China & Yangtze River Cruise

ATOC TOURS SPECIAL FEATURES

First Class Hotels with private bath/shower
All meals as indicated in the program
ATOC representative assistance at airports and hotels
Local English-speaking Guide for each sightseeing tour
Yangtze River Cruise
Coach class air Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Shanghai
Transfers are on private basis
All entrance fees to places visited per program

Your Journey begins:

DAY 1: Depart North America
Board your international flight for your China Highlights & Yangtze River Cruise.

DAY 2: Arrive In Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Courtyard by Marriott

DAY 3: Beijing
After breakfast, visit the massive Tian'anmen Square, then see the Forbidden City with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens, once open only to nobility. This afternoon take a rickshaw ride around Hutongs, a local neighborhood known for its narrow alleys. Courtyard by Marriott (B/L)

DAY 4: Beijing
Today, ride to the legendary Great Wall of China and stand on its famous ramparts. A local lunch is included, along with a visit to a jade factory. Then tour the valley of the Ming Tombs and Chang Tomb which was the first of the tombs to be discovered. On the way back to your hotel, drive by the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Courtyard by Marriott (B/L)

DAY 5: Beijing / Xi’an
After a tour to the Temple of Heaven, fly to Xi’an, China’s legendary home of the Tang Dynasty from 618 to 907 A.D. Tonight, enjoy an optional program experiencing the glory of this era at a banquet with traditional song and dance. Grand New World Hotel(B/L)

DAY 6: Xi’an
Today, tour Xian’s archaeological wonder, the 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, each soldier and horse molded in incredible detail. This afternoon, tour the majestic 7-story Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Walk on the Ancient City Wall of Xi’an, or rent a bicycle (optional cost) to ride on the wall for an enjoyable and interesting experience. Today’s tour includes a visit to a lacquer ware factory.  Grand New World Hotel(B/L)

DAY 7: Xi’an / Chongqing / Yangtze
Before departing Xi’an, walk on the Ancient City Wall, or try biking on the wall (optional cost). Fly to Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze. A brief tour includes Panda Hall in the Zoo and the General Stillwell Museum. After dinner at local restaurant, you are transferred to the pier to board your Yangtze River cruise. OVERNIGHT ONBOARD (B/D)

DAY 8: Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise the Yangtze as it meanders through the heartland of China. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river and the facilities onboard. Today’s shore excursion is to Fengdu Ghost City. OVERNIGHT ONBOARD (B/L/D)

DAY 9:   Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise through the dramatic Three Gorges, beneath soaring limestone cliffs rising sheer from the water. Next, embark via a small motorboat through the tranquil Daning River and Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong Stream. OVERNIGHT ONBOARD (B/L/D)

DAY 10:  Yichang / Shanghai
Enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site. Disembark at Yichang at noon. Transfer to Yichang airport and fly to Shanghai, China’s most modern metropolis. HOTEL? (B/L)

DAY 11:  Shanghai
Today, view the Yuyuan Garden, a 16th century Ming period private garden/residence in the heart of Shanghai’s old Chinese quarter. Along the way is the local bazaar around City God Temple. Tour Old Shanghai and the riverfront Bund district lined with banks and customs houses. A visit to silk shop is also included today. Tonight you can take an optional acrobatics show or enjoy night life at Xintiandi or Hengshan Road. HOTEL? (B/L)

DAY 12: Depart from Shanghai
After breakfast and check out, you’ll join a departure transfer to the airport for your flight home, full of memories of your Yangtze River Cruise and China Highlights tour. (B)

Note: A Touch of Class Tours offers you the lowest international airfares available at the time of booking.