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Grand Tour of China Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Shanghai (China)
Overnight flight from the UK to Shanghai.
Day 2 - Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai and transfer to the four-star Central Hotel for an overnight stay with breakfast included. This evening, enjoy a walk along Shanghai's riverside promenade, the "Bund".
Day 3 - Beijing
This morning, enjoy a exhilarating ride on China's new high speed train to Beijing. On arrival, check-in to the four-star Mercure Downtown hotel for a three-night stay with breakfast included.
Day 4 - Forbidden City
Visit magnificent Tiananmen Square, the world's largest plaza, and discover the Forbidden City. With a staggering 9,999 rooms this is the largest palace complex in the world and is adorned with paintings of dragons and phoenixes, carvings and inscriptions. After lunch, continue to the magnificent Summer Palace. This evening there is the opportunity to attend a Kung Fu show with dinner.
Day 5 - The Great Wall
Travel to the stupendous Great Wall of China, the largest structure ever built by man. Enjoy superb views of the surrounding wild landscape with endless hills and mountains as far as the eye can see. Back in Beijing, visit the magnificent Temple of Heaven and experience a glimpse of the real Beijing. This evening there is a Peking Duck banquet.
Day 6 - Xi'an
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Xi'an. En route from the airport, enjoy a visit to the impressive Hang Yang Ling tomb and Underground Museum which displays artifacts unearthed around the tomb of the first Han Emperor. Continue to the imposing Ming Dynasty walls. Two-night stay at the four-star Tianyu Gloria Grand Hotel with breakfast.
Day 7 - Terracotta Army
Visit the extraordinary 6,000-strong Terracotta Army which guards the mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor. The archers, crossbowmen and infantry all have their own unique and lifelike features. Lunch is included today.
Day 8 - Guilin
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Admire the Longshen Rice Terraces. The ethnic Yao tribes have cut the terraces into the steep hills over hundreds of years. Two-night stay at the four-star Bravo Hotel with breakfast. Dinner is included tonight.
Day 9 - Li River
Board a boat for a cruise down the stunningly beautiful Li River. Admire the limestone peaks covered in verdant tropical forests that rise majestically from the flat rice paddies and see water buffalo cooling off in the river. After lunch on board, enjoy time at leisure to explore the picturesque riverside town of Yangshuo before returning to Guilin.
Day 10 - Chengdu
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. On arrival, check-in to the four-star Tianfu Sunshine Hotel for an overnight stay with breakfast. This afternoon, enjoy a walk along Jin Li Street, a recreation of a traditional shopping street.
Day 11 - Chengdu - Chongqing
Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre which houses over 100 of these photogenic creatures, including baby pandas and the lesser known red pandas. Later, board a high-speed express train for the journey to Chongqing where you'll board your ship, Century Sun.
Day 12 - Scenic cruising
Enjoy an optional visit to Fengdu 'Ghost' City this morning. In the afternoon visit the striking Shibaozhai pagoda which rises majestically up a sheer cliff face.
Day 13 - Three Gorges
Travel through the Qutang and Wu gorges before transferring to a smaller riverboat for a cruise on one of the Lesser Three Gorges, the Shennv Stream. Enjoy sailing through spectacular narrow gorges surrounded by jungle-clad sheer cliffs. Tonight it's the Captain's Farewell Banquet.
Day 14 - Three Gorges Dam
Continue downstream and cruise through the Xiling Gorge towards the Three Gorges Dam where you can visit the viewing platform. Disembark at Yichang, have lunch then fly to Shanghai for a two-night stay at the four-star superior Central hotel, only a short walk from the Bund.
Day 15 - Shanghai
Enjoy a morning tour of the main sights of Shanghai, including the Jade Buddha temple and the Yuyuan Gardens. In the evening there is the option to attend the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.
Day 16 - Shanghai - UK
This morning, board the world's fastest train, the Maglev, to Shanghai's Pudong airport for your return flight to the UK, arriving home later today.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.