Panda & Yangtze River
Escapade 15 Days Family Tour -- Program
Details
Visiting Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Downstream Yangtze River Cruise, Shanghai.
 Huanglong's (Yellow Dragon's) Limestone Ponds |
 Panda & Yangtze River Escapade |
DAY-BY-DAY
ITINERARY |
| CHINA |
| DAY 2 • Thursday
• Arrive Beijing Upon arrival, you are escorted to check in to the hotel. JW Marriott Hotel Beijing |
| DAY 3 • Friday •
Beijing Begin the day with a kite-making class, with time to fly your new creation in Tiananmen Square. Then visit the Forbidden City's Imperial Palace to tour the museum, jewelry sections and the Clock collection. This afternoon visit the Beijing Opera School . Starting as young as age 7, students are recruited from all over China to train in dancing, acrobatics, music and art as well as Kung Fu. During summer vacation, the tour will see an evening performance of the energetic “Legend of Kung Fu. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch |
| DAY 4 • Saturday
• Beijing This morning tour the Great Wall at Badaling, and walk its ancient ramparts. Then join with young Chinese to plant trees at the Great Wall. This afternoon is free to explore on your own or you may choose an interesting optional tour. For information on optional tours in Beijing, click here. Perhaps shop at Silk Alley, Hong Qiao Market and the Street of Antiquities. This evening, enjoy a cruise through the lake and canals of Beijing's old Hutong area. Traditional Chinese red lanterns light your small boat, while music plays. The Hutongs are the fast-disappearing residential areas of old Beijing. Tonight, you will have a real treat—a home-style dinner with a local family. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Local Family |
| DAY 5 • Sunday •
Beijing/Xi'an Board a flight for Xi'an, ancient capital for over eleven dynasties. At the recently discovered tomb site of Han Jing Di (156-140 BC), ritual activities were originally performed in aboveground palaces, which are currently being excavated. At the Restoration Room of the Han Yang Ling tomb, you will see archeologists at work restoring objects excavated from the tomb. Check in to your hotel, where you may relax and enjoy your own pursuits this evening. Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch |
| DAY 6 • Monday •
Xi'an View the extraordinary legion of the life-sized terra-cotta army, buried with the first emperor for over 2200 years. See a Circle Vision Movie that recreates scenes from that period, including the bronze chariots and horses. Then enjoy lunch at the Terra-Cotta Museum with a noodle-making demonstration. Then on to visit the Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum with private tour of the museum's mural collection. Buffet dinner at the Shangri-La Golden Flower . MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner |
| DAY 7 • Tuesday
• Xi'an/Chengdu Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Visit the Bird and Flower Market; continue on to Qingyang Palace, the oldest and largest Daoist temple in Chengdu, then Qintai Road. This evening, attend an entertaining Sichuan Opera. Full of local color and flavor, Sichuan Opera is a combination of music and acrobatic performances, including Changing Face, Spitting Fire and Bowl-lamp Rolling. Shangri-La Chengdu MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| DAY
8 • Wednesday • Chengdu This morning, a highlight of your trip includes a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the best place to see Chengdu's most endearing residents. Also included are the museum and a movie where you may learn about the Giant Pandas' habitat and evolution. According to the pandas' activities when you visit, you may have the option to take your picture with an adorable baby panda! Continue on to the Sanxingdui Museum with its remarkable collection of archeological artifacts spanning 5,000 years of culture in the Chengdu area. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| DAY 9 • Thursday
• Chengdu/Chongqing* Depart Chengdu for your flight to Chongqing. Buffet dinner at the hotel. Harbour Plaza Chongqing MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner *Travel from Chengdu to Chongqing may be by motorcoach if flight is not available. |
| DAY 10 • Friday
• Chongqing Today's sightseeing includes the highlights of this mountainside city, well known for its covered outdoor marketplace. Visit the Stilwell Museum, with its collection of World War ll memorabilia of the Flying Tigers. Enjoy panoramic views of Chongqing from E Ling Park, and visit Ci Qi Kou Old Town with its Qing dynasty homes, teahouses, shops and old docks. After dinner, board the Victoria Empress to begin your memorable cruise downstream. Board Victoria Cruises' Victoria Empress MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner |
| DAY 11 • Saturday
• Yangtze Cruise Fengdu* At Fengdu, a shore excursion shows Mingshan Hill's unique temples, with statues of ghosts and devils. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner *Alternate shore excursion may visit Shibaozhai or Wanzhou. |
| DAY 12 • Sunday
• Yangtze Cruise Qutang Gorge/Small Gorges Excursion/ Wu Gorge/Xiling
Gorge Cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge hemmed by mossy cliffs. At Wushan, an excursion takes you up the Daning River via cruiser to view the breathtaking Small Gorges. Continue by sampan to the picturesque mini-gorges of the Ma Du River with its clear, swift running water, unusual rock formations, and monkeys and goats along the banks. Alternatively, your excursion may be on Shennong Stream with its impressive small gorges. Sail on through Wu Gorge, celebrated for its Twelve Peaks. Next, cruise through Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. Finally, sail through the dramatic Three Gorges ship lock. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| DAY 13 • Monday
• Yangtze Cruise Xiling Gorge/San Dou Ping/Yichang to Shanghai* This morning visit the impressive Three Gorges Dam site. Continue on to Yichang where you board your flight bound for Shanghai. Buffet dinner at the hotel. Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel Shanghai MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner *If direct flight is not available, travel by motorcoach to Wuhan and fly to Shanghai. |
| DAY 14 • Tuesday
• Shanghai This morning, tour the Shanghai Museum's rich dynastic collections. Continue through the fascinating Old Quarter before visiting the Arts & Crafts Research Institute where traditional crafts are practiced by local artisans. See the amazing art of paper cutting; watch as small figures are deftly crafted from dough. Visit the Children's Palace where local children are taught traditional skills such as Chinese music and folk dance, Beijing Opera, calligraphy and ink-brush painting. After dinner, you will attend Shanghai's world-renowned acrobatic show. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| DAY 15 • Wednesday
• Depart Shanghai for Los Angeles Fly homeward aboard Northwest Airlines. MEALS: American Breakfast |
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