Itinerary

Day 1 Shanghai

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Transfer from central Shanghai with a driver, and English-speaking Guide to the Maglev station in Pudong from where you can complete your airport transfer in about 8 minutes at speeds of over 400 km/h. (Warning - involves a little walking).

The Marriot run Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan is a modern and luxurious property located adjacent to the Yuyuan Gardens and old quarter of downtown Shanghai. With a top-notch spa, 340 contemporary rooms and suites offering breathtaking views across the Shanghai city skyline and a central location within reasonable distance both to Shanghai's traditional attractions and the EXPO 2010 site this hotels offers a great luxury to value proposition well-suited to any trip.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.

Day 2 Shanghai

Full day private guided tour of Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and Yu Garden with deluxe lunch. Shanghai Museum is a veritable treasure house of ancient Chinese art and houses 120,000 precious relics. Bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphies are distinctive features of the Museum's collection. The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan.

Day 3 Yangtze

Yangtze River cruises are either downstream from Chongqing to Yichang (4 days/3 nights), or upstream from Yichang to Chongqing (5 days/4 nights). There are typically 3-4 shore excursions on a cruise, which vary between different ships. Ironically, the shorter 4 day downstream cruise is more expensive than the longer 5 day upstream cruise due to higher demand.

Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

Direct flight from Shanghai to Yichang.

Airport/hotel/pier transfers with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

This evening you will board your luxury cruise ship in Yichang. By 10pm all passengers will have checked in, and you will overnight on the ship.

The Anna (sails Friday), Jenna (sails Wednesday), and Katarina (sails Sunday) comprise the 5-star line of ships sailing under the Victoria Cruise name. It is the largest 5-star fleet and the only western managed company on the Yangtze. All three ships take luxury cruising on the Yangtze to a whole new level with generous cabin space, large windows, and private balconies opening up to breathtaking views. All meals and touring are included in the cost.

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Overnight at Victoria Anna/Jenna/Katarina (Upstream).

Day 4 Yangtze

This morning you will leave Yichang around 9am, and pass by Xiling Gorge East. Comprising many rapids and currents, Xiling Gorge starts at Badong County and zigzags for 76 kilometers down to the Nanjin Pass in Yichang. It is the longest part of the Three Gorges system with dangerous rapids like Xietan, Qintan and Kongling, collectively known as the Three Rapids of Xiling. The swift current carries boats down river at the rate of seven meters per second. It is a thrilling ride. Arrive at Yangjiawan Pier, where you will take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project, which is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by mankind. This great dam, the largest of its kind in the world, provides China with tremendous power generation and flood control services. Visitors see the panorama of Three Gorges from the highest point of the building site, the exhibition house, natural scenic spot Maogongshan and Huangling Temple.

Overnight at Victoria Anna/Jenna/Katarina (Upstream).

Day 5 Yangtze

This morning you will pass by Xiling Gorge West. Kongling Rapids has 24 reefs, named Great Pearl, First Pearl, Second Pearl, Third Pearl, and so on, which overlap each other. The Great Rapid sprawls in the middle of the river, dividing the water into two channels; the south channel is full of jagged reefs and fickle eddies, and the north channel is narrow, twisted and littered with submerged rocks. This is a rapid where passing boats have to thread their way through the reefs. Visit the Shennong Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze River. With crystal clear water, this stream flows swiftly from north to south through deep gorges. A sampan tour will allow you to experience a high speed adventure along this unspoiled river. An arrow-like sampan glides through the four-kilometer-long Mianzhu Gorge and then enters the main stream of the Shennong. Next visit Wu Gorge, which is the most beautiful section of the Yangtze River, flanked by high peaks that are often capped by fog or clouds. The steep slopes of the gorge are green with trees and bushes. Also see Qutang Gorge, which is famous for its sheer and spectacular precipices, with uniquely beautiful rock formations in every direction.

Overnight at Victoria Anna/Jenna/Katarina (Upstream).

Day 6 Yangtze

Today you will visit Shibaozhai, a gem of Chinese architecture. From a distance the protruding 220-meter hill resembles a jade seal. Located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, it was first built during the Qing Dynasty in 1650. As one of the most spectacular sites along the river, this 12-story 56m wooden red pavilion hugs a sheer rectangular cliff.

Overnight at Victoria Anna/Jenna/Katarina (Upstream).

Day 7 Xi'an

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

This morning you will arrive into Chongqing for disembarkation around 9am. Continue on your journey through China!

Airport/hotel/pier transfers with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Chongqing to Xi'an.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Built to meet the elaborate standards of China's new platinum five-star hotel rating, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is the ultimate accommodation facility in the ancient city of Xian. Its design is of astounding contemporary concept. With a full range of spacious and well-appointed rooms, suites and apartments, state-of-the-art business facilities and exquisite dining and recreational options, Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is a perfect choice for the most astute of business and leisure travelers.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .

Day 8 Xi'an

Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .

Day 9 Beijing

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Xi'an to Beijing.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. All guestrooms feature Western décor and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Day 10 Beijing

Full day private guided tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven with a deluxe lunch (is included). Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and stretches a vast 440,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Day 11 Beijing

Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Lunch is included.

Overnight at Park Plaza Wangfujing.

Day 12 Beijing

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Beijing International airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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