China & the Yangtze River

• Itinerary
• Prices & Information

Day 1 Home to China
Your exotic journey to China begins today with a morning departure from Minneapolis. Fly overnight to the People’s Republic of China.

Included Meals: Inflight Meals

DAY 2 Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, great rival to Hong Kong and the most capitalistic city in China. You’ll be escorted to your hotel near the Bund waterfront.

DAY 3 Shanghai
After breakfast, embark on a guided city tour with stops at the Jade Buddha Temple and the Bund waterfront. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or take an optional excursion to the magnificent Shanghai Museum with lunch at a genuine Mongolian BBQ. Tonight, why not take in the famous Shanghai acrobat dinner show?

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 Shanghai
Leisure day. Optional tour (via train) to Souzou, capital of the Silk route immortalized by Marco Polo. Embark on a motorboat for a fascinating cruise down the Grand Canal, the largest man-made waterway in the world. Thousands make their homes on floating barges and in quarters lining the canal. After lunch, a city tour and visit to a working silk factory complete your day in the country.

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 Shanghai to Wuhan
Fly from Shanghai to Wuhan, an important port on the mighty Yangtze River. Transfer to Shashi for embarkation on the m/s Star Dipper. Sightseeing in ancient Jingsha, a walled city whose gate dates from the Three kingdoms period (220-265 AD.) This evening set sail.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 Cruising the Yangtze River
Pass through the locks of Geshouba Dam and arrive in Sandouping, site of the Three Gorges Dam project. Tour the construction area, which will so drastically affect the country.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 Cruising
This morning pass the Shennong Stream and continue sailing through the second Wu Gorge. Afternoon arrival in Wushan, where you will board a sampan for a thrilling trip up the Daning River to see the Small Gorge, showcasing some of China’s most spectacular scenery. Towering cliffs soar over the narrow river canyon where unique wildlife abounds.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 Cruising
Your boat anchors at this river town, followed by a walking tour of the village. One of the Yangtze’s most spectacular sites, Shiboshai boasts a 12 story wooden pagoda built against the side of the sheer rectangular cliff. Over 400 years old, it has appropriately been named the “Shining Pearl on the Yangtze” and is a gem of Chinese architecture. This evening you are special guests at the Captain’s Farewell Dinner reception.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 Cruising to Xian
This morning we disembark our cruise and time permitting we’ll tour the Stillwell Museum and city sites. After lunch, transfer to the airport for a flight to Xian. Arrive at the Jian Guo Hotel

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10 Xian
A morning tour takes you to the recently uncovered treasure trove of over 7,000 life-sized buried Terra Cotta warriors from China’s first emperor, Xin. You will see an introductory film chronicling the history of the site on a 360 degree screen, visit the extraordinary archaeological dig, and tour the adjacent museum. After lunch, the afternoon optional city tour takes you to the Wild Goose pagoda and to the top of the city wall. In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal and cultural show at the optional Tang Dynasty Dinner Show.

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11 Xian to Beijing
After breakfast, fly to Beijing, China’s vibrant capital for the last seven centuries. You’ll be escorted to your hotel, the centrally located First Class Landmark next to the Sheraton and Bejing Hard Rock Cafe.

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12 Beijing
On today’s exhilarating included excursion, you will travel to the legendary Great Wall, which is the only man-made structure visible from space! Enjoy the breathtaking view before proceeding to visit the Ming Tombs, burial site of the Ming Dynasty royalty. This evening, sample Peking Duck and other regional delicacies at an optional night a the Peking Opera and dinner event.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13 Beijing
Today is a day of leisure. Optional comprehensive tour to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. Lunch is included on the optional tour.

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14 Beijing
Another day of leisure! Optional morning tour through the ancient Hutong district by pedicab rickshaws, where you have the opportunity to enter a Chinese house and visit with a local family. Afternoon optional excursion to Temple of Heavenly Peace and the Panda Zoo is also available.

Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15 Beijing to Home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. You will arrive in the U.S the same day… Xie Xie!

Included Meals: Breakfast

4 Day Extension to Japan for only $595!!!

Day 15 Beijing/Tokyo
After arriving at mid-day to Tokyo’s Narita Airport, you will be transferred to your First Class Hotel in the heart of Tokyo. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 Tokyo
Your morning sightseeing tour of the Japanese capital will take you to the Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace Plaza with its beautiful garden, Asakusa Kannon Temple, the city’s oldest temple, and to the bustling Akihabara district, renown for its wholesale outlets of electric appliances and computers. Afternoon at leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 Tokyo
Leisure day. Optional tours available from the hotel concierge desk include a day excursion to Mount Fuji by high-speed train.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 18 Tokyo to Home
Morning is at leisure for any last minute shopping or revisiting favorite sites. Afternoon transfer to Narita Airport, where your flight to the U.S. arrives home the same day.