CHINA: FOREVER YANGTZE
A cultural tour of China

The Yangtze Rivers has been the bread of China - and it gorges crosses some of the most beautiful scenery not only in China but also of Asia. This 13 days program covers the most well known of Chinas cities from Beijing the capital city to Xian where the silk road started in bygone days. From Xian we fly to Chongqing to start our - a one of it's kind Yangtze River Cruise. With beautiful and enchanting scenery we cross the different gorges to Yinching from where we take a short flight to the most lively city in China - Shanghai. Left to the end it is a shoppers paradise with lots of activities.

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

Day 01 Arrive Beijing
Arrive Beijing. Meet and transfer to hotel. Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.
Overnight: New Otani Changfu Gong Hotel (4 nights)

Day 02 Beijing
Full day tour including Tian'anmen Square and the largest Imperial Palace in the world – the Forbidden City. After lunch take the old- fashioned Pedi cab to the historical sites behind main streets by Hutong Tour. (B/L/D)

Day 03 Beijing
Full day tour including Great Wall Badaling and walk along its ramparts for breathtaking views. After that we approach to the mountain valley of the best geomancy site – the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tomb including visit the Sacred Way. Drive by the Olympic venues (Bird's Nest & Water Cube) for photo stop. (B/L)

Day 04 Beijing
Morning visit Temple of Heaven including the Imperial Hall of Pray Harvest, the Imperial Vault and the Imperial Sacrificial Altar. Plus see local people doing Taiji and morning exercises there. After lunch visit the elegant Summer Palace including cruise on the shimmering waters of Kunming Lake. Visit the Pandas Garden in Beijing Zoo before dinner. Evening enjoy Peking duck Dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 05 Beijing–Xian
Take a late morning flight to Xian – the ancient capital over 1100 years. Afternoon sightseeing tour including Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which was regarded as the landmark of Xian. When dynasties expanded its territories enormously to the west with many Buddhism Scriptures, Monks and the envoys came to China, the temple was built and a larger team of scholars was organized here for translation of the Buddhism Scriptures into Chinese and it became a holy place for pilgrimages. Behind the pagoda is the courtyard, which tells great Buddhism envoys story. The Provincial Museum shows us Chinese archaeology's excavation at Xian Areas from very beginning of Chinese primogenitors of Neolithic Age 20000-8000 years ago to the glorious dynasties 980AD.
Overnight: Titan Time Hotel (2 nights) (B/L)

Day 06 Xian
Full day excursion tour to the famous UNESCO site of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors & Bronze Chariots, watching the archaeologists are continuing on the fields for further excavation. After lunch visit the Ceramics & Pottery Center. Evening enjoy Dumpling dinner & Tang Dynasty Show. (B/L/D)

Day 07 Xian–Chongqing
Fly to Chongqing and visit Three Gorges Museum and the City Square. Embark your Yangtze cruise.
Overnight: M/V President Cruise (3 nights) (B/L/D)

Day 08 Yangtze River Cruise
Shore excursion at Fengdu (Ghost City) where reveals ancient Chinese religion and legends with their imaged constructions and the ghost statures for people lucky praying. Also have a glimpse of the new settlement town by the relocation of the new dam construction. Return back the boat and continue sailing. (B/L/D)

Day 09 Yangtze River Cruise
Sailing into the 1st Qutang Gorge and the 2nd Wu Gorge. Shore excursion at Shennong Stream, change to the small boat and sail deep into the fabled Three Lesser Gorge of 3 hours exploration. After get to the upstream change to a small sampan pulling up by man tracker on bubbles water to the ethnic villages. Return back to the boat sail through the huge Three Gorges Dam. (B/L/D)

Day 10 Yichang–Shanghai
Chinese lunch onboard before disembarkation. Disembarkation at Yichang then transfer to airport for a flight to Shanghai. Meet and transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Ramada Plaza Gateway (3 nights) (B/L)

Day 11 Shanghai
Full day sightseeing tour including Yu Garden – built 400 years ago, a famous private garden with architectures of Ming & Qing dynasties. After lunch visit Shanghai Museum and Carpet Factory. Enjoy the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show. (B/L/D)

Day 12 Shanghai
Morning excursion to Zhujiajiao, a famous river town near Shanghai. Then visit the Bund and Xintiandi Area, a very well-known boutique area. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/L/D)

Day 13 Depart Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. 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 150.00) 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.