Duration : 11 Days/ 10 Nights

ITINERARY:

Day 1
Place & Transport: Arrive in Beijing,
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)
Welcome to China! You will first arrive in the capital city of China - Beijing. Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts - an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites and a bustling modern metropolis.
After arriving in Beijing, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your Hotel. The guide will deliver your Free CH cell phone which includes 7 days rental cost for the cell phone and SIM card and at least 30mins of FREE international calls. The guide will also give you some tips on local restaurants that we recommend and shopping in streets nearby. The rest of the day is free to rest to recover from jetlag or to explore by you.

Day 2
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, Treasure Houses, Hutong Tour in Xicheng District, Lizexiang Pearl Store
Meals: Breakfast, Chinese Lunch
After breakfast visit Tian'anmen Square, the symbol of Beijing and one of highlights of any Beijing tour. A walk in the Square will help discover the many points of interest. There is much to see.
The Forbidden City is the destination for the afternoon. The Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed China for over 500 years for this the largest palace in the world. It is the "must see" in Beijing. The Treasure Houses hold all kinds of treasure owned by Qing dynasty royalty and give great insight into the daily life of the royal families.
Lunch is at Courtyard 7 Restaurant near the Hutong area. Its rustic Chinese design gives it real charm. This serves restaurant provides new modern French dishes as well as Chinese cuisine.
Then make the short trip back to the Hutong area where a rickshaw awaits to ride through the narrow alleys and passages. A visit to a local family is included then a walk over the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Bridge) to hear the explanation about the different thresholds that mark the entry to the courtyard houses

Day 3
Place & Transport: Beijing
Today's Activities: Temple of Heaven, The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car), Shahe Cloisonne Factory
First visit Temple of Heaven. It is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifice to heaven and pray for good harvests. You can see thousand of local people doing morning exercises including Tai Chi, dancing and Shuttlecock kicking.
Lunch is at Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant near Mutianyu Great Wall. This garden style restaurant serves farmhouse dishes, specializing in rainbow trout, sturgeon and salmon.
After that we will visit the Great Wall - Mutianyu Section which is less crowed than other sections. It is surrounded by wonderful landscape and has a rarely seen structure formed by three connected watch towers and the cable car provides a safe comfortable assent and decent.

Day 4
Place & Transport: Beijing to Xian
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Xian), Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is equally famous as the Forbidden City. It is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. A much-loved summer retreat of the Imperial families, the beautifully landscaped gardens, halls, pavilions and corridors are designed to be in harmony with the lake and rivers in which they are set.
Lunch is at Beijing Ba guo bu yi Restaurant in the city center. It serves some of the heartiest and most authentic Sichuan fare in town and has traditional Chinese style decoration.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi'an after lunch. After arriving in Xi'an, transfer to hotel.

Day 5
Place & Transport: Xian
Today's Activities: The Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Shaanxi Provincial Museum, Ancient City Wall, Xian Imperial Fine Arts center
After breakfast in the hotel, you will set off to the incredible 2000 year-old Terra cotta warriors. The Warriors are part of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. Well over 7000 figures in full battle array are formed for battle in several large pits. Many of the figures - soldiers, archers, horses and chariots have been restored. The repairs and excavations continue at the site where you can see both repaired and broken warriors in a truly impressive display.
Lunch is at A Wa Shan Zhai Restaurant nearby Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. It mainly specializes in Hunan and Sichuan cuisine and obtains a nationwide reputation from customers.
Spend the afternoon at one of the best museums in China - the Shaanxi Historical Museum. Among the 400,000 items on display are treasures from many Dynasties including magnificent bronzes and porcelain, many of which have never been on permanent display before.
Later, drive to the old City Wall. The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses still in existence. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City, it surrounds the city center. Walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, which has great views of the city on either side.

Day 6
Place & Transport: Xian to Chongqing to Yangtze
Today's Activities: Cruise pier Transfer (Yangtze), Hotel to airport Transfer (Xian), Airport to Cruise pier transfer (Chongqing), Board the ship from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and departs Chongqing at 10:00pm.(Dinner is not included), Ciqikou Old Town, Three Gorges Museum, , Chongqing National Arts Institute Gallery
After breakfast, transfer to Xi'an airport and take a flight to Chongqing.
Upon arrival in Chongqing, first visit Ciqikou Old Town. This lively old area has been partly restored, and remains an authentic and busy community.
Lunch is at Cai Xiang Yuan Restaurant. Located close to the Chongqing Zoo, Cai Xiang Yuan Restaurant serves with dishes are cooked with local flavors and ingredients.
After lunch, visit Three Gorges Museum. The best exhibits are those on the history of the Yangtze and, of course, the Dam. It also houses some excellent stone and terracotta sculptures, art and interesting artifacts, items from the war years, and temporary exhibitions.
In the later afternoon, transferred to board the ship. Hope you have a good time on the Yangtze River cruise.

Day 7
Place & Transport: Yangtze
Today's Activities: Cruise pier Transfer (Yangtze), Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City
After breakfast, visit the Ghost City of Fengdu County on the moring. Fengdu is where the devil lives, according to Chinese legend. The whole place has an eerie feel to it with deserted streets, tower blocks, empty shops and banks. The only people here are those who make a living from visiting cruise boats. The Captain's Welcome Party will be held.

Day 8
Place & Transport: Yangtze
Today's Activities: Cruise pier Transfer (Yangtze), Shore excursion to Shennong Stream(1:30pm-5:30pm).You also have the option of visiting the White Emperor City(260RMB per person).
Take a small boat to Shennong Stream in the afternoon. Shennong Stream is another tributary of the Yangtze River, and its fast-flowing, crystal clear water runs southwards through deep gorges.
In the evening, various activities and performances are included on the cruise. Performances include costume shows, magic shows. Sichuan Opera and the Magical Mask Changing are sometimes included

Day 9
Place & Transport: Yangtze to Yichang to Shanghai,
Today's Activities: Cruise pier Transfer (Yichang), Airport Transfer (Yichang), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai), Shore excursion to The Three Gorges Dam Site. Arrive in Yichang at 1:00pm.
Today first visit Three Gorges Dam, the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man. It has been a dream for several generations of Chinese people. It will be 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 18 meters wide on the top and 130 meters wide at the bottom. The tourists can get access to the top of the dam and enjoy different kinds of photo opportunities.
When the cruise ends, transferred to the airport and take a flight to Shanghai.

Day 10
Place & Transport: Shanghai
Today's Activities: Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, The Bund, Jiangnan Silk Museum
We start the day by visiting Oriental Pearl TV Tower. It is one of the tallest TV towers in the world, known for its distinctive spheres, or "pearls". Oriental Pearl TV Tower stands across the river from the Bund, among the exciting architecture of the east bank. The Shanghai History Museum is Located on the first floor of the Oriental TV Tower. There you can see the three major exhibition units reflecting Shanghai's history, modern and recent revolutionary history respectively.
Lunch is at Old Shanghai Restaurant. Old Shanghai Restaurant is a old and famous local restaurant which serves typical Shanghai Food as well as different flavors from other parts of China.
In the afternoon, we take a relaxing walk to the lovely old Yuyuan Garden, the most famous garden in Shanghai which is decorated by beautiful pavilions, miniature lakes, bridges and rock formations. You will pass the Yuyuan Market. It is also a shopper's paradise with many small shops, often housed in authentic historic structures, carrying everything from furniture to porcelain.
After that, we will go directly to the Bund - the old colonial sector, which is home to a myriad of European-styled buildings that face the Huangpu River. It is a must-see when visiting Shanghai. Architectural styles include gothic, baroque, Romanesque, and renaissance.

Day 11
Place & Transport: Depart Shanghai, Flight not included
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai)
Transfer to the airport ready for your departure. We wish you have a pleasant journey home and thank you for using with China Highlights