NORTH AMERICA/CHINA

Board your flight this morning and begin your journey to the ancient wonders of China.

ARRIVE BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing, the ancient capital city of People's Republic of China. Beijing has been a capital city for over 3,000 years. The rest of the day is free to relax and adjust to time difference. PLAZA ROYALE HOTEL OR SIMILAR

TIAN ANMEN SQUARE, FORBIDDEN CITY & SUMMER PALACE

Hundreds of buildings were demolished to create Tian Anmen Square, since 1949 it has been the venue of major rallies held during the Cultural Revolution. Forbidden City - A Tang Dynasty poet wrote, "Without seeing the magnificence of the royal palace, one can never sense the dignity of the emperor. Completed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it was the home of 24 emperors and scene of many important events affecting the course of Chinese history. The Summer Palace is the second largest imperial garden in China and is equally famous as the Forbidden City; the Summer Palace is called Yiheyuan (Garden of Nurtured Harmony). Evenining, attend the Peking Opera performance. PLAZA ROYALE HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

GREAT WALL, SACRED WAY & MING DYNASTY TOMB

Visit the Badling Great Wall. Construction began more than 2,000 years ago meandering more than 6,000 kilometers across the country. In ancient China, emperors were believed to be the Son of Heaven, therefore, prepare the way home after their deaths. The Sacred Way was a road usually built in front of an ancient Chinese mausoleum, symbolically lead emperors to heaven. Tour the Changling of Ming Tombs represents the addition of three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning to the Ming Tombs inscribed in 2,000 and 2003. They were built for the founding emperors of the Qing Dynasty and their ancestors, built on the principles of traditional Chinese geometry and fengshui. The Tombs are masterpieces of human artistic brilliance. The Sacred Way is part of the Ming Tombs complex, located in the front part of the royal cemetery, which means the path leading to heaven. This archway is the earliest and largest in China, constructed in 1540. PLAZA ROYALE HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

BEIJING TOUR -

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE MUSEUM & OLD HUTONG AREA The Temple of Heaven or the Altar of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings. The complex was visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese Heaven worship, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism. The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the 16th century. Ancient Architecture Museum is China's first themed museum focusing on the collection, study and exhibition of architecture. Through pictures, photos and elaborate models, the museum depicts the technology, development and achievement of Chinese ancient architecture from primitive times to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The exhibitions of the Ancient Architecture Museum are mainly in Xiannong Temple, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and renovated in 1754 during Emperor Qianlong’s reign in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It was here where emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to Xiannong, God of agriculture. The most distinctive and valuable articles are the model of ancient Beijing and the caisson in Longfu Temple. Made in 1950, the former consists of 108 pieces and displays a comprehensive picture of the buildings. The caisson is a special ceiling used in traditional Chinese structure. Built in the Ming Dynasty, the wooden ornamental caisson is umbrella shaped with artistic carvings of pavilions and figures. In the center is a horoscope map and each constellation bears its name in script. Generally accepted as a unique work in the architectural field, this caisson is crucial for studying ancient astronomy. Continue to the Hutongs developed around the Forbidden City as early as the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). In order to strengthen their authority, emperors planned city housing according to an etiquette system. Hutongs follow a strict quadrangular layout, with four buildings arranged around an open inner courtyard. There were 3,600 hutongs at the beginning of this century and now there are 2,000. Evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. PLAZA ROYALE HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

BEIJING/XI’AN -

BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA & PROVINCIAL HISTORY MUSEUM Fly to Xi’an, known as Chang'an in ancient times. Xi’an is one of the six ancient capital sites in China. Tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China. When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), captured Huizhou, a hermit named Zhu Sheng advised him to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty ( 618 -907), creating the modern Xi'an City Wall. Continue to the Provincial History Museum, constructed, where once, a Confucian Temple stood. On display are mostly historical remnants of previous dynasties, such as the Han and Tang dynasties. AURUM INTERNATIONAL OR SIMILAR BLD

XI’AN -

TERRACOTTA WARRIORS the spring of 1974 peasant workers unearthed an archeological find, lost for 2,200 years. Buried were hundreds of battered but beautiful terra-cotta statues of armed warriors, servants and horses pulling manned war chariots, the retinue of unified China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Ti. Evening attend a Tang Dynasty show followed by Dumpling Dinner. AURUM INTERNATIONAL OR SIMILAR BLD

XI’AN /YICHANG

This morning fly to Yichang. Board your cruise ship to enjoy the Three Gorges. Settle into your cabin and check out the numerous amenities on board. Cruise on the Yangtze has been the dream of many travelers. You will discover the stunning natural beauty of Yangtze and its cultural legacy.  MV PRESIDENT BLD 

YANGTZE RIVER CRUIS

Each day 18,000 Chinese mobilize to build the most powerful and most disparaged new hydroelectric and China’s most ambitious engineering project, the construction of Three Gorges Dam and its hydroelectric power plant. View the current phase of this 17-year project. When completed in 2009, the dam will be 610 feet high and over a mile wide. The hydro electrical power plant will be driven by the world’s largest turbines and have the generating capacity of 18 nuclear power plants. MV PRESIDENT BLD

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

On the border between Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge is the Shennong Stream. Taking its rise from the main peak of Shennong Jia (the first peak in the center of China) and flowing through Badong County, the stream ultimately flows into the Yangtze River via the Wu Gorge. Cruising along the stream by boat, see the wonders of the zigzagging watercourses, primitive environment and canzonet by the boat tracker also the mysterious culture along the banks. MV PRESIDENT BLD

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Shibaozhai means Stone Treasure Fortress, Located in ZhongCounty, at the south bank of the Yangtze River. It was built in the Qing Dynasty in 1750, an historic site that will look much different in 2009. When the lake formed by the Three Gorges Dam is completed, the temple will sit close to the lake's edge on a newly formed island. The wooden architecture stands on the riverside. It is constructed by catch upon a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs with a height of 56 meters and 12 stories. Every floor of the wooden structure contains interesting artifacts. Each of the 12 floors of Shibaozhai is dedicated to a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period (220-265AD), a local scholar or a renowned Chinese poet. MV PRESIDENT BLD

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE/CHONGQING -

DAZU EXCURSION Dsiembark at Chongqing. The Dazu Rock carvings are a series of Chinese religious sculptures dating back as far as the 7th century AD, depicting and influenced by Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist beliefs. The Dazu Rock Carvings are made up of 75 protected sites with some 50,000 statues with over 100,000 Chinese characters of inscriptions and epigraphs. The earliest carvings were begun in 650 AD during the early Tang Dynasty but the main era of their creation began in the late 9th century, when Wei Junjing, Prefect of Changzhou, pioneered the carvings on Mount Beishan and continued after the collapse of the Tang Dynasty by local people, monks and nuns during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-65). In the 12th century, during the Song Dynasty, a Buddhist monk, Zhao Zhifeng worked on the elaborate sculptures and carvings on Mount Baoding, dedicating 70 years of his life to the project. The carvings were listed as a World Heritage Site in 1999, citing "…their aesthetic quality, their rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period. They provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism." HARBOR PLAZA HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

CONGQING/GUILIN -

PILED SILK HILL & ELEPHANT TRUNK HILL Morning fly to Guilin. Guilin means forest of Sweet Osmanthus, owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery. In 314 BC, a small settlement was established along the banks of the Li River. In 111 BC, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Shi An County was established, which could be regarded as the beginning of the city. Piled Silk Hill (Folded Brocade Hill) where the traversed stone blocks piled one after another just like the colorful folded silk, that is how the name of the hill came into being. Elephant Trunk Hill is located at the confluence of the Li and Peach Blossom rivers in the southwest of Guilin. The Water Moon Cave is close to the river. The water flows through it and the cave looks like a moon floating in the water. The stone drooped into the water like an elephant drinking the water of the Li River. PARK HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

GUILIN - LI-JIANG RIVER BOAT CRUISE

A trip on the Li River is one of the highlights in China. From Guilin to Yang Shuo, the river meanders its way through 52 miles of beautiful countryside with bamboo forests, dense reed-beds and incredibly bizarre rock formations. One might sight a fishing boat with two or more cormorants on board. Many fishermen use these birds to assist with catching fish. Stop at Yang Shuo to see the attractive arts and crafts market. Enjoy hunting for souverniers through the free market. Along the 83 kilometer riverbank from Guilin to Yang Shuo are many natural wonders, made more incredible by their mirrored reflection on the serene river water, inspiring the saying, "Guilin has the most beautiful scenery in China, and Yang Shuo is the most beautiful part of Guilin." PARK HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

GUILIN/SHANGHAI

Fly to Shanghai. It is the largest and most populated city in China. It is also China's main center for industry, commerce, foreign trade, science and technology located at the spot where the mighty Yangtze meets the East China Sea. Rest of the day will be at leisure or explore the city on your own. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR B

SHANGHAI -

BUND, YUYUAN GARDEN & JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE Drive along the Bund. Stroll along the world famous Bund waterfront, one of the world's highest buildings in the newly developed land across the bustling Huangpu River. Yuyuan Garden is one of the most lavish and finest Chinese gardens in the region. It was built in 1559 as a private garden by Pan Yunduan, who spent almost 20 years building it to please his father Pan En, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. Over the years, the gardens fell into disrepair until about 1760 when bought by merchants and again suffered extensive damage in the 19th century. In 1842, during the Opium Wars, the British army occupied the Town God Temple for five days. During the Taiping Rebellion the gardens were occupied by imperial troops, and destroyed by the Japanese in 1942. It was repaired by the Shanghai government from 1956-1961, opened to the public in 1961 and declared a national monument in 1982. The famous Jade Buddha Temple was built in 1882, an old temple where two jade Buddha statues were brought from Burma by a monk, Huigen. The temple was destroyed during the revolution overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately, the Jade Buddha statues were saved and a new temple was re-constructed in 1928. Evening, attend a performance of the famous Chinese Acrobat troupes. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

SHANGHAI ZHUJIAO EXCURSION & SHANGHAI MUSEUM

Zhujiajiao means Zhu Family Settlement, is an ancient town, is a water village on the outskirts of Shanghai, formed about 1,700 years ago. Archaeological findings have been discovered that date back 5,000. 36 stone bridges and numerous rivers line Zhujiajiao along thousands of ancient buildings. Many centuries old stone buildings are home to residents as they were for many dynasties. The village prospered through clothing and rice businesses. Evenl today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and a Qing dynasty post office can be seen. Tour the famous Shanghai Museum, constructed in 1952, one of the larges and comprehensive art museum of China, renowned for its collection of Chinese art. The museum houses 123,000 pieces of cultural relic. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD

SHANGHAI/HOME

Depart Shanghai and board your homeward flight filled with memories of your exciting journey through ancient China. B

Beijing

Shanghai