China, Tibet & The Yangtze River
September 13 – October 1, 2007

Trip Itinerary

Thursday, September 13 
Depart U.S. for Beijing, China

Friday, September 14
Arrive Beijing 
We arrive in the Chinese capital late this evening and transfer to our hotel.

Saturday, September 15 
Beijing 
After time to rest this morning, mid-day we begin our discovery of this 2,000-year-old city at vast Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City, seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties.  Tonight we savor a traditional Peking Duck dinner.  B,D

Sunday, September 16 
Beijing/Great Wall 
This morning we tour the splendid Temple of Heaven complex, where China’s rulers once worshiped. After lunch we walk on the Great Wall, the network of ancient defense installations that stretches almost 4,000 miles from the East China Sea to Central Asia.  B,L,D

Monday, September 17 
Beijing 
This morning we enjoy a small group highlight, as we ride rickshaws through Beijing’s ancient back roads and alleys (hutongs) and enjoy a home visit, giving us a glimpse of the traditional communal lifestyle.  Then we visit the Summer Palace, the former royal retreat that is now a lovely park.  B,L

Tuesday, September 18 
Beijing/Xian 
We fly this morning to Xian, a provincial backwater until the accidental discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors in 1974. Upon arrival we tour the impressive nine-mile city wall and moat, then enjoy a special dumpling lunch. Next: Shanxi Provincial History Museum, with an acclaimed collection of historic and cultural artifacts. Tonight we attend a Tang Dynasty show and dinner.  B,L,D

Wednesday, September 19 
Xian 
Our day begins with a visit to the revered Wild Goose Pagoda (c. 652 AD). After lunch we tour the museum housing the army of 7,000 life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors that had lain buried and forgotten for more than two millennia.  B,L,D

Thursday, September 20 
Xian/Chengdu 
We fly this morning to Chengdu, where we visit the renowned Giant Panda Protection & Research Center, the only such refuge in the world. The remainder of the day is at leisure.  B,L,D

Friday, September 21 
Chengdu/Lhasa 
Early today we fly to Lhasa, Tibet’s capital and only major city. High on a plateau between two Himalayan ridges, the Chinese province of Tibet covers an area as large as Western Europe. On the way to our hotel we stop to visit with a Tibetan family in their home. Since the altitude here is approximately 12,000 feet above sea level, we spend the remainder of the day acclimating.  B,L,D

Saturday, September 22 
Lhasa  Our tour begins in the heart of the old city at Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest temple. Built in 647, Jokhang is an intriguing complex that attracts pilgrims day and night. Surrounding Jokhang is Barkhor, a plaza lined with chanting monks, street performers, and vendors. Later we tour the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas at Norbulinka; tonight, we enjoy a dinner performance at Mad Yak Restaurant.  B,L,D

Sunday, September 23 
Lhasa 
Opened to foreigners only since 1984, Tibet is a profoundly spiritual place where Buddhism has infused all aspects of life for 13 centuries. We see evidence of this at 17th-century Potala Palace, with 1,000 rooms and 200,000 Buddha images, which we explore this morning. This afternoon we visit the vast Sera Monastery.  B,L,D

Monday, September 24 
Lhasa/Chengdu/Chongqing 
We depart early for the flight to Chengdu where we board a coach to Chonqing. Dinner tonight is at our hotel.  B,L,D

Tuesday, September 25 
Chengdu/Dazu/Board Ship 
Today’s excursion features the Dazu Rock Carvings dating back more than a millennium – and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These cliff-side carvings reflect Buddhist teachings, tenets of Confucianism, and local folklore. Tonight we board our river ship and set sail.  B,L,D

Wednesday, September 26 
Yangtze Cruising – Wanxian or Fengdu 
Prized for its haunting natural beauty, the Yangtze is one of the world’s longest (3,600 miles) and busiest rivers. This afternoon we visit either the trading town of Wanxian, or the “ghost city” of Fengdu.  B,L,D

Thursday, September 27
Yangtze Cruising –
Qutang Gorge/Small Three Gorges/Wu Gorge/Xiling Gorge
Today we pass through narrow Qutang Gorge, then board a small sampan for a cruise through the stunning Small Three Gorges, among the most spectacular sights of our trip. Back aboard our Victoria Cruises ship this afternoon we enter tranquil Wu Gorge then cruise 41-mile Xiling Gorge.  B,L,D

Friday, September 28: 
Yangtze Cruising --
Three Gorges Dam/Shanghai 
After visiting the site of the immense Three Gorges Dam we continue on to Yichang, where we disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Shanghai, the “Paris of the East.”  B,L,D

Saturday, September 29 
Shanghai 
Our day begins amidst the scenic pools and walkways of 16th-century Yu Yuan Garden, one of the few remaining vestiges of old Shanghai. We also visit the Bund, the broad avenue that’s a potent symbol of European influence; and the Children’s Palace, where young students study the arts. Tonight we attend a Chinese acrobatic show.  B,L

Sunday, September 30
Shanghai 
This morning we visit the renowned Shanghai Museum, with its priceless collections of ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy. This afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s farewell dinner.  B,D

Monday, October 1
Depart for U.S.
We depart for the U.S. today, arriving on the West Coast then connecting with our flights home.  B