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, the capital city for over 3,000 years. Rest of the day is at leisure to shop, sightsee or explore the city. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR.

TIAN ANMEN SQUARE, FORBIDDEN CITY, SUMMER PALACE & PANDAS GARDEN

Many buildings were demolished to create Tian Anmen Square, since 1949 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 as famous as the Forbidden City; Summer Palace or Yiheyuan (Garden of Nurtured Harmony). Continue to the Pandas Garden at the Beijing Zoo, originally named Ten Thousand Animal Garden was built in 1908, with a history of more than 90 years. The Zoo was once the imperial manor during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Plants were cultivated and animals were raised during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). After liberation, it was reconstructed and referred to as the West Suburb Park. In 1955, it was renamed Beijing Zoo. The institution breeds the largest number of pandas away from their original habitat. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR BLD.

OLYMPIC CENTER, GREAT WALL MING TOMBS EXCURSION & SACRED WAY

Commence with a tour of the the iconic “Beijing 2008 Olympic Center” - the Bird’s Nest & Water Cube, host to many spectacular events. Continue to the Badaling Great Wall. Construction began more than 2,000 years ago that meanders more than 6,000 kilometers across the country. The Ming Tombs represents the addition of three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning to the Ming tombs inscribed in 2000 and 2003. They were built for the founding emperors of the Qing Dynasty and their ancestors, constructed 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. En route visit a jade factory. This evening attend a cultural show. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR BLD.

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, BEIJING CITY PLANNING MUSEUM & HUTONG TOUR

The Temple of Heaven or Altar of Heaven is a complex of Taoist buildings. It 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, pre-dates Taoism. The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during Emperor Yongle’s reign. Watch local people practicing Taiji and exercising. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of Emperor Jiajing in the 16th century. Proceed to Beijing City Planning Museum to see a 3D moving narrating the history and changes of Beijing. Enjoy a pedi cab ride to the Hutongs, developed around the Forbidden City as early as the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). 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 today only 2,000 exist. Time permitting you will visit a pearl workshop. Evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. CHANG AN GRAND HOTEL BEIJING OR SIMILAR BLD.

BEIJING/XI’AN - BIG WILD GOOSE PAGODA & PROVINCIAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Fly to Xi’an or Chang'an in ancient times. It is one of the six ancient capital sites in China. Tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the famous Buddhist pagodas. When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Ming dynasty emperor (1368-1644) captured Huizhou, a hermit, Zhu Sheng, advised him to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618-907), creating modern Xi'An city wall. Visit the Provincial History Museum where a Confucian Temple stood. On display are mostly historical remnants of previous dynasties such as the Han and Tang. AURUM INTERNATIONAL HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD.

TERRACOTTA MUSEUM, CERAMICS & POTTERY CENTER

Spring of 1974 peasant workers unearthed an archeological find hidden for 2,200 years. Semi buried in the soil were hundreds of battered but beautiful terra-cotta statues of armed warriors, servants and horses pulling manned war chariots, retinue of unified first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Ti. See the excavated exhibition 1, 2, 3 and 4. You will see archeologists at work at the actual sites. Watch the Circle of Vision movie. Proceed to a pottery and ceramic worskshop. Evening attend a Tang Dynasty show followed by Dumpling dinner. AURUM INTERNATIONAL HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD.

XI’AN/CHONGQUIN/ YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

This morning fly to Chongqing. Across the People's Square is the Three Gorges Museum. On exhibits is the Ba culture and the area of the three gorges downriver from Chongqing. Worth seeing are a series of exhibits on life in Chongqing during the Qing dynasty, the early republic, and the Word War II era. Continue to the Second World War Memorials. Later, board your cruise 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 PARADISE BLD.

