12 Days Yangtze River & Cultural Delights

International flight on your own arrangement. Once arrive in Beijing,be met and transferred to your hotel. Feel free at leisure for the rest of the day.

The Tian'anmen Square

After breakfast starts with a visit to the Temple of Heaven .You will see local people practicing Tai Chi,as well as singing and calligraphy in the neighboring park,and take a leisurely walk through Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City, enjoy the panoramic view of Forbidden City form Jing-shan Hill .Sample Peking Duck Dinner before a fantastic Kongfu Show .
The Tian'anmen Square : The largest city square in the world.
The Forbidden City : The largest imperial palace in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years.Located in the middle of Beijing, Forbidden City was the Chinese royal palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Also called Palace Museum, the Forbidden City is recognized as the most magnificent and splendid palace complex in China and one of the five world-famous palaces with the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in England, the White House in United States and the Kremlin in Russia.
The Temple of Heaven : Temple of Heaven ( Tiantan ) is located in the southern part of Beijing, and has been one of the most holy places for the whole country for more than five centuries. It used as a complex of sacrificial buildings for the Ming and Qing emperors, and is the largest one in Beijing among several royal altars to Heaven, Earth, the Sun, the Moon and other deities or symbolic forces of Nature.

the Great Wall

Morning head to visit the Great Wall, Ming Tomb .Then explore the alleyway -"Hutong" by riding on a traditional rickshaw to catch close-up glimpses of local life. Then transfer to the train station to take the train to Xi'an.
The Great Wall : One of the seven wonders in the world and the symbol of China.Badaling Great Wall is the most impressive and the most visited section of the Great Wall of China. Constructed in 1502 during the Ming Dynasty, the Badaling Great Wall once served as an important military fortification. Many leaders from China and around the world, like Richard Nixon, Margaret Thatcher…all visited this section of the wall.
The Ming Tomb : The only underground tomb of the thirteen tombs of the emperors in the Ming Dynasty.Some 50 kilometers northwest of the downtown Beijing, the Ming Tombs are generally combined with a visit to the Great Wall. Otherwise known as the “13 Tombs”, this is the burial site of 13 out of 17 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. However, the only one you can get a good look at is the tomb of Emperor Wanli, who reigned from 1537 to 1620. This tomb was unearthed in 1956. There are two others that have been uncovered, but the rest remain illusive

The Ancient City Wall

Morning arrive Xi'an,you will be met and transferred to your hotel.This afternoon stroll on the original City Wall,Which you have opportunity to cycle on this ancient wall,and then explore the Old Muslim Quarter and Old Mosque.Tonight enjoy a local specialty-dumpling dinner before the famous Tang Dynasty culture show.
The Ancient City Wall : An extension of the old Tang Dynasty structure boasting the most complete city wall that survives through Chinese long history.The City Wall has corner towers, ramparts, sentry towers, gate towers, battlements and a a number of city defensive fortifications with very strong defense capability.
Old Muslim Quarter and Old Mosque:The Great Mosque is a Chinese traditional Alhambresque architecture with a long history and grant scale, which is the great combination of Islamic and Chinese culture. It was recorded that it was established in the first year of the Tian Bao reign by Li Lung Ji, after renovations and expansions on several occasions in the Song, Yuan and especially the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it gradually takes on the current performance. The Great Mosque and the Muslim Quarter now is the important relic preservation of Shanxi Province and the national important relic preservation of third period.
Tang Dynasty culture show:If you prefer a night performance to kill your night time, Tang Dynasty Show is your best choice, which is on the most Xian visitors' top 10 attractions list. The Tang Dynasty Show showcases the costumes, music, and dancing of China's golden age: the Tang dynasty (618 - 907). The show begins with an ancient Chinese musical instrument ensemble while you dine and then later the cultural dance segment begins. The costumes are splendid and you can get some really nice photos if you sit near the stage.

The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

After breakfast visit the historical significance os amazing The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses -where7000 individually crafted clay soldiers stand on guard.Then continue to the Bid Wild Goose Pagoda built to house Buddhist scriptures collected by a Chinese Monk,where you can see variety of buddha statues before flying to Chengdu.
The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses : The greatest archaeological findings of the century: the army of terra-cotta warriors and the bronze chariots entombed in vast underground vaults at emperor Qin's tomb.
The Wild Goose Pagoda: The pagoda where widely renowned Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his classics brought from India. Big Goose Pagoda is one of the oldest structures in China. Originally Big Goose Pagoda consisted of a brick structure of five storeys and was about 60 meters high. First built in 589A.D.in the Sui Dynasty. Between AD 701 and AD 704 during the reign of the Empress Wu Zetian five more storeys were added to the pagoda making ten in all.

Leshan Buddha Sculpture

After breakfast take a scenic drive to the world's largest Buddha Statue(71m high)at Leshan County,walk down to the foot of the Buddha and hope on a river cruise to appreciate its fill stature and splendor from the river.Tonight sample a local specialty dinner.
Leshan Buddha Sculpture:The Giant Buddha of Leshan (aka Dafo) is the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world, carved out of a cliff face by an 8th-century monk in southern Szechuan province. The Giant Buddha overlooks the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers and faces the sacred Mount Emei (with which it shares its World Heritage status).History, Construction on the Giant Buddha began in 713 AD. It was the idea of a Chinese monk named Haitong, who hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels traveling down the river. His plans were not just supernatural - the enormous amount of rubble carved away from the cliff would be deposited in the river, altering the currents and calming the waters.

Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre

After breakfast visit the fascinating Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre to learn morn about these amazing endangered animals and the programs that are being implemented to protect them.Later explore bustling teahouses and take a stroll in the lively People's Park before being transferred to the railway station for your train trip to Chongqing,Upon arrival,you are transferred to your Yangtze Cruise ship.
Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre:Zoos, scientific research centers, breeding centers, or semi-protected areas work together to maintain a self-sustaining population of a given species. This population may serve as a hedge against extinction of the species, as well as a reservoir for improved understanding of its natural history. The Chengdu Panda Base is an example of a scientific institute engaged in research towards conservation. Our goal is not only to provide technical support for scientific research on wild pandas, but also to increase the wild population through improved management and, ultimately reintroduction of individuals into areas from which the populations have declined. Research at the Chengdu Panda Base focuses on the advancement of wildlife conservation in China.

Xiling Gorge

Sail through Xiling Gorge,Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge and enjoy the magnificent views of various shapes of peaks,rolling rills and small towns along the river.Also you shall undertake on-shore excursions to the Ghost City of Fengdu,take a Sampan（wooden boat）tour to one of the Yangtze's tributaries,pass through the world's biggest five level ship lock.
Xiling Gorge:Xiling Gorge is mainly composed of smaller gorges and dangerous shoals. From west to east, there are four gorges - The Military Books and Precious Sword Gorge (Bingshu Baojian Xia), The Ox and Horse Lungs Gorge (Niugan Mafei Xia), Kongling Gorge, and Lantern Shadow Gorge (Dengying Xia) - and some dangerous shoals such as Qingtan, Xietan, Xintan and Konglingtan .
Wu Gorge:The Wu Gorge is the second gorge of the Three Gorges of Yangtze River and is famous for its elegance. Winding over 25 miles, it starts from the estuary of Daning River (east of Wushan) in the west and ends at Guandukou in Badong, Hubei Province .
Qutang Gorge :Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most majestic of the Three Gorges, winds five miles from Baidi City in Fengjie County to Daxi Town in Wushan County. The two banks of the Qutang Gorge contain numerous scenic spots.
Ghost City of Fengdu:Located on the Ming Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, Fengdu County is known to most Chinese as the 'Ghost City'. Having nearly two thousand years' history, the Ghost City combines the cultures of Confucianism,Taoism and Buddhism with the mystique of ghosts. Many famous literary works like Journey to the West, Apotheosis of Heroes and Strange Tales of a Lonely Studio contain vivid references to Fengdu.

Three Gorges Dam Project

Today experience the Tai Chi morning exercises ,visit the Three Gorges Dam Project,enjoy a variety of Chinese cultural activities on board,such as Chinese brush painting shows,Chinese silk embroidery lessons.
Three Gorges Dam Project:"Three Gorges Dam Project" is the short term for the water control project at the three gorges on Yangtze River. It is located in the middle section of Xiling Gorge (one of the three gorges on Yangtze River) near Sandouping Town inYichang City, Hubei Province. Being the world's largest hydropower project, Three Gorges Dam Project has created many "Firsts" such as the most efficient dam in flood control, the most difficult construction work and the largest migration project in the world.
Tai Chi :is a centuries-old Chinese martial art that descends from qigong, an ancient Chinese discipline that has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. (The people that you see moving gracefully in parks in China are practicing tai chi.) According to some records, tai chi dates back as far as 2,500 years! It involves a series of slow, meditative body movements that were originally designed for self-defense and to promote inner peace and calm.

Bund

After breakfast you will take the early flight to Shanghai and check into the hotel . Then visit the Shanghai Museum and after dinner visit the Bund and enjoy the boat cruise on the Huangpu River.
Shanghai Museum: Shanghai Museum used to be near the Bund area. It is now situated in People's Square and its new buildings were built in 1996, designed by a Shanghai architect named Xing Tonghe. The new design symbolizes China's ancient understanding of the world: round sky and square earth. The museum has a circular roof and rectangular base. It stores 120,000 precious artifacts, which narrate a story of China's 5,000-year civilization.
Bund: This symbol of Shanghai is known worldwide as the ‘gallery of international architecture.’ Its assortment of buildings standing along the Huangpu River varying in height, color and architectural design make it one of the most magnificent skylines in the world.The Bund is Shanghai's most characteristic landscape. Over one hundred years, it has emerged as a symbol of Shanghai. It is located between the Nanpu Bridge and the Waibaidu Bridge in the West Bank of Huangpu River, with the total length of four kilometers. It is one of the new ten landscapes of the Shanghai 90s and the top ten tourist attractions. The Huangpu River, Long Beach, Green Square, as well as magnificent architectural complex together constitute a spectacular Shanghai incomparable landscape.
Huangpu River:Huangpu River is a branch of the lower reaches of theYangtze River. It lies in Shanghai City, formerly known as Huangxiepu or Chunshen River. It takes its rise from theTai Lake, runs eastwards through the Dianshan Lake in Qingpu County and then flows to Minhang District in Shanghai. At the Baidu Bridge in the center of Shanghai City, Huangpu River flows together with the Wusong River (i.e. Suzhou River) and finally flows into the East China Sea.

Yuyuan Gardens

In the morning you will visit Yuyuan Garden and Jade Budda Temple, and the rest of the day is free for you.
Yuyuan Gardens: A famous garden of beauty and tranquility in the heart of Shanghai built during the Ming Dynasty 400 years ago as a son’s gift to his parents.Black tiles and white walls establish a nonchalant and simple keynote . The dainty style makes one feel comfortable, and each exquisite window lattice is telling its own story, serves the record of the past delicate life. Every piece of roof tile is passing a sort of affection of pride and memories.The entire Yuyuan Garden is bordered by the Dragon Wall.
Jade Buddha Temple:A beautiful Buddhist temple constructed in 1882 housing two spectacular, imported, jade, Burmese Buddhas.

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport and take the flight back to your hometown.