Early Booking Discount: $150.00 / Person 

If booked before 12/15/2008

Tour code:CEAW

TOUR ITINERARY:

Day 1USA to Beijing

Set out on your exciting China and Yangtze adventure by boarding a trans-Pacific jetliner bound for Beijing. The evening is spent aboard as the plane crosses the international date line to arrive in China, the ancient Land of the Dragon.

Day 2Arrive Beijing

After clearing customs and baggage retrieval you are met and welcomed at the arrival hall by your Ritz Tours guide. On the way to the hotel, you note that Beijing is a city that effortlessly infuses ancient cultural masterpieces with modern day architecture. Settle in to the five star luxury hotel accommodations for a bit of rest and relaxation after the long flight.

Day 3Beijing

Beijing has undergone much transformation in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics that were held here. Newly completed construction abounds everywhere. After breakfast, take the motor coach to the Forbidden City, which served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Construction began under emperor Yongle in 1406 and took 14 years to complete. Under imperial decree, the capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421. Just across the street from the Forbidden City is infamous Tiananmen Square, which holds title as being the world's largest public square. In the afternoon continue on to visit the emperor's SummerPalace before returning to the hotel. Tonight, a special treat is in store as you attend a Peking Duck Feast, featuring delicious morsels of duck prepared the traditional Beijing fashion.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Peking Duck Dinner

Day 4Beijing

Built as a defense against maurauders from the north, the Great Wall of China is deservedly the focal point of any tour to China. Spanning thousands of miles across China's north, it is at once a symbol of national pride and a man-made natural wonder. China's unifying emperor Qin Shi Huang began the great undertaking, and it remained a work in construction for many dynasties. Descend the Wall later to visit the Sacred Way, taking a leisurely walk along the pathway which the Sons of Heaven used to enter and leave this earth. In the same area of the Sacred Way is the MingTombMuseum, which you will also visit. This evening, dinner is served at the hotel

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

Day 5Beijing

After two full days of sightseeing, it feels good to have an entire day free at leisure. Spend the day exploring Beijing at your own pace. An optional tour is available to the Hutongs. Traverse the narrow walkways of Old Town Beijing by Rickshaw, taking a stop for a traditional home visit to the siheyuan of a local citizen. What a wonderful way to taste the history and culture of ancient Beijing!

Meals: American Breakfast

Day 6Beijing to Xi'an

Start the day with a pilgrimage to the Temple of Heaven, where the emperor, or "son of heaven," prayed for the year's coming harvest. The Temple of Heaven is considered by many to be one of the world's best example's of religious architecture. Continue on to the airport to board a short flight to Xian, the famed starting point of the Silk Road and the capital of the ShaanxiProvince. Xian is an ancient city that enjoys a 3100 year history. Its population of 7.5 million ranks it as one of the top 10 most populous cities in China. Dinner is served at the hotel tonight.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

Day 7Xi'an

The star attraction of Xian is the Terra Cotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China. Their accidental discovery by farmers in 1974 has yielded three excavation pits featuring thousands of life-sized warriors, horses and chariots in battle formation, poised to defend the emperor in the underworld. The archaeological discovery ranks as one of the most important of the 20th century and is still a work in progress. After spending ample time at the dig, the group heads back into town to surmount the City Wall and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight, following a sumptuous Imperial Dumpling Banquet, attend an enchanting Tang Dynasty Stage Opera.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dumpling Banquet

Day 8Xi'an to Chongqing

Depart Xian for Chongqing by air. Located in the SichuanProvince, the mountainous city of Chongqing is China's largest municipality and known for its cuisine that will scorch taste buds to the point of numbness. Chongqing served as the provisional capital for Chiang Kai Shek from 1937 to 1945 and holds the dubious distinction of being the world's most heavily bombed city. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to the hotel.

