Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Transfer to the hotel for rest. (No meal)
Accommodation: ***Ping An Fu Hotel

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. 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. Enjoy a Peking Duck for dinner. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: ***Ping An Fu Hotel

Today’s highlight is your visit to the Great Wall, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” and a symbol of Chinese civilization. Climb Mutianyu Great Wall (excluded Cable Car) to avoid the crowds. 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 Ming Dynasty. Visit the Changling Tomb which is the largest of the 13 as you can imagine it is quite impressive. (B,L)
Accommodation: ***Ping An Fu Hotel

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. In the afternoon, you will visit the Yonghe Lama Temple, the largest and most perfectly preserved Tibetan Buddhist Lama Temple outside Tibet. It was built in 1649 as the residence of Prince Yong of Qing Dynasty, and was converted to a temple after he became Emperor moving to Forbidden City. Enjoy Peking Opera after dinner. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: ***Ping An Fu Hotel

After a relaxed breakfast at hotel this morning, walk through some old “Hutongs”, lanes or alleys formed by lines of Siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard). Following time is at leisure. Take overnight train to Pingyao with soft sleeper (the 1st class in china, 4 persons sharing one cabin). (B,L)
Accommodation: on the train

Arrive in Pingyao, boasting the famous Pingyao Old City which was enlisted in the United Nations World Cultural
Heritage in 1997. Transfer to historic hotel/guesthouse on arrival. The whole day is at leisure. (B)
Accommodation: **(*)Yi De Hotel


Pingyao Destination Guide
Pingyao Old City is like a huge historical museum. In the center of the Old City, the nearly 200 years old
Rishengchang Exchange Shop is the first 'bank' in Chinese history. The well-preserved County Government Office
shows a complete picture of the solemn law court and prison of the Qing Dynasty while in Chenghuangmiao Street
. The Temple of the City God and the Confucius Temple reveal a glimpse of local folk life. Along the Ancient Ming
and Qing Street, the old buildings in antique architecture styles may bring you back to the old China of that time.
Outside the Old City, there are two temples worth visiting: Shuanglin Monastery and Zhenguo Temple. Shuanglin
Monastery, 7km from Pingyao, is renowned not for its architecture, but for its painted statues executed during Song
, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, spanning a period of over 1,000 years. Zhenguo Temple, 12km from Pingyao,
was first built in the period of Five Dynasties and was renovated in Ming and Qing Dynasties, but still keeps its
original styles.
What's more, most of the famous residences of Shanxi Merchants are clustered around Pingyao: Qiao Family
Residence, Wang Family Residence, Qu Family Residence, and etc.


Information Link
The culture of the Shanxi Merchants
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many merchants from Taigu, Qixian and Pingyao of the Jinzhong area began
to develop their businesses in China’s big cities and overseas. Their piaohao (firms for the exchange and transfer
of money) once monopolized money exchanged and the monetary lifelines of the whole country, accruing them
great fortunes. They came back to heir home villages to build homes to honor their ancestors and show their
social status. Now these residences have become historic buildings. These rich merchants and their residences
comprise the “Culture of the Shanxi Merchants”. Among the homes, the Qiao Family Residence has become the
Museum of Folk Customs, and the Qu Family Residence is the Museum of Culture of the Shanxi Merchants.

Day is free to explore the city. Transfer to the railway station in the evening, and take overnight train to Xi’an. (B)
Accommodation: on the train

Arrive in Xi’an. As regards the number of dynasties and span of time, Xi’an served as an ancient capital beyond compare. Pick up from railway station and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, climb up 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. (B,L)
Accommodation: ****Bell Tower Hotel

Begin today’s sightseeing to visit 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, visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda, originally built in 652 A.D. in Tang Dynasty (618-907A.D.), functioned to collect large volume of Buddhist scriptures that were taken from India by the eminent monk of Xuanzang. (B,L)
Accommodation: ****Bell Tower Hotel

Transfer to the airport and fly to Chongqing, situated in the upper reaches of Yangtze River at the confluence of Yangtze River and Jialing River in southwest of China. It is a port city and the starting point for Yangtze River Cruise. Have a Chongqing city tour of the People’s Hall and Eling Park getting a panoramic view of Chongqing city proper. Embark on the downstream cruise in the evening. The cruise departs at 21:00. (B)
Accommodation: ****American Victoria – Rose

08:00-10:30: Shore excursion to Shibaozhai (or Fengdu or Wanxian)*
11:00-16:00: Participate activities on board
18:00: Welcome banquet held by capitain
20:00: Dancing & Singing Performance
(B,L,D)
Accommodation: ****American Victoria – Rose

07:00-07:30: Sailing through the Qutang Gorge
09:30-13:00: Excursion to Lesser Three Gorges or excursion to Shennong Stream.
13:30-15:00: Sailing through the Wu Gorge
16:00-18:00: Sailing through the Xiling Gorge (western section)
18:00: Farewell Dinner
20:00: Pass the ship locks of the gorges dam
(B,L,D)
Accommodation: ****American Victoria – Rose

08:00-10:00: Shore excursion to Three Gorge Dam
10:00-12:00: Sailing through Xiling Gorge (eastern section)
13:30: Arrive at Yichang Port
Pick up from the port and transfer to the airport. Take an afternoon flight to Shanghai, known as “Paris in the East”. Transfer to the hotel on arrival. (B,L)
Accommodation: ***Pacific Luck Hotel Shanghai

Day14 Shanghai

Enjoy 1 hour cruise on Huangpu River. On its western shore, the colonial landmarks of the Bund serve as a reminder of Shanghai's 19th-century struggle to reclaim a waterfront from the bogs of this river; on the eastern shore, the steel and glass skyscrapers of the Pudong New Area point to a burgeoning financial empire of the future. Then, climb up Jinmao Tower, the highest building in Shanghai with a height of 420 meters. The rest day is free for your exploration in Shanghai. (B,L)
Accommodation: ***Pacific Luck Hotel Shanghai

Shanghai Destination Guide Yuyuan Garden, a well-restored Suzhou-style garden, was specially built fro 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. Located next to the Yu Garden and also known today as the Yuyuan Garden Market, Chenghuangmiao was built in the fifteenth century during the Ming Dynasty. It filled with antique markets and specialty stores. Nanjing Road is a must-see metropolitan destination, China’s No. 1 shopping street, Shanghai’s past and present commercial centers.

Day15 Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai

Today’s highlight is a tour to Suzhou, known as “Venice in the East”. Enjoy a Boat sailing on the Grand Canal where reveals the traditional way of lift for the people who have lived here for generations. China’s emperors took such route many times to inspect their territory and people in the South, leaving lots of legends and stories in the history. Pay a visit to Garden of the Master of the Nets, the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, and it is the most impressive because of its use of space which creates the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size. Then, drive to visit Tongli Town, an aged-old but well-preserved water township with a history of more than 1,000 years. Take sightseeing of local stone streets, grand houses surrounded by water, small exquisite courtyard, charming private garden and characteristic bridges and appreciating the pure local customs with a sense of returning to nature. Proceed to Shanghai in the late afternoon. (B,L)
Accommodation: ***Pacific Luck Hotel Shanghai

Day16 Depart from Shanghai

Our guide leads the guests to the airport by Maglev (one-way, the luggage will be carried by the clients). TOUR ENDS! (B)

*Depending on river conditions, alternate excursions may be substituted as follows:
Day 2 Wanzhou or Fengdu, Day3 Shennong Stream
9 meals + 4 or 5 meals on the cruise