Signature China & Purple Yangtze Cruise

Day 1 Beijing

Once you alight from a plane and touch the land of Beijing, you will be taken care of by your private tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Take a good rest and have a welcome meal before you explore the night of Beijing by yourself.

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Day 2 Beijing

Exercise in China as the Chinese Exercise. Find out what kind of different exercises that the locals do to keep healthy and join in them in the Temple of Heaven that once served as the emperors' worshipping field. Tour the Tiananmen Square that has witnessed many historic moments of China. Get lost in the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace during Ming and Qing Dynasties. Learn to draw the Beijing Opera mask and deepen your knowledge about the Beijing Opera with the old master. In the evening we go to savor Beijing Opera wile sipping tea in a local famous theatre.
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Day 3 Beijing

Cable car rides (Round trip) are available to show you the overlooking of the winding Great Wall at Mutianyu--the less-crowed and easily-accessible section to better savor this wonderful structure. Visit a nearby village, have a home - made lunch and appreciate an unrestored section of the Great Wall in a distance or climb it with the tour guide if you want. Drive to Water Cube and Bird's Nest where the 2008 Olympic Game has been held to display a new China to the whole world. At night we have crisp Peking duck in a famous local restaurant. Today's tour is demanding, so please remember to wear your well broken in footwear to avoid the sore feet or blisters.
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Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an

Hear the chirping of the birds and smell the scent of the freshly-cut flowers with the locals in a flower and pet market--Guanyuan Market (or visit Panjiayuan Market at weekend--a market to show your good taste for the second-hand goods). Embark on your rickshaw Hutong trip to shuttle through the winding alleys of the fast-disappearing Hutong to glimpse the authentic life of Beijingners along the way, and the Private Museum of the Old Beijingners' Stuffs in the Hutong trip will unveil the efforts made to protect the trace of the past lifestyle of the Beijingners. Fly to Xi'an. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and send you to the hand-picked hotel.
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Day 5 Xi'an

The trip to the Banpo Museum enhances your impression about the cultural Xi'an. Head to the Terracotta Warriors where you would be surprised by the mausoleum of Qinshihuang, the first emperor in ancient China, who still wanted thousands of army figures to protect him after his death. And a short movie will give you a general idea of how it happened to be discovered by a local farmer who was digging a well at that time. In the afternoon we visit the Shaanxi History Museum and you will know the weight of Xi'an as a capital of ten dynasties. Then we go to the well preserved Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Spoil your taste buds and stomach with the dumpling banquet while at the same time challenge and enhance you chopstick skill when handling the escaping dumplings.
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Day 6 Xi'an – Chongqing

Go with your private guide and driver to the City Wall. Ride a CO₂-free bike to feel the morning wall and Xi'an. The Great Mosque of the Muslim Quarter, along with the Gao's Courtyard will shelter you from the noisy bazaar outside. Say goodbye to Xi'an and fly to Chongqing. (As its unique steep terrain, Chongqing is the only metropolis without bikes in China--the bicycle kingdom). After settling down in the luxury Yangtze cruise ship, we still have time to visit Three Gorges Museum to know the history of Three Gorges Dam. Light Rail will be a good choice for you to get a bird's-eye view of this city. If you still have extra energy and earger for more exploration, you could try the cable car (optional) over the river. The spicy hotpot would greatly warm you up for the following cruise.
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Day 7 Cruising down the Yangtze River / Fengdu Town, Shibaozhai or Wanxian

(For frequent fluctuations in water level and river currents on the Yangtze, daily schedules and shore excursions may be changed.) The Yangtze River has running down from the Tibet Plateau -- "the top of the world". Along the downstream cruise way, you will be unveiled the wild mountain ranges, pristine ravines, and breathtaking landscapes. Have an announcement on itinerary and facilities on board before the onboard cultural activities and conference. Make a shore excursion to Fengdu Town--"city of devils" and Shibaozhai or Wanxian (adjusted by the daily schedule). Indulge in the special programs on the cruise.
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Day 8 Qutang Gorge, Daning River or Shennong Stream

Cruise through the first part--Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest among the three, but quite spectacular. If the weather is fair, you will make an excursion on authentic small boats for the Daning River or Shennong Stream (depending on the water levels) to the Lesser Three Gorges. If you are lucky enough, you may experience the excursion in time-honored way--trackers from shore will pull your boat forward. Cruise through the second part--Wu Gorge and the ship lock of the new Three Gorges Dam.
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Day 9 Yichang – Shanghai

Wake up early not to miss (in the third part--Xiling Gorge) the controversial project Three Gorges Dam in Sandouping Village. Arriving in Yichang in the afternoon, we would head to the vibrant city--Shanghai. Ramble along the charming Bund or stop at a soothing bar to enjoy the city floating in a glittering ocean of lights over a cup of coffee if you want to make most of the time in Shanghai.
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Day 10 Shanghai

Explore Shanghai Museum known as one of the most important trove of China history. The following stop is the World Financial Center -- the new Shanghai landmark to have an all-encompassing view of Shanghai. Calm the mind down in the tranquil Longhua Temple and sample the vegetarian dishes. Visit Temple of the Town Gods and store the energy by tasting a wide range of snacks or specialties in the market near the temple. Travel the private Yuyuan Garden where countless exquisiteness stands out for your detailed eye! A jaw-dropping acrobatic show will end today's trip.
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Day 11 Shanghai

Stop at a Shanghainese home and immerse in their life for half a day. Explore the old charming area where the locals live. Visit a community of elder people who are learning English, painting, making handicrafts, dancing and etc (only available on Saturday). Sip tea in a local family, enjoy the chance to interact closely with the host and prepare a home-made lunch.
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Day 12 Depart Shanghai

Take the hyper-speed maglev train (luxury seat) to head for your departing airport at lightning speed.
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