Ancient China Gorges & Gardens: Beijing, Yangtze River, Suzhou & Shanghai

On arrival in Beijing, please make your way to the arrivals hall where you will be met by a Goway representative, holding a board with your name. You will the then be transferred to your hotel for check in. Rest of day is at leisure.

Today you will be picked up for your full day tour of Beijing which starts with Tian’anmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Next you will visit the Forbidden City, the best-known image of Imperial China built by more than 200,000 workers in the 5th century during the Ming Dynasty. This was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties with a total space of 9,999 rooms, the huge complex consists of the ceremonial spaces, working areas and private quarters once used by its privileged occupants.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the prestigious Summer Palace, featuring the Long Corridor with painted gallery, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, Seventeen Arch Bridge and the Marble Boat. After a full day of touring, you will be transferred back to the hotel, and the evening is at your own leisure.

Today you will explore the Temple of Heaven, here you will see the locals doing morning exercises, such as Taichi, Shuttlecocking Kicking, etc. The temple is one of the finest creations of the Ming dynasty and with its stunning architecture it realizes the eternal Chinese desire to incarnate heaven in material form and represents the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry of the time.

Thereafter continue on a drive out of Beijing to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, enroute you will have lunch at a local restaurant at the foot of the Great Wall.

After lunch you will visit the Great Wall of Mutianyu, a rugged section of the Wall that offers less crowded access and a more striking perspective as the Wall climbs and winds over the surrounding hills. Here the Great Wall of China presents a visual experience that consistently exceeds visitors expectations. Scholars estimate that the Wall, averaging 25 feet in height and nearly as thick, once stretched for 3,700 miles, passing through sixteen provinces. A cable car transfer is included up and down the wall. Later this afternoon, you will be transferred back to your hotel in the city.

Today you will be collected from your hotel for your flight to Chongqing. On arrival, you will head to a the museum which is the former residence of General Joseph W. Stilwell, who was chief commander of US forces in the China-Burma-India Theatre during World War II. Thereafter, proceed to Chongqing Zoo, a highlight of this attraction is the Panda House which covers about 2 hectares in size. If time permits, you will be able to walk to Ciqikou, which is an old town preserved in sprawling modern Chongqing and has some typical traditional and cultural characteristics featured in mountainous areas.

Before boarding your ship for your Yangtze river cruise, you will enjoy a Sichuan flavor dinner at a local restaurant. Depending on the date of your departure, your boat will either be, Victoria Cruises, Century Cruises or Presidential Cruises. This is to be determined at time of booking.

Early this morning, you will have the opportunity to take part in morning Tai Chi as you cruise downstream. Relax on deck and observe Chinese farm and village life. The first port of call is Fengdu, known as the "City of Ghosts". Take an optional shore excursion to Ghost City and the many temples in Fengdu which house silent ghost devils (additional cost). This afternoon, visit Shibaozhai, or "Stone Treasure Fortress", a 12-storey wooden structure located on a steep hill on the south bank of the Yangtze. Back on board, enjoy a welcome party with your captain this evening.

Today, you will arrive at the Three Gorges, one of the most spectacular sights in China. Qutang Gorge is known for its rugged and magnificent scenery, Wu Gorge for its twelve peaks, and Xiling Gorge for being the largest of the three. This morning, you might choose to take an optional shore excursion to Baidicheng, or "White Emperor City" (additional cost), or simply relax on board. This afternoon, take a sampan boat excursion to visit Shennong Stream and the lesser gorges. Tonight, enjoy more on board entertainment. Your vessel will pass through the Yangtze ship locks around 10:00pm.

On arrival, you will disembark at the Maoping pier, and transferred to Yichang for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will be transferred to the train station for a high speed train experience to Suzhou. The journey is around 6 hours and will arrive in the evening. On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for check in and the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Today you will explore the Humble Administrators Garden followed by a traditional sampan ride on the Grand Canal. The largest of Suzhou's gardens, the Humble Administrators Garden dates back to 1513, and the use of water here is quite complex. The creation of multiple vistas and the dividing of spaces into distinct segments are the garden artist's means of expanding the compressed spaces of the estate.

Then, proceed to the Suzhou Museum, which has been a highly-regarded regional museum with a number of significant Chinese cultural relics, designed by world famous architect I.M.Pei.

Thereafter, continue to Tiger Hill (Hu Qiu) which enjoys a reputation as the first scenic spot in the State of Wu. Suzhou was once the capital of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period. It is where the King of Wu, He Lu, was buried after his death. The area was named Tiger Hill after a tiger was seen lying on the tomb of He Lu.

After stroll along the Santang Cultural Street, transfer back to hotel and evening is at your leisure.

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for a transfer to the train station for your 30 min high-speed train to Shanghai. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check in. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to stroll the famous Bund/Waterfront and Nanjing street.

You will be picked up this morning and start your day by visiting the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. The focus of the exhibit is a large scale model of the entirety of urban Shanghai, showing existing buildings and approved future buildings. Other exhibits relate to Shanghai's history and planned development, including smaller scaled models focusing on particular areas of interest such as the Bund.

Proceed to the 400 years old Yu Garden. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. Outside the garden, is the famous Chen Huang Miao - an area of shops, restaurants and recreation facilities.

You will enjoy a Shanghai flavor lunch at a local restaurant including soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao). This afternoon, head to the former French Concession to explore the local life. Its an area once leased to the French in the Luwan and Xuhui districts of the city, and is a reminder of an older Shanghai. Then ride the elevator to the top of the tallest building in Asia and the 2nd tallest building in the world, the new Shanghai Tower, for a birds-eye view of the old and new Shanghai by the Huangpu River. After your transfer back to the hotel, the rest of your evening is at your leisure.

Today you will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to the airport for your onward journey.