DAY 01 HometownQBeijing

Starting your tour by taking deluxe flight to Beijing, cross the international date line.

DAY 02 Arriving Beijing

Arrive in Beijing-the capital of China. Nexus Holidays tour guide greets you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

DAY 03 Beijing

Beijing served as the capital of 5 dynasties over a period of 800 years with each emperor identified as a dragon sent from the heaven. Start your city tour with a visit to the Forbidden City. This complex, the largest and most intact conglomeration of ancient structures of the imperial palace ever built in the world, features more than 800 buildings with 9999 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls. Next stop is the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, its monuments and buildings situated around the square’s perimeter. Then tour to the Temple of Heaven, which was used to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvest in ancient times. Enjoy the famous Peking Duck dinner in the evening.

DAY 04 Beijing

The highlight today is a trip to the astonishing Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass. The Great Wall is the most famous image of China throughout the world. It is the only man-made object visible from the moon, and as one of the Eight Wonders of the world. It is a symbol of Chinese traditional culture and the pride of the Chinese nation. Later visit the Sacred Path of Ming Tombs, 13 of the 16 Ming emperors have their tombs here. This is an attractive destination as much for the natural scenery of the area as for the tombs themselves. Visit the Cloisonne Factory and the biggest Jade Exhibition Center in Asia. Followed by a tricycle tour to the historic Hutong and Alley of Beijing old town, take in the sights and sounds of Beijing of olden times. Enjoy the famous acrobatic show in the evening.

DAY 05 Beijing

Tour to the Summer Palace in the morning, the largest ancient preserved garden in China and a former summer resort for Emperors and the chosen few. Then visit Silk Carpet Factory. After lunch you will be transferred back to the hotel for your free time, dinner is on your own.

DAY 06 BeijingQWuhan—Three Gorges

Fly to Wuhan in the morning, tour the city upon arrival. Visit the Yellow Crane Pavilion, you will have a bird’s eye view of Wuhan City and the Yangtze River. After dinner board the 5 star deluxe Yangtze River cruiser and start your venture tour on the Yangtze River.

DAY 07 Three Gorges

With a rich Chinese cultural heritage of thousands of years, the Three Gorges is not only a picturesque natural gallery, but also a spectacular treasure house. The cruiser sails upstream. You will have introduction on all trip events and activities onboard.

DAY 08 Three Gorges

The cruiser will pass the ship-lock of the Gezhou Dam and sail into the Xiling Gorge, which is renowned for being extremely perilous and is the longest one of the Three Gorges. The water is full of turbulent currents and whirlpools and dangerous shoals. Shore excursion to visit the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping, the largest project of China in the afternoon. Then the cruiser will pass the ship-lock of the Three Gorges Dam.

DAY 09 Three Gorges

The cruiser will pass Zigui and Badong. You will transfer to smaller boats to see the Shennongxi Stream. Then the cruiser will sail into the Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. The Wu Gorge boasts the most immediately beautiful and spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges. Flanking the river is a series of green mountains with precipices and peaks where the water zigzags forward and gives way to some attractive scenery. Although Qutang Gorge is the smallest among the Three Gorges, it is actually the most powerful one and the water here flows most rapidly at this spot.

DAY 10 Three Gorges

The cruiser will arrive Wanxian in the morning, shore excursion to visit the Wanxian Museum, New City for Relocates, and the Farm Market.

DAY 11 Three Gorges—Chongqing

The cruiser arrives the destination Chongqing in the morning. Take the city tour upon arrival. Visit the Three Gorges Museum and enjoy the famous hot pot dinner.

DAY 12 ChongqingQLhasa

Take a morning flight to Lhasa-the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region since the 7th century and is both political and religious heart of Tibet. Although Lhasa is famous for being one of the highest cities in the world, what really knocks you out here is the full scale impact on your senses of the breathtaking beauty, unique landscape and the holy atmosphere of this religious center. Visit the Drepung Monastery in the afternoon, a collection of Buddhist chapels and colleges. The Norbulingka is the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas and deserves a visit both for its historical and cultural significance. More than just a simple summer retreat, this is the headquarters from which the Dalai Lamas ruled Tibet during the summer months.

DAY 13 Lhasa

In the morning sightsee the Potala Palace, the home of the Dalai Lamas, the traditional theological rulers and Buddhism’s highest ranking priests of Tibet. It was the former political heart of Tibet and contains unimaginable treasures. Then visit the Lhasa’s holiest temple— Jokhang Temple, the religious center of Tibet. This 1300-year-old temple houses a pure gold Buddha statue that was a gift from the Tang Dynasty of China. Sightseeing the Barkhor Bazaar, which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. Today it is a big free market where you can get a typical Tibetan souvenir here at a good price.

DAY 14 Lhasa

In morning visit the Sera Monastery. It is here that the monks’ famous daily debates take place. Then you will have the free time and dinner is also on your own.

DAY 15 LhasaQChengduvHanoi

Fly to Chengdu in the morning, upon arrival visit the Giant Panda Research Base, here is the best place to see Chengdu’s most famous residents. The Museum here graphically details the panda reproductive problems and there is also a large breeding ground at the site. You have the chance to hug the giant panda with expense on your own.

DAY 16 ChengduQShanghai

In the morning fly to Shanghai-the largest commercial and financial center of China. Stroll the Nanjing Road and the Bund (Wai Tan) waterfront area, a sweeping area along the Huangpu River, where used to be foreign concessions and now is the symbol of modern Shanghai. Here is the best place to capture the western influence of the old days. Visit the Yuyuan Garden and the Old City Temple. After dinner you may take optional tour, the night cruise on the Huangpu River at your own expense (￥150 RMB）.

DAY 17 Shanghai

Visit the Shanghai Museum and Freshwater Pearls Exhibition Center in the morning. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, and dinner will be on your own.

DAY 18 ShanghaiQHometown

Tour guide will transfer you to the airport and home your sweet home.