Yangtze River Cruise and Historical Cities 13 Day Deluxe Tour

Experience the grandeur of some of China's most historic cities and cruise the majestic Yangtze River. Your luxury cruise boat will take you deep into the heartland of central China, including the famed 'Three Gorges' with their spectacular mountain and cliff scenery. You will be one of the last visitors to see the spectacular Yangtze Gorges before the waters of the new Three Gorges Reservoir submerge many of the existing sites. You will also visit Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing - three of China's most historic and exciting cities.
Tour includes:
﹞ all international airfares
﹞ all travel in China, including airfares
﹞ all transfers in China
﹞ luxury 4/5 star hotel accommodation
﹞ 3 meals daily
﹞ hot and cold beverages with meals
﹞ fully guided sightseeing with English speaking guides
﹞ all entrance fees
﹞ entertainment (as specified)
﹞ tour leader from Australia with groups of 20 or more
﹞ complimentary travel bag and travel wallet

Itinerary
Day 1 Shanghai (D)
On arrival transfer to the 4 star Grand You You Hotel.
Day 2 Shanghai - Zhouzhuang - Shanghai (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive to the ancient river town of Zhouzhuang with its arched stone bridges spanning small canals. After lunch return by coach to Shanghai. Your night tour of Shanghai, includes a visit to the Oriental Pearl Tower (third highest in the world), for spectacular views of the city by night.
Day 3 Shanghai - Yichang (B/L/D)
Today's sightseeing tour includes visits to the Bund, Nanjing Road Shopping District, and the Yu Gardens. After lunch, fly to Yichang to board your Yangtze River luxury cruise boat.
Day 4 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
Your cruise com-mences. The boat leaves Yichang and travels upstream through spectacular scenery. Morning passage through one of the world's largest locks and the new dam site at Sandouping. In the afternoon travel through the longest of the Three Gorges - The Xiling Gorge. This evening's entertainment includes the Captain's Welcome Party and a traditional Chinese Cultural Show.
Day 5 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
After breakfast, travel in longboats along the Shennong Stream Gorge, with its precipitous cliffs, waterfalls and towering peaks. In the after-noon enjoy the scenery of the Wu and Qutang Gorges from the top deck of your cruise boat.
Day 6 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
Morning excur-sion to the "Ghost City" of Fengdu. In the afternoon cruise upstream through the ever changing Middle Yangtze Region. This evening, the Captain's farewell dinner.
Day 7 Chongqing - Xi'an (B/L/D)
Morning arrival in Chongqing and a visit to the Zoo (where you should be able to see the famous Chinese panda) and the magnificent City Hall. Afternoon flight to Xi'an. On arrival, transfer to the deluxe 4 star Jianguo Hotel.
Day 8 Xi'an (B/L/D)
Morning visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors. After lunch visit the Banpo Museum, on the site of the 6,000 year old Banpo Village.
Day 9 Xi'an - Beijing (B/L/D)
Morning tour of Xi'an, includes visits to the Bell and Drum Towers, the Moslem Quarter and the City Wall. After lunch fly to Beijing. Visit the Temple of Heaven en-route to the 5 star King Wing Hot Springs Hotel.
Day 10 Beijing (B/L/D)
Morning tour to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. After lunch visit the Summer Palace. This evening enjoy an exciting Chinese Acrobatic Show.
Day 11 Beijing (B/L/D)
In the morning, travel to China's most famous icon, the Great Wall. After lunch, visit the Ming Dynasty Tombs and a cloisonn谷 factory. For dinner, enjoy world famous Peking Duck.
Day 12 Beijing - Australia (B)
Day free until afternoon transfer to Beijing International Airport for your return flight to home.
Day 13 Australia
Arrive back home.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner