Pilgrim Tours

China & Yangtze Cruise

14 Days
Group tours only

Beijing, Yichang, Yangtze River Cruise, Wanxian, Chongqing, Xian & Shanghai

Day 1: USA - Beijing
Your journey begins when you board today's flight to Beijing, China's capital and most modern city.

Day 2: Beijing
Upon arrival, you will be met inside the customs area for a transfer to your hotel. Porters will handle your luggage and deliver it to your room.

Day 3: Beijing
Your morning walking tour visits the Forbidden City, or Palace Museum, a 250-acre complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens. It is the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world, with more than 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms. Next tour Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world and site of many history-making events. Tonight's dinner, featuring the famous and delicious Peking Duck, is a fitting end to an unforgettable day.

Day 4: Beijing
Travel 40 miles north of Beijing to the Great Wall. Construction started in the 7th century BC to keep out the warring invaders of the north, but additional sections were extended eastward for nearly 4,000 miles until the 16th century AD. A walk along a section of this enormous wall is a not-to-be-missed experience. After lunch, take a short drive to the Ming Tombs, a complex of well-preserved artifacts of 13 emperors from the Ming Dynasty. Large stone animals and human figures line the famous Sacred Way. This evening, you may enjoy an optional performance of the 200-year old Peking Opera.

Day 5: Beijing - Yichang - Yangtze Cruise
Your journey continues with a flight from Beijing to Yichang, in central China’s Hubei province. Yichang is studded with tourist attractions, including the Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project. Tonight, board your Victoria Cruises ship and set sail through this historic section of the Yangtze.

Day 6: Yangtze Cruise
View the impressive construction site of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power project, expect to supply "clean" electricity to as much as one-fifth of the country and reduce the risk of summer flooding. Preparation includes relocating millions of residents, moving hundreds of cultural relics to higher ground, and installing new ship locks for river transport. Scheduled for completion in 2009, the massive barrier will dam the river at a point where the river is a mile wide and enable the Yangtze to be navigable for ocean-going vessels as far as Chongqing. The dam is currently being built at Xiling Gorge, one of the 120-mile long Three Gorges, consisting of the majestic Qutang, statuesque Wu, and ferocious Xiling. The water level will rise more than 600 feet in the western half of Xiling by the year 2009.

Day 7: Yangtze Cruise
Transfer to a small rivercraft for a tour on the Daning River, the largest Yangtze tributary, and three separate valleys making up the Lesser Three Gorges. Called the Dragon Gate (Longman), Misty (Bawu) and Emerald (Dizui) Gorges, the Lesser Three Gorges are rated as one of China's best scenic resorts thanks to the gorgeous mountains, elegant peaks, exotic rock imagery and serene scenery. Also pass through the Wu and Qutang Gorges. The Wu features the stunning Twelve Peaks, with fanciful names such as Soaring Dragon, Flock of Cranes and Flying Phoenix. While the Qutang is the shortest of the Three Gorges, it is also the most dramatic. Its sheer steep cliffs are filled with stunning vistas and interesting oddities, such as the Meng Liang Ladder and the “Rhinoceros Watching the Moon” peak.

Day 8: Yangtze Cruise
Depending on river traffic and water levels, travel to Wanxian or White Emperor City, both of which will be impacted by the completion of Three Gorges Dam. Two-thirds of Wanxian will be submerged when the water level rises. White Emperor City is a small town steeped in legend, constructed during the Han Dynasty.

Day 9: Chongqing - Xi'an
Arrive in Chongqing, a 3,000-year old former capital of China, known for its highly spiced food and Giant Pandas. Chongqing will be profoundly affected by the Three Gorges Dam, requiring a great number of the residents to relocate. An enormous ship lift is being constructed near Chongqing to speed river passage, making it the largest inland port in the world. Tour the city before an afternoon flight from Chongqing to Xi’an.

Day 10: Xi'an
Xi’an was the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization dating back to 4000 BC. Tour the life-size terra cotta warriors and horses, unearthed in three vaults in 1974, after being buried with the first Qin emperor for 22 centuries. An on-site museum has been built over these pits, displaying 8,000 life-size terra cotta warriors, 100 chariots, and 30,000 weapons. In the evening, enjoy an optional Tang Dynasty dinner and show.

Day 11: Xi'an - Shanghai
Board an afternoon flight to Shanghai, the “Paris of the East”, and China's largest city and most important commercial center. Shanghai is fast taking over Hong Kong as the new hub of Asia. Enjoy the spectacular view of the new Shanghai skyline.

Day 12: Shanghai
Spend the day in Shanghai, China’s largest city and the country’s most important commercial center. On your city tour, visit the Bund, the famous promenade along the Huangpu River, and visit the Old Town with its winding alleyways, shops, tea houses and restaurants. Explore the tranquil Yu Yuan Gardens, an example of garden architecture from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD).

Day 13: Shanghai
A full day at leisure to fully explore Shanghai, a highly sophisticated and exhilarating city whose pulse equals the excitement of New York, London or Paris. Shoppers can bargain on Nanjing Road, the Fifth Avenue of China. Visit Longhua Temple, the most venerated and largest temple in Shanghai, or the Temple of Jade Buddha. Explore the People's Square, the political and cultural center of Shanghai, and site of the Shanghai Museum. View the "Oriental Pearl" TV tower, a new landmark of Shanghai and the tallest TV tower in Asia. You might enjoy an optional excursion to Suzhou, also known as the "City of Silk" or "Venice of the East". Suzhou is famous for its silk industry, grand canals and elaborate gardens.

Day 14: Shanghai - USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA.

Prices Inclusive:

Roundtrip flight to China via United Airlines or Northwest Airlines
Accommodations at deluxe hotels
4-day (4-night) Yangtze River cruise aboard a Victoria Cruises ship, including all meals, shore excursions and taxes
All meals, many in local restaurants
Tour of the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square in Beijing
Peking Duck banquet in Beijing
Great Wall and Ming Tombs tour with lunch (from Beijing)
Visit to the Three Gorges Dam
Tour of the life-size terra cotta imperial army in Xi’an
City tour of Shanghai including the Bund, the Old Town, and Yu Yuan Garden
English-speaking local guides and all entrance fees
All transportation within the tour
All transfers for passengers on flights

Included shore excursions:

Beijing - Tour of the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square
Beijing – Peking Duck banquet
Beijing - Full-day excursion to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs with lunch
Yangtze River Cruise – Tour the Three Gorges Dam, Xiling Gorge, Three Lesser Gorges, Wu Gorge, and Qutang Gorge
Chongqing - City tour
Xi’an - Tour of the life-size terra cotta imperial army
Shanghai - City tour including the Bund, the Old Town, and tranquil Yu Yuan Garden

Notes:

Prices are per person based on double occupancy.
All international airport taxes are not included.
China Visa (Single entry) processing fee.
Special Add-on Fares are available.
Minimum of two travelers for guarantee departure rates.