Meals: American Breakfast, Dunch, Dinner

Day 9Chongqing to Yangtze River

Chongqing is a mountain city with some 3000 years of history. Take a leisurely city tour of Chongqing including a visit to the StillwellMuseum. Later in the day, head to the banks of the Yangtze River where the Victoria Cruise ship awaits. Also known as "Chang Jiang," meaning LongRiver, the Yangtze is the longest river in all of Asia, flowing almost 4000 miles to the East China Sea. In the still of the night, the ship sets sail down the mighty Yangtze.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10Yangtze River Cruise

The first shore excursion of your Yangtze adventure occurs at Shibaozhai where time is taken to see its famous 12-story tall wooden pagoda. Built over 400 years ago, it is amazing that no nails were used in the construction of this pagoda. Depending on river conditions, Shibaozhai may be substituted with Fengdu or Wanzhou. Return to the ship later and continue down the river.

Meals: American Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11Yangtze River Cruise

Today the ship enters the Three Gorges, one of nature's most amazing sculptures. The ship gingerly navigates the narrow waterway of Qutang Gorge to arrive at Wushan, where you board smaller vessels in order to access the Lesser Gorges. As you ply through the shallow waters of either the DaningRiver or Shennong Stream, take time to appreciate the spectacular scenery afforded by this small tributary of the Yangtze. A bit downstream from Wushan you pass Wu Gorge, a 25 mile long stretch known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains and sheer cliffs. Xiling Gorge is the longest of the Three Gorges and also the deepest with walls rising over 4000 feet. In the evening, the ship sails through the Three Gorges ship locks.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12Yangtze River Cruise to Yichang to Shanghai

Originally envisioned by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the controversial Three Gorges Dam is being built to control the annual floodwaters that devastate the YangtzeRiver basin and to produce hydroelectric power. Over one million people have been relocated and entire towns have already been submerged by the rising water level. Today, you take an excursion to visit the Three Gorges Dam site and marvel at this massive engineering undertaking. The cruise ship arrives at Yichang were you disembark and board a short flight to Shanghai.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

Day 13Shanghai to Suzhou to Shanghai

Board a motor coach this morning that will take the group to Suzhou. Suzhou has been conferred the nicknames "Venice of the East" and the "Garden City." It is an ancient town interlaced by canals and resplendent with numerous beautiful gardens. Your city tour includes visits to the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Grand Canal, and a Silk Factory where some of China's finest silk products are made. In the afternoon, board the motor coach and head back to Shanghai.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14Shanghai

Shanghai is a cosmopolitan metropolis with a strong international heritage. Our city tour starts with a drive through bustling shopping district Nanjing Road and the Bund, a mile-long stretch along the HuangpuRiver. Feel the romance and nostalgia of Shanghai's intriguing history as we stroll past the grandiose western buildings of vintage architecture. We also spend time visiting the exhibits at the world famous ShanghaiMuseum. In the evening, attend a performance of Chinese Acrobatics after dinner.

Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15Shanghai to USA

Your China adventure is over all too soon as you transfer to the airport and board the homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.

Meals: American Breakfast

Dates & Tour Costs (Per Person):

* Prices listed are for Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) departure

* Fuel surcharge and taxes apply and are additional

Tour Package Features:

-- All five star hotels for your comfort

Beijing ¨C Crowne Plaza Hotel

Xi'an ¨C Hyatt Regency Hotel

Chongqing ¨C JW Marriott Hotel

Shanghai ¨C JinjiangCathayGarden

-- Full American or buffet breakfast daily in hotels or on the cruise

-- Lunches at local restaurants

-- Chinese or western dinners in hotels, local restaurants, or on the cruise

-- Local specialties for your delight

Beijing ¨C Peking Duck Banquet

Xi'an ¨C Imperial Dumpling Banquet

Chongqing ¨C Spicy Chongqing Cuisine

-- Special entertainment

Xi'an ¨C Tang Dynasty Stage Show

Victoria Cruise ¨C Lectures on Chinese History and Culture, Taichi Lessons, Evening Shows

Shanghai ¨C Chinese Acrobatic Show

-- Round trip international air ticket

-- China domestic air tickets

-- Comprehensive sightseeing program

-- Knowledgeable tour guide service throughout China

-- Travel Protection Insurance is provided at no additional charge if final payment is received 60 days prior to departure date

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	For more information, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-865-6221 or email to us at info@chinacustomtours.com