Detailed Itinerary 12-Night CME China Land Tour & Yangtze River Cruise *Itinerary subject to change without notice* Day 1 - Arrive in Beijing Breakfast Upon your arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport, you will collect your luggage and complete arrival formalities before exiting into the designated arrivals hall where you will be met by your English speaking guide holding a name-board. Receive a warm welcome and walk with your guide to the waiting vehicle for transportation by private car/van to your hotel. Flight Schedule: TBA The drive from the airport to the hotel is typically between 30 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic and/or any roadwork/detours. En route, your guide will brief you on Beijing and your upcoming days together and answer any questions you may have. On arrival at the hotel, your guide will get you checked-in and set up for the following days meeting time & place. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Accommodation: Marriott Northeast Hotel Room As Chosen Deluxe/Executive, Including breakfast 3 nights Day 2 - Beijing Great Wall of China (Badaling Pass) Summer Palace with boat ride Depart the hotel with your guide and driver and leave the city behind as you head for the Great Wall of China. Built over 2000 years ago as a defensive system to throw off invading armies, the Great Wall stretches over 6,000 km across the top of China, and is arguably one of the greatest triumphs of mankind. The story of the wall is long and often-times filled with myths and inaccuracies, but the history here is rich and provides incredible insight into an ancient China as it marched forward capturing more land in the hopes of unifying neighbouring states. With many passes in various states of ruin, the most renowned (and restored) sections of the wall are nearby Beijing where visitors can take the time to climb the wall and admire as it snakes majestically along the hills and valleys of Beijing s countryside. You ll have time with your guide and free time to explore the Wall at your own pace. Your tour includes a visit to the Badaling Pass of the Great Wall, including cable car tickets. Afterwards, you will take the return drive back to Beijing, for a visit to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace, another of China s many UNESCO World Heritage sites, was the summer retreat for emperors looking to escape the blistering summers inside the Imperial City. Located on a hillside overlooking Kunming Lake, the setting is stunning, as you discover the ornate corridor, temples, pavilions, gardens and more. Damaged over the years during
Page 1 warring periods, Empress Dowager Cixi started a rebuild in 1888 only to see it destroyed shortly thereafter. It wasn t until the mid-1900 s where another overhaul was made and is more or less what is seen today. Take a guided tour of the vast palace grounds, and then return to the hotel for the evening at leisure. Day 3 - Beijing Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Hutongs - walking & pedicab ride Peking duck dinner You will meet your guide in the hotel lobby at the appointed time and start your tour of Beijing. Drive to the center of the city and then start your walking tour as you stroll through Tiananmen Square, the world s largest city square, to the north of the Forbidden City, where over 400,000 square meters of flat stone surface not only symbolizes the stately ambitions of the communist party but makes for a grand introduction to the city. The location where Mao would speak publicly to the Chinese people and watch parades of up to 1 million people, the square remains a public place, and with the soviet-inspired buildings nearby and Imperial Palace just across Chang an Road, it is the perfect introduction to a city which holds on tight to its tumultuous past while moving rapidly forward. From Tiananmen Square, you`ll head to the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is the heart of Beijing and is an impressive collection of ancient Chinese-style buildings surrounded by a 50+ meter moat, and with the many halls, rooms, red doors, imperial pomp, open space, and balance in design, this is easily Beijing s most magnificent monument. Serving as a treasure chest of dynastic history, the Imperial Palace is the best place to get your feet wet in the long and storied history of the Middle Kingdom. Once the seat of power for nearly 500 years during the Ming & Qing dynasties this iconic red-walled structure, often used as a national symbol, is now the Palace Museum. Known as the Forbidden City simply as it was the home of only Emperors and their Imperial families, this ancient palace has now been recognized as the best-preserved Imperial Palace complex in the world, and with the landscaped gardens, historic artifacts, and nearly 10,000 rooms, mostly serving as fascinating exhibits of dynastic history, it is China s most impressive piece of Imperial history. With your guide, discover the key sites within the ancient palace, and then have some time for independent discovery. Afterwards, explore the hutong neighbourhoods, nearby the Forbidden City, for insight into an historic area of Beijing that is fading fast. The narrow lanes and alleys of the hutongs are lined by walled courtyard homes and remain a great glimpse into what traditional Beijing life is like. Over the years many of these ageold hutongs have been replaced by modern development, but much remains and a pedicab ride and walking tour will show you the most notable spots. The hutongs are an excellent look at the city s historic character, with the grey-walled lanes and the contrasting thick red doors, the trees and swaying lanterns, some quiet, some bustling, the winding lanes of the hutongs are a great look at old-world Beijing. You will explore the hutongs on foot and by pedicab with your guide.
