CHINA: YANGTZE SPECTACULAR
A cultural tour of China

Experience the best of China on a sixteen day journey throughout Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Chongqing, Three Gorges, Yichang and Shanghai. Reside in exquisite hotels and board 5-star cruise ship. Embark on guided tours and indulge in the finest cuisine as you explore the rich culture and history of China. Visit many great wonders such as the Forbidden Palace, the renowned Great Wall, the mighty terra cotta army and the breathtaking Yangtze.

Tour Summary	Map
Day Place 01 Arrive Beijing 02-04 Beijing 05 Beijing / Xian 06 Xian 07 Xian / Guilin 08 Guilin 09 Guilin / Chongqing 10-11 Yangtze Cruise 12 Yichang / Shanghai 13-14 Shanghai 15 Depart Shanghai

Day 01     Arrive Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital and cultural centre of the world's most populous nation. Meet with your friendly guide and transfer to your hotel.   Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.
Overnight: New Otani Changfu Gong Hotel (4 nights)

Day 02     Beijing
Embark on a full day city tour. Visit Tian An Men Square, the largest public plaza in the world, and the Forbidden City where two dozen emperors once resided during the 15th and early 20th century and now houses numerous priceless treasures. After, explore the ancient residnetial area of old Beijing on a Hutong tour as you are escorted along its narrow alleys aboard a traditional pedicab. (B/L/D)

Day 03     Beijing
Begin this day's tour with a two-hour excursion to the mighty Great Wall in Badaling. Enjoy lunch at the Badaling Foreign Guest Restaurant. Then visit the Jade Stone Carving Factory and the Sacred Way of Ming Tombs. Stop at the iconic Beijing Olympic Village including the Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube Aquatic Center for photo ops before transferring back to your hotel. (B/L)

Day 04     Beijing
In the morning, pay a visit to the Temple of Heaven and observe the local residents practice morning excercises such as Taiji. Tour the Pearl Factory before visiting the adorable Pandas at the Beijing Zoo. Finally, explore the beautiful Summer Palace and its classical-style architecture, imperial gardens and man-made Kunming Lake. In the evening, a Peking Duck dinner is served. (B/L/D)

Day 05     Beijing - Xian
Take a morning flight to Xian and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Provincial History Museum to gain insight to the ancient history of China.
Overnight: Titan Times Hotel (2 nights) (B/L)

Day 06     Xian
Take on a full day excursion to the Terra Cotta Warriors & Bronze Chariots site to marvel at the ancient sculptures and witness the ongoing excavation of the buried army. Then view a Circle-Vision movie of the exhibit before visiting the mausoleum of Emperor Qin. En route back to the city, stop at the Ceramics & Pottery Center to learn how they are made and purchase souvenirs. Enjoy a Dumpling Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show at night. (B/L/D)

Day 07     Xian - Guilin
Board a morning flight to Guilin and transfer to your designated hotel upon arrival. Enjoy a Chinese lunch at the hotel. After you have settled, visit the mysterious Reed Flute cave in the afternoon and head to Piling Silk Hill for a stunning panoramic view of Guilin. Overnight: Bravo Hotel (2 nights) (B/L)

Day 08     Guilin
Set out on a cruise along Lijiang and gaze at the breathtaking scenes while sailing down the river. The course of Li River is flanked by green hills and peaks rising into the sky. Take an excursion to Yangshuo Village, a town resting among the cragged peaks on the side of Li River, before ending the day with a tour of the local art gallery. (B/L/D)

Day 09     Guilin - Chongqing
In the morning, fly to Chongqing and tour the Three Gorges Museum and city square. Relish a locally flavored hot pot lunch. Then board the Yangtze cruise.
Overnight: M/V President Prime Cruise (3 nights) (B/L/D)

Day 10     Yangtze Cruise
Begin sailing a distance of 430 miles in all the great gorges and deep mountan valleys. Arrive at the ghost city of Fengdu by afternoon and embark on a shore excursion to see the temples and legendary ghost statures such as Shibozai Pagoda, situated on the cliff, which local people use for luck praying. Have a glimpse at the new settlement town by the relocation of the new dam construction before returning to the ship and continue sailing. (B/L/D)

Day 11     Yangtze Cruise
Sail into the first two of the magnificent Three Gorges, the Qutang Gorge followed by Wu Gorge and admire the breathtaking sight of the narrow cliff walls and dramatic vistas. After lunch, embark on a shore excursion to the scenic Shennong Stream, a natural habitat of mandarin ducks and golden hair monkeys. Hanging Coffins can also be spotted on the high surrounding cliffs. In the late afternoon, pass through the Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges Dam 5-stage Shiplocks as the ship is lowered 412 feet. (B/L/D)

Day 12     Yichang - Shanghai
Disembark in Yichang and board a domestic flight to Shanghai. Transfer to your hotel once arrived. Enjoy the rest of the day free at leisure in this legendary seaport and most populous city of the world.
Overnight: Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel (3 nights) (B/L)

Day 13     Shanghai
Explore Yu Garden and Chenghuangmiao area. Then visit Shanghai Museum and wonder at the ancient Chinese paintings and furnitures it holds. A visit to the Carpet Factory is also scheduled. Attend the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show in the evening. (B/L/D)

Day 14     Shanghai
Take a tour excursion to a well-preserved historical site, the ancient water-town of Zhujiajiao, to see another unchanged face of Shanghai where EPEC leaders visited. Then stroll along the Bund and Xiantiandi Area, a well known district full of entertainment and shopping boutiques. At night, a farewell dinner serving Shanghai dishes will be held at a local restaurant. (B/L/D)

Day 15     Depart Shanghai
Say goodbye to Shanghai as you are transferred to the airport for your flight out.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Please call for details - 1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers Services of local English speaking guides Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Domestic air/cruise tickets International air ticket China AIF (approx USD 120.00). Insurance / Visas Tips (approx USD 180.00) Gratuities
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Please call for details - 1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT Included
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 1200
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.