TIBET & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
May 7-27, 2013
DAY- BY- DAY ITINERARY
Day 1/ May 7 Depart Canada
Board the flight to Shanghai, China.
Day 2/ May 8 Arrives in Shanghai (D)
Upon arrival, met and transfer to hotel.
Welcome dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Le Meridian Hotel or similar.
Day 3/ May 9 Shanghai (B, L, D)
Visit the Bund, often referred to as the “Wall Street” of former
foreign powers, and the walking Street – Nanjing Road.
This morning we start visit Old Downtown (Temple of the city God). Old Downtown has many narrow
zigzag lanes, small squares, fish pond and pavilion linked by stone bridges. It collects many favorite local
bars, restaurants, tea houses and souvenir shops.
After that, we visit a Children’s Palace, one of the special schools developed for truly gifted children.
Afternoon we visit Shanghai Museum, one of best museum in the world. It is a comprehensive of art with a
collection of finest cultural relics of over 120,000 pieces. The most attraction on display is stone sculptures
and carving, bronze-ware, porcelain, calligraphic works & Chinese paintings and ancient furniture.
Then we visit Xintiandi, a very well-known boutique area composed together with fashion and tradition, fan
& elegant. It shows another delight face of Shanghai, especially in the later afternoon or at night, the small
pub, bar and restaurants in western family style deeply hide inside the narrow lanes and it creates a good
feeling of Salvador to artists and rich young people.
Enjoy an acrobatic performance in the evening.
Day 4/ May 10 Shanghai –Suzhou-Shanghai (B, D)
Full day tour to Suzhou by coach ( 90 minutes). The highlight of Suzhou is a Grand Canal Cruise followed
by a visit to the “Three Attractions of Panmen” and the Fishmen Net Master garden.
We return to Shanghai in the evening.
Evening enjoy a western set dinner at local restaurant.
Day 5/ May 11 Shanghai – Xian (B, L, D)
Today we fly to Xian, a city visited by Marco Polo when it had a population of over one million. Many
reminders of the past are still evident including portions of the city wall, and the Bell Tower which dates
from 1384.
We will visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque today.
This evening we have a special dumpling dinner at the Defachang Restaurant.
Accommodation: Xian Sofitel Hotel.
Day 6/ May 12 Xian (B, L, D)
A full day excursion takes us to the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin, one of China's greatest rulers and the
builder of the Great Wall. Discovered in 1974, the tomb contains some 6,000 life sized terra cotta warriors
and horses, the imperial body guard to the emperor on his journey after death.
Later we will visit the massive City Wall (over 20 feet thick) which is one of the oldest military structures in
the world.
This evening we are in for a special treat - the gala Tang Dynasty dinner and show.
Day 7/May 13 Xian / Yichang (embarkation) (B, L, D)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Yichang. Upon arrival, take a brief city tour. Evening enjoy a local
flavour dinner before you are transferred to pier to embark the ship.
Accommodation: MS Yangtze Explorer or similar
Day 8/May 14 Cruising (B, L, D)
This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam Site, the largest of its kind in the world. Sail through the 3
Gorges shiplocks and Xiling Gorge.
Day 9/May 15 Cruising (B, L, D)
Today, you take a shore excursion of the Shennong Stream. The ship will pass through Wu Gorge and
Qutang Gorge in the afternoon.
Day 10/May 16 Cruising (B, L, D)
Shore excursions to Fengdu, known as “Ghost City,” where you’ll visit several temples.
Day 11/ May 17 Chongqing – Dazu – Chengdu (B, L, D)
The ship arrives in Chongqing in the morning. Disembark the ship. Drive 2 hours arrives in Dazu. Visit the
1200-year-old Dazu Grottos which is a world culture heritage. In the afternoon, drive 4 hours from Dazu to
Chengdu. Evening enjoy a buffet dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar
Day 12/May 18 Chengdu (B, L, D)
Morning tour of Panda Breeding and Research Base, afternoon visit the Sanxingdui Han Dynasty Tomb.
Enjoy a famous hot pot dinner.
Day 13/May 19 Chengdu (B, L, D)
Today we will visit the a tea house and also a local free market to see how Chengdu people enjoy their life,
to experience the tea house culture which is well known in all China. In the afternoon, we will visit the
Wuhou Shrine and museum at the Sichuan University.
Day 14/ May 20 Chengdu- Lhasa (B,D)
We fly to Lhasa today. Afternoon is free for you to adjust to local latitude. Dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel or similar
Day 15/ May 21 Lhasa (B, L)
Visit the imposing Potala Palace, once the center of the Tibetan government and the former winter residence
of the Dalai Lama. Also, visit one of Tibet’s oldest shrines, Jokhang Temple, then spend time in the pilgrim
circuit - Barkhor Street. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 16/ May 22 Lhasa (B, L, D)
Visit the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama, featuring the largest man-made garden in Tibet. In the
afternoon, we visit Sera Monastery.
Day 17/ May 23 Lhasa (B, L, D)
Today we take a special trip to a Tibetan’s Home that includes lunch before visiting a typical Tibetan
monastery. The final stop today is a Tibetan hospital, where you will learn about traditional Tibetan
medicine and therapy.
Day 18/ May 24 Lhasa - Beijing (B, D)
Today fly to Beijing. Met and transfer to hotel. Buffet dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Peninsula Palace Hotel or similar
Day 19/ May 25 Beijing (B, L, D)
The Great Wall once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the
Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved. Walk along the wall and enjoy
sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. In the afternoon, Visit Beijing Olympic Site (Bird Nest and
Water Cube).
Tonight we will see an amazing Kungfu show.
Day 20/ May 26 Beijing (B, L, D)
Today your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the Forbidden City’s Imperial Palace, once the sacred
home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world,
where the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949. Then, proceed to the former Summer Palace,
a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries situated around Kunming Lake. This evening, enjoy a
farewell Peking Duck Dinner.
Day 21/ May 27 Depart China (B, L)
Morning tour of Temple of Heaven. In the afternoon Board your homebound flight back to Canada.
**** END OF TOUR *****
B – breakfast L – lunch D – dinner