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Imperial Jewels of China Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Shanghai (China)
Fly overnight from the UK to Shanghai.
Day 2 - Shanghai
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel for your 2-night stay.
Day 3 - Shanghai
This morning, explore Old Shanghai and travel along the Bund which boasts historic buildings and spectacular views. Visit the Yuyuan Garden which dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Shanghai Museum. This evening, dine at a local restaurant before watching the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Shanghai - Wuhan
After breakfast, fly to Wuhan and transfer to the ship. You are welcomed aboard with a Western meal. The ship sets sail this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Wuhan
Visit the Hubei Provincial Museum for a mesmerising Hubei bronze bells performance and to see cultural relics dating back to 400 BC. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Jingzhou
Enjoy an exclusive tour of an elementary school where you will be entertained by the village children, for the unique opportunity to learn more about the educational system in rural areas. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam
This morning, cruise through Xiling Gorge. After lunch, enjoy a tour of the Three Gorges Dam where you can learn about this engineering masterpiece. Return to the ship and cruise through the five-stage locks of the Three Gorges Dam. The ship docks at Badong. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Three Gorges and Lesser Three Gorges
During breakfast, cruise through Wu Gorge, before boarding a smaller boat for an excursion through the Lesser Three Gorges. See the hanging coffins of the Ba people and the ancient plank road craved into the cliff. Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon cruising though Qutang Gorge. Enjoy dinner aboard. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Shibaozhai
This morning, enjoy a visit to the Shibaozhai Temple, built in 1650. Tour the pavilion and temple before returning to the ship for lunch. Cruise along the Yangtze River this afternoon and through the night. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Chongqing - Xian
After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Chongqing. Visit Chongqing Zoo where you can see giant pandas and other exotic species (forward itinerary only). Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before flying to Xian for a 2-night hotel stay. This evening, dine at your hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Xian
This morning, enjoy a tour of the mausoleum where Emperor Qin Shi Huang was laid to rest. See the life-sized terra cotta warriors that were buried with him. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the entire necropolis from the walkways. After lunch, enjoy time at leisure to explore Xian. Perhaps enjoy a sumptuous dinner accompanied by traditional dances and music from the Tang Dynasty. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Xian - Beijing
Fly to Beijing and transfer to the hotel for your 3-night stay. Enjoy dinner and time at leisure this evening. On the reverse itinerary, you can enjoy a tour of Old Beijing's hutongs via rickshaw before flying to Xian. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Beijing
After breakfast, travel to Badaling Hills where you can see one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a lunch of local specialities, before walking along the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue guarded by sculptures of camels, lions and elephants leading to the Ming Dynasty tombs. This evening, dine at a local restaurant or enjoy an optional Peking duck dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Beijing
This morning, visit Tiananmen Square before enjoying a tour of Beijing's Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch at a local restaurant, spend time at leisure in Beijing. This evening, enjoy your final dinner or attend an optional Kung Fu acrobatics show. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Beijing - UK
After breakfast, travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)
Itinerary is subject to change.