Page 2 Dinner this evening will be delectable Peking duck. Afterwards, you ll return to the hotel and have the evening free at your leisure. Day 4 - Beijing Yichang Yangtze River Cruise Meeting Space at Hotel (4 hours) Temple of Heaven Fly to Yichang Board Cruise Ship Meeting space at the hotel will be arranged for the group for 4 hours. Afterwards, with your guide, visit the Temple of Heaven, the location where Ming & Qing Emperors went to pray annually for good harvest. The Temple was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty and is famous for its elegance and symmetry. The Temple itself is graceful and indeed impressive, and with the serenity of the grounds, this is among the most notable of temples in the city. Take some time with your guide and then discover the temple with some time at your leisure. In the late afternoon, you ll be driven to the airport for your flight to the city of Yichang, where you will embark on your four night Yangtze River Cruise. Flight Schedule: TBA On arrival, you will meet your guide and driver for your transportation to the pier to board your cruise ship. Dinner is included on board. Cruise Ship: Avalon MS Century Legend Stateroom As Chosen Deluxe/Executive, full board 4 nights Day 5 - Yangtze River Cruise The ship departs the pier in the morning. Pass through Xiling Gorge, take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam, and enjoy some R & R on board. This evening, a welcome dinner is included on board. An optional excursion on own account will be offered by the cruiseline. Day 6 - Yangtze River Cruise Meeting space on board (2 hours)
Page 3 Float through one of the world s most exquisite landscapes: The pristine turquoise waters of the Goddess Stream shimmer around your small boat and sheer cliffs rise high overhead. Meeting space will be provided on board the cruise today for 2 hours. Note: Due to water conditions, we may substitute a Shennong Stream boat tour if the Goddess Stream is not available. An optional excursion will be offered, on own account, to the White Emperor City. Day 7 - Yangtze River Cruise Meeting space on board (4 hours) Mist-shrouded peaks loom above the winding Yangtze for miles as you cruise through the Three Gorges region. Every view is a picture straight out of China s iconic watercolor illustrations. A stop at Shibao Pagoda, built into the side of a steep hill that is now an island as a result of rising waters from the Three Gorges Dam, offers you a colorful encounter with some unusual legends. The Captain s Farewell Dinner caps off your cruise. Day 8 - Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing - Xian Disembark and fly to Xian City Wall Big Wild Goose Pagoda Dumpling Dinner Tang Dynasty Show Disembark the cruise ship in the city of Chongqing and then meet and transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. Flight Schedule: TBA On arrival in Xian, you ll be met and then transferred to the hotel for check-in. Later, you ll stop at the City Wall, originally built in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty, and one of the few of China s old city walls still standing. Now, much of the wall has been restored and rebuilt keeping this as one of the key pieces of Xian s history for visitors and locals to experience. The wall at one time covered a much larger area, but what you see now has a perimeter of 14km, with 12 meter high walls that are 12-14 meters wide at the top, where you can walk and marvel at the hum of activity playing out below. Afterwards, head to one of Xian s landmarks, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, for a walk and discovery of the energetic square nearby. The Pagoda is one of Xian s icons and is arguably the best example of a Tang Dynasty-style pagoda. Towering over the square in front, you ll take some time to wander about and take in the daily life of the locals enjoying some leisure time with friends and family.
Page 4 This evening, enjoy a dumpling dinner, and then step back in time for a Tang Dynasty inspired show. An excellent music & dance performance of what was the most prosperous dynasty with traditional dance and skillful instrumentation showing you an impressive view of ancient China s arts, traditions, and customs. Accommodation: Sheraton North City Hotel Room As Chosen Deluxe/Executive, including breakfast 2 nights Day 9 - Xian Breakfast Lunch Dinner Terra Cotta Warriors Meeting space at hotel (4 hours) This morning, head to the extraordinary site of the Terra Cotta Warriors. Not discovered until 1974 by local farmers, the Warriors are among the most fascinating discoveries of modern day. A discovery that started with a simple unearthed piece of a terracotta artifact led to what is an ongoing archaeological venture. China s first Emperor, Ying Zheng, prepared for the afterlife with what remains the largest tomb complex in China as he surrounded himself with over 7,000 life-size terracotta warriors, horses, and chariots all displayed in military formation. Now a museum, this sprawling tomb is one of China s most impressive sites, located just outside of the city of Xian. Tour the site with insightful commentary and time to wander about at your leisure. Afterwards, return back to the city and to your hotel. Meeting space will be arranged at the hotel for 4 hours. Dinner is included at the hotel. Day 10 - Xian Shanghai Fly to Shanghai Yu Garden & Bazaar The Bund Waterfront Xintiandi Neighbourhood Nanjing Road Huangpu River Cruise (evening) Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then meet at the appointed time for transportation to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Flight Schedule: TBA On arrival in Shanghai, you will be met by your guide and driver for your private transportation to the hotel for check-in.
