Itinerary :
Day 1/Arrive in Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, known as "Paris in the East", China's largest city, famous not only for its prosperous metropolitan feature and rich humanistic resources but also for a number of tourist attractions with modern flavor that have been developed in recent years. Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel. (D)
Day 2/Shanghai
Visit the Bund in the morning, at the west shore of the Huangpu River, the splendid row of early 20th century Europe buildings remains the quintessential Shanghai sight. Pay a visit to Yuyuan Garden, a well-restored Suzhou-style garden, which was specially built for Pan's parents as a place to enjoy themselves a tranquil and happy time in their old age. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters are unique characteristic. And also take a walk through Chenghuangmiao (known as Yuyuan Garden Market) built in the fifteenth century during the Ming Dynasty. It filled with antique markets and specialty stores. Then, visit Jade Buddha Temple, built in 1882 to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The two precious jade Buddha statues, one sitting Buddha and one Recumbent Buddha, are carved with whole white jade. Enjoy a fabulous Acrobatic Show in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 3/Shanghai
Visit EXPO 2010 site. In 2010, Shanghai will host the biggest World Expo in the history of world expositions. Over 170 nations and at least 40 international organizations are expected to take part. By dedicating a 5.28-square-kilometer area at the core of the city to exhibitions, events and forums on the Expo theme, “Better City, Better Life”, Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living. (B)
Day 4/Shanghai
Visit EXPO 2010 site. During the 184-day expo, tens of millions of visitors will inspect and appreciate the urban object images and scientific and technological elements in the huge exhibition area, stroll among the most advanced urban civilization on earth, and walk amidst the magnificent prospects of the present and future urban life. It will be not only a trip for people to look forward to, but also a grand assembly for human beings to create a wonderful future. (B)
Day 5/Shanghai-Yangtze River Cruise
In the morning, you will visit Shanghai Museum, a leading attraction of the city since it opened in 1994, containing some priceless collections of paintings, porcelains and bronzes. Then, move on to visit Xujiahui Cathedral (St. Ignatius Cathedral), Shanghai's great cathedral, opened by the Jesuits who'd had a church here as early as 1608 (today's structure dates to 1910). Transfer to the quay and embark on Yangtze River cruise, departing at 5:00pm. (B,L,D)
Cruise Ship: ***** Victoria Prince
2010 SAILING DATES (Sundays)
|
March |
21 |
August |
8, 22 |
April |
4, 18 |
September |
5, 19 |
May |
2, 16, 30 |
October |
3, 17, 31 |
June |
13, 27 |
November |
14 |
July |
11, 25 |
|
|
Day 6-12/Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River Cruise. (B,L,D)
Day13/Yangtze River Cruise-Chongqing-Xi'an
Yangtze River Cruise will end in Chongqing. Chongqing is situated in the upper reaches of Yangtze River at the confluence of Yangtze River and Jialing River in southwest of China. Visit People's Hall, an architectural symbol of Chongqing, designed in the traditional symmetrical and beautiful-proportioned style of Ming and Qing dynasties. Take an afternoon flight to Xi'an, as regards the number of dynasties and span of time, Xi'an served as an ancient capital beyond compare. (B,L,D)
Day14/Xi'an
After breakfast, visit Shaanxi History Museum, the first huge state museum with modern facilities in China, and given the reputation of "bright pearl of ancient city, treasure house of China". Then, visit once-in-a-lifetime viewing of the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors and Horses, 2,200-year-old underground army of he first feudal Emperor, Qin Shihuang. Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. Stop to visit a mountain village on the back way. Then, pay a visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built in 652 A.D. in Tang Dynasty (618-907A.D.), it functioned to collect large volume of Buddhist scriptures that were taken from India by the eminent monk of Xuanzang. (B,L,D)
Day15/Xi'an
Climb the ancient City Wall, actually built on the fortifications of Tang Forbidden City, standing 12 meters high, 12-14 meters across the top, 15-18 meters thick at the bottom, 13.7 meter in length with a deep moat surrounding it. It is the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Then, visit Forest of Steles Museum, with 900 years of history, it 3,000 pieces of the earliest stone steles of different periods, from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Some free time for you to explore the city. In the evening, attend Tang Dynasty Show and enjoy a characteristic Dumpling Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day16/Xi'an-Beijing
Fly to Beijing, the capital of China. Begin the day's activity with a visit to Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. Tian'anmen was built in 1417 and served as the entrance gate to the Imperial Palace. Move on to visit the Imperial Palace, well-known as Forbidden City which is the large scale construction of the palace extended from 1406 to 1420. It was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. 24 emperors lived and ruled China from here. Enjoy Peking Duck for Dinner. (B,L,D)
Day17/Beijing
Today's highlight is the visit to the Great Wall, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" and a symbol of Chinese civilization. Then, drive to visit the statue-lined Shenlu (Spirit Road) leading to the Ming Tombs, here you can see some marvelous stone sculptures. The Ming Tombs area is for 13 deceased emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Visit the Changling Tomb which is the largest of the 13 as you can imagine it is quite impressive. On the way back to the hotel, stop at Olympic Park and outside view the National Stadium (Bird's Nest, no entry) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube, no entry), which are the main stadium of the 29th Olympiad in 2008. (B,L,D)
Day18/Beijing
After breakfast, visit Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D., which was originally the platform to offer sacrifices to Heaven during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The buildings and parklands reflect an ancient Chinese thought of "the Heaven is round and the earth is square". In the afternoon, visit the enchanting Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. As a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, it integrates the natural landscape of hills and open water with manmade features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges into a harmonious and aesthetically exceptional whole. (B,L,D)
Day19/Depart from Beijing
Transfer to the airport and prepare for boarding on your homebound flight. TOUR ENDS! (B)
Note: B-Breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner
Shanghai-Chongqing Upstream Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Shanghai (05:00pm)
Day 2: 12:00pm/18:30pm, half day shore excursion of Nanjing. A city tour includes Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a Qing Dynasty style bazaar surrounding the Confucian Temple
Day 3: 07:00am/17:00pm, shore excursion of Yellow Mountain
Day 4: 16:00pm/19:00pm, shore excursion of Wuhan, visit the Hubei Provincial Museum
Day 5: Sailing through Yangtze River
Day 6: 07:30am arrive at Yichang; 08:00am/09:30am sail through Gezhou Dam; 13:00pm/15:30pm visit Three Gorges Dam Site; 16:00pm/20:00pm sail through Three Gorges Dam Shiplock
Day 7: Morning visit to Wu Gorge, 9:00am/14:00pm shore excursion to Daning River and Small Three Gorges, sail through Qutang Gorge
Day 8: 08:30am/12:00pm shore excursion of Fengdu Ghost City
Day 9: 08:30am arrive at Chongqing
Please attention: The sightseeing during the Yangtze River Cruise is organized by the cruise company, depend on the water level, weather and so on, GWITA take no responsibility by this case.
Hotel (or the same standard):
Shanghai: A: *** New Asia Hotel Shanghai (3-star building)
B: **** Grand Mercure Baolong Hotel Shanghai
C: ***** Oriental Riverside Hotel Shanghai
Xi’an: A: *** Wan Nian Grand Hotel (3 star building)
B: **** Jian Guo Hotel Xi’an
C: ***** Ana Grand Castle Hotel Xi’an
Beijing: A: *** Beijing Dongfang Hotel
B: **** Grand Mercure Xidan Beijing
C: ***** Beijing International Hotel
Include:
- Twin sharing accommodation with buffet breakfast
- Domestic flight in economic flight and its airport tax: Chongqing-Xi’an, Xi’an-Beijing
- Lunch and dinner as mentioned in the itinerary in good local restaurant. A glass of soft drink is included. (No guarantee lunch and dinner in the hotel which the clients stay overnight.)
- (first) Entrance fee mentioned above
- English speaking accompanying guide through out program on all days with excursions
- Fare for Acrobatic Show
- All Transfers specified in the itinerary
- Scheduled sightseeing by air-conditioned coach with guide service (No private guide for your group during Yangtze Cruise.)
Exclude:
- International & Domestic Flight and airport tax
- Tips, personal expenses
- Transfer for “day at leisure”
- Guide Service during the plane and train
- China Entry Visa
- Cable-car of the Great Wall
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