjoy a traditional Peking Duck Banquet. BLD

Day 5. Beijing to Xian. Today visit the Temple of Heaven and see the only marble boat never to sail. Practice Tai Chi at the Temple of Heaven with a Tai Chi Master. Also visit the beautiful Summer Palace, the summer home of the Emperors and Empresses of China, and take a pleasant boat ride on the lake. This afternoon, fly to Xian, the ancient capital of China and the starting point of the Silk Road. This old walled city is a veritable treasure trove of Chinese culture and history. Tonight’s dinner will be western buffet at the hotel.

Sofitel (2 nights) BLD

Day 6. Xian Sightseeing. Today, you will see the amazing life-size Terra Cotta Warriors. Over 600 of them have been standing guard for more than 2000 years over the First Emperor of China. Discovered only in 1974, they are regarded as the archaeological discovery of the Century. This experience will take you to the lower level of this historic dig for a bird’s eye view of the warriors. Enjoy a Chinese lunch with a noodle making performance. Later, visit the Grand Mosque and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show. BLD

Day 7. Xian to Guilin. This morning, explore the City Wall in Xian. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. After lunch. transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin and check into your hotel upon arrival. Guilin is indisputably one of China's most picturesque cities. The landscape has been the subject of Chinese painters for centuries with its breathtaking limestone mountains, tree-lined streets, rice paddies and the meandering Li River. Dinner at Wei Dao Zhi Zao restaurant.

Guilin Sheraton Hotel (2 nights) BLD

Day 8. Guilin. Li River Cruise to Yangshuo. Today cruise the Li River, one of the most mystical landscapes in the world. The river meanders through steep hills and green fields offering spectacular views. A sumptuous catered lunch will be served on board. Enjoy the afternoon in Yangshuo. The balance of the afternoon can be spent exploring this quaint town by bike or on foot through the enchanting back roads of the Yangshuo countryside. West Street is Yangshuo town's best known area. It is a long, narrow, pedestrian lane lined with restaurants, bars, small hotels, and souvenir stalls. West Street normally has a relaxed atmosphere that's ideal for outdoor cafe eating, drinking and camaraderie. Return to the hotel and the balance of the evening is at your leisure. BLD

Day 9. Guilin/Chengdu. This morning, enjoy the sites of the Reed Flute Cave. The cave got its name from the verdant reeds growing outside it, with which people make flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition.

Illuminated by colored lighting, the fantastic spectacle is found in many variations along this 240-meter-long cave. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. Tonight you will enjoy an authentic Hotpot Dinner.

Chengdu Sheraton  (2 nights) BLD

Day 10. Chengdu and Pandas. This morning, visit the Panda Breeding Research Centre co-established by China’s government and the WWF. This is the world's biggest Panda Sanctuary and has about 40 giant pandas and panda cubs. The Giant Panda is known worldwide as a rare treasure, a symbol of auspiciousness , friendship and a messenger of peace. It has become the national treasure of China.  It is also possible to take pictures with a panda in your arms. Later, continue on to the Sanxingdui Museum, an important archeological discovery on the ancient Shu (Sichuan) culture, which is recognized as having some of the most important ancient remains in the world, and were only discovered locally in 1929. After lunch, your afternoon begins with a tour to a typical Chengdu-style tea house and enjoy where you will learn about Chinese tea, while drinking with the locals. In the evening, enjoy a performance of the Sichuan opera. Sichuan Opera or Chuan Ju, originated at the end of the Ming and the beginning of the Qing Dynasties. With immigrants flooding into Sichuan, different dramas were brought in to blend with the local dialect, customs, folk music and dances. BLD

Day 11. Chengdu to Chongqing. Today you will transfer to the train station and take a relaxing train ride to Chongqing. After arriving, enjoy a city tour  of Ciqikou, the old city of Chongqing, Ciqikou is an old town preserved in sprawling modern Chongqing built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The town's name, Ciqikou, means porcelain harbor, and the community prospered from the porcelain trade. Then, visit a local market where locals purchase their daily items. Board the Orient Royal cruise and overnight. BLD

Day 12. Chongqing/Fengdu. This morning begin your cruise downstream. Relax on deck and observe both Chinese farm and village life. First port of call is Fengdu, known as "City of Ghosts" where a shore excursion visits one of the many temples housing silent ghost devils. BLD

Day 13. The Three Gorges. Visit the Three Gorges, one of the most spectacular sights in China including the Wu Gorge with its "Twelve Peaks", the Qutang Gorge known for its magnificent scenery and the western section of the longest gorge, the Xiling Gorge. Also experience a boat trip on the Shennong Stream lesser gorge. BLD

Day 14. Three Gorges Dam / Yichang/Shanghai. Experience the world's largest hydroelectric project to be completed in 2009 then sail through the eastern section of the Xiling Gorge with its beautiful scenery. Arrive Yichang around lunch time. Fly later to Shanghai, China's largest city. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Garden Hotel (2 nights) BL

Day 15. Shanghai Sightseeing. Today your tour starts with a visit to The Bund. Then it's off to the elegant and charming Yu Yuan Gardens and Yu Bazzard. Following an authentic Shanghainese lunch, you will have time to visit and explore the Shanghai Museum. Following the museum, shoppers can enjoy the amazing Nanjing Road and shop on your own. Tonight enjoy an elegant Farewell dinner and a performance of the world famous Acrobatic show. BL