23 days: Beijing/Yichang/ Yangtze River Cruise/ Chongqing/Xi'an Kuming /Lijiang/ Guilin /Shanghai

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Day 1 Depart for Beijing, China.
Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing Airport, you will meet your English speaking Regent Local Guide, who will escort you to your deluxe hotel.

Day 3 Beijing
This morning, one hour comfortable motor coach ride will take you to the statue-lined Sacred Way to the Ming (1368 - 1644) Dynasty Tombs (Tranquil Ruins of Deling). En route, we will stop to visit a Cloisonne Factory where you will observe artisans working on this 500 years old unique art of China. After lunch, we will continue traveling to the Great Wall for breathtaking views of this man made structure that is visible from outer space.

Day 4 Beijing
Today we will visit the Temple of Heaven where Chinese Emperors throughout the ages went to pray and thank gods for the harvests every year. On the way, we will take a look how pearls are cultured and made into jewelry.

After lunch, explore the labyrinth of more than 9,000 treasure-filled chambers and hundreds of secret courtyards of the Forbidden City, where the movie Last Emperor was filmed.

Dinner is served at Dai Minority Restaurant with colorful dancers from southern China who will invite you for cheerful dancing.

Day 5 Beijing
Full day excursion to Summer Palace with a Cruise on Kunming Lake,

In the evening, try out the famous Peking Duck Dinner and watch a fabulous Acrobatic Show.

Day 6 Beijing / Yichang
After one hour's flight you will reach Yichang, where the Three Gorge Dam is being built. A city tour today at this flourishing new city.

Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise
Board the luxurious Cruise Ship on the Yangtze River, prepare to sail through the world famous Three Gorges with shore excursions.

Day 8 Yangtze Cruise Day 2:
We will pass Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge today. We will also have a Shennong Stream Drifting shore excursion.

Day 9 Yangtze Cruise Day 3:
We will visit Shibaozhai, one of the most important landmarks along the Yangtze River.

Day 10 Chongqing
Today we arrive in Chongqing, once the station for Flying Tigers. We will visit the Panda Reserve the largest of its kind in China for Giant Pandas.

Day 11 Chongqing to Xi'an
Today we will pay a visit to Great Wild Goose Pagoda, which is centered in a working Buddhist temple. A panoramic view of Xi'an will be in front you when you climb up the pagoda.

In the evening, we will watch the elegant Qin (Dynasty) or Tang (Dynasty) Performance.

Day 12 Xi'an
An army of over 7, 000 life size warriors, horses and chariots were buried underground over 2,000 years ago and was discovered in 1974. Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

Day 13 Xi'an / Kuming
We will also take a stroll on Xi'an City Wall, the best preserved ancient city wall in China before we fly to Kunming. Upon arrival, you will check in your hotel.

Day 14 Kunming
A full day of Stone Forest tour, one of China's most remarkable natural phenomena. It consists acres of innumerable bizarre-shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks created by wind and water erosion some 270 million years ago. The Stone Forest area is the home of the Sani people, a branch of the Yi tribe (reputed for their exquisite embroidery and melodious songs and graceful dances) who also offer cultural performances nightly.

Day 15 Kunming / Lijiang
Fly to Lijiang and check in your hotel. Visit the picturesque Jade-Dragon Park.

Day 16 Lijiang
Riding a cable car you get to half way up the Jade Dragon Mountain. Fresh air, green pastures with the snow capped mountain peaks in the background, may have you join the singing of the Tibetan girls in the area. Enjoy the Naxi Nationality Music Show in hotel theater in the evening.

Day 17 Lijiang
One hour ride will take you to Xinhua, a silversmith village, a window into rural China. Afterward, visit the ancient Lijiang city, laid out according to Chinese Taoist / Fengshui philosophy.

Day 18 Lijiang / Guilin
Departing Lijiang, fly from one beautiful yet rather unknown city into another beautiful and well known city of Guilin. You will be greeted by elegantly shaped hills and waters upon arrival.

Day 19 Guilin
Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo, meandering between mist wrapped jutting peaks. You will never forget this tranquil but exciting cruise. A performance after dinner is arranged for your enjoyment.

Day 20 Guilin / Shanghai
Fly on to Shanghai, the largest city in China. Upon arriva, we will check into our deluxe Hotel.

Day 21 Shanghai
Shanghai Museum is among the finest in the world, where you can spend hours and hours marveling at all the treasures from ancient China.

Today we will also explore the Old City Market outside Yuyuan Garden, where old Shanghai still retains its charm, a combination of hundreds of small stores and eateries.

Day 22 Shanghai
A free day in Shanghai, or optional Suzhou Day Tour.

Day 23 Departure.