Page 5 With your guide, head to the old city for a walk through the classical Chinese garden nearby. The Yuyuan Gardens were founded as the gardens of Ming Dynasty officials back in the 1500 s, and after being destroyed occasionally during warring periods, what stands now is a finely restored piece of Chinese history. Complete with pavilions, ponds, and impressive rockery, this is a pleasant place to walkabout, even considering the crowds that can be anticipated. Nearby is a crowded bazaar that although touristy is still an interesting place for a stroll. After your guide s narrative of Shanghai s recent history and European influence, you ll walk along the Bund waterfront lining the Huangpu River with unimpeded views of the modern Pudong Skyline on one side and the contrast of Asia and Europe on the other. Once home to trading houses & financial institutions, the buildings along the Bund are of European style; furthering the rich character of China s most cosmopolitan city. Later, you ll stop at the hip and historic French Concession area that now sees itself as a popular shopping and dining spot. Take some time in the Xintiandi neighbourhood, located in the French Concession, in what is now part of the Luwan and Xuhui Districts. Among the shopping and other main features of the area are the mid-19 th century Shikumen, or Stone Gate, buildings flanking narrow alleys and streets. Also notable, the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in the area. The group will spend some time at leisure walking bout the pedestrian friendly Nanjing Road for some shopping and/or a simple stroll amongst the bustle of modern Shanghai. After dinner, you will be driven to the pier to board your leisurely cruise of the Huangpu River admiring the Shanghai skyline. Afterwards, your guide & driver will return you back to the hotel. Accommodation: Sheraton Hongkou Hotel Room As Chosen Deluxe/Executive, including breakfast 3 nights Day 11 - Shanghai & Suzhou Full day excursion to Suzhou After breakfast, meet your guide and travel to Suzhou, a town bursting at its edges with modernity while holding on to an era of historic grandeur. Once called the Venice of the East, Suzhou has grown into a modern city with a rich history and remains an important commercial center in China. With historic relics, colorful canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and classical gardens, Suzhou offers visitors great insight into modern & historical China. Today s tour introduces to the Lingering Garden, one of the finest in the city, and among the gardens in which UNESCO has recognized as World Heritage Sites. Take a guided tour of the garden and then take a boat ride on the Grand Canal to see the ancient homes and buildings along the water. You ll stop at the Silk Institute and learn about the city s history of silk production accompanied by silk demonstrations.
Page 6 Today s tour also includes a stop to see historic Panmen Gate, and some time to stroll along Pingjiang Road, an ancient street with shops, cafes, teahouses, and an artsy feel. Lanterns sway, commerce abounds, and a truly picturesque elegance welcomes your curiosity as you experience Suzhou s old town. Return back to Shanghai for the evening. Day 12 - Shanghai Visit a local Hospital Meeting Space at hotel (4 hours) Farewell Dinner After breakfast, you ll meet your guide and head to a local hospital for a visit (TBA). In the afternoon, meeting space will be arranged at the hotel for 4 hours. This evening, a farewell dinner is included. Day 13 - Shanghai Departure Breakfast Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and at the appointed time your guide will meet you in the hotel and then transfer you to the airport. Checkout at 12 noon. Flight Schedule: TBA END OF TOUR
Page 7 INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST: - Airport/hotel transfers as per itinerary with meet & greet - Accommodation as outlined above, or similar on request to suit all budgets - Daily breakfast at hotels, and Lunches and Dinners as per the itinerary - Sightseeing tours as per the itinerary and admission to sites mentioned - Services of expert English speaking local guides - Transportation services by chartered air-conditioned private vehicles - Yangtze River Cruise - On-tour economy airfare: Beijing to Yichang, Chongqing to Xian, Xian to Shanghai - Meeting space as per itinerary for a total of 18 hours - National Guide accompanying the group from start to finish - Tips & gratuities NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST - International Airfare (in Beijing / out Shanghai) - China entry visa (approximately $200) - Early check-in / late checkout - Travel Insurance - Items of a personal nature (i.e.; beverages tel. calls, mini bar, etc.) - Any excess baggage fees levied by airlines - Anything else not mentioned