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Commence with your sailing for a distance of 430 miles to toward the great gorges and the deep mountain valleys. Afternoon, you will reach the ghost city of Fengdu for a shore excursion. There is a necropolis called Fengdu modelled after the Chinese Hell in Taoist mythology, built over 1800 years ago. The famous ghost town will become an island after the Three Gorges Dam project is completed. Specifically, part of the ghost town of Fengdu will be submerged, but scenery above the "Door of Hell" will remain. You might get a glimpse of the new settlement town by the relocation of the new dam. Return to the boat and continue sailing. Time permiting; visit Shibaozhai Pagoda, one of the highlights of the Yangtze River cruise. From the dock this magnificent structure majestically stands above its surroundings. The pagoda was built against a rock, so only three walls were man-made. One of the first things you will notice about this pagoda is that its windows are round, which is unique for a pagoda and the temple walls are painted red with colorful decorations. When the Three Gorges Dam is completed, the water level will reach the lower parts of the temple. Inside the pagoda there is a marking where the future water level will be. There are plans to rebuild the pagoda on higher grounds or construct a wall around the base of the pagoda protecting it from the rising water level. Resume cruise for overnight stay. MV PARADISE BLD.

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Your cruise continues into Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the Three Gorges. The gently layered peaks form a surreal backdrop as the ship courses through the rugged canyons. Wu Gorge, celebrated for its twelve misty peaks soaring above, has been the inspiration of Chinese painters and poets throughout the centuries. After the boat reaches the fabled Shennong Stream, transfer to a small boat for an excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges for a three hour excursion. On reaching upstream, once again transfer to a small sampan, pulled by a man tracker to the ethnic village, where you will be greeted by locals singing as you enjoy the scenic gorges. Back on the ship, set sail into the third Xiling Gorge, passing through historical sites. Finally set sail through the huge Three Gorges Dam and the 5 ship locks with lowering the boat down 412 feet. Stay overnight on the cruise ship. MV PARADISE BLD.

YICHANG/SHANGHAI

Continue sailing in Xiling Gorge followed by a shore excursion to the New Dam sit. This afternoon, fly to Shanghai, 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. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BL.

YUYUAN GARDEN, SHANGHAI MUSEUM & PEOPLE SQUARE

Yuyuan Garden is one of the most finest and lavish gardens in China. It was first established in 1559 as a private garden developed by Pan Yunduan, spending almost 20 years to please his father Pan En, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty, during his father's old age. Over the years, the gardens fell into disrepair till about 1760 when bought by merchants, then 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 damaged again by the Japanese in 1942. They were repaired by the Shanghai government from 1956-1961, opened to the public in 1961 and declared a national monument in 1982. Afternoon tour the famous Shanghai Museum, constructed in 1952, one of the larges and comprehensive art museum of China and renowned for its collection of Chinese art. Take a stroll through the People Square. Prior to 1949 and the establishment of the People's Republic of China, now People's Square, was a once a horse racing course. After gambling and horse racing were banned by the new Communist government, a part of the race course became the People's Square, which included a large avenue and spectators’ stands used during parades. In the 1990s, major changes were made to the square. The Shanghai Municipal Government building was relocated from the former HSBC Building and so was the Shanghai Museum from once located in a former office building. More recent additions include the Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Urban Planning exhibition Hall. Other parts of the race course still remain. Time permitting you will visit a carpet Factory. Evening, attend a performance of the famous Chinese Acrobat troupes. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BLD.

SHANGHAI WORLD EXHIBITION OR ZHUJIAJIAO EXCURSION & JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE

The Shanghai World Exhibition (Shanghai EXPO) covers a large area of voer 5.6 kilometers with 27 halls. The theme of the exhibits depicts new creations, concepts, technologies, presenting the world urban life in the 21st century with a New Approaches of Human Habitats and Beautiful Lifestyle. If the Shanghai Exhibit is not possible then visit Zhujiajiao, which means Zhu Family Settlement, is an ancient town, 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. Even today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and a Qing dynasty post office can be seen. 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. GALAXY HOTEL OR SIMILAR BL.

SHANGHAI/HOME

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