Today’s highlight is a tour of the astonishing Great Wall. Much anticipated by our guests, the Great Wall serves as one of the most famous images of China. It is the only manmade object visible from the moon and one of the Seven Wonders of the World!  After lunch, see skilled artisans at work at the Cloisonné Factory. Later, walk the Sacred Path of Ming Tombs. Have an up-close view of the beautiful Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, both of which are national stadiums built for the 2008 Olympics. Visit one of the largest Jade Centers in Asia and learn Chinese jade culture.. Tonight, you can choose to attend an optional Chinese cultural show at your own expense, “The Golden Mask Dynasty” ($55pp), a spectacular one that incorporates dancing, acrobatics and magnificent costumes. 

Tour the exquisite Summer Palace, the largest preserved ancient imperial garden in China, and a former summer resort for Emperors. Later explore Beijing’s ancient alleyways also known as “hutongs” by pedicab. Enjoy this afternoon at leisure or join an optional half day tour. 

Fly to Xi’an in the morning. Xian was the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world during the Tang Dynasty; it served as the Chinese capital for eleven dynasties, a period of more than 2,000 years. Upon arrival, visit the fascinating Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum. Enjoy lunch before a visit to the Ancient City Wall, the most complete ancient city wall surviving in China. It also is one of the largest and most complete ancient military defense systems in the world. Stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter and explore the Islamic food markets, followed by a special Imperial Dumpling Banquet Dinner and traditional Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Show. 

Today’s highlight is a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. See the life-sized defending army to the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. This site is regarded as “the Eighth Wonder of the World” and is among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century. Later, visit a Ceramics Art Factory.

This morning, fly to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Visit the Drepung Monastery in late afternoon.

*Because of Lhasa’s elevation, altitude sickness can occur. Please consider your own health conditions before travel. 

Visit the spectacular Potala Palace and Norbulingka, the summer residence of Dalai Lama. 

Visit the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple and Sakyamuni Buddha. Tour Barkhor Street and have local Tibetan food for lunch as you enjoy a local performance. This afternoon is at leisure.

Fly to Chengdu. Transfer to hotel for a good rest.  After lunch, take a relaxing tour to visit the Wuhou Temple and Wide-Narrow Alleys (Kuan-Zhai Xiangzi). Taste authentic Chengdu spicy flavors in the evening following by a world famous local show, the Face Changing Show.  

See the Giant Panda at the largest Panda Feeding Base of China in the morning. As an endangered species, there are only less than 2,000 left in the world, while approximately 250 are in some breeding programs. The museum gathers information on panda’s reproductive problems and there is also a large breeding ground at the site. Travel to Chongqing by bullet train in the afternoon. Visit General Stillwell Museum and enjoy a famous Chongqing Hot Pot dinner before boarding your cruise ship on Yangtze River. 

Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery over the next few days as you cross through the Yangtze Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge.

Enjoy shore excursions to explore the area’s fascinating history and the tranquil landscape. 

Disembark to visit the massive Three Gorges Dam Project. Arrive in Yichang before flying to Shanghai. Check into hotel followed by dinner.

Walk along the famous Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River. Lined by the colonial architectures of European design, this area is the best place to capture the western influences of the old days. Continue on to visit the Ming Dynasty Yuyuan Garden, which is considered to be one of the four greatest Chinese gardens. Your final stop will be the bustling shopping district, Nanjing Road. This afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, you may attend a thrilling optional Chinese acrobatic show at your own expense - “ERA: The Intersection of Time” ($60pp).

Your China journey is over all too soon… Fly back home and arrive home on the same day as you leave China.